Wheel Refinishing Costs
#17
Racer
Unless you really like your old wheels or don't want anything different on your car, consider buying new wheels.
I bought brand new 17 inch wheels for my LS for $ 500 2 years ago, and I think they look a lot better than any OEM Lexus wheel. The wheels are made by Akita, and while you can spend a LOT more on wheels, I do like the look of mine and they work just fine.
I bought brand new 17 inch wheels for my LS for $ 500 2 years ago, and I think they look a lot better than any OEM Lexus wheel. The wheels are made by Akita, and while you can spend a LOT more on wheels, I do like the look of mine and they work just fine.
#18
Will these Alloy wheels fit LS430?
http://www.pepboys.com/product/detai...earance/wheels
They are on clearance at PepBoys and a set would be $320
Here are the specs
NSTRUCTURED_FINISHSliver Machined Face
UNSTRUCTURED_CAP INCLUDEDYes
UNSTRUCTURED_HUB BORE73.00mm
UNSTRUCTURED_BOLT PATTERN5-114.3
UNSTRUCTURED_WEIGHT26.8lbs
UNSTRUCTURED_SIZE18x8
UNSTRUCTURED_OFFEST35mm
HUB BORE73.00mm
WEIGHT26.8lbs
CAP INCLUDEDYes
BOLT PATTERN5-114.3
FINISHSliver Machined Face
OFFEST35mm
SIZE18x8
http://www.pepboys.com/product/detai...earance/wheels
They are on clearance at PepBoys and a set would be $320
Here are the specs
NSTRUCTURED_FINISHSliver Machined Face
UNSTRUCTURED_CAP INCLUDEDYes
UNSTRUCTURED_HUB BORE73.00mm
UNSTRUCTURED_BOLT PATTERN5-114.3
UNSTRUCTURED_WEIGHT26.8lbs
UNSTRUCTURED_SIZE18x8
UNSTRUCTURED_OFFEST35mm
HUB BORE73.00mm
WEIGHT26.8lbs
CAP INCLUDEDYes
BOLT PATTERN5-114.3
FINISHSliver Machined Face
OFFEST35mm
SIZE18x8
#19
Maybe it's just me but I cringe at the thought of putting a set of 300-500.00 wheels on a 55-60k dollar car especially when a good set of Michelin tires alone for these heavy beasts are over a grand. Sounds like an accident waiting to happen with cheap Chinese metal castings.
The factory 18 inch wheels are one of the best looking oem wheel for these cars and widely available. Someone else posted an awesome pic of the factory 19 inch lexus f sport rims.
The factory 18 inch wheels are one of the best looking oem wheel for these cars and widely available. Someone else posted an awesome pic of the factory 19 inch lexus f sport rims.
#20
Racer
Maybe it's just me but I cringe at the thought of putting a set of 300-500.00 wheels on a 55-60k dollar car especially when a good set of Michelin tires alone for these heavy beasts are over a grand. Sounds like an accident waiting to happen with cheap Chinese metal castings...
A $ 100 watch tells the same time with the same accuracy as a $ 5,000 Rolex
You don't have to spend a lot on wheels for a Lexus, unless you want to.
good luck
#21
I would just be hesitant to buy on line and have problems with balancing and on and on. Best to buy local with support. There are aftermarket wheels from Germany and Poland I think I would prefer over the Chinese stuff, no offense to anyone Chinese.
#22
Racer
#24
I think tire dealers know how competitive Tire Rack is and you need to make sure with shipping, pay as you go rotating it is whole lot more cost effective to buy on line. Last tires I bought where like 80 bucks cheaper from Tire Rack versus the dealer and get this the dealer stores my tires for free winter and summer. Last week, on tires they did not sell me that came with my LS, I had a bead leak they took off the tire fixed the leak did not charge me a dime and washed it. My last t belt was 650$. It is just good to find a fair shop and support them. Bergstrom always has buy 3 get one free in October which makes em real close to Tire Rack
Try Craigslist for OEM wheels. I got (5) real nice 5 spoke chromes for 700 bucks drove an hour south to the windy city, no big deal.
