[kfahmi]

Sigh. Just 2 months after a rear tire puncture on my year-old 718 Cayman S that necessitated 2 new rear tires...

...I hit a (relatively shallow) pothole and bent both left-side rims. They are the 20" Carrera S wheels, which look great, but my God, the pricing to replace them is nuts. I knew something was wrong the moment after the hit -- I could feel a slight rhythmic vibration at speed.

Local dealer wants $4,400 total (parts + labor) to replace both rims. Buying them from Suncoast and installing at the local indy shop would save about $1,200 vs the dealer cost. However, Suncoast has a deal for $5,500 for 4 new rims with new tires included on top of that, which is quite a steal.

Talked to the local well-respected shop (Custom Alignment here in the SF Bay Area) and they recommended sending the rims out to Pacific Rim (also here in the Bay Area) to have them straightened/ repaired. The thing is, I see Porsche's stipulation that bent alloy rims cannot be repaired and must be replaced.

Obviously I'd rather spend ~$700 on repairing the rims and doing an alignment, rather than the $6K it will cost if I just do all-new rims and tires -- but what would you all do? Anyone know the reasoning for Porsche's prohibition on bent rim repairs?

 

[Semitone]

Never had it done myself but our local place charges $200 per rim to recondition. I would go the recondition route.

Have heard other have had good success. I couldn't care less what Porsche thinks about repairing alloy rims. I'm sure there are some types of damage that can't be fixed but if a reputable repair shop gives me the "go" sign then I am going that route. YMMV.

 

[dkmajm]

Insurance doesn’t cover the wheels?


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[GregW]

<snip> I couldn't care less what Porsche thinks about repairing alloy rims. I'm sure there are some types of damage that can't be fixed but if a reputable repair shop gives me the "go" sign then I am going that route. YMMV.

Remember that Porsche wants (insists?) that the car continue to be safe at autobahn speeds--250 kph and above.
I'd be asking the repair shop what they insure if the wheel gives out on the highway.

 

[HooosierDaddy]

It’s a cast aluminum wheel and Porsche doesn’t even make them. It is standard practice to repair a bent wheel that is steel and or cast aluminum. Dealers have these repair/recondition shops on retainer just like the PDR guys.

I’ve had the wheels on my Mercedes repaired at least twice (each wheel). Yes we have some bad roads.

I wouldn’t do a repair on a forged wheel though. Can’t give specific rationale on why. My gut tells me that a forged wheel is changed in that forging process and adding heat & pressure would modify its structure.

 

[DriveInHouston]

Does anyone know what is the process to repair the wheel? Do they apply heat? To what temperature? Pressure?

At least for steel, you can go through annealing which will change the hardness characteristics of steel. It's been over 30 years I'd have to deal with such things...

 

[phroenips]

I would say if you're going to buy new wheels, I'd lean toward getting the full wheel and tire set from Suncoast, and that leaves your existing good wheels as spares, one front, and one rear!

 

[kfahmi]

Yup, my original plan was to buy the full set of wheels+tires from Suncoast, until I talked to the shop and they said "Before you order that, let's see if we can get those wheels straightened." I guess we'll try that first. I've read all sorts of different opinions ranging from "If Porsche prohibits it, there's a reason for that" to "it should be no problem if you take it to a good shop." Sigh...

As for insurance, I guess I could try. We literally just had a mysterious thing make a sizeable dent in the rear bumper when the car was parked, necessitating a $7,500 claim to replace the entire bumper (whatever it was, hit the bumper right on the right rear parking sensor and also damaged the support bracket underneath.) We have no idea what hit it (it wasn't a car, the dent was bizarrely round/oval which matches nothing I've ever seen.) Anyhow, I am not looking forward to my rate adjustment that will likely happen due to that claim. Plus I'm guessing the insurance co. would simply insist on a repair instead of replacement, and by that point with my deductible I might as well just go the repair route first.

Decisions, decisions....

 

[Viffermike]

A good, reputable wheel repair shop should be able to repair a bent cast or pressure-forged aluminum alloy wheel -- but it depends on the nature of the damage, too. I would find a reputable shop in your area -- hit up your local PCA chapter for recommendations, or do a little research on other, larger car forums (and beyond Porsche-specific ones) for clues.

@HooosierDaddy is correct: forged wheels can rarely be repaired. The flip side to that is that fully forged wheels are significantly stronger than cast ones -- and if that pothole bent a forged wheel, it was a heck of an impact that few wheels would survive undamaged. Before the 2020 model year, the only 718-specific OEM wheel that is forged is the 20-inch 911 Turbo IV, which is the 10-spoke two-tone one.

Good luck; let us know what happens!

