Refurbing Alloy Wheels?

[Doozergirl]

I've been to see a realy lovely Mini today. It's fully loaded with extras and it has low mileage too.

But, it seems that the one lady owner perhaps missed the reverse parking lessons as both front wheels have evidently been kerbed a lot as if she might have just driven straight into every space!

Is it possible to get them refurbished/repaired and how much would it cost? Or would it be better value if I just go and buy some new (bigger ;)) ones?

[ish]

You can get a quote, i have used chipsaway and they seem to be very good.
Heres the website http://www.chipsaway.co.uk/repair/index.asp

Also note that the alloy wheel won't be restored 100% to its original condition, they will try and do their best.

You also get discount if your an AA member :)

If they can't repair it then it might be better off buying new alloy wheels

[vansboy]

Answer to the Q = yes they can be reconditioned, ask at your tyre dealer, most will have someone they can contact for you. Around £30-40 each wheel, I'd guess. It'd make sense to do all 4, to match.

You'll also need to add the cost of the tyres removed & refitted, new valve & balance, so another £10 each wheel.

So you might even think of a new set if wheels & new tyres, instead!! Remember, bigger wheels & lower profile skinny tyres = jiggly, uncofortable ride & you'll need to tell the insurance company too, so maybe up your premium!!

BUT.... if the car has been kerbed a lot, do look a bit deeper & get the tracking/wheel alignment checked too. Again the tyre places will do this - free check, but to adjust £20 or £60 (for 'Supertracker' more precise & specialized).

Your comments regarding lots extras does sound good - there are quite a few lower spec model, from fleets, entering the market now, which DON'T have all the toys. As these won't increase the value, but will be easier to sell & also benefit you, thats good!!

The low miles, worth checking that it's had regular services & oil changes, probably got the TLC offer, still running, for service work, but do check!!

Hope it's got the big double glass sunroof - £500 extra when new, but something it should have as far as I'm concerned - even with air con!!

VB

[Doozergirl]

Wow! That's amazing help vansboy :D

Yes, they are really quite bad, it's not just the edges - even the centre parts of the spokes have had some impact damage too :o I've seen proper Mini 17" wheels on ebay for £350 (admittedly I was drolling over some non standard 18 inchers but your advice re ride has out me off, so thanks :)

No sunroof but it has the balance of 5 years TLC and the entire service history down to new tyres and wiper blades(!), telephone prewire, heated seats, air con, cruise control, steering controls for the stereo which has radio BOOST (what's that?!)

It seems pretty hard to differentiate between them all as they all seem so very close in value, regardless of age. It's doing my head in a bit.

Hubby wants to go to the BMW auction on Wednesday, see what they go for there. Being a girl, I just want the nearest decent value one, fast!

[vansboy]

Happy to help!

Guess you mean the BCA sale Nottingham, so you'll have several to choose from & as good a chance of buying at an OK price too!!

Some tips....

Check the catalogue description carefully, you'll see it's pretty well detailed, as to what the cars have fitted, BUT do listen to the auctioneers description, sometimes errors are there & only announced when the car is offered. Things like incorrect mileages/numbers of owners/service history might NOT be as they were printed in the catalogue.

ALSO lots the cars will be end of lease/BMW company cars, so pretty 'genuine' buys. There will be plenty from BMW finance & other repossed/hand backs - last sale I went, over 1/2 the entries were like this. You MIGHT think it's a bargain, but beware, if someone can't keep up repayments, they won't service or maintain it, will they?? & plenty have SEVERAL, like 4 or 5 owners, in just a few years. This was mostly on the expensive BMW's admitidly.

As for BOOST - guess that'll blow your eardrums quiker than just up the volume control!!

& to confuse you more - I know exactly what you're going through, did the same thing, when Mrs V wanted a car of her own, rather than driving around in our vans!!

Have you thought of Mx5 - that's what she wanted, after looking at just about everything else - & she loves it!!

Plenty of excellent deals around on late models too!!

If you want MINI guide prices, just ask!!

Have fun!!

VB

[Happychappy]

Here's a few to look at all going through Nottingham on 3/1/07 there are around 15, just copied a few in for you. Happy new Year

MINI COOPER 1.6 Convertible, COOL BLUE, 2 Doors, Manual Transmission, Petrol, 45360 Miles, VAT Qualifying. AV54HNX Registered 29-10-2004 Nottingham 03-01-2007 014
New: £14100
Ret: £11350
Cln: £10100
Avg: £9400
Blw: £8625
New: £15322
Ret: £11857
trd: £10525

MINI COOPER 1.6 Hatchback, RED, 3 Doors, Manual Transmission, Petrol, 35800 Miles, Margin. BN51YKW Registered 31-10-2001 Nottingham
05-01-2007 Avg: £6895 48K 5+

MINI ONE 1.6 Convertible, CHILI RED, 2 Doors, Manual Transmission, Petrol, 20409 Miles, Margin. FV54HXE Registered 08-11-2004 Nottingham
03-01-2007 027 Avg: £10033 20k 3+

