Are These New Tesla Model 3 and Y Wheels Really Indestructible?

Motor Trend

6 days ago

Anyone who has had to maintain or operate a taxi knows that upkeep is an important task. Every minute your car or SUV is down, the less you're earning. Keeping it looking clean and presentable is also paramount, as a damaged and unclean vehicle can cause customers to look for another taxi. Other than being the cheapest option, it's why many taxis will use a steel wheel, as curb rash is a bit harder to see than on an aluminum wheel, and steelies can take regular pothole and curb impacts slightly better. That's why there might be a slight reason to believe in the marketing of the new Road Warrior wheel for the Tesla Model 3 and Y from Unplugged Performance, even if the 'indestructible' part is a bit far-fetched.
The Unplugged Performance Road Warrior wheel, designed for Tesla Model 3 and Y, claims to be "indestructible" with a replaceable rim guard for curb rash. While appealing for customization, its high cost makes it less practical for robotaxi fleets compared to standard or steel wheels.
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No wheel on the road today is 'indestructible.' Hard to damage, sure, but none can take everything you can throw at them and come out unscathed. Just ask anyone who's rock crawled or rally raced for some time. What the Unplugged Performance Road Warrior does have going for it is that it's a forged aluminum wheel. As the word suggests, these wheels are beat into shape, which causes the microscopic grain structure to even out and stretch into shape. This creates a far stronger wheel than a cast aluminum unit you'll find on your average new car, including Tesla models that don't use a forged aluminum wheel. Now, that doesn't mean harder, as the wheel needs to flex a little bit, but forged aluminum wheels are more rigid and better able to return to shape. Make a wheel too hard, and you risk making it brittle, and that brittle wheel could eventually shatter on the next pothole hit you take.
So, yeah, the 'indestructible' part is an Unplugged marketing gimmick, but the one other advantage it does advertise doesn't sound so gimmicky. Outside of its forged aluminum construction, the Road Warrior offers a replaceable aluminum rim guard. It's designed to be sacrificial and to be installed and removed without dismounting your tires. It's not the first time we've heard about this type of feature on a wheel. There have been other attempts that have come and gone (remember curb feelers?) and some that have stayed—like tires that feature an extra bit of rubber that goes around the wheel rim to work as curb rash protection. Replaceable rim lips are also ones that just seem to pop up from time to time and usually target the slammed-out crowd. That said, you'll usually find these replaceable lips to be made from plastic or some sort of composite because it's a cheaper way than manufacturing them out of aluminum. And we're not counting beadlocks in this category, as they offer a different use case. You will find some truck wheels that offer non-beadlock wheels with replaceable aluminum rim lips, but they often require the tire be at least partially dismounted, as they do retain the bead or help seal the tire to retain air.
What makes Unplugged Performance's marketing unique is that it's targeting those Tesla Model 3 and Model Y owners who are looking to join the Robotaxi service. A wheel that will survive most anything a taxi vehicle will encounter and also features a rim lip can be replaced when the old one becomes too rashed up is an easy sell for those just getting into taxi service. The fact that you can change that lip without dismounting the tire means there will be little downtime and that owner can continue to make revenue. That also means there are two unfortunate facts that do make this wheel a poor choice for taxi fleets. One: How often does an automated Tesla curb rash a wheel? Our experience is that, despite its other flaws, a Tesla does a decent job at parking itself—if just a bit on the slow side of doing it. If a human were driving, of course that would be a different story, but robotaxis are supposed to be fully automated. Two: If you're looking to maximize your earnings, a regular Tesla Model 3 or Model Y wheel makes more sense.
Yes, the forged Road Warrior wheel is a potentially tougher wheel, but it's also more costly. A set of four 19-inch Road Warrior wheels will cost $2,595, while the 20-inch set will add another $400 to the cost of the quartet ($2,995). A two pack of replacement rim guards will also set you back $79.95 for both the 19-inch and the 20-inch wheels. And this doesn't include the mounting and balancing labor if you want to reuse the tires your Model 3 or Model Y are already using, let alone the additional cost of a new set of tires plus mounting labor. Looking at some of the OE aftermarket options out there, a new 19-inch Model 3 replica wheel from a reputable company can be as little as $200–$300. Tesla will even sell full set of four 19-inch Sport wheels with tires for $2,750—though we will note this is for a set of winter tires.
If you're looking to customize your Tesla Model 3 or Model Y, the Road Warrior isn't a bad option and has a rather unique aerodynamic look with a great option for curb rash repair. But if you're looking for a cheap and easy way to keep your Tesla in service for your robotaxi dreams, it's probably best to stick with your standard set of 19-inch wheels. Or try to find a set of steelies.