Bent M5 Bent wheel: Fix or replace?

kosmo · 20th December 2004, 20:53

One of my front rims on my 02 m5 is bent. The dealer says that it can be fixed from an outside shop for about $200.
Or I can pay about $500 to get a new one. The last option is to get a "knock off" on ebay.

Does anyone have any experience w/ these wheel repair shops and/or the knock off? thank you

K

DIPLOMAT · 20th December 2004, 22:06

Hi,

I actaully had teh same issue as yours, I had a bent fron rim, I decided to get it fixed for the shprt term but will replace it soon.
Do not get a knock off, you are not driving a POS worth nothing

.
Make sure if you do get it fixed for them to balance it and make usre it is straight and true.
good luck

gsfent · 20th December 2004, 22:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by kosmo

One of my front rims on my 02 m5 is bent. The dealer says that it can be fixed from an outside shop for about $200.
Or I can pay about $500 to get a new one. The last option is to get a "knock off" on ebay.

Does anyone have any experience w/ these wheel repair shops and/or the knock off? thank you

K

These show up on ebay from time to time. I don't think you would pay much more than the cost of fixing a rim for a used one and you could keep the bent rim as an emergecy spare wheel. I have a couple of spares, so if you are in a hurry and can't find anything on ebay currently, PM me.
Regards,
Jerry

Black Beast · 20th December 2004, 23:53

Hey Kosmo,

If you decide not have your front wheel fixed and are looking for a replacement I have one for sale for $300 in excellent condition.

I recently replaced my stock wheels with a set of BBS LM's and am looking to sell my stock wheels.

Let me know if you are interested. Also, a lot of people put the larger rear stock wheels on the front and run wider tires. Apparently it helps with handling. If you would like, I have the rears for sale as well and would ask $500 for both of those, also in excellent condition with Dunlop 9090 tires (approx 40% tread remaining).

Thanks and good luck with whatever you decide,
Gisho

Redshift · 21st December 2004, 00:25

I've also got 2 non perfect but perfectly true and round 18x9.5" OEM rears for sale. One has been refinished, so that one is $200 plus shipping. Another one has not, but is not perfect. That one is $250 plus shipping. No tires or center caps. I already sold two of the four, and these are the only ones left.

I considered knockoffs, but the car is heavy and I don't trust crappy wheels to save my life or my wife's life if something happens. Only OEM or better.

21st December 2004, 11:09

Definitely replace it! I do not recommend reparing a wheel that has more than cosmetic damage. It is not worth the potential for long-term headaches.

Cheers, Daniel.

Pip · 21st December 2004, 11:32

Q: Is Blackbeast willing to ship and sell his front OEM wheel to someone in the UK as I am looking for a front as a spare?

Any pictures??

Pip

SouthshoreM6 · 21st December 2004, 14:39

Just my $.02, having now bent 14 rims on my car over 4 years due mostly to the Big Dig here in Boston.

You can get it fixed for around $125 from Rim and Wheel Works, Newtonville, MA 617 964 0226 Minor bends are no problem to fix, these guys can perform magic, but if the coating is scraped, you'll need to get the wheel refinished also, and it may not match the other three...plus it's going to be close to the price of a new OEM wheel. $500 from a dealer isnt too bad, but check Bekkers, etc or dealers that offer a BMW CCA discount on parts.

Good luck,
Bill

TCM · 21st December 2004, 15:06

I concur with Bill, if the rim is just bent I would definately suggest going ahead and fixing it. But if the wheel needs to be refinished, you are better off getting a new one IMO as the finish will never match correctly. Hope this helps.

Lscman · 22nd December 2004, 02:53

The vast majority of repro knock-off's are very weak and brone to breakage or bending. There are widespread reports of folks bending multiple wheels in a matter of months. One big problem is the 18" diameter combined with super low profile. Another problem is the aftermarket repros are all a weak cast aluminum design. You could break a wheel center section and have a bad wreck. The ultra high performance capabilities combined with the hefty 2 ton weight chassis of the E39 V8 is a recipe for wheel failure. Aftermarket repro wheels are even marginal for a low performance cars of lighter weight. I am sure the Chinese manufacturers use the same design parameters for the M5 repro wheel as they use for 2800 lb Subaru or 3400 lb Mustang. They will not match OEM wheels in color or offset either, so you must buy two or four.