Hi, just bought a 2009 Superb 1.8 TSi with 18 inch Thermisto alloys. Although they look pretty good from a distance , all 4 of them have some scuffing around the rims and I just wondered if anyone could advise on what is the best thing to do? ie just get the damaged bits repaired or go the whole hog and have all four wheels fully refurbed. For a full refurb I have had a rough quote that says FROM £67.50 plus vat so £81 per wheel. The Company that quoted me this said that this is fully stripping the wheel back and then baking on the new finish whereas they mentioned that some of the quick spot repairs don't always last that long?

 

Any advice greatly appreciated.

 

Cheers

Hi Laujen,

A quick search throws up a list of recent threads on this topic (see above right on this page for search option)

Certainly a 'baked on' finish is arguably the best you can get. I've seen UK prices from between £50 to £90 a wheel. I've also seen new sets of allots (4) for less than £400 on line with specialists and EBay....Worth a good look around.

Also, I don't know if the new model Superb uses the Thermistor alloys (anyone?)....if not prices could drop a bit on new stock as they look to shift it.

Dave

Have a look on tyre leader for after market alloys. For not much more than that you can buy new 18" alloys.

Yeah; new rims is the way to go.  You'll get fair bank for your old Themistos as well.

The Thermisto alloys are polished / diamond cut too. Only specialist alloy repairers can achieve the factory finish.

 

I'm guessing the quotes you've had are to refurb and paint them?

 

Prices tend to vary by the wheel size too, I paid £60 a wheel (17") last year but the quality was great.

 

I'd prefer to refurb genuine wheels than buy brand new aftermarket alloys, just to keep the OEM look if nothing else.

I had mine done in Ireland for (I think) €230 for all 4 for stripping, filling and powder coat. The car's previous owner had managed to scratch all of them somehow. I'd stay with OEM alloys because at least they're definitely tested to be strong enough and will fit the car correctly.

If you just scrap your old alloys the scrap man will offer £10.00 per wheel !!

You could put a set of winter tyres on old alloys as they are, and with salt and stuff in the winter would effect the alloy surfaces.

 

Getting alloys refurbished is touch and go whether cheaper than buying new alloys.

If you do get them refurbed I wouldn't bother getting the diamond cut done. I have two sets, one bought second hand with a brand new refurb. All have the lacquer problems and white worm underneath. It will be significantly cheaper to have them plain silver painted and probably look nearly as good. Certainly after a short time they will look better when they don't deteriorate like diamond cuts. By the way I'm pretty sure that they are Themistos, without the r. Have to say I thought there was an r in it too.

Give Lepsons (Gillingham) a call as they are the best in the area.

Why not buy some new Themistos, and sell your old ones? I think new ones are about £150 each.

Thanks for all the advice. I think I agree that OEM wheels are better than after market? But reading other threads on here it seems that it's not worth paying for a diamond cut refurb as they would soon go again and yes I already saw the ad for new Thermistos at £160 odd per wheel but then surely you would still encounter the same problems again in no time.So perhaps a powder coat would be better or as per Gizmo's link for Lepson they do a chrome finish which they say is similar to diamond cut. Does anyone have any experience of chrome finish?

 

Thanks

This is their black chrome (any part of the wheel can have the chrome bit adding)

 

 

For my sirius alloys as fitted to the L&K (3T0071498HHA7) I was quoted £130 for repair.

Add to that the cost of delivering and collecting their was no competition against buying a new one at £195 delivered,

 

Plus eventually I will have four scratched ones for use in winter lol (for eventually read probably quite soon) 

I think I agree that OEM wheels are better than after market

 

They certainly don't LOOK as good, though.  Here's an A-B of my old Themistos and my new wheels.

 

 

I'm preferring the Thermisto's but opinions and preferences on alloy wheels will always be different, as long as you like them that's all that matters.

For my sirius alloys as fitted to the L&K (3T0071498HHA7) I was quoted £130 for repair.

Add to that the cost of delivering and collecting their was no competition against buying a new one at £195 delivered,

 

If you need another one then this is currently a bargain (no bids)...

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2015-Skoda-Superb-Sirius-Alloy-Wheel-/201360291566?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2ee20236ee

Collect from Norfolk so would cost so much in petrol I could buy new*

 

 

*complete lie or massive exaggeration for dramatic effect

There is a place south west Edinburgh that will do 4 alloys same day, give you car to use for the day. All approx £250 and by the way they do a good job especially powdercoating.

I was quoted £250 for 4, was cheaper if i took the bare alloys in with no tyres on them