Mobile wheel refurbishment

[anonymous-user]

The alloys on my Discovery 3 are looking a bit scabby and the tyres will need replacing soon. I cannot make up my mind which option I should take:

I can get a set of decent used alloys and tyres from ebay for about £400 or I can get a new set of tyres fitted to my existing wheels and get a local, mobile firm to refurbish the alloys.

I like the second option as I can continue to use the car and get the work done at my convenience but I'm worried the mobile alloy refurbishment will not last. The wheels just need painting. I am also not too sure about buying second hand tyres, any advice?

[Lgeni1664]

Where abouts are you?

[anonymous-user]

Bedfordshire. Why?

[Lgeni1664]

Oh an ex collegue of mine set up a mobile wheel refurb business earlier this year.

the van set up was amazing, with grinders, spray booth and UV ovens etc, does a mega job.

But he is based in Wrexham, so a bit too far away I think.

[anonymous-user]

Ok, thanks. What's the finish like on the mobile outfits, does it last or is a temporary measure that will eventually flake off?

[Mr MXT]

If you aren't completely set on going mobile, I have used a great guy in Milton Keynes a number of times.

[Effortless]

Like most things in life, quality of the mobile chaps will be variable (a bit like the quality of the bricks and mortar guys as well I guess!!), so do your research and get some references of people that have had their wheels done at least a year ago.

I bought a 7 year old BMW coupe with the MV2's in July... and the wheels were in st condition. Kerbing was not that much of an issue, only minor scuffs to all 4, but the paintwork was shoddy!! Lots of paint flaking off, they really do look st!! I suspect that the refurb was done on the cheap by one of these mobile vans.

I have asked around for wheel refurbs, and at my local BMW main dealer where I know the guy that does the wheels, I can get mates rates for £25 a corner. However, even he suggested that if I wanted a top-quality, long-lasting finish, best bet would be to take it to somewhere like Spit 'n Polish, where they chemically strip the wheels in a dip, before re-grinding them and painting them... and that ain't cheap... I was quoted £320 for 4x 18" MV2's... and they would need the car for 2 full days.

You pays your money...