advice on buying used alloys

B

Big Red Cat

Active member
 Wiltshire
I'm thinking about going to look at a set of used alloys I've seen on Gumtree. I've never bought alloys before so any advice on what to look for, what questions to ask & what to walk away from would be very helpful. The photos on Gumtree show a BMW stamp & part number so can I assume they are genuine or do I need to look for other details?
All help gratefully received
 
With tires on ?

For me it would be buckled but the only way you will see that is if you mount them and spin looking at the rim.

Are they the same size ? Don't want a buckled one on the front for sure.

With tires on you wont be able to see if they have been repaired i.e. cracks wielded.

Refurbishment will hide any damage on the outside but at least make sure they all match.

Maybe take a friend with you whos got a critical eye.Two sets of eyes are better than one.
 
Brasseye said:
With tires on ?

For me it would be buckled but the only way you will see that is if you mount them and spin looking at the rim.

Are they the same size ? Don't want a buckled one on the front for sure.

With tires on you wont be able to see if they have been repaired i.e. cracks wielded.

Refurbishment will hide any damage on the outside but at least make sure they all match.

Maybe take a friend with you whos got a critical eye.Two sets of eyes are better than one.
Click to expand...
thanks, yes they have tyres on so as you say I won't be able to see inner damage, if they were buckled or had had a big knock would this show on the outside with lacquer damage etc? Don't look they have been refurbed as there are some scuffs on a couple of them.
Here is the link http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/genuine-bmw-17-alloys-and-tires/1014310842
yes they are only 103 17"s :oops: so please don't take the mick too much & I know most of you will hate them but they will suit me fine & he's only asking £200 (tyres are obviously worthless)
 
Yes genuine but i wouldn't give him more than £150 for the 4 :wink:
for £200 you could have my spare set :P http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/bmw-17inch-alloys-tyres/1015972226
 
It's a tricky purchase. I'd take them to a tyre fitting shop and have them balanced - it they prove OK, you pay for the service and take them. If not, the seller covers the bill.

As for the tyres, some flaws are easily spotted, but - for example - a bulge can appear miles later... :idunno:
 
corsaire77 said:
It's a tricky purchase. I'd take them to a tyre fitting shop and have them balanced - it they prove OK, you pay for the service and take them. If not, the seller covers the bill.

As for the tyres, some flaws are easily spotted, but - for example - a bulge can appear miles later... :idunno:
Click to expand...
Thanks might see if I can do that. The tyres don't look up to much so I'll be getting 4 new ones anyway.
 
Other than checking to see if they have been refurbed & are genuine:

1. turn them over to see if any of them are buckled by measuring the diameter very carefully all the way round on each wheel.
2. Additionally check where the wheel bolts have been to make sure they haven't been excessively tightened & damaged the flange
3. If they have no tyres on them, look for corrosion around the edge of the flange where it meets the tyre side wall. Any corrosion here means the tyre won't seal & will permanently go down slowly, the only fix being a full dip & refurb.

J
 
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