1st post and advice please on refurb'd split rims

[sinly]

Hi all - hope to be spending more time on here now comp's been mended!

As said, 1st post as only had 2.7 boxster few wks since changing the civic type R. Bought a 4 yr old with 18" sportdesign alloys which look fantastic, but were corroding around the outer rim. Basically took these to a porsche specialist who said that my £700 would see them being perfectly restored...got them back, and where the rim meets the alloy centre on 3 of the wheels, it is still dark/unpolished and one of the outer rims face still has pit-marks etc...I am a bit of a perfectionist, but it is noticable to "others". Just think for that sort of money they should be mint!?

Could have a go at posting pics if helps, but thought some of you guys would have had same experience as common corrosion apparently. He assured me that they split the alloy to re-polish, but you would think by looking at it that they just didnt bother on 3 of the wheels. Sorry to ask for help/moan on 1st post...do love the car etc, but just don't want to be told a tall story by the guy thats done them without having some ammo in my defence. Cheers

[damianc4s]

£700 for a refurb on 4 wheels......too much! £700 should have restored them to a quality rivaling how they came out of the factory, as such I'd jump up and down a few times and get them to do them again. £200-300 should be a normal price to pay for a refurb although costs do vary with split rims.

[cuneus]

Post some pics, where were they sent ?

[wildoliver]

Personally for £700 we would have split the rims, machine turned the outer rims to remove pitting, also spun up the centres if needed to remove gouges and true up the faces, reconditioned inner and outers. Then rebuilt using new seals and new bolts.

They should look like new wheels, there are some wheels that we admit we cant get perfect due to major pitting in areas that cant be filled or have metal removed from, and we ALWAYS tell the customer before we start work and charge them!

[sinly]

Thanks for the responses although makes me feel I rushed into this and didnt go on here first... have emailed some pics to the guy that did them (only realy noticed once gave then their first good clean after 1 week) and will see what response I get, although from the couple of responses, they should be perfect, as I was told they would be, and expected.

Don't really want to "name and shame"/criticise the guy that did them before getting a reply to email sent detailing problems...thanks again though for pointing me in the right direction...I knew Porsche ownership wouldnt be cheap, but did think I'd get what I paid for.

[wildoliver]

You should get what you paid for.

And to be honest the chap who did them for you was either a fool or not very good at his job by saying they would be perfect, if the pitting was severe he should have been able to tell they would never be perfect.

[burriana]

Mr Crowther ...glad you've found us at last ... now we just need pictures of your new toy

[paulburrell]

These split rims are notoriously difficult to refurb and to stop the corrosion returning in double quick time. Only cure to the bubbling etc that I have heard of is to have them anodised. I was recently quoted about £160 + vat for such a job (each wheel).


Steve

[sinly]

burriana said:

Mr Crowther ...glad you've found us at last ... now we just need pictures of your new toy

...yep, found some time to log-on and will post some pics with the re-done rims when I get them back. Understand they are going to be a pain to keep in good condition, but will be worth it...going to start looking for a spare winter set though!

[warmfuzzies]

These are mine, self refurb. Devils own job to do but worth it.

[simon s]

Had my sport designes done a couple of months ago, same problem as you. The company I went to has the contract with the local BMW dealer to do the BM split rims on the Z4 and the like. They ahve a type of paint that once done look exactly like laquerd alloy. Anyway got them back and you cant tell them from the original factory finish, Mint they are and cas h price of 200 quid, I than had to get the wheels re balanced, so 220 in total.
Im in Lincolnshire and had then done at MSM finishers in Winterton, who deal with alot of custom type stuff.

top job and price, I do know others are doing the paint refurb and then the problem does not reocuure.

[MartinD]

sinly said:

..........18" sportdesign alloys which look fantastic, but were corroding around the outer rim. Basically took these to a porsche specialist who said that my £700 would see them being perfectly restored.............

Sorry mate, you've been ripped off £200-£400 MAX for a perfect job.
Sounds like they didn't even unbolt the centre to refurb the rim properly, see below.

wildoliver said:

Personally for £700 we would have split the rims, machine turned the outer rims to remove pitting, also spun up the centres if needed to remove gouges and true up the faces, reconditioned inner and outers. Then rebuilt using new seals and new bolts. .........................

The sportdesign/GT3 BBS wheel is a 2 piece wheel NOT a split rim as commonly thought/referred to. The rim is one piece with only the centre unbolting , the sportclassic II uses the same rims with a different centre.

[wildoliver]

Just to clarify my post that was quoted, that would apply to any split rim wheel 2 or 3 piece.

A 2 piece would be cheaper however as there is no seal required between the 2 parts of the rim thus making it a far simpler job.

[sinly]

You guy's know your stuff for sure. I've had them polished again and chuffed with the results..just wish I could work out how to post the bleedin pics. Rekon i should be able to able to upload to my profile so bear with me - and if you're reading this Al..yes I can drive...so bring on the dawn raid!!

[wildoliver]

Try Photobucket.

Glad he's done the job right this time.