MINI COOPER 1.6 Convertible, SOLID GOLD, 2 Doors, Manual Transmission, Petrol, 16070 Miles, VAT Qualifying. G1HCS Registered 30-11-2004 Nottingham
03-01-2007 051
New: £14100
Ret: £12595
Cln: £11400
Avg: £10750
Blw: £10000
New: £15322
Ret: £13145
Trd: £11945

MINI COOPER 1.6 S Convertible, BLACK 11, 2 Doors, Manual Transmission, Petrol, 26020 Miles, VAT Qualifying. GP54BHN Registered 14-01-2005 Nottingham
03-01-2007 115
New: £17055
Ret: £15395
Cln: £13750
Avg: £12950
Blw: £12050
New: £18277
Ret: £14885
trd: £13553

MINI COOPER 1.6 S Hatchback, BLACK II, 3 Doors, Manual Transmission, Petrol, 42381 Miles, Margin. GY53VLX Registered 10-10-2003 Nottingham
03-01-2007 045 Avg: £9650 45K 5+
New: £14165
Ret: £10695
Cln: £9425
Avg: £8725
Blw: £8000
New: £15270
Ret: £11432
Trd: £10100

MINI COOPER 1.6 Hatchback, CHILI RED, 3 Doors, Manual Transmission, Petrol, 7248 Miles, Margin.
HN54ZPU Registered 20-11-2004 Nottingham 03-01-2007 121 Avg: £10467 17K 3+
New: £11575
Ret: £10895
Cln: £9925
Avg: £9375
Blw: £8775
New: £12797
Ret: £11018
Trd: £9818

MINI COOPER 1.6 Hatchback, BRITISH RACING GREEN, 3 Doors, Manual Transmission, Petrol, 24857 Miles, VAT Qualifying.
HY03KOU Registered 15-04-2003 Nottingham 03-01-2007
New: £12405
Ret: £9405
Trd: £8205

MINI COOPER 1.6 S Hatchback, GREY, 3 Doors, Manual Transmission, Petrol, 35000 Miles, Margin.KD52LWA Registered 26-11-2002 Nottingham 05-01-2007
Avg: £9006 31K 3+

MINI ONE 1.6 Convertible, ASTRO BLACK, 2 Doors, Manual Transmission, Petrol, 11014 Miles, Margin. FE05SUV Registered 24-06-2005 Nottingham
03-01-2007 127

MINI ONE 1.6 Hatchback, PURE SILVER, 3 Doors, Manual Transmission, Petrol, 3389 Miles, Margin. LC55XSB Registered 25-11-2005 Nottingham 03-01-2007
147

MINI ONE 1.6 Hatchback, PURE SILVER, 3 Doors, Manual Transmission, Petrol, 32922 Miles, Margin.LF53FXV Registered 05-11-2003 Nottingham 03-01-2007
033 Avg: £7525 20K 3+
New: £10000
Ret: £8250
Cln: £7350
Avg: £6825
Blw: £6275
New: £11105
Ret: £8637
Trd: £7437

MINI COOPER 1.6 Convertible, CHILI RED, 2 Doors, Manual Transmission, Petrol, 8388 Miles, VAT Qualifying. LG54FWM Registered 04-11-2004 Nottingham 03-01-2007 134
New: £14100
Ret: £12950
Cln: £11750
Avg: £11100
Blw: £10450
New: £15322
Ret: £13385
Trd: £12185

MINI COOPER 1.6 Convertible, ORANGE, 2 Doors, Manual Transmission, Petrol, 8550 Miles, VAT Qualifying. LS06NJO Registered 23-06-2006 Nottingham
03-01-2007 LY002

MINI COOPER 1.6 S Hatchback, DARK SILVER, 3 Doors, Manual Transmission, Petrol, 32721 Miles, Margin. MM02MLN Registered 17-07-2002 Nottingham
03-01-2007 069
New: £14065
Ret: £9975
Cln: £8700
Avg: £8025
Blw: £7325
New: £15170
Ret: £10140
Trd: £8940

MINI COOPER 1.6 S Hatchback, DARK SILVER, 3 Doors, Manual Transmission, Petrol, 54190 Miles, Margin.MM52CKK Registered 21-01-2003 Nottingham
03-01-2007 021
New: £14065
Ret: £9675
Cln: £8375
Avg: £7725
Blw: £7050
New: £15170
Ret: £10237
Trd: £8905

MINI ONE 1.6 Hatchback, CHILI RED, 3 Doors, Manual Transmission, Petrol, 8643 Miles, Margin. PY05HTJ Registered 18-06-2005 Nottingham
03-01-2007 109 Avg: £8725 30K 3+

MINI COOPER 1.6 Hatchback, GREEN, 3 Doors, Manual Transmission, Petrol, 57840 Miles, VAT Qualifying. RE53HDX Registered 08-09-2003 Nottingham
15-01-2007 Avg: £8327 30K 15+

