Wheels that break banks

Tyres and rims are one of the essential components of a car, its main function serving as legs to drive the vehicle. They come in pieces of four, with two each located at the front and back. As regular and as cheap as car wheels seem, it is interesting to know that the built and design of a rim can drastically change a vehicle's appearance, and also create a kind of perception on the driver.

Knowing this, how does one react finding out that some rims cost $22,000 (N3.3 million) or more. Now! That is what can be termed adding style and class to your vehicle in a "Gangster and thug way".

Car rims

These much-talked about rims are not the regular types. They are customised rims such as Chrome Wheels, Spinners, Ice Rims, American Racing Rims, and many others, which are very eye-catchy. They differ in price, weight, mounting options, design and size (17", 18", 20" and 24").

The Chrome rims are a special built. They are made via a process of the rim being dipped and bathed in chromium, just to give it a shiny and flashy appearance. They are sometimes heavily decorated with expensive details like diamonds, birth stones, gold and platinum. Looking at the 924 "Shock and Awe Series" which packs a stunning 4,281 carats on each wheel, is enough to stop free flow of traffic.

The spinners

The spinners are a different type of rims, both in built and design. They are rims that still spin, even after a car is stationary. They are specially built with sealed bearings, which is what creates the rotation of the rims even after the vehicle has stopped moving.

Single spinner wheels cost as much as $5,000 (N750,000), and it's still in high demand. They have various names and spinning styles like the Dubspin, Spin Pro, Oasis, Ultra Hot and Spintek, among others. The Spinners have been made with a cheaper prototype called the Spin wheels, with a rim costing $300.

Customising or "Pimping" of car rims have become a common practice worldwide, most especially in the United States. The ego culture has its major influence coming from hip hop and rap videos, where musicians ride in heavily "pimped" cars and wheels as a style of wealth and money show-off. The "Pimp my ride" TV show produced by MTV (Music Television), with host "Xzibit" (American music rapper), is a popular programme with a large audience, where lots of these wheels are showcased.

Some popular musicians and rappers have taken to the business of aftermarket wheels, partnering with major manufacturers of car rims. They have the major intention of producing their own line of custom-made chrome rims. In March 2005, music entertainer, Sean Combs, a.k.a Diddy, had a partnership with Kansas City Wheels Manufacturing to produce exclusive Sean John wheel collections. The wheels as at then retailed from $700 to $3,000.