Purchasing Reconditioned OEM Wheels

[Batman0424]

I originally posted this over in the Wheel & Tire forum, but haven't received any feedback and hope that the higher traffic here is higher will spark some discussion.

Hopefully this topic hasn't already been discussed - I have tried various searches both in the forum and through Google and only seem to find discussions around folks looking to have their wheels refinished or reconditioned.

I recently purchased a B8.5 S4 and would like to replace my OEM 19" Peelers with a setup of S5 Rotors (19x9 ET33); however, these are damn near impossible to find as take-offs (I seem to always be a day, or couple hours, late when a set goes up for sale) and purchasing these new is more than I want to spend.

I have looked at Hartmann, but these aren't offered in 19x9 ET33 - they have 19x8.5 ET38, but then I would need spacers, which I would rather not use. Also, the 19x9 wheels are more concave

So, after searching for options, I found a few sites that sell reconditioned wheels for prices that are aligned with the Hartmann replica wheels. However, before considering this as a viable alternative to new OEM or take-offs, I want to gather some feedback / opinions from folks that have experience with reconditioned wheels. Any input or advise would be great.

Thanks...

[The Fat Kid]

I looked into it briefly when figuring out my winter setup, and decided against refurbished OEMs. There were just too many horrible reviews (e.g. cracked, bent, poorly refinished etc.) for all the companies I found. I would just wait for someone to sell a set on AZ if you wanted OEMs, or go with a reliable aftermarket company.

Did you look at ECS Alzors? I considered them but ECS has a policy where the shipment must go to the billing address, and that would not work for me since I live in an urban-ish area with porch pirates.

Edit to Add: Some have gotten lucky by calling dealerships who are either dumping wheel/tire packages, or may have gotten an extra set of wheels with a trade-in vehicle.

[SteveYem]

I originally posted this over in the Wheel & Tire forum, but haven't received any feedback and hope that the higher traffic here is higher will spark some discussion.

Hopefully this topic hasn't already been discussed - I have tried various searches both in the forum and through Google and only seem to find discussions around folks looking to have their wheels refinished or reconditioned.

I recently purchased a B8.5 S4 and would like to replace my OEM 19" Peelers with a setup of S5 Rotors (19x9 ET33); however, these are damn near impossible to find as take-offs (I seem to always be a day, or couple hours, late when a set goes up for sale) and purchasing these new is more than I want to spend.

I have looked at Hartmann, but these aren't offered in 19x9 ET33 - they have 19x8.5 ET38, but then I would need spacers, which I would rather not use. Also, the 19x9 wheels are more concave

So, after searching for options, I found a few sites that sell reconditioned wheels for prices that are aligned with the Hartmann replica wheels. However, before considering this as a viable alternative to new OEM or take-offs, I want to gather some feedback / opinions from folks that have experience with reconditioned wheels. Any input or advise would be great.

Thanks...

I found a site that appeared to be reputable, and was considering buying those exact wheels. I wouldn't be surprised if it's one of the vendors you found. I actually emailed them and got multiple replies to my questions regarding finish, structural integrity, stock levels etc., and all of the answers I received were positive. Pricing was higher than Hartmann, but as you pointed out the 19x9 et33 wheels have more desirable aesthetics for the B8/B8.5 chassis and Hartmann does not offer wheels in this spec (although if they did, I'll be they wouldn't be able to keep the on the shelves very long * cough cough hint hint Hartmann get on it already! * * *)

The site I found had a satisfaction guarantee, so if I receive the wheels and find the finish or structure to be unsatisfactory I could return them and get a refund (I would have to pay return shipping). I am strongly considering going this route. I do not want to disclose the vendor's name because they may have limited stock and I want to minimize the chance of someone else buying them out from under me : ) Sorry!

