Wheel Damage - Repair, replace w/new or recon?

[dmcdayton]

Can this be repaired or should I replace it? If replace, will reconditioned wheels match OEM?

[dmcdayton]

Also, the dealer quoted me $500+ for the replacement wheel...reconditioned are going for $250. Dealer said there was a Chrome OEM for $350...I would have thought chrome version would be more expensive, not less...wondering if guy got the prices backwards.

[Toma23]

You can get them refinished. Find someone who will do it on the side don't have the dealer refinish it they also sub it out and they mark up the price 100% my buddy got he's GTI wheels recondition all of them for les them$400

[InvertedB]

That can easily be repaired for a quarter of what the dealer was quoting you.

Quick Google search popped up these guys in your area for wheel repair: http://www.thewheelwarehouse.com/

Looking at their wheel catalog makes me think they'll be overpriced, but you can always look around for another quality place that costs less.

[snobrdrdan]

Looks like you have the Interlagos

If you want to buy a refurbished one (looks like brand new)...this is the absolute cheapest I've found:
http://www.theautopartsshop.com/whee...y69890u20.html

Problem is...I ordered a set of 4 and they didn't match each other....each of the paint finishes was a little different, but I have major OCD.
So if you ordered only 1....you probably wouldn't notice the difference.


New from a dealer though....you can get one from one of the vendors on here for $243.75 + shipping (MSRP is $325):
http://keffervwparts.com/parts/2011/...agramCallOut=3
(pick the "Interlagos", aluminum)

I've bought from them before & they're a VW dealer that is a sponsor/vendor on here...100% legit seller

Or you can try these guys (another dealer) too for $234+ shipping:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...t-Douglas-VW**

[dmcdayton]

Thanks for the info. I ended up ordering from a company in MN, $160 delivered. They said they use the original OEM paint codes, so I'm hoping for a good match color wise. I'm picky, if its not a good match, I'll order a new one from Keffler. The dealers in my area are out of stock and show back order on the 18" Interlagos silver.

I assume any tire place can swap the TPMS and remount the tire.

[snobrdrdan]

LOL
I was gonna mention the backorder issue on the Interlagos, but didn't wanna scare you

Even though they are on nationwide backorder, I was still able to get a complete set a couple weeks ago

Yeah that online store also told me they use OEM paint codes as well, but like I said....they were literally all 4 different shades of silver.

And yes...any tire shop can swap the TPMS and mount the tire.
You'll just want a new seal (TPMS rebuild kit) for the stock TPM sensor for when they transfer it to the replacement wheel....most shops have them

What are you going to do with the damaged wheel?
I'd say hang onto it, in case you ever bend a wheel in the future...or sell it

[dmcdayton]

I was offered $25 for my scraped RIM, so I'll probably sell it.

I've never had a sporty car like this, drove an Element for past 7 years, so worrying about rims is a new one for me. Is there a different tire to put on down the road that offers more protection? It seems like this rim is flush with sidewall...I think on my past cars the rim edge was offset a good bit from sidewall. I'll have to ask the tire guys.

[cook0066]

I had scraped mine. Had it fixed for $50. Better than buying a new wheel. It looks like it never happened also.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[dmcdayton]

Was yours scraped as bad as mine was?

[snobrdrdan]

I was offered $25 for my scraped RIM, so I'll probably sell it.

I've never had a sporty car like this, drove an Element for past 7 years, so worrying about rims is a new one for me. Is there a different tire to put on down the road that offers more protection? It seems like this rim is flush with sidewall...I think on my past cars the rim edge was offset a good bit from sidewall. I'll have to ask the tire guys.

The Goodyear Eagle GT's have a massive "rim protector" lip

That scraped rim is definitely worth more than just $25.
I'd hang onto it, or if you wanna sell it....I might be interested

[nixqik1]

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...-WHEEL-REPAIR-!!

You could give this a try. Look online for Wurth wheel paint, same color as OEM.

[snobrdrdan]

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...-WHEEL-REPAIR-!!

You could give this a try. Look online for Wurth wheel paint, same color as OEM.

If you're painting the wheels a different color....yeah, that's a good way to go

But there's no way to touch up a machined finish wheel on your own (like in that link)

Sanding and painting the curbed one isn't a bad idea though....just how it turns out is another question

[njm23]

I was offered $25 for my scraped RIM, so I'll probably sell it.

I've never had a sporty car like this, drove an Element for past 7 years, so worrying about rims is a new one for me. Is there a different tire to put on down the road that offers more protection? It seems like this rim is flush with sidewall...I think on my past cars the rim edge was offset a good bit from sidewall. I'll have to ask the tire guys.

Dude, the rim is SCRATCHED. You act like it is bent/cracked. That rim is perfectly fine, and is super easy to repair to the point you wouldn't know it ever happened. unless you have money to blow on unnecessary things, I would not be buying a new rim.

edit: you bought a new wheel already I noticed..

[dmcdayton]

I bought a reconditioned rim from "Hubcap Haven" for $169 delivered, should be arriving tomorrow. I'll post back about quality, finish, etc. I was quoted $100-150 to have my tire reconditioned locally...but I don't want to drive around on the spare tire while they're fixing it.

I couldn't find anyone who'd fix the scraped one for $50.

Once I've swapped the rim, I'll see what kind of deal I can get on refinishing it and perhaps keep it as a spare.

What's a "scratched" rim worth if I decide to sell it? $25 is too low?

[dmcdayton]

My reconditioned rim arrived, good color/finish match so off to have it swapped. I'll be out $175 total which will be very good deterrent to avoid curbs in future.

[snobrdrdan]

What's a "scratched" rim worth if I decide to sell it? $25 is too low?

Probably still worth $50-100 easily, since it's a $325/wheel

Like njm23 said...it's not bent...it's just scraped a little

[dmcdayton]

Thanks for the info, I think I'll get it refinished and keep as a spare. The replacement installed last night, no problems and looks fine.

[snobrdrdan]

Thanks for the info, I think I'll get it refinished and keep as a spare

I'd do that, if I were you.
Just shop around for a good price