Should I fix or sell?

[Silentnoise713]

Summer is here! I have a set of old skool BBS RK1s in the garage. Was my brothers and used for ~10 months before he hit a pot hole and bent two rim (another has curb rash but the other two are good). I gave him my bronze Enkei RS7 and had planned to fix these for later use. That was 2001/2002… LOL!

They've been in storage ever since so out of sight and out of mind. Doing some garage cleaning and lo and behold they are still there. I wasn’t a big fan of them but partly b/c I like rims with a nice lip. However, I think these might go ok with the profiles of the Mz5. So, what do you style experts think? Do you think they will look ok on Mz5? Should I fix and reuse or just get rid of them? I am also conscious that I want the Mz5 to ride well. I don’t remember the offset but it looks like a high offset, which should suite the Mz5. They are only 7.5x18 (I feel like they are tiny compared to qcoffey's 10.5!)

Also, anyone had rim repair done? How much does it typically cost to fix a wheel? Any concerns with fixing forged vs cast? I’ve never fixed a rim before.

http://imageshack.us/f/514/dsc0355gb8.jpg/


Also, I wouldn't mount these unless I'm lowered so who knows how much longer that'll take...

 

[StealthWyvern]

A guy in my area charges 100 buxks per wheel to straighten up

 

[phunky.buddha]

The wheel repair shops I've used charge about $120-150 per wheel to fix. They don't do a quick unbending though- they strip the wheel, bend out, weld on new material, machine it down, clean, then re-clear coat, paint, or polish- and have it back to you within 48 hours.

Those are SWEET wheels though! I think they'd look good, but your ride might suffer... and the profile of tire you would have to run on an 18 for the MZ5 will be prone to bending the wheels again on a curb or a pothole. If you're willing to go with a taller sidewall, this is what I would recommend on a 17:

I was saving that for later, but uploaded it last week- so there you go. Those are the current generation MX-5 Miata factory wheels. With the new 235/45 rubber (about the same height as 215/50), the ride is super smooth and there's a much larger rubber footprint for some serious grip!

If you want something similar for the 18s, you could run 235/40-18 (25.5" slightly pinched) or 215/45-18 (25.8" slightly stretched but within specs) which would give you a bit more sidewall and ride almost as well as the stock 205/50-17...

 

[Silentnoise713]

Test fit (not really fitment, more like superimposed ). Going to call around to see what kind quotes to expect. If under $300, I might get them fixed. Also thinking of finding a cheap fix and just resell. They look ok but I'm not too crazy about the silver car on silver rim look and powder coating is not an option at this point.

 

[phunky.buddha]

Yeah, that's a little big. You'd be pretty close to my tire diameter- that looks much larger! You can always plasti-dip your wheels, it's cheap and reversible.

 

[Silentnoise713]

Yeah, that's a little big. You'd be pretty close to my tire diameter- that looks much larger! You can always plasti-dip your wheels, it's cheap and reversible.

Pulled a David Blaine on ya They only look bigger b/c it is sitting in FRONT of the OEM wheels, they are not in the wheel well (notice no lug nuts/caliper). The tires on it are 225/40/18.

I've never heard of plasti-diping wheels but I don't want to throw money/effort at them.

I've narrowed it down to two shops. Wheel Collision Center ~1.5 hrs away and highly praised for outstanding job. I emailed them pics for a quote and they want $180-230 PER WHEEL. Down to 1 choice, which is a nationwide chain (wheelsamerica) and they are pretty cheap at low $100 per wheel and seem to do decent work too but reviews vary by location.

 

[phunky.buddha]

I use Wheel Technologies down here in Dallas- they're about $125 a wheel with one day turnaround, but I don't know that they operate where you are. Awesome results- maybe they will if you mail them the wheel(s).

Plasti-dip is just spray stuff, like the coating you put on tool handles but a little thinner- and completely removable. Maybe like $6 a can.

 

[Silentnoise713]

hmmm, I see they have a Houston branch and I'm might be going there for a week. Maybe I should consider lugging them with me (sans tires).. LOL.. Is the repair a flat rate?

Does Plasti-dip last and endure the elements (rain, chips, winter)?

 

[phunky.buddha]

Give them a call- if you're going to be flying, it's probably not worth it to lug the wheels with you.

Search around the forum. I know one of the Mazda2 guys has sprayed their wheels with Plasti-Dip, and it seems to be holding up. Quite a few of the truck guys use it on their bumpers/wheels too. Google has tons of info.

 

[phunky.buddha]

Found it- here's the Plasti-Dip setup: http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123811640-Plasti-Dip-Rims

 

[whyandrew]

Found it- here's the Plasti-Dip setup: http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123811640-Plasti-Dip-Rims

Ok that white dip actually looked really good on the black car... and I have a black Mazda5!

I wonder how the dip holds up long term against the elements and heat from braking tho.... the wheels get so hot esp when driving in congested traffic in the hot summer.

 

[Silentnoise713]

I read other reviews that the heat on the rims does pose an issue. It becomes a real PITA to remove once it cakes on over a long period of time but does sound like it can be removed, just a lot more effort. This is worth doing if you have a pair of scruffy rims that you can DIY fix and paint on the cheap. I wouldn’t do it on a nicer set.

Plasti-dip does sound GREAT to coat over body and access/add-on parts.

 

[Silentnoise713]

Back from Houston but didn't get a chance to bring them with me (busy weekend).

On a positive side, I found another site that seems well reviewed but again results depend on the guy doing the repair. Got a quote of $305 for two rims -the whole shebang. I am overdue for a lot of other maintenance stuff but looks like I may make these as keepers, at least for a short while.

In case anyone else needs a rim fixed.
http://www.awrswheelrepair.com/locator.html