well after several slow flats leading to ruined tyres I've found two of my wheels have hairline cracks in them... I'm getting quoted about 50 quid just for the weld on each wheel without any refurb (the cracks are on the inside so could be touched over I suppose but it seems a lot for what is a pretty small job. Maybe I'm just tight, does that sound about the norm? I'm now considering some staggered bbs rc009 split rims that have just been refurbed as I always planned on getting something nicer on eventually. I guess I'm just apprehensive about buying nice wheels before the winter sets in and ruining them. Do you reckon its worth getting the spiders fixed up or should I just get the nice wheels... I would even just buy one or two spiders to replace the damaged ones but I can't find anyone selling individual used ones fairly cheaply....

I need some opinions peopl

See what a refurbish wheel company would charge for repair and paint job?

On the current spiders I have five so technically one of the cracked wheels is a spare, minimum cost to repair and refurb a set of 4 is about 250 or about 335 if I get all 5 done. Alternatively I can get the bbs wheels for about 450 and sell off the 3 good spiders as spares then weigh in the two cracked ones for scrap. Probably make back about 150 quid so they'll cost about 300 effectively. Unless I can find a cheaper way to get the spiders done its just not worth it.

Hi Dougie,

I take it that the crack are on the inner rim of the wheels?

I'm self employed and 2 of us run a business called Kimera Fabrications soon to be Proform Engineering.......Google kimerafabrications.co.uk (sorry for the plug) lol.

Anyway we specialise in automotive fabrications and welding, we do LOTS of wheel repairs for local tyre fitting centres at a cost of £25 per crack depending on severity of it.

For it to be a sound wheel again the whole crack needs cut out and built up with weld from both sides and then re-profiled, as simply just welding over the top of it and then dressing it off will mean it will crack again on the first few potholes.........which is what alot of companies will do and charge the earth for the pleasure of it.

This whole 'correct' process usually takes around 1 hour to complete.

Only thing is we are based in Cumbria so we may be of no help to you.

PM me if you want any help with anything.

Cheers

Daz

On the current spiders I have five so technically one of the cracked wheels is a spare, minimum cost to repair and refurb a set of 4 is about 250 or about 335 if I get all 5 done. Alternatively I can get the bbs wheels for about 450 and sell off the 3 good spiders as spares then weigh in the two cracked ones for scrap. Probably make back about 150 quid so they'll cost about 300 effectively. Unless I can find a cheaper way to get the spiders done its just not worth it.

Sounds a reasonable price, as I had 5 alloys done at £295.00 including wheel balancing, with kerb damage on two wheels.

I have a bare spare spider you could have, unfortunately I couldn't be much further away from you unless I were in France.

Look up SASCo in the Glasgow phone book and ask if they have any. The same rims are on the Octy Elegance, some vRS, were a dealer option on Octy Classic and Ambiante (and accessory for pre-facelift cars), and I think are on some Golf 4s and Audi A3 and A4s.

Cheers guys, I'll look into that ken.

Sepulchrave, where do you stay? Let me know how much youd be after and maybe I could get a courier to collect it if convenient?