Wheels. Refurb or a new set of replicas with tyres?

[KungFuPanda]

I've got a 2000 Audi TT which is low miles and in decent nick. The only thing that lets it down are the wheels, all of which are badly kerbed. I've currently got budget tyres on with decent tread.

I'm in a quandary as to whether to get these refurbished or bin them and just get a new set of replicas complete with new tyres.

The cost of a decent refurb is around £200 for all four wheels which is a complete drop off and strip down service.

I live close to Wheel Base which will do a set of 4 18" replica Audi wheels with budget tyres for £500.

My MOT is also due in April ish so if I was going to go down the route of a new set of wheels, I would probably do it then.

Wholly on an economic basis, what would you guys do? Also do you reckon a set of 4 badly kerbed replicas would command around £100 on Ebay or am I being overly optimistic?

[WeirdNeville]

See if you can find good alloys on ebay - by good I mean original wheels in better condition than yours, then pay to have them refurbished. Best of both worlds - good original wheels in sparkly new powdercoat. I really wouldn't put "budget" tyres on them either. You need something with a bit of grip.

£100 for a set of old alloys sounds about right, but be sure you can ship them economically or you'll get no bids. Check owners clubs for pricing too. You might be able to get them collected from you for £50 which would be a better deal for an easy transaction.

[aka_kerrly]

Id spend the money getting your original wheels refurbed or buy another second hand set of genuine alloys and get them refurbed as the replica ones are often not the correct ET, usually 0.5 > 1 inch narrower and the paint will look crap within months - based on those that mates have on mk4 golfs...

Dave

[Pat H]

Definitely keep the original wheels.

Even if it means having your car on blocks for a week while they are done.

I wouldn't buy another set of used wheels either. They will probably be buckled, stolen or cheap replicas.

[LimitedSlipDisk]

I would get them refurbed, if it's in good nick then whenever you come to sell it surely it's more appealing with genuine wheels.

Also in the same boat at the minute noticed one of the back wheels has started to peel

[lordlee]

I'd go down the refurb route too. To be fair my mate has replicas on his Audi for 2 years and they look fine and have caused him no issues at all. I would just be happier with original alloys as I should imagine they are far better made and less likely to buckle on today's pothole filled roads.

[Ozzie Osmond]

Definitely refurb.

Budget tyres? You have to be kidding!