Hi everyone:

I am thinking about chrome-plating my existing alloy wheels. See a picture of them below. It's going to cost around $600.

Just wondering if I am better off just buying new rims for that kind of money.

The problem is that they are 16" x 6.5" and most wheels/rims are
16" x 7". Not so easy to find cool looking chrome wheels that are
16 x 6.5.

What to do?

 

Get new wheels. Chrome wheels= slow and heavy.

 

Thank you Porthos.

Does chrome-plating really add that much weight? I was told that it's minimal to the finish of the wheel.

 

Not really sure.

 

See link for LA Wheels below. They sell chrome wheels for MINIs and will chrome plate your wheels

http://lawheel.com/2010/11/mini-brand-wheel-gallery/

 

Fixed that for you.

 

 

With that black and red scheme I'd look for either a set of wheels with a nice polished aluminum look to them, or maybe even black with some red accents. Leave the chrome wheels to the low riders.

Perhaps something like the Motegi MR-117

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...All&sort=Brand
It'll cost you less than that chrome plating too.

 

I like chrome wheels too!

Does the $600.00 price include stripping the old paint off too? In my area it would cost about $300.00 per wheel - this includes stripping the old powder coating; plating with nickel (a must for good adherence), and then plating with chromium. The other bad thing is that it would take about a month to do this work.

That's sure the truth! I would like to get some chrome wire wheels but the one's I've found so far are way too expensive!

Please keep us informed as to what you finally decide!

Thanks...

 

@Soda66 - Thanks so much for the link to LA Wheels. I have been to their site already and saw those too. I contacted them but they didn't have them in stock and no idea when they'll get them. For chrome-plating they were a little on the pricier side.

@jaqattack02 - Those are cool. I really like that color combo and know it would go perfectly with my car, but I really like shiny chrome wheels.

@mbu - Yes, $600 includes everything, except tax. It'll take 2 weeks I was told. I also like chrome wire wheels. They look so nice. I'll definitely keep you posted about my final decision.