I've read several posts mentioning the chrome wheel replacement programs available. Can someone explain exactly how it works. I'm currently ordering and do not want to extend the production time waiting for chrome wheels. Should I select the painted wheel option? Any other experiences or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

The standard (painted) wheel option is the best if you're going to do a wheel exchange because you pay nothing extra for the wheels from the factory.

You order the exchange wheels from a vendor like WCC (West Coast Corvette) and pay for the wheels plus a refundable core charge (and freight to you). Upon receiving the new wheels you'll need to have the tires and tire pressure sensors swapped from your original wheels to the new ones at a local shop. Then you ship the original wheels to the vendor (paying freight) and they refund your core charge.

For the stock style chrome wheels this will end up costing you under $1000 for wheels, freight and dismounting/re-mounting of tires, balancing, etc. If you're fortunate enough to be in close proximity to WCC or one of the other wheel vendors that offer this service it probably cut the cost down to around $800.

Good luck. And don't forget pictures!

P.S. Be careful where you have the tires swapped from old to new wheels. You need a shop that has the right equipment for the EMT (runflat) tires and that will be careful to not damage your old or new wheels. Look on the Goodyear site for EMT certified Goodyear dealers.

 

The way to do this is to have the tires shipped directly to the tire shop. Mine was quick and easy... Go for it!

 

Many of the dealers stock the chromed wheels and can mount and balance the wheels for you. They work directly with the chrome wheel supplier and this saves you a lot of trouble, i.e., shipping your old wheels back, fronting the money for the core charge, etc.