Refurbished Wheels

**Naaman** · 03-06-2014, 01:51 AM

Anyone know anything about refurbished wheels? They are factory wheels that have been damaged and remanufactured back to factory spec. They are not replicas. Anything I should worry about before buying them? They come with a 12-month warranty.

**cammed goat** · 03-06-2014, 05:35 PM

If the job was done right, no worries. Just bolt em on and go.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 03-06-2014, 05:37 PM

Are they cheaper than replica's?

**Naaman** · 03-06-2014, 06:10 PM

They range in price... I'm still researching why the same wheel may cost different if it was refurb'd to the correct specs. Might have something to do with model year or mileage... They seem to be in the same price range as replicas, though.

Originally Posted by cammed goat

If the job was done right, no worries. Just bolt em on and go.

I'd be ordering them in the mail. What should I look for before installing? What questions should I ask before buying?

**35th-ANV-SS** · 03-06-2014, 06:12 PM

I've only bought a replica before for my 2008 Impala LTZ. Bent the OEM rim and the tire was not holding air pressure so instead of spending like $500+ on (1) new rim from GM, I went to a local bone yard and ordered a replica. It came in and I installed it and I would bet money that nobody can identify which one it is. Cost was like $200 if I remember right. Haven't had any issues with it since.

**Naaman** · 03-06-2014, 06:37 PM

Well, this may sound bad, but I'm kind of a snob about this kind of thing. In a perfect world, I'd get some forged aluminum monoblocks, but I would be okay with some aluminum C5 Z06 wheels to keep the weight down (replicas are usually stainless steel, correct?). Also, I understand that replicas may not be held to the same quality control standards as the actual wheels that come on a factory car.

Refurbishing is "supposed" to bring a wheel back to the same condition it was in "new." Of course, quality control is the question when dealing with either replicas or refurbs. If the refurbs turn out to be too risky, I may just get some used C5 wheels off of ebay, or some such.

Either way, I have some time because my next purchase will likely be headers, anyway.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 03-06-2014, 07:07 PM

Mine was AL, just like the OE wheel. Zero difference from inspecting it.

**Naaman** · 03-06-2014, 07:57 PM

Ah, interesting. That's what I get for making assumptions. :P

**speedyWS6** · 03-07-2014, 04:15 AM

Originally Posted by Naaman

(replicas are usually stainless steel, correct?).

I would not expect any rims repro or otherwise to be stainless as they would be prohibitively
heavy and hideously expensive.

Always going to be aluminium I reckon.....

**pajeff02** · 03-07-2014, 01:13 PM

Has a warranty - that was my first question when I saw the thread title.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 03-07-2014, 01:21 PM

My replica also came with a warranty...I don't recall the length, but I don't think it was 12 months. I have had it installed on the car several years now.