OEM vs Aftermarket Wheels: 5 Comparison Categories

5. Ease of Selection

The aftermarket may have a wider variety of wheels, which might seem to put them ahead in this category. However, having lots of something isn't the only thing to consider. When you choose OEM wheels designed for your Chevy, you can be sure that the mounting bolt pattern is exactly what it needs to be, that there's enough offset to keep the wheels from interfering with suspension and other components, and that the load-carrying capability is sufficient. Choosing aftermarket wheels means you can't necessarily trust that these things are true. Even something as simple as a proper fit may be harder to find when you choose aftermarket wheels.

Winner: OEM

4. Car Resale Value

If you plan on running your Chevy into the ground, you can skip this paragraph. But if you ever plan on selling or trading it in at some point in the future, know that aftermarket wheels can negatively affect the resale value. For one thing, buyers might be wary about the quality of aftermarket wheels (more on that later) and fear that they'll need to replace them. What's more, Chevrolet has designed a variety of wheels meant specifically to match the look of your car, truck, or SUV. While you might like the looks of that aftermarket set of wheels, others might have very different tastes.

Winner: OEM

3. Warranty

When you choose OEM wheels, those wheels will be covered by a warranty. If there's a factory defect in the wheels that manifests itself within a certain period of time, you can have them replaced at no cost to you. While some aftermarket wheels have warranties, that's not true of all of them. But it's not just the wheels' warranty you'll have to worry about. Using aftermarket wheels that have been installed somewhere other than the dealership may cause parts of your Chevrolet warranty not to be valid.

Winner: OEM

2. Quality

When it comes to quality, the aftermarket is a gamble. Some wheels may be similar in quality to OEM wheels, while others may be quickly put out by a shady company looking to make a profit without any consideration for quality. Finding the right one can be difficult. Even if you do find a maker of aftermarket rims that is known for quality of materials, the quality of your ride may be diminished. If you like the look of huge wheels with thin tires, know that you'll likely feel every little bump in the road.

Winner: OEM

1. Safety

This ties into quality. If you happen to get aftermarket rims that are made from lower-quality materials, they may be liable to crack and bend. Any wheels sold by Chevrolet will have been put through the same stringent safety tests as the rest of our parts. We probably don't have to tell you just how important wheels are for your safety, so don't settle for anything less than the best.

Winner: OEM