 

[HooosierDaddy]

Before the 2020 model year, the only 718-specific OEM wheel that is forged is the 20-inch 911 Turbo IV, which is the 10-spoke two-tone one.

Like this!

 

[kfahmi]

Hoosier and Viffermike -- thank you, that's really helpful. That's pretty much what I was thinking.

One further question: if I were to switch to all-new 19" wheels and tires, would there be other issues I should be aware of? Or could I just order up a set of 19" rims and tires, install it, and be on my way?

 

[kfahmi]

Ah yes, those 911 Turbo 20" wheels are nice. They're what I have on my 718 loaner right now from the dealer! They're pricey, but if they are significantly stronger, could be a smart investment....hmmmm....

 

[HooosierDaddy]

Hoosier and Viffermike -- thank you, that's really helpful. That's pretty much what I was thinking.

One further question: if I were to switch to all-new 19" wheels and tires, would there be other issues I should be aware of? Or could I just order up a set of 19" rims and tires, install it, and be on my way?

You can get a good aftermarket set. Heck, hit up @BB718. He has a sweet set of forged he may eventually sell. No promises, but if he moves his car they may be available.

 

[BB718]

You can get a good aftermarket set. Heck, hit up @BB718. He has a sweet set of forged he may eventually sell. No promises, but if he moves his car they may be available.

Thank you

Pending what happens to the car these maybe for sale. Wheels, tires & sensors (all new 10/10)

 

[kfahmi]

BB718: very sharp indeed! My CS goes into the shop Tuesday. Looks like the left front took a pretty big bend, but the left rear is much less affected (but still bent.) Depending on what happens I may reach out to you. Spiffy Boxster you've got there!

 

[Third]

I assume the wheel would've cracked if impacted hard enough to measurably deform it. Is this not the case? And if so, I would question whether the wheel is structurally sound. This is out of my area of expertise; I'm just thinking out loud.

As for replacing them, have you (OP) looked for a "take off" pair? The market is so small that OEM wheels in perfect condition sell for a small fraction of their retail price new. That's how I got wheels for my winter tires.

 

[Treemagnet]

I assume the wheel would've cracked if impacted hard enough to measurably deform it. Is this not the case? And if so, I would question whether the wheel is structurally sound. This is out of my area of expertise; I'm just thinking out loud.

As for replacing them, have you (OP) looked for a "take off" pair? The market is so small that OEM wheels in perfect condition sell for a small fraction of their retail price new. That's how I got wheels for my winter tires.

Been looking for a while and most have been in the $2K range (+/- ~$200) What “small fraction” would you think 19’s and 20’s should go for? Thanks!

 

[Third]

I bought my 19" Carrera S wheels in like new condition for $250 each. I believe MSRP is/was $1500. I can't imagine having to spend more than 25% of list if you can be patient.

 

[kfahmi]

So, just talked to the shop (Custom Alignment in Mtn. View, CA -- very well-regarded and right next to Modderman's, a well-known Porsche indie shop here in the Bay Area.)

Left front wheel (the one that took the brunt of the impact) is unfortunately beyond repair. The left rear was also hit, but that bend is repairable, and is being done by Pacific Rim, the shop that Custom farms out repair work to. Custom also noticed that the right front wheel had a small bend, so that is also being repaired. I didn't have the slightest clue that wheel had any issues at all. What is it with these 20" wheels? Are they only designed for smooth racetracks and not for any kind of real-world driving?

So I'll be getting a new 20" Carrera S wheel from Suncoast and re-using the existing tires. All-in, cost for the repairs plus the one new wheel plus a remount/balance and alignment will be $2,500.

Makes me wish I would have bought wheel and tire insurance. A few months ago at 5K miles the right rear took a massive puncture, so there went another $980 for 2 new Michelins. That's $3,500 just on wheels and tires alone, in 7,000 miles of driving. 50 cents a mile just for tires and wheels...

So, onto the next quest. Finding a solid set of silver 19" wheels. If this happened once on Bay Area roads, it'll happen again, and I can't be spending 50 cents a mile just on tires and wheels.

I've looked online, all over, and have not found very many options. That "Auto Rim Shop" online gets terrible reviews. I'd rather buy from a fellow Porsche fan.

Hey @BB718....if you end up needing to move those 19"s, let me know! I will PM you with my info.

Final question: Who in their right mind would spec 20" wheels when they can barely survive a relatively small pothole? (This particular one honestly wasn't that bad at all.)

 

[kfahmi]

Third: yup, I have looked for replacements. All I can find are some dodgy "refurbished" ones from a site with terrible reviews (Auto Rim Shop), or new OEM pricing. Right now on Rennlist and on this site there's nothing in the spec I would want (ideally 19" Boxster S wheels, OEM silver, to fit a 982.)