Serpent Alloy wheel opinions?

Dawn · 2nd July 2016, 12:14

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

Ravinder · 2nd July 2016, 12:37

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.

FrazzleTC · 2nd July 2016, 12:40

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.

Plezier · 2nd July 2016, 14:18

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.

maxi_crawf · 2nd July 2016, 14:29

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

aguy · 2nd July 2016, 14:37

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.

Dawn · 2nd July 2016, 16:06

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!

suzublu · 2nd July 2016, 16:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitts

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

Duotone · 2nd July 2016, 16:39

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

Dave T

Dawn · 2nd July 2016, 16:46

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.

2nd July 2016, 12:14	#1
Dawn I really should get out more....... MG ZT 180+ auto Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ilkeston, Derbys Posts: 2,743 Thanks: 285 Thanked 1,128 Times in 504 Posts	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

2nd July 2016, 12:37	#2
Ravinder This is my second home Rover 75 saloon x2, Rover 75 Tourer x2, Rover 220 Coupe Turbo Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kirkcaldy, Fife Posts: 9,036 Thanks: 2,278 Thanked 2,852 Times in 1,718 Posts	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. __________________ Wanted - Indian bride. Cash waiting. (All sorted - bargain) First name and forum name: Ravinder Rover 75 2.0 CDT Connoisseur SE 116 (160 remap) Royal Blue (JFM) This vehicle was the 50,481st 75 to run off the production line, out of 112,381 This vehicle was the 2,238th 75 CDT Connoisseur SE to be made out of 3,775 This vehicle was the 5,002nd 75 in Royal Blue (code: JFM) to be made out of 14,420 Royal Blue 75s

2nd July 2016, 12:40	#3
FrazzleTC This is my second home Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Staffordshire Moorlands Posts: 7,924 Thanks: 533 Thanked 1,178 Times in 920 Posts	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. __________________ 1967 Rover 2000 Automatic 1969 Rover 3500 Series One 1979 Scimitar GTE 2013 Mercedes SLK250 CDI

2nd July 2016, 14:18	#4
Plezier I really should get out more....... Mercedes C Class CDI estate (2003) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Gradina Posts: 2,652 Thanks: 62 Thanked 137 Times in 119 Posts	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. __________________ Classic SE CDT sadly lost in a severe collision.

2nd July 2016, 14:37	#6
aguy I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Connoisseur SE 2.5 V6 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: CLEETHORPES Posts: 2,108 Thanks: 833 Thanked 748 Times in 511 Posts	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. __________________ HARRY.

2nd July 2016, 14:29	#5
maxi_crawf Posted a thing or two R75 Saloon Conn CDT SE, MG ZT190+ Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Kingston-upon-Hull Posts: 1,960 Thanks: 823 Thanked 426 Times in 274 Posts	Serpents are quite popular, I have them on my MKI conny, they do look the part!

2nd July 2016, 16:06	#7
Dawn I really should get out more....... MG ZT 180+ auto Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ilkeston, Derbys Posts: 2,743 Thanks: 285 Thanked 1,128 Times in 504 Posts	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!

2nd July 2016, 16:39	#9
Duotone This is my second home 75 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Leeds Posts: 8,432 Thanks: 176 Thanked 907 Times in 716 Posts	For a mark 1 Rover 75 the Serpents are the nicest alloy wheels. Dave T

2nd July 2016, 16:46	#10
Dawn I really should get out more....... MG ZT 180+ auto Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ilkeston, Derbys Posts: 2,743 Thanks: 285 Thanked 1,128 Times in 504 Posts	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.