OEM Stock vs Aftermarket Wheels and Tires (Pros and Cons)

Summary

• OEM wheels meaning: These are the wheels (AKA rims) that come standard on the vehicle when it was manufactured. They are the original wheels that the vehicle was fitted with when it was assembled at the manufacturing plant. 
• OEM tires meaning: These are the tires that come standard with a vehicle. Some dealerships or manufacturers may offer upgraded tire options, but in general, OEM tires are defined as the make and model of tires that rolled off the assembly line with the vehicle.
• Aftermarket meaning: Tires and wheels that match the specifications ("specs") of the original equipment. Aftermarket has no implication on quality; aftermarket can be just as good and even better than original equipment manufacturers.   

Factory vs Aftermarket Rim and Tire Replacement

When upgrading or replacing your current wheels with a set of aftermarket rims, if you've never done it before, you're probably finding you have more questions than you did when you started your research. 

Like, what are OEM wheels and tires, and what are aftermarket wheels and tires? Which is better? Which is cheaper? What are the differences?

This article will help answer those questions about OEM versus aftermarket wheels, and help you make an informed decision about buying replacement rims, whether you're looking to replace a damaged wheel with an exact-match wheel or you're looking to upgrade your ride with a full set.

We’ll break down terms like “OEM” and “stock wheels” and the benefits of having them on your vehicle. We’ll also talk about aftermarket wheels and why you might switch over to them from your current wheels. 

For more about tires, read our guide to buying aftermarket tires.

What Does OEM Mean?

OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer, which can apply to any part of your vehicle. It’s any part of your vehicle that was included in the original build as it rolled off the manufacturer's assembly line. Your OEM wheels, sometimes also called stock wheels or simply OE wheels, are the wheels that were included with the vehicle. 

Every make and model of vehicle has its own OE tires and OE wheels. You can check with a local dealership or search online for "OEM + make, model, year" to find what tires and wheels originally came with your car.

Let's dig more into OEM and wheel replacements.

How Do You Identify OE or Stock Wheels?

If you look on the inner side of your wheels, you’ll see a few numbers engraved, usually on the spokes. These numbers will list the size and specs of the wheel and the make or serial number. It may also have the manufacturer's logo.  

Because these stock wheels were made for your vehicle, you can expect them to fit and perform perfectly, in typical driving conditions. Stock wheels can be pretty generic, fitting with the rest of your vehicle in a non-obtrusive way; on luxury vehicles, however, they may feature upgraded designs that look (and likely are) pricier.  

If you’re purchasing a used vehicle and the wheels look new or differ from the original vehicle's specifications, it’s worth asking the seller if the wheels are OEM or aftermarket. If they're aftermarket wheels, ask the seller why they were replaced. Was the vehicle involved in an accident? (Don't forget to check Carfax or something similar.) Or, was the previous owner a car enthusiast who wanted to upgrade their wheels? 

To find out the OEM wheels for any vehicle, start by searching online for:

• "factory wheels for [year make model]"
• "oem wheels for [year make model]"

To be honest, finding the make and model of OE rims is not easy. You can save yourself time and frustration (plus, potentially, money) by shopping for aftermarket wheels. 

What Are Aftermarket Wheels?

Aftermarket wheels are sometimes called "replica wheels" if they’re trying to match the look and style of the OEM wheel. They are typically manufactured by a third party, not the OEM company. It is possible to get an aftermarket wheel that works well with your vehicle, but it probably won’t be specifically made for your vehicle. Aftermarket wheels can be cheaper when compared to replacing OEM wheels; however, it's possible to upgrade your wheels, which can cost more. 

In the below example, we searched Tire Agent for replacement wheels for a 2022 Ford Bronco Wildtrak. Our search findings delivered over 250 options from 16 wheel brands.  

On the low end of the price range, Vision Offroad's 375 in gloss black cost $887 for a set of 4. Vision is a respected brand in the off-road market, and they've got a huge selection of aftermarket wheels to fit a wide range of budgets and driving styles. 

On the higher end of the spectrum is Fuel's D696 Covert in a matte black and bronze finish with a simulated beadlock ring. This upgraded 10-spoke, six-lug wheel runs around $1,672 for a full set of four (prices vary based on market factors, size and options). Fuel also offers a massive catalog of wheels in a range of prices and styles.

Aftermarket wheels can offer a specific look, especially with off-road wheels. Additionally, certain high-quality aftermarket off-road wheels are built to offer better performance in difficult situations that your OEM wheels aren’t prepared for. 

The quality of aftermarket wheels ranges heavily, as some aftermarket wheels may be higher quality than your OEM wheels, while others will be worse, especially with used wheels (Tire Agent doesn't recommend buying used tires or wheels).  

Because aftermarket wheels are designed based on size, rather than make and model, you’ll have to research the size and fitment of the wheel that your vehicle needs. We cover how to find wheel specs in a separate post.

Tire Agent sells wheels from 60+ brands. Enter your vehicle’s make and model during the wheel shopping process to see wheels that will fit your vehicle. 

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Pros and Cons of OEM vs Aftermarket Rims

Pros of OEM wheels 

• Perfectly matched with your vehicle 
• Safe to use 
• Tested under difficult conditions during manufacturing with quality guarantees
• Made specifically for the make, model and year of your vehicle

Cons of OEM wheels 

• May be difficult to find and expensive to replace
• If purchasing a used vehicle, they’ll probably be around the same age as the car
• May not be specialized for certain extreme conditions
• Look generic (which could also be a pro, if you value function over form in cars) 

Pros of aftermarket wheels

• Look more interesting with diverse colors and styles
• Specialized options for certain extreme case conditions
• Can be cheaper than OEM (but can also be more expensive)

Cons of aftermarket wheels

• Cheap or used aftermarket wheels may be low quality or dangerous (Tire Agent carries aftermarket wheels from recognized, reputable wheel brands.)
• Not made to fit your vehicle's specific make, model and year
• Finding specific sizes and fitments that work with your vehicle may take a little research (and time)
• A single aftermarket wheel may not work well with other OEM wheels (you’ll need to purchase a full set)*

*If purchasing a full set of wheels and/or tires is cost prohibitive, you'll be interested in the payment plans offered through Paypair, Tire Agent's tire and wheel payment plans.

What Should You Get: Stock or Aftermarket Wheels?

The question of whether to buy stock or aftermarket comes down to your needs and situation. 

Buy OEM, factory or stock wheels if:

• You aren't concerned with upgrading your vehicle's style, or 
• You want to play it safe and match the vehicle's existing wheels, and 
• You can find them.

Buy aftermarket wheels if:

• You intend to upgrade the look of your vehicle, or
• You want to get quality replacement wheels at a lower price than OEM, or
• You can't find OEM wheels, or
• You are willing and able to research options to find the best replacement wheels for your vehicle.  

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_{Photo 319162547 | Wheels | Siarhei Dzemianishyn | Dreamstime}