Alloy Wheels

[MaserMartin]

So, I am thinking of sorting out the wheels on the Ghibli. They're one of a couple of obvious things letting down an otherwise excellent car at the moment. Basically I have to get all of them done (to varying degrees) - one rear is badly corroded, two fronts both kerbed to a greater or lesser extent, and the other rear is neither kerbed nor corroded .... I guess because it's been previously refurbished before, which explains why it's a different colour to all the others :D

So who (apart from the oft-mentioned BJV) would people recommend?

If they can do colour matching, then I could concievably get away with only doing 3 wheels, although that one isn't the greatest colour to start off with.

[jumplead]

Where abouts are you based Martin?

We had the Monaro wheels refurbished last year after I managed to flat spot one of them on a kerb. Local company to us did it called Pristine Wheels. Absolutely magnificent finish on them, better than new I'd say. If I remember correctly they were around £70 a corner including the VAT.

http://www.fredthetreadtyres.com/

[MaserMartin]

I'm in Farnborough, in Hampshire. Wheels are always a tricky one - I don't have any spares so would prefer to dump the car off with them to do the work; saves leaving the car up on axle stands for a week or more (not something I'm keen on for sure!)

[spiritof'76]

A lot of people rave about Lepsons......... but i've been less than impressed as mentioned on my car thread.

Can't argue with the fact they provided a great finish on the wheels but the issues were in other areas.......... i clattered one of the wheels towards the end of last year and i thought the best chance of getting the perfect colour match was to go back to Lepsons and give them the benefit of the doubt that they wouldn't make the same mistake................. but no, they did it again :o too much powder coat/paint in the centre hole and the wheel wouldn't locate on the hob squarely without taking a big file to it :rolleyes:

Never again......... next time i scuff one i'll have all four re-done elsewhere :)

[Extreme Detailing]

Martin, I use a local chap to me in Potters Bar (hertfordshire), I doubt he will be able to get a good colour match so all four will need to be done. He will strip, repair, powder coat, respray and then bake. Valves are replaced and wheels are rebalanced, all done at his factory. Turnaround is usually three days and I have used him numerous times now. here's a link to some work he recently did for me
http://extremedetailing.co.uk/?p=585

[Dan H]

Lee, does he do the diamond cut sparkly finish the S2000 should have?

[Nick_USA]

Both of these guys come highly recommended:

http://www.exelwheels.co.uk/

or

http://www.thewheelrestorer.co.uk/

[NWVT]

Micheldever tires near winchester did the RS's and look fanblumin tastic :)

[Extreme Detailing]

He sends them off, so for that your best bet is to stick with Pristine Alloys as I believe they can do it in house. Mind you diamond cut is so old school now as they are a PITA to repair and corode quicker than you can say shiny.

Lee, does he do the diamond cut sparkly finish the S2000 should have?

[Dan H]

He sends them off, so for that your best bet is to stick with Pristine Alloys as I believe they can do it in house. Mind you diamond cut is so old school now as they are a PITA to repair and corode quicker than you can say shiny.

Maybe, but a nice original S2000 is going to be a rare thing before long.

Hellaruined seems to be the norm now. :( :D

[chevy-stu]

I've only used BJV near Hemel Hemstead, miles away from you, but they are good and quite reasonable

(in fact I have to collect a wheel for the VR4 today from them)

[MaserMartin]

Thanks for the recommendations guys, I'll have a nose around and see what the prices are, if it's too much then I may just leave the wheels for now, but it would be lovely to have them all shiny again.

[Extreme Detailing]

You can get them done for £30 each, they will look good for a couple of months :)

[Butters]

I have been using Spit&Polish in Tonbridge (Kent) for 14 years and have probably given them nearly 20 sets of wheels over the years plus they're about to do the wheels on my new M3 Evo project. They are the orignal guys having been in the business for decades. Lepsoms was started by some long term employees who broke away back in the day.

Anyway enough history and onto the job. I've always been happy with the outcome and have asked for some pretty impressive restorations in the past. They won't work with split rims so one piece wheels only. If you book in advance they can take your car in the morning and turn the wheels around in a day for you to collect later that evening but there is a waiting list for this service. Other wise take the wheels in and they'll do them over a few days...

James.

P.S. Here is one particular set they did for me which I think you'll find is pretty impressive!

Before:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v707/DUBGT/Edition%2038%20Bits/16_1_b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v707/DUBGT/Edition%2038%20Bits/8b_1_b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v707/DUBGT/Edition%2038%20Bits/121-2141_IMG.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v707/DUBGT/Edition%2038%20Bits/121-2140_IMG.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v707/DUBGT/Edition%2038%20Bits/121-2138_IMG.jpg

And these which were in even worse condition than the Porsche D90s above!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v707/DUBGT/Edition%2038%20Bits/IMG_2122.jpg

And some Hartges which weren't too bad but I'm really fussy!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v707/DUBGT/E30%20Calypso%20325i/IMG_5864.jpg

Like new!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v707/DUBGT/E30%20Calypso%20325i/photo5-1.jpg

Oh and these were done just before Christmas. The laquer was the original from 2000 and was completely cloudy. They looked awful!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v707/DUBGT/CLK55%20AMG/IMG_7376.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v707/DUBGT/CLK55%20AMG/IMG_7378.jpg