Wheels For Ls430 - Replace Or Refurbish?

[RedBookKeeper]

I'm debating with myself whether to have my current wheels refurbished, or buy a new set; any guidlines guys?

This is the second set replacing my original set which were replaced FOC by Lexus due to general corosion. It seems to be an epidemic with Lexus wheels. I've seen a new LS600h-SEL with bad wheels already.

Any clues as to an excellent restorer locally in South Yorkshire would be helpful as well.

[Bluesbreaker]

It's a dilemma, to replace, or refurbish your wheels, I farted about for weeks, trying to source alternative new wheels for my '98 LS400, either too expensive-or worried the damn things wouldn't fit the hubs ( high offset factor -big front caliper clearance problem you are aware of yourself, no doubt!) a guy a few miles away from me, has a wheel refurb franchise, charged me £80 a wheel, they were in a real mess, I can tell you, I even got the spare done. and they turned-out brilliant, should have gone down the refurb road in the first place! you must have your pick of these people to do this where you are shurely? There are lots of them around my area down here in Milton Keynes, good luck anyway, Iain.

[dsutton1974]

I had my LS400 wheels refurbished last week and they look like new.

I haven't seen a set of after-market wheels on an LS that I liked... the OEM wheels just look right.

[willskoda]

I know two people who have used the wheel specialist in Leeds (Google it). I have seen their work up close and it is superb. Apparently if you speak to John and maybe mention that you have seen their work on Briskoda they might start knocking money off ;) Don't bother with after market wheels they all look rubbish quite frankly.

[RedBookKeeper]

It's a dilemma, to replace, or refurbish your wheels, I farted about for weeks, trying to source alternative new wheels for my '98 LS400, either too expensive-or worried the damn things wouldn't fit the hubs ( high offset factor -big front caliper clearance problem you are aware of yourself, no doubt!) a guy a few miles away from me, has a wheel refurb franchise, charged me £80 a wheel, they were in a real mess, I can tell you, I even got the spare done. and they turned-out brilliant, should have gone down the refurb road in the first place! you must have your pick of these people to do this where you are shurely? There are lots of them around my area down here in Milton Keynes, good luck anyway, Iain.

Iain. Thanks for your advice. I think compounded with the general consensus on here I shall scrap the idea of buying new and indeed have them refurbished. To be absolutely honest, they aren't bad, just a little bubbling on two wheels and one lost some of its paint, the other being virtually perfect. Judging by the others advice, it seems the logical route. I shall research some prices locally; as you say, there is plenty of competition, but quality is the important factor of course. I'm having the bodywork re-polished in Carnuba wax by Swiss and it'll look showroom condition again by summer. I don't use the car enough to be honest, spends months in the garage unused; years at one point! Thank you again Iain. Regards Geoff

[bookend]

I had mine done at the wheel specialist at Leeds and they did a great Job and still look great 1 year on.

I think the origional wheels look good on the car.

[RedBookKeeper]

I know two people who have used the wheel specialist in Leeds (Google it). I have seen their work up close and it is superb. Apparently if you speak to John and maybe mention that you have seen their work on Briskoda they might start knocking money off ;) Don't bother with after market wheels they all look rubbish quite frankly.

Will. Thanks for your advice, I have just replied to 'Iain' above and decided that this is the sensible route to go down. I shall indeed have a 'google' for Briskoda and locate them; get some prices etc. I suppose it'll be all about storing the car, removing the wheels, stripping the tyres, etc and all again in reverse. Time consuming I suppose. Its the quality that's important to me more than anything. Regards Geoff

[RedBookKeeper]

Thanks everyone for your advice; decision made and 'qoutes-in-the-post'!

[gabysgrandad]

Had mine done today on a (55) LS430. Look excellent, cost £300. Based North Derbyshire.

[Bluesman]

Hi Geoff and welcome to The LOC as you have seen demonstrated we are a friendly and some of us very knowledgeable bunch of like minded people.

What we like to see are pictures lots and lots of pictures.

If you dont know already on Sun 5th May there is a meet of The LOC in the Midlands. Here is a link http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/80199-east-midlands-area-meet-sunday-may-5/ Just let Ian know your coming if you are and how many of you. the more LS's the better.

Mike

[39buss]

Where I live, near Sunderland, there's a long established wheel refurbisher who will lend you a set of wheels and he takes tyres off refurbs wheels and replaces tyres and balances them as part of his service for £50 a wheel. I've never used him so no connection but you should not have to faff on doing your own tyre removal/refitting etc.

[ambermarine]

I Bought a 98 Ls400 from a gentleman in Cheltenham and the car had 18k miles on it (topic on here somewhere) point is he had the wheels refurbed by Lexus Cheltenham and they are superb, now I know Lexus Cheltenham did not do them thierselves but maybe Lexus have a national refurber could be worth asking your Local lexus dealer and the bonus is they will come back with a warranty of some sort.On subject of Lexus wheels being suceptible to corrosion I learnt last year from a Lexus insider that the majority of wheels produced for Toyota vehicles are in temperate climates and the cost of producing alloys that resist salt is quite significant in terms of wheels supplied so they do not single out vehicles sold in areas where salt is used on the road as the cost just for organising that would far outweigh warranty payments.

[cruisermark]

I Bought a 98 Ls400 from a gentleman in Cheltenham and the car had 18k miles on it (topic on here somewhere) point is he had the wheels refurbed by Lexus Cheltenham and they are superb, now I know Lexus Cheltenham did not do them thierselves but maybe Lexus have a national refurber could be worth asking your Local lexus dealer and the bonus is they will come back with a warranty of some sort.

Has anybody managed to get the original polished look like this:

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy178/SAHIL0786/ClYemgWkKGrHqRjQE0D2IM1QdBNDm35rhZQ_12_zpsb9322b4e.jpg

as apposed to the grey powdercoat and laquar which seems to be the norm

[Bassman]

If you want them polished as opposed to powdercoated and lacquered, then seek out a motorcycle polisher.

They are used to highly polishing motorcycle parts such as engine covers and wheels etc. and are set up to do this kind of work.

Can't remember who we used to do the engine covers and wheels of my old Harley chop but most bike polishers do a great job, as unless they do, they don't get work. the bike world is very tight knit.