BX alloys - are they worth it?

Oscar · Post by **Oscar** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 11:55 am

Hello

My local specialist has offered me a set of BX alloys for GBP50. I know little about the care and feeding of alloys, difference to performance, insurance implications etc. But they do look nice on a BX.

What do you think? Worth it? And what should I look out for before parting with my cash?

BTW he will have a nicely looked after TZD hurricane available soon if anyone is looking for another!

Oscar

cavmad · Post by **cavmad** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 12:23 pm

I think money wise they`re about right (in my opinion) if they have tyres. Obviously check they`re not metric rims as tyres cost a fortune. You can get brand new (non gen) alloys on eBay for about £130 inc delivery without tyres. They are smart looking wheels and would look good on any BX i.m.h.o as well as setting your car apart from standard ones.

Mr B · Post by **Mr B** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 12:28 pm

16 Valve alloys? I paid £43 from EBay for mine with U/S tyres. Do they include the special wheel bolts as you can't fit them without. Have a good look and check for cracks around the centres and bolt holes and any major corrosion. If the lacquer is a bit peeling, not the end of the world as they can be painted.

M · Post by M » Fri Jul 22, 2005 4:07 pm

Might well soon have a set which you can have for what they rushed me (25).

Oscar · Post by **Oscar** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 4:12 pm

What's happening Marty? Are you getting pressure again?

I would be interested, especially if tyres are included as mine are not a set and probably not legal. I'd reflect decent tyres in any price I paid you of course.

Let me know.

O

cavmad · Post by **cavmad** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 5:13 pm

Mr B wrote:16 Valve alloys? I paid £43 from EBay for mine with U/S tyres. Do they include the special wheel bolts as you can't fit them without. Have a good look and check for cracks around the centres and bolt holes and any major corrosion. If the lacquer is a bit peeling, not the end of the world as they can be painted.

As a matter of interest do they corrode around the inner lip or suffer from flaking paint in the same area?
It`s just that I would imagine the tyres would be 185-60-14 or 195-60-14 and you can`t fit tubes to 60 series tyres. The reason I mention this is that when wheels start flaking around the rim they are ususally a mare to seal.
I still remember from my tyre fitting days (years) the pain in the arse certain alloy wheels were. MG Metro `metric` wheels were about the worse but they weren`t the only ones.
The best cure I found was to remove the tyres and put the wheels on the wheel balancing machine. Then hold a wire brush nice and tight against the inner edge and let them spin for ages, obviously doing the lips on both sides of the wheels(s). Then a good coat of tyre bead sealant but even then it`s not a life-long repair.

Mr B · Post by **Mr B** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 11:23 pm

16V alloys in graphite/silver are sooo cool

My beastie

Stewart (oily!) · Post by **Stewart (oily!)** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 3:26 pm

I like my Graphite alloys, they look nice without being too barry or attractive to thieves and enable fitment of big enough rubber, changing rear wheels is more difficult and you will have advanced warning of rear arm wear but thats about the only downside.
Stewart

Oscar · Post by **Oscar** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 11:24 am

Had a look at these over the weekend. They are 195 60 14. I remember that 195 is the width, and 60 the depth, but can't remember what the 14 refers to.

He also hasn't got the bolts for them, so that would be another GBP50 - 60 squids, making the purchase gbp110 altogether. Seems a lot for a non-vital buy.

I also realised that I don't know enough about tyres, wheels etc to make an informed decision.

I think I'd be better off buying some decent tyres for the standard wheels I have on it at the moment. Any recommendations for all-round tyres that suit BX?

Mr B · Post by **Mr B** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 12:30 pm

Marty has some allys and bolts with usable tyres for sale.

M · Post by M » Mon Jul 25, 2005 4:14 pm

Oscar wrote:Had a look at these over the weekend. They are 195 60 14. I remember that 195 is the width, and 60 the depth, but can't remember what the 14 refers to

14 = 14 inches = rim diameter.

I have a set = as dave says useable tyres, bolts = yours for £25 if you can get ooop north - alternativly I am in Somerset towards the end of August. You could meet up.

Oscar · Post by **Oscar** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 4:19 pm

Hello mate

Just sent you a pm. You can email me at ofranklin at redcross dot org dot youkay - I've lost your address.

I'd love to help you recoup some of the loss. Let me think about travel. Where exactly are you?

O