I need to replace The chrome Z06 Wheels I bought from BHoW about three years ago. The question I have is rather anyone else has experienced problems from those wheels. Or if maybe it was my lack of proper maintenance that has caused the crome to bubble up and pop off. I have put around 25000 miles on the wheels.
I know lots of people talk fondly off BHoW so I don't want to get flamed to badly here.

 

I checked into those after market wheels when they first came out. Most were imports and made in China. Anything you purchase, that is made in a third world country, you will find that the quality is suspect. It looks good for a while and then slowly deteriorates. Some faster than others. You have no idea of what their quality control is like, if they have any at all. I doubt if the buyers at Bob's house of wheels have even seen the facility where the wheels are made that they sell.
my .02

Let the Buyer Beware.

 

Pay me now or pay me later. I agree with buyer beware, no flame to BHOW. Chrome is difficult especially if you don't buy top of the line.

 

Based on what you've told us it would be difficult to find a reason to fault Bob - he didn't make the wheels, he just sold them. And just to make sure, this is in no way a flame on you, just my $.02

Vendors are free to carry a line of options for us, but we need to remember, if we select a lower cost option from their line, then that could translate to a lower quailty item. We are the ones making the purchase decision. To me the vendor needs to make sure I get what I order, but after that, the responsibility is on the manufacturer for quality.

Does that make sense?

 

I have the same wheels, two years about 9K miles, my luck must be holding, no problems

 

I've yet to see anyone that gives a longer warranty than three years on chromed wheels. That ought to tell you something.

 

I have had 3 sets of Factory Reproduction wheels from BHoW and I must say they are absolute JUNK. No offense to Bob, but they are horrible. First set the chrome turned all coppor colored. Then I bought another set which came with a horrible chrome finish. The outter lip (where a wheel weight would be mounted) was literaly completely lumpy. Not sure how these wheels were actually sold to a customer. I then received another set under warranty which I cant get balanced correctly and after only 4 months the chrome on the inside of the wheel (all 4 of them) is peeling and flaking off. Give me a ****ing break!!!! I will never buy another set of Factory Reproduction wheels. Hope you take this information seriously. You get what you pay for.


JT

 

The estimated life of Chrome is roughly three years. High quality, low quality. the stuff doens't last very long, sounds to me like your cheap wheels got a full life.


Chris

 

I agree with everyone here - if you purchase a wheel from one of the vendors here that goes bad - the vendor is not at fault. In the case of the original poster - you got 3 years and 25K miles out of a lower cost alternative wheel. I'd say the wheels and BHoW owes you nothing.

On the other hand - if the chrome failed within the warrnaty period, I believe that the vendor has responsibility to his customer to assist in obtaining a suitable replacement or refund. But as you stated - that period has passed.

Caveat emptor is Latin for "let the buyer beware".

 

If it DON'T GO.........Chrome it!!!

 

hardtop never acually stated whether these wheels are Chromed Z06 Speedlines, or Aftermarkets. I bought a set of Chrome OEM Speedlines from him over a year & 10k miles ago, and the chrome is still perfect. Please tell me you bought cheap repro's from him???

 

I am not trying to fault anyone here. I do agree with other people that have posted to this and that is you get what you pay for.

These are repo's.

The finish started flacking on the drums right away.

The chrome all around started to bubble shortly after a year.

I curbed rashed a few of them but that was not the cause of the flacking. Figured I would have a hard time getting warrenty service on damaged wheels. Also, I am not looking for BHoW to refund me any money or offer me any additional services related to these wheels.

I am just trying to decide if it is woth spending a few thousand on a set of wheels, or if it is just as well off to buy cheap wheels.

 

Are you saying if I spend $600.00 on a set of wheels or $6000.00 dollars on another set, I should only expect 3 years of usable chrome life on either??

And $1200.00 does not match my definition of cheap.

 

Pretty much. Most of the high dollar wheels aren't readily available in Chrome. Most of the time you have to ship them off to chrome them yourself. ie. CCW.

Although 1200 is a stretch of my budget as well. When compared to the big name brand aftermarket wheels 1200 is a steal. But also, I use cheap both describing the product and the price. These are literally the least expensive wheels on the market for a Corvette. They are mostly imported from China. Of course you get what you pay for, and some quality will be expected to be sacrified.

Personally, i do not have 3500+ sitting around for a set of super expensive wheels. And 1200 for a set of wheels that lasts 3 years maintenance free seems like a pretty good deal for me. If you want a finish that will last forever, don't get chrome, get polished, and polish them yourself from time to time.

 

OEM (GM) polished thin spoke with the clear coat removed. Should last forever with proper care.

 

Generally you get what you pay for!

 

Maybe they should, but I doubt it! Check out the numerous threads regarding stress cracks. It's becoming an all too numerous problem.

IMO with wheels and tires you get what you pay for. Unfortunately, you have to pay alot for quality!

Randy

 

Again, you will find that most wheel manufacturers "warranty" a chromed wheel for between one to three years, ONLY, AND, some aftermarket wheel manufacturers DO NOT warranty chromed wheels at all. Verily, to properly chrome a wheel necessitates a lengthy and thorough step by step process entailing the use of many chemical baths and toxins. Today, the installation, maintenance, purchase, storage, and, proper disposal of these toxins are heavily regulated compared to previous generations. And, rightly so. In fact, these strict Hazmat Regulations also apply to those manufacturers that produce carbon fiber products. Frankly, the fines can be quite severe and expensive, AND, whose sting has been felt more than once by many current, and, well known manufacturers within the Corvette Aftermarket Parts Industry, today.

As an intersting aside, in the past, it was standard modus di operandi to be able to take a completely rusted and antiquated engine block for any restoration project to any engine shop, AND, have the engine block thoroughly cleaned by dipping in an aggressive acid bath. Today, due to stricter regulations in handling extremely dangerous and caustic acids, chemicals, and, toxins, this service is not available. Curently, a more diluted "soda-soap" bath is now standard, and, unfortunately, not quite as thorough.

Therefore, in regards to chroming wheels, and, in an effort to meet current regulations, less thorough plating processes have become the norm for many "wheel platers". HOWEVER, there are manufacturers that do exist, be they here (very few), in Europe, OR, in Asia that DO offer incredible chroming processes, finishes, and, warranties. But, they are few and far less than before.

Recommendation: Purchasing lighter weight, highly polished, COMPLETELY forged wheels are far easier to maintain and service. A mere "non severe" abrasion, or, nick can be polished out with simple polishing tools (i.e. Eastwood offers a great array for the DIY'er). More serious dents can be serviced successfully by other competent and very experienced "wheel straighteners" (i.e. Stockton Wheel and Tire, Rite-Way Wire Wheel, Vaughn Machine, Mag Masters, etc., the list is long). And, cost far less to polish out and service ($75-$150 per wheel) because you do not have to re-chrome on top of the wheel repair job, which could bring the final cost to nearly $300+ per wheel, and, STILL NOT offer a warranty on the new chrome finish.

Lastly, do keep in mind that chroming a wheel DOES NOT make a wheel finish indestructible. Regardless, chrome plating CAN discolor, lift, bubble, peel, and, flake. AND, even more so, if you have dropped the wheel, scratched the surface, brushed up against street curbs, or, damaged the surface of the mounting pad while mounting and dismounting tires. And, finally, with all due consideration, you did receive a very reasonable life span for your chromed wheels (3 years and 25K miles). Furthermore, with your now new found awareness, perhaps you may consider a new set of polished forged wheels that you might have had your eye set upon for some time. Good luck to you. And, please feel free to PM me for any further feedback, and, I would be most happy to assist you.

 

The cracked rim issue seems grouped into early to mid run years and from the post I've read there seemd to be uncertianty about cast or forged. My 51+K 2004 no problem (forged).

$.02

 

I was under the impression that all the 5 spoke '00-'04 polished wheels were forged and that only the painted 5 spokes were cast. I also remember that the early '00 painted wheels were forged and later switched to the cast design.