Alloy wheels. Used as an alternative to new?

You can buy used wheels for up to a third of the cost of the same - new ones. After professional regeneration, they will look great. Both financially and aesthetically, this is a very interesting decision.

The market for car discs today is completely different than it was a few years ago. In addition to branded products, you can also find cheaper rims brought from China. Because of the very low price, they are chosen by many drivers. Unfortunately, such purchases often turn out to be erroneous. It happens that balancing such wheels is difficult, and their design and low-quality materials do not stand the test of time. The paint peels off quickly, and the rims wear and warp faster on rutted roads than the more expensive leading rims.

Alloy wheels. used is much cheaper

A set of 16-inch Chinese-made wheels can be purchased for only PLN 1000. In comparison, a mid-range European product costs about PLN 1500-1600 per set, while top models from leading manufacturers can cost up to PLN 3000. We'll pay even more for them at car dealerships, where wheels with their logo are extremely expensive. However, this is not the limit, because in the automotive catalogs there are wheels that cost as much as a middle-class car for a set. Fortunately, there is a cheaper alternative for such purchases, which is being used by more and more drivers. These are used wheels, of which there are many on the Polish market. Many of them come to Poland in imported cars. There are also companies that specialize only in importing rims and tires.

Prices for such products depend primarily on their condition. Branded discs that are intact and undamaged can be purchased for around PLN 800 per set. When looking for discs in perfect condition, you need to prepare about PLN 1500-2000. This amount is enough, for example, for the popular design of 16-inch wheel rims for cars from the Volkswagen/Audi concern. These will be exhibition discs, most often installed on a car in a car dealership. At the dealer, the cost of a brand new kit will be twice as high. And there is basically no difference between them.

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An interesting offer are wheels in the worst condition, requiring repair. Then a 16-inch kit costs about PLN 600-700. Meanwhile, professional varnishing of four pieces will cost a similar amount. For PLN 1200-1400 we get a set in the chosen pattern and color, whose rim restoration companies have an almost unlimited range in their offer. The cost of repairs will be slightly higher if, in addition to painting, the wheels need to be straightened or welded.

Alloy wheels. How much does the repair cost?

Compared to steel rims, aluminum rims are more prone to damage. At the same time, however, they are easier to repair. The easiest way to get rid of the flex that results in lateral wobble, often invisible to the naked eye, is with alloy wheels. Cracks are a much bigger problem, especially around the center hole and temples. Least of all, serious defects on the outer, visible side of the rim are repaired. They can be welded on, but the rim will always be weakened in this place, and the cost of repairs usually exceeds PLN 150-200. Additional elements, such as chrome edges, are usually replaced with new ones. Repairing small warps on an alloy rim is expensive. about 80-100 zł per piece. The cost of varnishing depends on the design and color of the rim. If several layers of paint are required for painting, the price even doubles.

Experts recommend that a rim full of deep scratches and abrasions be puttied and smoothed before varnishing. To apply the final layer of varnish, such a rim should also be coated with a primer. Unlike steel rims, aluminum doesn't like sandblasting. It is soft and after such processing deep pits are formed in it, which are then very difficult to mask with a primer and varnish. Therefore, when deciding to buy used rims, it is worth carefully assessing their condition and recalculating whether the repair will be profitable. In case of serious damage, it is better to buy new wheels.

Alloy wheels. Check if they fit

When buying discs, in addition to the condition, you must also check their parameters in terms of matching your car. First, pay attention to the rim size and bolt spacing, which should match the spacing between holes or studs in your vehicle. Another important parameter is the diameter of the centering hole. If it is too small, the rim cannot be installed. On the other hand, a slightly larger diameter can be reduced with a centering ring. They are made, for example, of aluminum, Teflon, plastic, are inexpensive and available in automotive stores and on the Internet. The third important parameter is ET, i.e. the distance between the axis of rotation and the point of attachment of the rim to the hub. The higher the ET value, the more the rim is hidden in the wheel arch. Incorrect ET selection can result in wheel rubbing against the body.

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