It can be done....!

[Simon BB]

There have been lots of threads about replacement wheels, fake bolts, glueing 'em in etc over the past few months.

I've always been a fan of the look of the original 3R wheels, I know they're not the strongest but still, call it vanity, I think they suit the car the best. My wheels are good but one of the rears has a ding in it so have been looking for a while now to get a replacement and the full set refurbished.

Fake bolts, diamond cut rims etc all felt like nightmare to get sorted but courtesy of Platinum wheels in Swindon and a set of replacement bolts from Bespoke Performance, I've finally cracked it.

The finish is better than new (not that hard to be fair!).

I opted for a 'platinum' paint finish rather than sparkle or flat silver, rims are then diamond cut and lacquered. The fake bolts are nickle coated brass and tap in as per the originals (heart in mouth job that one!).

They look bl@@dy lovely IMO.

Si

(P.S. the close up shot shows what looks like a crack.....its a cat hair!)

[Simon BB]

[johns355]

They look great- I'm contemplating the tap-in bolts for my wheels. Can you put a pic up once fitted on the car? John

[patsrocket]

Very nice!

[Mike Tuckwood]

[2.5bluenob]

they look the nuts!

[Scooby P1]

I totally agree with you. Think the 3R wheels are the best looking on a Noble of any set I've seen.

And to be able to get them refurbed and looking as good as yours is a great opportunity and surely cheaper than buying a different set that don't look as cool.

[Green3R]

Very nice.
Is there any danger that tapping in the bolts will damage / split the laquer and be the first point that suffers in future?

What was the all in cost, including the bolts?

PM if you'd rather not be too public about it.

Thanks
Andy

[Simon BB]

Yes tapping the bolts in does mean compromising the lacquer and i guess does open them up to future corrosion problems, however, they're in tight (!). I reckon with liberal applications of wheel sealer and wax there souldn't be too many probs in the future unless exposed to salt....and my car doesn't go out in the wet. She's an unashamed garage queen, sad I know.

Cost wise, the refurb without the bolts was £90 a corner, the bolts are another £50 ish per wheel on top.......not cheap! but worth it IMHO. Not too bad in the context of buying a new set of wheels.

I'll post up some pics of the old girl when we're all done

Simon

[Simon BB]

p.s there are no issues with the lacquer or paint splittimg or chipping around the holes (see the close-up) as theres a chamfer to the lip. however I have had to dremmel out each hole to remove some lacquer to allow the bolts to go in, the refurb guys use a pretty thick coat all over to protect the machine cut rim.

[wole0911]

Hi Simon yep gets my vote they look handsome m8, did you just drop the wheels off with the company with the tyres on or did the not offer a refitting sevice...
After seeing yours think im going gonna do tha same.. Thanx for the post....Mark

[Simon BB]

Hi Mark, certainly Platinum wheels in Swindon remove and refit the tyres and balance. They would have probably fited the new bolts too if I'd asked them but I did that myself seperately. A bit a of a protracted process, but next week I'll take all the wheels back to them for tyre refit and balancing once i've got the new bolts on all the wheels.

I believe most refurb outfits offer a drop off service with tyres and all.....not sure they'd all be up for fitting the new bolts though.

S.

[wole0911]

Ok thanx for that Simon i will give them a call and see if they would be willing to do the whole job bolts as well ....Looking foward to seeing a photo of your car with new wheels fitted...Mark