Shadow Chrome Wheel refurb - recommendations ?
Discussion
Looking to get my E39 M5 wheels done and I want a top quality job. After doing some research, Lepsons seem to come out well and having spoken briefly to them, they do seem to know what to do, to get as close to the original shadow chrome finish as possible. As an alternative, that's much closer to me (Midlands) has any tried the wheel specialist ? Or any other recommendations ?
The Wheel Specialist is a franchise, so they vary. I had mine done 5 years ago at the wheel specialist in Leeds and they did a reasonable job but not perfect. They did paint the inside face of the wheel where it touches the hub, this is something you should not do as it changes the cooling characteristics of the brakes and can prevent the wheel sitting flush.
I've also had some done last year by Lepsons, their 'standard' E39 M5 wheel finish is 'Black Chrome Two Tone', but IMO this is a little darker than factory finish. You could go either Black Chrome Two Tone with extra Chrome, which they said is a touch lighter than factory (I have a second set of wheels that were still factory finish when sent to Lepsons) or another finish which I think was just called 'Dark Chrome', I'll have to check.
Lepsons will pick up and deliver your wheels, with or without tyres, you just have to take them off the car and wrap them up in cardboard and bubble wrap. If you speak to Collette and say a very fussy guy called Richard with an E39 M5 recommend them, she'll remember me!
I've also had some done last year by Lepsons, their 'standard' E39 M5 wheel finish is 'Black Chrome Two Tone', but IMO this is a little darker than factory finish. You could go either Black Chrome Two Tone with extra Chrome, which they said is a touch lighter than factory (I have a second set of wheels that were still factory finish when sent to Lepsons) or another finish which I think was just called 'Dark Chrome', I'll have to check.
Lepsons will pick up and deliver your wheels, with or without tyres, you just have to take them off the car and wrap them up in cardboard and bubble wrap. If you speak to Collette and say a very fussy guy called Richard with an E39 M5 recommend them, she'll remember me!
You should give Chris at Exel Wheels a ring.
He's just done my wheels - he provides an excellent service by taking your wheels off (at home or work), fitting his own spare set so you can still use your car, and then he takes them to Lepsons to be done under his very fussy watchful eye.
Then he'll bring them back and refit them.
Can't recommend him highly enough.
He's just done my wheels - he provides an excellent service by taking your wheels off (at home or work), fitting his own spare set so you can still use your car, and then he takes them to Lepsons to be done under his very fussy watchful eye.
Then he'll bring them back and refit them.
Can't recommend him highly enough.
Zyp said:
You should give Chris at Exel Wheels a ring.
He's just done my wheels - he provides an excellent service by taking your wheels off (at home or work), fitting his own spare set so you can still use your car, and then he takes them to Lepsons to be done under his very fussy watchful eye.
Then he'll bring them back and refit them.
Can't recommend him highly enough.
Seconded on Chris - only guy I use and trust now. Not only that he will make sure Lepsons do the proper Shadow Chrome finish which is so essential on e39 M5 wheels...it's actually a number of layers with black as a base coat used to achieve the OEM finish...OEM wheels were also done like this.He's just done my wheels - he provides an excellent service by taking your wheels off (at home or work), fitting his own spare set so you can still use your car, and then he takes them to Lepsons to be done under his very fussy watchful eye.
Then he'll bring them back and refit them.
Can't recommend him highly enough.
Many moons ago when I had an e39 M5 we all used a guy called Charles Bahnot...he was expert in matching and fixing shadow chrome wheels to OEM standard. Based in Hants at the time with a very tasty Lotus Carlton in his garage too!
PF
May i recommend Bespoke Alloys based in Denham? http://bespokealloys.co.uk
They get work from many of the top marques' main dealers across West London and did a fantastic job when I used them to do some CSL style BBS alloys recently. They even have spare wheels/tyres for some cars, so if you are lucky you may be able to stay mobile.
They get work from many of the top marques' main dealers across West London and did a fantastic job when I used them to do some CSL style BBS alloys recently. They even have spare wheels/tyres for some cars, so if you are lucky you may be able to stay mobile.
PorkaFly said:
Seconded on Chris - only guy I use and trust now. Not only that he will make sure Lepsons do the proper Shadow Chrome finish which is so essential on e39 M5 wheels...it's actually a number of layers with black as a base coat used to achieve the OEM finish...OEM wheels were also done like this.
Many moons ago when I had an e39 M5 we all used a guy called Charles Bahnot...he was expert in matching and fixing shadow chrome wheels to OEM standard. Based in Hants at the time with a very tasty Lotus Carlton in his garage too!
PF
Thirded on Chris, got my Z4MR wheels done by him about 2 years ago and the finish on them was flawless.Many moons ago when I had an e39 M5 we all used a guy called Charles Bahnot...he was expert in matching and fixing shadow chrome wheels to OEM standard. Based in Hants at the time with a very tasty Lotus Carlton in his garage too!
PF
As I live in Scotland he arranged for them to be uplifted and returned.The wheels were superbly packaged on return it took me longer to unpack them than it took to fit to the car!.Give Chris a phone and discuss your requirements he is a very nice guy to talk to.
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff