Hey All,

Earlier this week, I had my winter wheel\tire setup swapped out with my factory wheels\3 season tires at the tire shop I use. When finished, I noticed that 3 of the 4 faces had damage to them (paint chipped off by the impact gun socket). After showing this to the rep I use, he admitted fault and offered to have the faces re-done by a mobile wheel repair company but they needed to figure out which company to use. Wost wheel:



Fast forward to today. I brought the wife's car in to have her winters swapped out and the rep approached me stating that they had another solution. They were willing to offer me any wheel I wanted at a "Buy 3, get the 4th free" deal. Coincidentally, I was looking at a set of Enkei wheels.

So what would you do? I do like the look of my OEM xS wheels, but I'm a bit of a wheel ***** and could go with a new set of wheels on discount (as long as they include swapping the tires out for no cost). The wheels I liked were the Enkei Tuning Raijin:

 

Installing wheels with an impact gun will cause warped rotors and broken wheel studs! When having you wheels installed only allow them to use a torque wrench set at 85. This would have never happened, had they done the job right or the installer had half a f...in brain! Have them fix your OE wheels, they're better quality than anything Enki makes. Buying 3 wheels and getting the 4th free isn't a great deal. Finding out what they're cost is and getting them at that price is what they should give you....after they've fixed your wheels!
Gary

 

It really depends on if your willing to spend the money. Sure your getting a good deal on a new set, but you could use that money towards something else since you already have a winter/summer set. If I was in your position, I would get my current rims fixed, and then continue to save up for another mod to my car. But everyone has their own preferences.

 

Thanks for the replies. I really like the look of my OE wheels, just wish the offset was a little better. I told them the wheel I was interested in so I'll see what they come back with. I know what Tire Rack sells them for, so if it's just one free at regular price, I will definitely get the OEMs repaired.

I'm almost all set on mods. I have money put away for HFCs and already have an exhaust and recently received the Mishimoto intake tubes as a birthday present, but I can afford new wheels as well and sell off the OEMs.

 

Heh...the OEM xs wheels are made by Enkei

 

That damage is negligible. I'd go for the Enkei discount. Of course a discount is only good if the pricing is good. How are they pricing the Enkei's agains Tirerack. I suppose they will get tire/mounting business and you will get new rims--win-win in my book.

 

Keep in mind, you can always get the new wheels and sell your OEM's. I agree the damage isn't that bad.

 

G35 coupe 18's are made my enkei as well as 07-08 OEM G35 Sedan's wheels.

 

Those enkei's look pretty good.

 

What happens when they damage the new Enkei wheels???

I like how they didn't fess up until you brought it to their attention. Speaks a lot for this shop. Given the damage and the comparibly low cost to repair the OEM wheel, you would likely get a better value for the "one free"

 

Thanks all for the replies.

You're right, the damage isn't THAT bad, but keep in mind, the wheels looked new before I had them taken off last Fall. When I got them back on, this is how they return them. Unacceptable IMO. And it's not just one wheel, it's all 4. Anyhoo, the manager will give me a price on the Enkeis tomorrow. If I do go with them, I will be selling my OEMs.

 

Get a better set of rims, DPE.

 

This!

 

Got an email from the shop yesterday. Supposedly, the cost of the wheels would be on their "employee discount"; $200\ea. which is less than Tire Rack. They claimed they were going for much more than that, which I quickly replied that Tire Rack had them for $225\ea so it wasn't a HUGE markdown. I'll see what they come back with "out the door" with mounting, balancing, etc. Sounds like I'll just get the wheels repaired unless I can get 4 wheels w/my current tires and TPMS installed for $600.

 

Got a reply:

"If we get the new wheels for you there would be no shipping cost or install cost so the total price would be $866.00 with tax. "

So no buy 3 get 1 free. I think I'm going to pass and get my OEMs repaired and use the money for HFCs.