Model S vs. road median. Road median wins. What to do with damaged wheels?

[ualdriver]

Wifey took the S out for a drive today, hit a road median, blew out two tires and damaged two wheels. $1300 later, all is fixed. Somehow and by some miracle, the only things damaged were the tires and the wheels. Apparently the car didn't even need an alignment.

However, I have these two damaged wheels sitting here at home. The Tesla mechanic told me that I could have continued to use them as they are only "slightly" out of round and could have been balanced to roll smooth, but I chose not to take that path and bought new wheels. Anyway, I have these two wheels. What can I do with them? Do they have any market value, even if it is just for scrap? Are these aluminum wheels repairable?

P.S. Tesla service was EXCELLENT. They towed my car for free to their service center, even after I told them the damage was our fault. Tow truck showed up in about an hour and called my cell phone twice to let me know where they were on the way to my house, and then called me when my car arrived at the service center. Tow truck driver knew exactly how to tow a Tesla. The service center people had my car repaired in just a few hours.

 

[Cyclone]

You could always give them to a friendly new owner as a gift!

But yes, they should have value to some. At the very least, as half of a winter wheels set for winter tires and no worries about messing the wheels further.

 

[HankLloydRight]

What kind of wheels? Where are you located?

 

[andydoty]

There are companies that will straighten, repair and paint rims. Perhaps get them refurbished should it be needed again? Or eBay?

 

[ualdriver]

What kind of wheels? Where are you located?

They are the standard 19" wheel. I am in the Chicago area.

There are companies that will straighten, repair and paint rims. Perhaps get them refurbished should it be needed again? Or eBay?

But are these wheels repairable? I assume lightweight aluminum wheels like these are gone once they are damaged?

 

[Cyclone]

But are these wheels repairable? I assume lightweight aluminum wheels like these are gone once they are damaged?

Depends on the extent of the damage. They (a wheel shop, not Tesla) can do some amazing amount of repair. But hence my suggestion as winter wheels. If they cannot get it perfect, they can probably get it to where it would be find for rutted, snow-covered roads.

 

[andydoty]

But are these wheels repairable? I assume lightweight aluminum wheels like these are gone once they are damaged?

I'm not sure. There is a local repair shop that claims they can fix pretty much anything. I imagine a straightener would work on pretty much any rim. Although, the Tesla rims are specifically designed to handle the weight of a Tesla which is a great deal more than most vehicles.

 

[Kandiru]

There are companies that will straighten, repair and paint rims. Perhaps get them refurbished should it be needed again? Or eBay?

Just like with a salvaged car, you will risk a lot with reshaped wheels, plain dangerous.

 

[ualdriver]

Just to update before this thread disappears into the 1000's of others.........

I took the wheels to a company called Alloy Wheel Repair in Barrington, IL. Very nice guy. Looks like a two or three man operation. He put the wheels on his machine for free and took a look at them. Apparently (and surprisingly) they're perfectly round and the only problem with them is the scuff left by the curb. He wanted just under $200 to fix the scuffs on both wheels. I might keep one and sell the other and let the new owner repair them if he/she wants.

Anyway, I don't have any relationship with the company, but if you need your wheels repaired and you live in the Chicago suburbs, I'd give the guy a try. Nice people there.

 

[HankLloydRight]

"Alloy Wheel Repair" is actually a franchise operation: Alloy Wheel Repair Franchise Opportunity | Home

You can find them all over. I had a few wheels fixed by them around here.

 

[iCAR]

If they can be balanced, they could be used as a spare tire rim, for anyone on long road trips!

 

[ualdriver]

"Alloy Wheel Repair" is actually a franchise operation: Alloy Wheel Repair Franchise Opportunity | Home

You can find them all over. I had a few wheels fixed by them around here.

Didn't realize it was a franchise. Regardless, the guys on Rt 14 in the Barrington, IL, area were good guys.

 

[polything]

you should sell it "AS IT" on ebay with full disclosure. I would pay up to $150 to slightly bent/repairable wheel to use as a spare.