Most aftermarket alloy wheels are bought for styling purposes, and an enormous variety of designs is available. There can be a handling advantage if the wheel is lighter than standard, but it's not advisable to go too light on a road car because of the risk of the wheel breaking.

Practically everyone who buys replacement wheels chooses ones which are taller and wider than standard, and this inevitably requires the use of larger tyres than the ones originally fitted. This can increase the overall gearing of the car (leading to slower acceleration), though not by much if the tyres are of lower profile and their diameter is therefore about the same as on the ones that have been replaced.

Wider wheels and tyres can, however, lead to problems with fouling the inner wheelarches, and it's best to listen to the advice of an expert.

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