the wheel specialist, Manchester - Refurb Alloys

As many will know I run my Mk2 Leon Cupra with 19" BBS rims. But I have had my OEM 18" SEAT alloys refurbished this week for a few reasons, which I'll list for the sake of it.

1. I didn't like the standard colour that much
2. I'm doing a track day soon and wanted to run it on 18's and on tyres I don't use daily.
3. I dropped one when cleaning it about 2 years ago and scratched it to death so its overdue a makeover.
4. When the day comes to finally part with my beloved Cupra I don't want to sell it with the BBS rims and wanted the oem rims to look the part.

I decided to take them to a local refurb specialist, who is part of the Wheel Specialist group. The Manchester branch is based nr Clayton, East Manchester. But they have branches all over the UK.

http://www.thewheelspecialist.co.uk/

I dropped them off with them last Saturday morning, and as I was in no rush said I would return to collect them on Friday.

I opted for smoked chrome finish, which is a similar anthracite style shade to my BBS rims but with a more metallic look.

I collected them as arranged yesterday and was greeted by Andy (the boss), the quality of the work is superb they look amazing. I may even get the BBS done the same way later in the year.

They fitted them with all new chrome valves, they do the full strip down, and refit and balancing of the tyres as well as painted my centre caps to match the new colour. They couldn't mask out the SEAT logo as its a bit difficult to mask out. But the overpainted look of the logo looks fine to me.

The finish is guaranteed for 12 months, they might be a bit more pricier than other refurbishers but the quality of the work and professionalism of the outfit meant I left with a big smile and lovely looking rims.

Andy also gave us an open invitation to arrange an open day down at their premises on a Saturday morning sometime to be arrange and they would demonstrate the process involved to the members. Might be a good idea for a summer meet, I'll get more details in due course and get some interest.

I took a few pics with my iPhone yesterday which in honesty don't really do the colour justice. I have not had time to fit the wheels yet, but they are going on the car in time for next weekends track day. I will take some more pics with my Canon EOS in due course.

Wholly Recommended.

FR Scott said:

Hi Mark,

Looks like a great job!

Have been looking around for a while trying to find somewhere to referb my 18’’ Andromeda’s. Did look at the wheel specialist but read some not very good reviews across some different forums which put me off them a bit but I know they are a franchise so each place will be different. Looking at the pics and from your post you sound pretty impressed with the service at Manchester? I am from the Hull area so just want to make sure this is the place to go before I drive all that way.

I actually really like the colour too so would look for that finish or just a plain (slightly darker then my current) anthracite. Can I ask how much you paid for the work to be done?

Also, something else I read - did they paint the inner face of your wheel that mounts to the car? Apparently this is a no no as the paint can expand etc and cause your wheel bolts to loosen?

Thanks in advance.
Scott

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Hi Scott,

I was pleased with the service I received at Manchester, I obviously can't speak for the other franchises. Andy at Manchester was very professional and its a good unit he's got, certainly not a back street place, very tidy and clean and looks to be a serious business.

I took advantage of a special offer they had on in January basically 25% off (ie one wheel done free) it came to just over £300 for the full refurb, including painting the centre caps and I wanted brand new chrome valves supplying too. I was pleased with the finish and didn't feel it was overly expensive for a job done well.

The inside face of the wheels is sprayed black, but most aftermarket alloys are either coated or painted on the inside including my usual 19" BBS CK's

Heat expansion shouldn't really be an issue, unless they are cheap 'chocolate' wheels that expand and crack the paint, proper OEM wheels or good aftermarket wheels shouldn't really be an issue. I'd be very surprised if something like that was to happen.

Wheel bolts should be torqued up too, I always torque set my wheel nuts to the correct setting, they haven't come off yet and it got ragged round Oulton Park the other week and believe me they were getting extremely warm.

singh123 said:

Same finish as mine Mark i got mine done from the birmingham branch Look great

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Cheers mate, They look smart, good look for the OEM really. My BBS are going back on soon though, I miss my big wheel look.