Refurb or Replace.

[Fraser87]

I have absolutely annihilated my alloys since buying my car. All four are in need of major Refurb work. This was my first car before you all pile in on my poor driving. Front left got torn up the very first drive I went on after delivery. I could of wept in fact I probably did. But anyway to the point gentleman I have been quoted 480 for full Refurb including changing base color to black or dark grey (still not decided) and diamond cutting to return to factory finish. I head of till now as the car was on pcp so I didn't want to entertain the idea of a total swap but now as the car is officially mine its time to decide.

So do I refurb or replace? I am assuming if I get any set of alloys suitable for a golf or skoda wheel not layout then it will be a straight swap? Don't want to mess about with spacers or alignment issues.

All opinions much appreciated fellas.

 

[Curtly]

What alloys are they?

 

[Pops848]

If you like the style I'd personally refurb and customise, rather than buying new wheels, for two main reasons

Buying used or cheap alloys is a bad idea, used you don't know if they're buckled or damaged in any way unless you know what you're looking at, and cheap ones are exactly that, cheap, they'll break where genuine alloys would not.

Buying new allows is expensive, and to then change the colour would be expensive, so I'd stick with what you got and pay the extra to get them refurbed, whilst you're at it, it's probably worth new rubber at the same time.
Be careful of painting them though, if the whole wheel is not painted then it can flake off when tyres are changed

 

[stu_m]

First of all have you stopped hitting curbs?

 

[SRGTD]

£480 sounds about right for a full refurb of a set of 4 diamond cut alloys if they need a major refurb. I'd say that £80-£90 plus VAT per wheel would be a typical price, but many refurb companies charge extra to remove and refit the tyre.

Be aware that as they're diamond cut;
- they can be prone to white worm corrosion, where if the lacquered diamond cut surface becomes damaged, then water 'creeps' under the lacquer and reacts with the alloy, turning it a milky white colour. Most firms that refurbish diamond cut alloys do give a 12 month guarantee on the refurb though. You'll find some good images of white worm corrosion on the internet if you do a Google search. The diamond cut alloys on my mk6 Golf GTD started showing signs of white worm corrosion around the centre caps at 2.5 years old and that was on a set of wheels that were meticulously well cared for (completely unmarked/undamaged)
- there is a limit to the number of times diamond cut alloys can be refurbished, as the refurbishment process involves cutting a thin layer of alloy off the wheel each time they're refurbished, so reducing its thickness.

Other Golf, Skoda or Audi wheels may fit the Leon if they have the same bolt pattern; whether or not the will fit will depend upon the spec of the wheels; PCD, width, offset and centre bore size. Also important not to go too wide or too large, and that the offset isn't too aggressive, otherwise there's a risk of clearance or rubbing issues or the wheels protruding beyond the bodywork. Bear in mind that if you substitute your alloys for a different set, this is classed as a modification for insurance purposes, and you'll need to notify your insurer, otherwise your cover may be invalidated.

Have you considered getting your diamond cut alloys refurbished in a powder coated finish? This would be cheaper than diamond cutting, and a powder coated finish is much more durable than a diamond cut finish. Powder coated alloys aren't susceptible to white worm corrosion either.

 

[Pops848]

First of all have you stopped hitting curbs?

This is the most important question!

 

[Fraser87]

I have indeed. I do still occasionally prang the left but that's because they are in such a state I don't take a great deal of care with them. I did originally look into powder coating but the guy advised getting them refurbished wouldn't be much dearer. I figure the diamond cut would have a better level of finish.

 

[SRGTD]

I have indeed. I do still occasionally prang the left but that's because they are in such a state I don't take a great deal of care with them. I did originally look into powder coating but the guy advised getting them refurbished wouldn't be much dearer. I figure the diamond cut would have a better level of finish.

I don't know if diamond cut would have a better level of finish; the refurbishment process is different - it requires the refurb company to have invested in a diamond cutting lathe to be able to do a refurbishment that should (hopefully) result in a finish that is indistinguishable from new. Having said that, a quality powder coat refurbishment should also indistinguishable from a new powder coated wheel and will be more durable than a lacquered diamond cut finish.

Speaking personally, I'm not a great fan of diamond cut wheels. They have great showroom appeal as they're quite 'blingy' but as said above, the finish isn't as durable as powder coated alloys, especially in winter weather when our roads are smothered in grit and salt.

My car (a VW, not a Seat; apologies to forum members!) came with diamond cut alloys and they were replaced with a set of anthracite powder coated alloys within a few weeks of ownership.

 

[Fraser87]

And the diamond cut alloys whent where? Lol. I may look into it again especially with the mention of white worm.

 

[SRGTD]

They're tucked away in storage. I'll be putting them back on the car when the time comes to sell it.

 

[Fraser87]

How much did you lay for the powder coated ones. Feel it would be a massive advantage having a spare set of wheels.

 

[SRGTD]

They were genuine brand new VW 17" Motorsport alloys in anthracite powder coat finish for the current model Polo 1.8 GTI. I paid £642 for a set of four from a VW dealer who was advertising them on their website on special offer. The 'fitted' price on VW website is £215 per wheel (both prices exclude tyres).