Serpent Alloy wheel opinions?
 

Well, I'm smitten with the 75, but there is one thing about it that doesn't really get me jumping for joy, and that's the wheels. I think they're called "crown alloys."

Normally, I like to keep a car totally original, but I've seen a type of wheel on members cars here and I think I'd like them on mine. They're 17" Serpents.

What does everyone think about changing wheels? More importantly, as I'm still a newbie to the 75 world, if I did decide to start to look for a set of these alloys, what is a fair and decent price to pay?

Dawn

Serpents are very nice wheels. I do like the crowns but the serpents finish it off nicely. I've seen them go as low as £100-350 so it's hard to say. They do come up now and again and also keep your eyes on gumtree and eBay. Obviously, tyres are bigger and a bit more expensive so something to take into account and ride quality may be affected unless you go for bigger profile tyres to try and get as much comfort as possible. Make sure you get the centre caps with them too as they are hard to get hold of themselves, especially ones in good condition as they're unique to those wheels only so your crowns wouldn't fit on the serpents etc.

Around £150 is the going rate for a half-decent set, with tyres of unknown quality and tread. I found changing to Serpents on my 75 a very expensive exercise. Also, beware as they can buckle and crack badly.

If you look at the 75 handbook there are some pictures of the cars in motions and the Crowns look a bit like Moon discs when in motion. The higher side walls on 15" help save the rims from the ravages of the dreadful roads around here.

Serpents are quite popular, I have them on my MKI conny, they do look the part!

I do like crown alloys and think they suit the Mk1 '75 really well.

I have 10 spoke Comets on mine which are not the 'coolest' in town but again I like them. They do suit the car.

I love serpents and did consider them but ...a) I have recently fitted new tyres and.. b) I don't want to compromise the ride quality.

Like you Dawn, keeping the car as original as possible is important to me too though as long as the wheels you fit are genuine and not after market I don't think you will spoil the looks.;)

Whoever owned my car before made a bit of a mess of the Crowns, they're kerbed quite badly on two of the four. The only way to do anything with those would be a full refurb. So I have a choice of refurb or replace.

Can someone please tell me the correct original tyre size for the Serpents so I can check out prices please? I just paid £41 each for two Avon's on the 15" rims, and I suspect I will be paying a lot more on the Serpents!

225/45/17 would be the correct one's, but you could fit 50's as well if you wanted:cool:

For a mark 1 Rover 75 the Serpents are the nicest alloy wheels.

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l4...eMotorshow.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l4...tonegreen1.jpg

Dave T

Those pics look stunning! Is that the original finish on the top one? They look extra shiny, but I guess it could be the light. Just checked tyre prices and Blackcircles do them from £43 upwards, so not terrible pricing.