BBS LM - refurb?

[Tonsko]

I have a set of 19" Genuine BBS LMs. Price £1000, and they need a bit of TLC. There's a bit of bubble, and some of the laquer has cracked off with the odd kerb mark, so not too bad really. They're all straight.

Firstly - was this a reasonable price?

Secondly, I've had quotes from refurbers from £80/wheel to £640 +VAT for the set!

Obviously tempted to go for the cheaper one, but was chatting to a fellow who asked if the cheaper price included genuine BBS bolts - this was something that I'd not thought of. Presumably for that price, they won't.

So would the wheels be completely devalued (for future resale) if non-BBS bolts were used?

You get what you pay for, so if I did splash out on the expensive one, what's the chance of recouping nearly all of that cost on future resale? (Say for around £1500 after use) - I can't really find any on ebay, so is this a fair estimate? I will keep them as long as I keep the car, so this might be a few years hence - but is ever worth spending that much on a refurb in anyone's opinion?

[belleair302]

These wheels are not the most simple to repair and I would think very closely about who to send them to. I know of one guy based just outside Kings Langley who repairs these and does a decent job....but beyond that I am just not sure. Lepsons may do them but I would not send these to any old wheel restorer.

[TallPaul]

When splitting the wheels, expect at least a fifth of the bolts to snap & need drilling out. Make sure whoever has priced to refurb them has experience of those wheels, I've done a couple of sets and you need factor in the time taken getting the bolts out. I wouldnt loose too much sleep over not using genuine BBS bolts but they need to match!

Edited by TallPaul on Saturday 4th May 08:12

[FRMATT]

If I had wheels that valuable the only place I'd be sending them is here:

http://www.the-polisher.com/index.html

[Russell Mc]

Yes without a doubt The Polisher

[Tonsko]

He is in scotland, yes?

[FRMATT]

Tonsko said:

He is in scotland, yes?

He is, if you wanted to save on postage cost you could send the lips and bolts to him to polish and get the centres and barrels painted locally. He'll probably be able to recommend a courier, whether its just the lips or all the wheel that you're sending to him.