brobbinson

I found out the "hard way" that the low profile 18" tires on my 996 do not protect the alloy wheel plate from damage if you strike a curb. I managed to scape the passenger side alloy wheel plate while paralel parking (obviously not well). Any ideas on ways to effect a "reasonable" repair - my dealer quoted me $225 for a refinishing job. Porsche does not appear to sell touch up paint for the alloys.

Viken

Try http://www.wheelenhancement.com they'll exchange the wheel for a new one.

[ 30-05-2001: Message edited by: Viken Bedrossian ]

Chris Johnson

Yeah, that's finding out the hard way, all right. I've made the same mistake a couple times in my life. Most low-profile tires and rims have this disadvantage. It's not just the 18" rims on the Porsche. My 2 mistakes were in a BMW Z3 with 17" rims and a Nissan 300ZX with 17" rims as well.

$225 does not sound completely out of line, but maybe just a little high. Hard to say -- it may depend on how much damage was done.

Good luck.

Karl S

I paid about $100 per wheel at a local wheel shop. The wheels (Sport Design 18") came back like new, you can't tell they've been repaired. Ask around some of your local PCA members. Most of them will be able to point you to a competent local shop, since this is a very common problem.

Also, if you ever remove your wheels to check the brakes or put on snow tires, never lay the wheels down flat unless you put something underneath them. Concrete will scratch the wheel rims if you lay them down flat.

Karl

Ahmet

I put 993 wheels on pavement with the outside of the wheel, facing the ground, made quite deep scuffs, etc.

However, putting the wheels on the ground, so that the inside of the wheel is facing the ground should be OK.

PS: Many of the newer tires in the larger sizes have a strip of rubber that stick out more than the rest of the tire (and the wheel of the lip) to protect against 'curb rash', ex: the Bridgestone Potenza RE-730.
Ahmet

Ofer

What other tires (models or brands) have this extra 'lip' or "strip" as you put it?

[ 30-05-2001: Message edited by: Ofer ]

MKW

Continentals have the "rim protector" bead - I believe the Bridgestones also have it

brobbinson

Thanks for the useful replies. I'm going to pursue the local body shop idea and post a similar question on my regional PCA board. Its Westchester, County NY, in case anyone reading this is from the area and has a suggestion for a quality body shop to do refinishing work on the alloys.

Regards.

Viken

The problem is the 265 rear tire on the 10" wheel. That tire is more appropriate for a 9" wheel. Go to a 285/30-18 tire and you'll have a bit more meat on your sidewall.

alpine003

I have this on my DWS tires.













waiting...

adcampo

I traded emails with Dave at wheel enhancements yesterday. I'm looking for a rear 18" Sport Techno wheel. They didn't have any used or refinished ones, but quoted me $1775 for a new one or $250 plus shipping to refinish. Dave was very helpful.

alpine003

Dude you know you fell into the newbie trap, right?

Hence the reason why I wrote "waiting...". This was THE first post ever in the 996 section.

onewhippedpuppy

My S04s also have the wheel protector.

Look into your local Alloy Wheel Repair company. Our local guy is a PCA member/autocrosser, they will come to you and refinish your wheels in their truck. I paid about $300 to have four deeply curb checked Maserati wheels refinished, including a color change.

http://www.awrswheelrepair.com/

STAGGERWING

OK, I just have to ask this, --what is the "whl plate"--are you talking the outer edge of the rim or what ?
And when you folks get this repaired/refinished at a body shop , do you let them fill in the chunked out edges w/ body filler or are they TIG welded & then machined off ?

CDLVancouver

I recently refurbed my wheels and i used bondo to fill in the rash (after I grinded them down a bit). Turned out awesome. Well worth the time and the $90 total cost for paint, laquer, primer, sand paper and bondo to do all 4 wheels (rears had the worst rash). Wheels look brand new.