Try Craigslist for OEM wheels. I got (5) real nice 5 spoke chromes for 700 bucks drove an hour south to the windy city, no big deal.
#26
Take that Timex or 100.00 watch to the extremes a rolex or other high end sport watch in the 5k+ range lives through whether it be submariners,explorer from deep sea to space etc and the price difference becomes clearly apparent. Much like sticking cheap wheels on a 4k pound car the results are clearly apparent the first few potholes, winters etc. Kind of like comparing rotas to spoon wheels or American racing to bogarts or ccw's. The strength is in the quality control and better materials even though most can't be told apart visually until their limits are tested physically.
#27
Is that $500 quote for the tires to be pulled off and remounted, balanced, etc? You basically just drop the car off at the dealership and they give you a loaner until it's done?
If that's the "out the door" price, it' sounds like a good deal. If the $500 is just to have the wheels repainted and you have to pay for all the mounting and unmounting, loaner car for a few days, etc, then I personally would just replace them.
You'd be amazed how cheap you can find nice OEM Lexus wheels on places like Craig's List. Probably around $100 a piece.
I know you don't want to do it yourself, but the previous owner of my car had put a bit of road rash on a few of my wheels. I swapped out the full size spare wheel with the worst one and then matched a silver "paint pen" to them and touched them up. It really did a nice job and it was very little work.
If that's the "out the door" price, it' sounds like a good deal. If the $500 is just to have the wheels repainted and you have to pay for all the mounting and unmounting, loaner car for a few days, etc, then I personally would just replace them.
You'd be amazed how cheap you can find nice OEM Lexus wheels on places like Craig's List. Probably around $100 a piece.
I know you don't want to do it yourself, but the previous owner of my car had put a bit of road rash on a few of my wheels. I swapped out the full size spare wheel with the worst one and then matched a silver "paint pen" to them and touched them up. It really did a nice job and it was very little work.
#28
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
Not sure about the rental, but the $500 price is to fix all the curb rash damage, repaint, and reseal. He assured me that they would look like factory new after they were done.
#29
Racer
I do know about drivabilty issues. Mine were caused by poor rear wheel alignments, not my $ 500 wheels.
My wheels are 17" so they are well protected from potholes by the 225/55 tires. They have performed flawlessly over the two summers on the car. However, I don't push my car very hard so they are fine for my needs.
Take that Timex or 100.00 watch to the extremes a rolex or other high end sport watch in the 5k+ range lives through whether it be submariners,explorer from deep sea to space etc and the price difference becomes clearly apparent. Much like sticking cheap wheels on a 4k pound car the results are clearly apparent the first few potholes, winters etc. Kind of like comparing rotas to spoon wheels or American racing to bogarts or ccw's. The strength is in the quality control and better materials even though most can't be told apart visually until their limits are tested physically.
#30
A lot to review here. The $500 for a mobile job needs scrutiny. The proper way to refinish is to powder coat and then oven bake. Hard to do with a mobile app. My guess is they sand, mask and spray. It can look good but it isn't as durable. I paid $175 a wheel in the Nor Cal area last year and the job was first class. Having said that, I probably could have picked up new (and nicer) wheels for around $150 - $160 a wheel. If it's chrome plated, it can't be done in a mobile shop. The EPA on plating shops is insane. On top of that, once the metal is prepped, a good plating job is three steps - copper, then nickel, and finally chromium.
If the mobile shop is still tempting I would read reviews carefully looking for the appearance and longevity.
You can find a ton of nice wheels on Tirerack.com and eBay can also be a good source - but a little more homework.
If the mobile shop is still tempting I would read reviews carefully looking for the appearance and longevity.
You can find a ton of nice wheels on Tirerack.com and eBay can also be a good source - but a little more homework.
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