Instead of trying to find a buyer and all that for my current set of 5-spoke silvers, would any of you recommend having them painted white? Are there any cons to doing this? How much could I expect to pay for such a service? Thanks for any advice. :smile:

 

Couldn't quote you a price, but, if you're happy with your rims and just want them white check into having them powder coated. It should be a lot cheaper than buying a new set. If the jobs done right you should have no problems with them.

 

Powder coated? Would it give that factory white polished look? I guess I'm going for OEM.. Thanks for reply.

 

Powdercoating is like painting metal with a durable solid color such as white. And yes it does look like factory
Two options- get it done locally-check with all performance wheel outlets or shops in your area and ask about powder coating rims. If no response go to motorcycle shops. Go to wheel upgrade specialty shops. Or check over the internet for powder coating rims.

Another alternative is an even swap. Your silvers for some whites or pay the difference in cost if the design of the wheels is different.

Sometimes your dealer can do the even swap for you if there are enough MINIs on the lot or coming soon.

 

Thanks, I'll look into that. Although, MGear's experiences with the prices have scared me off a bit. So, I may just try to get a new set after all. It appears that I should spend no less than $100 per wheel for job done right.

I'll assume even a good paint job woulnd't cost me that much.

 

by the time you dismount/mount the tires and ship, pay for the powder coat service, you're probably better off just buying new or used white wheels.

powdercoating wheels is usually done for hard to find wheels or expensive wheels which make sense to do.

 

No matter what you do with rims, replace/trade or have powder coated you'll have to have them dismounted and remounted so that is not a consideration. You are likely to find a local shop to powder coat and if you have to ship you will likely be able to do it round trip for $100. Dont give up on PC, a good shop will yeild excellent results.

 

You can get them PCed for a pretty reasonable price...but if you keep an eye on ebay there is sets of white wheels for the MINI - either 5 spoke or the v-spokes on there from time to time for a pretty reasonable price...since your in NY it may be nice to just get a second set and use the old wheels for winter...not quite as good as say a 15x5.5 but close...that way you can just leave the winter wheels on them and mount and unmount them when needed.

 

I have a set of 5zigen 5-spokes I had powder coated white. They came out beautiful, but cost more than I figured. The powder coating was $35 per wheel, BUT the original silver (yes it was a powder coating, too) needed to be removed. Ordinarily this can be easily burned off - but not with alloy wheels! They had to be sent out to another shop for a chemical dip strip - additional $25 per.

That was last spring, so I've forgotten about the cost (had to look it up for this post), but I still LOVE the wheels & get compliments all the time.

I personally much prefer 5-spokes to other configurations & white wheels complete the package on a red/white S w/ white stripes front & rear.

 

You don't have a pic of those, do you?