[Batman0424]

I found a site that appeared to be reputable, and was considering buying those exact wheels. I wouldn't be surprised if it's one of the vendors you found. I actually emailed them and got multiple replies to my questions regarding finish, structural integrity, stock levels etc., and all of the answers I received were positive. Pricing was higher than Hartmann, but as you pointed out the 19x9 et33 wheels have more desirable aesthetics for the B8/B8.5 chassis and Hartmann does not offer wheels in this spec (although if they did, I'll be they wouldn't be able to keep the on the shelves very long * cough cough hint hint Hartmann get on it already! * * *)

The site I found had a satisfaction guarantee, so if I receive the wheels and find the finish or structure to be unsatisfactory I could return them and get a refund (I would have to pay return shipping). I am strongly considering going this route. I do not want to disclose the vendor's name because they may have limited stock and I want to minimize the chance of someone else buying them out from under me : ) Sorry!

Thank you, this seems positive. Once you purchase, send me the vendor through PM. I am not in a huge rush, but would like to have some new wheels once we get closer to Spring.

[The Fat Kid]

I found a site that appeared to be reputable, and was considering buying those exact wheels. I wouldn't be surprised if it's one of the vendors you found. I actually emailed them and got multiple replies to my questions regarding finish, structural integrity, stock levels etc., and all of the answers I received were positive. Pricing was higher than Hartmann, but as you pointed out the 19x9 et33 wheels have more desirable aesthetics for the B8/B8.5 chassis and Hartmann does not offer wheels in this spec (although if they did, I'll be they wouldn't be able to keep the on the shelves very long * cough cough hint hint Hartmann get on it already! * * *)

The site I found had a satisfaction guarantee, so if I receive the wheels and find the finish or structure to be unsatisfactory I could return them and get a refund (I would have to pay return shipping). I am strongly considering going this route. I do not want to disclose the vendor's name because they may have limited stock and I want to minimize the chance of someone else buying them out from under me : ) Sorry!

Do you hide your addiction from your wife?

[Batman0424]

I looked into it briefly when figuring out my winter setup, and decided against refurbished OEMs. There were just too many horrible reviews (e.g. cracked, bent, poorly refinished etc.) for all the companies I found. I would just wait for someone to sell a set on AZ if you wanted OEMs, or go with a reliable aftermarket company.

Did you look at ECS Alzors? I considered them but ECS has a policy where the shipment must go to the billing address, and that would not work for me since I live in an urban-ish area with porch pirates.

Edit to Add: Some have gotten lucky by calling dealerships who are either dumping wheel/tire packages, or may have gotten an extra set of wheels with a trade-in vehicle.

I did look at these, but this situation here is the same as Hartmann - there isn't an option for a 19x9 ET33.

- - - Updated - - -

Do you hide your addiction from your wife?

I do....

[SteveYem]

Thank you, this seems positive. Once you purchase, send me the vendor through PM. I am not in a huge rush, but would like to have some new wheels once we get closer to Spring.

Will gladly do so. I'm on the same kind of timeline - looking to purchase around mid March. Or I might just stick with my OEM S5 'peelers' since they will cost me zero versus whatever the reconditioned S5 rotors will cost (prob around $1400). But I'll keep you posted.

Do you hide your addiction from your wife?

Which one? (addiction, not wife)

[The Fat Kid]

I did look at these, but this situation here is the same as Hartmann - there isn't an option for a 19x9 ET33.

- - - Updated - - -



I do....

Gotcha regarding the fitment; I did not go through all the OEM reps.

[The Fat Kid]

Which one? (addiction, not wife)

An addiction to wives would be far too expensive; stick to cars.

[Shimmy]

you may want to double check that the OEM recondition vendor actually has the wheels in stock. I initially went this route, exchanged emails, only to place my order and a week later receive a call/inform that they didn't have a full set in stock... only two wheels. The price was $1300+ shipping if I remember.

I ended up finding a local set so I lucked out.

[Batman0424]

you may want to double check that the OEM recondition vendor actually has the wheels in stock. I initially went this route, exchanged emails, only to place my order and a week later receive a call/inform that they didn't have a full set in stock... only two wheels.

I ended up finding a local set so I lucked out.

One of the sites I found indicated to call for availability.

I'm a bit surprised with hard it is to find these take-offs. Well, I guess I shouldn't be, but initially I thought this would be easy - usually OEM parts are easy to obtain. I guess if I cannot find these, I will have to keep looking at the aftermarket (non-oem, non-replica) options again. There are a few options I felt were nice, but for some reason I keep landing back on the rotors and with this offset option, I'm definitely leaning towards the Rotors.