Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Wire wheels or Alloys

I am loking to buy a Roadster Mk1 in the near future.Could the forum advise me on Alloys versus wire wheels.I know the alloys are a bit lighter and so reduce the unsprung weight but could one really tell which rims they were driving on? I have been out of the Morgan fold for a few years but I really enjoyed my 4.6 Plus 8 on centre lock alloys.Does anyone know the cost of changing hubs etc?

For ease of cleaning I'd go with alloys...
I doubt the average driver could tell the difference...

Alloys if you drive like Mr Toad, wires for a true gent

The wings are wider with wire wheels, so it's not a simple job to change.The Roadster wires are also slightly wider than those fitted to the Plus 8 in its final form. For me, wires were a must have.

I had wires on my 2005 Roadster. They looked the business &, being stainless, were not too bad to clean but were very heavy. You could feel the weight thrashing around on corners, especially on poor surfaces ( i.e. most roads ). As DaveW says, the wings were wider with wires, & I reckoned that the narrower wings look better.
I went for alloys on the new Roadster. It turns out that the wings are now just as wide ( I believe the front is even wider). I do find the handling better with the alloys and they are much easier to clean ( but not as pretty as wires )
Mr Toad

I think wires look nicer but the alloys perform better. When I had wires I was convinced I could feel the flex and delay. The alloys feel more positive. Easier to clean too, of course, if, like me, you're lazy. I also prefer the narrower wheel arch look.
Nick

I find the SS wheels on my +8 easier to clean than the alloys on the other cars.

My advice would be to make your decision on looks, you would certainly need to be a more sensitive driver than me to spot any difference in driving.

The comment on width is is worth noting, if the new cars are the same width alloys or wires, then that would swing the argument back to wires for me.

(If you do a search you will find more info on this subject, with the little-enders never going to agree with big-enders - so-to-speak)

If you're buying a Mk1, you're going to get what you get, surely? Far better to choose the best car you can find (condition, mileage, history etc - not to mention colour and trim preference) and accept the status quo.

Mine came with SS wires (4 months and 256 miles old) - but I'd have happily bought it with alloys. The wires look a million dollars - but are - as variously mentioned here already - an absolute b####r to clean!

I can imagine a little more suspension compliance with lighter wheels perhaps, but a deal breaker ...?

I've ordered SS for my new Roadster as the overall look was a factor in buying a Morgan in the first place. But I'm aware that the handling is sharper with alloys. I have to say that handling is not a key factor in buying a Morgan.

Surely Graham all Morgan owners are well above average !!!

In todays crowded roads where driving near the limit is decidedly dodgy, then I doubt if there is much difference. On the track then perhaps the alloys are better.