MINI ONE 1.6 Hatchback, WHITE, 3 Doors, Manual Transmission, Petrol, 12870 Miles, VAT Qualifying.RF05RZP Registered 25-04-2005 Nottingham
05-01-2007 Avg: £8725 30K 3+

MINI COOPER 1.6 Hatchback, ELECTRIC BLUE, 3 Doors, Manual Transmission, Petrol, 19056 Miles, VAT Qualifying.RF54ZFV Registered 15-11-2004 Nottingham 03-01-2007 063 Avg: £10467 17K 3+
New: £11575
Ret: £10495
Cln: £9475
Avg: £8900
Blw: £8275
New: £12797
Ret: £10725
Trd: £9525

MINI COOPER 1.6 Hatchback, BLACK, 3 Doors, Manual Transmission, Petrol, 36099 Miles, Margin. Y04MJJ Registered 15-06-2004 Nottingham
05-01-2007 Avg: £9067 28K 5+
New: £11300
Ret: £9575
Cln: £8575
Avg: £8000
Blw: £7350
New: £12405
Ret: £10150
Trd: £8864

MINI ONE 1.6 Convertible, CHILI RED, 2 Doors, Manual Transmission, Petrol, 10193 Miles, VAT Qualifying.
VE55FEM Registered 07-12-2005 Nottingham
03-01-2007
039

[Doozergirl]

Thanks so much for all your effort boys. Yes, that's the auction we were looking at - those prices are very helpful happychappy, thanks for going to such lengths :)

I can see myself being faced with the toss up between something like the one I've been to see and a newer/cheaper car at auction that is maybe still under warranty but doesn't have all the extras.

It's a MoneySaving nightmare! Why can't it be fun? :wall: :rotfl:

vansboy, I think MX5s are great but I'd have to stick the kids in a trailer behind! I really like the look of the RX8 actually but I don't think my budget will stretch to one of those! I've sent you a pm also, hope you don't mind.

Just want somethng with a bit of personality really :)

[tomstickland]

I had wheels refurbished for £25 each + VAT by a company called http://www.lap-tab.co.uk/ in Birmingham.

[Doozergirl]

Thanks Tom, if i go down that route then that company looks perfect. Local to me and they're offering a 25% discount in January!

Hot pink, anyone? (I'm not serious; I don't think it would mach Indie Blue ;))

[vansboy]

Rx8... EXCELLENT idea!! Far Far Far more fun than a MINI - & if you can find one in Lightning Yellow,(do a google search for car & this colour) you'll never be looking for it in the Tesco car park!!

Actually they ARE getting affordable now, we're good value new, so even more so 3 years along!! Just the oil / fuel consumption a bit naughty sometimes!!

VB

[tomstickland]

Minis are OK. The mags like Evo like them. The Chrysler sourced engines aren't all that. Mini is front wheel drive whereas RX8 and MX5 are correct wheel drive.

[Doozergirl]

lol at 'correct wheel drive'!

Don't get me started on yellow cars because you see how much of a girl I am about these things. I have decided I like yellow cars. I decided I liked the new Seat Ibiza because it was yellow. I've been told that it has the same base as a VW Golf and is actually a very good car to buy? They're certainly cheap!

I'd also been told that the RX8 was really bad on fuel consumption, even with the smaller engine. Something like 23 to the gallon? I don't know whether that's an exageration as I'm currently driving a 2.5 litre BMW which does 29 (I'd do better than that but the Doozer likes to accelerate and break sharply :rolleyes:) and I thought almost anything would be cheaper than that monster!

[Doozergirl]

What are the implications for me of an auction car being sold without it's log book, please?

[vansboy]

Most fleet operators WON'T enter a vehicle without all the documentation, so as to achieve best price. If the V5 wasn't available & it was entered & sold, it'd be a bit of inconvenience to you, when trying to tax it. Other than that, the only real issue would be you wouldn't know how many owners it had.

Most fleets, again, only register the vehicle once, but as so many companies get taken over, it may have more than one registered keepr (owner) even though, it's really the same company. Not too bad in theory, but when it comes to selling on, it won't be you & one previous owener, more like maybe 2 or 3 previous.

If the vehicle is NOT direct, or a repossession & no V5 I'd be more cautious, as there will be little redress, if DVLA delays issuing you a new one. Again it'll not be a 'dodgy' car, the respectable auctions will protect you, to a degree, but you'll still not know how many owners & be chasing around, to get a new one!

Best avoid, to save complicating things.

VB just

[vansboy]

How did you get on at the auction, Doozergirl - save a fortune we hope!!

VB

[Doozergirl]

Doozer has kept Monday free to go to the Birmingham auction. There's only two cars I'm interested in really. One you've told me about and the other is in Birmingham on Monday :)

But, he's now worried about the safety of the children in the car and wants me to get something like a Megane. It's doing my head in good and proper right now, to be honest. I wish someone would just deliver me a car and be done with it. :(

He's going to look at a Pre-Reg Ford Ranger Thunder tomorrow morning. So he can have what he wants, of course! :rolleyes: