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So, I have a 2004 vert with stock rims. I'm happy with my rims, and have no need to get new ones. However, the stock wheel center caps are all scratched to hell. I like the stock look, and I wanted to just replace the center caps. Zip has them for $110.00 a piece. After tax, I'd be looking at around $450.00 for stock center caps! Eckler's has them too, but they would be about $550.00 for all 4! This seems like an absurd amount just for OE center caps. I finally ordered a set of 4 on ebay that I'm hoping look good for $100.00 (which I find to be MUCH more reasonable). Does anyone know why new stock center caps are so expensive?
Corvette tax is certainly a thing (I have well over 20K in mods and repairs on my car). However, this just seems particularly excessive. While searching for these caps, I saw entire sets of rims (not ones I'd want admittedly) that would have cost less than what Eckler's was charging for center caps! I feel like the OE caps cost 4-5 TIMES what they should (based on center cap costs for other cars). I found a wide variety of caps for the C7 that where in the $50 a piece range (so $200.00 a set). That seems more like the normal Corvette tax. I was just trying to understand why the '00-'04 center caps seem to be so much more than the ones for newer corvette models. IDK, it just seems unusual. I was hoping someone knew why. I'll post back and let people know what I think of the ones off ebay. from the pictures they look just like OE, so we'll see.
I was going to suggest checking the "C5 Parts for Sale/Wanted" section in the forum, but (a) you probably knew about that already, and (b) I just looked and there's not much available in there.
Big giant center cap specific to stock wheels for one particular car that is 20 years old (C5) or relatively universal perfectly round center cap that fits two generations of car and possibly many others with the same hub bore.
The $100 a piece is outlandish, but if you look at them relative to the original MSRP of the wheel, it likely makes sense. I don't know what they were at the time, but you figure your average OEM wheel runs a solid $300-400 a piece MSRP, so 1/4 of that for the cap...
The OEM BBS wheels for my STi were $800 per from the dealer. I agree it's ridiculous, but you can see how they can charge it.
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Center caps have always been expensive, going back to at least the C4. If your wheels are chrome, there should be aftermarket caps that are really pretty reasonably priced. Not sure about painted ones.
I’d check with one of the companies that refurbished wheels to see if they can refurbish your caps. Years ago my wife’s car an Olds Aurora had a set of factory rims that one of those companies chrome plated. We lost one of the center caps that were plastic. Found one on EBay and had the company plate it. They charged me $20 bucks plus shipping. It was about 20 years ago.
Thanks for your responses everybody. I'll update you once I get the ebay center caps. Just a note, I was looking a bit closer at my EOM Caps that are on the car. They are scratched, but they also seem to have an odd mottled appearance (looks kind of like water spots that won't wash off). I've attached a picture, but it's hard to see because the rims are reflecting the pavement, however, the ceter caps are not showing a reflection. Also the lighting and angle doesn't really show the scratches too well
Thanks for your responses everybody. I'll update you once I get the ebay center caps. Just a note, I was looking a bit closer at my EOM Caps that are on the car. They are scratched, but they also seem to have an odd mottled appearance (looks kind of like water spots that won't wash off). I've attached a picture, but it's hard to see because the rims are reflecting the pavement, however, the ceter caps are not showing a reflection. Also the lighting and angle doesn't really show the scratches too well
These caps look just like the ones I bought on Ebay for my Cray Manta wheels... Photo above...
I repainted mine using water based polyurethane for the base color, then 2k clear top coat from Amazon, look great for a year now. The urethane needs to dry out thoroughly before spraying the top coat, about a week. One cap needed some body work, looked like someone hit it with a spiked hammer. I filled the dents with plastic epoxy, then sanded it down. That worked fine also. Total cost was about $30. Don't used the filler recommended for the urethane, later top coat will cause it to bubble.
There are several businesses that 'recycle' c-5s. I'm sure they have some used ones that rein likened condition, for are a reasonable price. John Llewellyn in Knoxville tn, 865-604-0498 or 'Vettenuts' a guy in Nashville. (I think he is/was a forum sponsor. I'm notsurewhere you are in Virginia, but there is a Vette show in Pigeon 'Forge Tennessee in early August. Lots of Vette parts for a C-5 will be available.
I went through all 27 pages, and they don't have what I would need (unless I buy the rims to go with them). That's definitely a very cool sight though. Lots of good used parts. Thanks!
Center caps question
