Dr.G

iTrader: (1)

Alright guys this may be a little lengthy but I have a few ?'s that I could use some good advice, so here's the deal- I have the chance to buy a set of used 19" SSR Agle Strusse chrome wheels with almost new bridgestone potenza s03's for $2000. I know the rims alone retail for anywhere b/t $750-900 each. And the tires around $250 each. Visually, one rim has pretty bad curb rash on the very edge of the lip right where the rim meets the tire- spans almost half the circumference of the wheel. Since rash is on the very edge, it's really only noticeable from less than 10-15 feet away. A second wheel has similar curb rash but not as extensive, maybe about 6-8 inches long. Third rim has one spot of light rash about 2 inches long- hardly noticeable at all. The 4th wheel is fine with no visible blemishes.
Today I took the wheels to a reputable Atlanta area wheel shop to get further inspected and to get them spun to check for balance and if any of them were bent. One rim spun nearly perfect, two spun with ever so slight up and down hop that the shop guy said would be corrected with balancing and he didn't think it was due to either of the rims actually being bent. Now here's the kicker, the fourth rim (the one with no visual blemishes) had noticeable up and down hop and very slight side to side shift when spun, the shop guy said the rim was bent and appeared to have been torqued in the center spokes. He said this would probably be felt while driving, maybe not too bad since it was a rear wheel. He also said the side to side shifting would cause unequal wear of the tire tread and since they are multi-piece wheels, he said I would also have to be concerned with the rim getting worse and maybe eventual leakage.
This leads up to my dilemma. I DO NOT want to spend more than $2000 on wheels and tires. So my options are 1) pass up on these all together and settle for a brand new Zenetti package (b/c I have a hookup on those) or 2) buy the higher quality used ones and definitely have the bent one repaired as well as probably the one with the bad curb rash.
My concerns with fixing the used ones are- since they are Japanese made rims, can just any reputable wheel repair shop do the necessary repairs and have the rims come out like new and matching the chrome of the others? Also, does anyone know if these SSR rims in particular have actual chrome lips or are they just polished (anodized?) lips with chrome centers and thus maybe I can sand the curb rash down on the lips and repolish them myself?
The wheel shop guy said he wouldn't recommend buying them unless I can talk the seller down even more. But I wanted to hear some of your opinions, suggestions, advice, etc. So if you guys could please help me through this dreaded decision making process I would greatly appreciate it!!

retrodrive

Dude, I'd get them and get a new wheel instead of damaged one. Keep it as spare! Still would run you way cheaper.

LXOGOOD

I agree... Keep the bad one for a spare. It should only cost you an extra $200 to fix the curb rash on the wheels. You're still getting a good deal.

GS4Will

ditto..just a brand new one for the 4th....

Dr.G

iTrader: (1)

So far I guess it's a unaminous decision! I didn't even think about buying a single wheel as being an option. Thanks for the input fellas! I guess the only other thing I need to know is- does anybody know whether the lip on this particular style of wheel is polished or actual chrome like the centers?

retrodrive

"I know the rims alone retail for anywhere b/t $750-900 each. "

That is why I thought about buying a single wheel

Manaray

I'd rather run STOCK than Zenetti's...

Like everyone said, just have the 4th wheel replaced...maybe talk the guy down on the price since he obviously didn't take care of them too well!