I'm considering buying a 2015 Jaguar XF with 19" chrome rims. My last car, 2011 XF, had aluminum rims that were like butter---Chicago potholes. Are the chrome rims more durable?

 

Automobile wheels are certainly not made of either pure aluminum nor chromium. They are made of an aluminum based alloy and the exterior finish is a matter of coating. Hardness is determined by the alloy, not the coating. Jaguar wheels are all pretty much of the same alloy. No matter the hardness, it is best to drive around the potholes.

 

Size helps - the 19inch with larger sidewall is less of a risk than the 20inch with thin tire...

 

Just had my 2010 XF (purchased four months ago) serviced by my indie last week. Service included having my tyres/tires rotated, balanced and a four wheel alignment. Indie told me that three out of four 19" Artura wheels were bent. I'll be purchasing new 18" wheels and tyres next year. Too many potholes around here.

 

Here in Fort Worth, the only reason for asphalt is to keep the dust down. There is never any intention by the public works department to produce a smooth surface to drive on. It seems they just spray a coat of asphalt over the old cattle trail and put up a street sign with some politician's daughter's name on it. Instead of fixing the roads, they just expect everybody to buy 4x4 trucks and SUVs. First thing I did was to remove the 19" Caravelas that came with the Portfolio package and bought a set of the 18" Vela's that would have come stock on the base model. On top of that, I'm running a slightly taller tire than what would have come stock. And even with that, I've had to repair one.

 

You might consider forged rims but they are expensive.
I have factory forged 20" rims on my 2014 XJR and have had no problems and I am at 41K miles. Many big pothole hits too. Really expected at least one to be bent after the impacts they took.
My old 2005 STR had 18" rims not forged and I had 3 out of the 4 bend.
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