Snow Tires- Steelies or Cheapos?

[Slave2myE36]

So I just got an E46, (my other car being an E30), and the E46 will be my winter car. It looks nice and I'm proud to own it. So here's the issue, I need winter tires so I figure I might as well get a set of rims for it used or whatever.
I found a good deal on a set with steelies...but I hate steelies! I was told that people will understand it's probably a winter set-up and I'm not a poor person who always rocks steelies. My other current option I've found is a cheap set of Voxx wheels. 10 spoke pretty simple stuff. So the question is- whats uglier, cheap wheels or steelies? What should I do??? Going all out and getting nice winter wheels at this point in my cheap college student age isn't an option unfortunately. Thoughts???

[Das VR6]

Well, your last sentence really makes it simple. Do whatever is cheapest. It’s winter, who cares about the wheels...

[Tom.W]

I was told that people will understand it's probably a winter set-up and I'm not a poor person who always rocks stealies.

Ah, first world issues..

On a more serious note, just rock the steelies. You have to remember 95% of people just get in the car and drive. They wont notice steelies over a nice set of wheels. Anyone who notices that you have stealies on your car will understand why.

The steel wheels will also take more of a beating.

[Slave2myE36]

Haha true, I feel bad now for saying such things.

But good advice, perhaps stealies will be unnoticeable to some and endure the beating a little better.

[JSalzl]

if you can find cheap rims do that... but snow tires are generally cheaper for smaller diameter rims. so 16 inch steelies are probably the best way to go on an e46 (i'm pretty sure they will clear the brakes)

[JUSTION337]

Find some cheap take-offs?

[9jetta6]

steelies! just paint them or something. like bright green

[Das VR6]

don’t paint them

[JSalzl]

don’t paint them

agreed

[Slave2myE36]

Yeah when I had an E36 that was eating through tires I painted some bottlecaps hot pink, didn't hold up very well.
No more painted wheels,
unless done properly....maybe someday.

[CaRJoE0220]

Pic of car?

[Sven7]

Steelies

Made of steel

Not stolen

[Slave2myE36]

Lol oh my, I knew that looked wrong but I didn't bother to check why. My apologies, how embarrassing. (I fixed it for ya, and me)
However stealies might be even cheaper than steelies

[Slave2myE36]

Pic of E46? or E36 with pink wheels? lol

[Sven7]

However stealies might be even cheaper than steelies

Not if you're not the stealer