Cracked wheel, blew out tire, need Replica Carrera ASAP
 

Not a good night on the highway. Tire went flat and sidewall was compltely shredded on the inward side. Get out of the car, lug wrench is not in the kit (DOH!).
Call my buddy for help who happens to live nearby... microphone on cell phone is dead (DOH x 2). By the way it is 18 degrees and windy as heck. A kind motorist stops in his SUV and has a lug wrench to offer. I remove the old tire and the inside wall is shreded.

I just ordered a replacement tire from the TireRack ($240..ouch) but the 18" factory Carrera wheel is cracked, about an 1-1/4" long. Source of the tire failure?
Must be. I need to find a replacement preferably a replica wheel but I'm not seeing any on Wheel Dynamics.

Any site recommendations? Buying only 1 used wheel is obviously going to be hard to find and for the price of a factory wheel ($600) its not worth it as I plan to upgrade the wheels soon, they're all pretty banged up.

Had a similar experience 3 days after buying the car.

Bought the wheel from:
Hartmannwheels.com
Very good service. (Yes, mine was a rep, but I don't care.)

The discontinued Michelin PS tire was $400!

I thought 18's were cheaper than 19's.

You may have luck finding a replacement, along with refurbishing the rest of your wheels through these guys . www.wheelenhancement.com

^$500 used $900 new. oh boy.

This may be a good option for you, especially if you are replacing all four soon.

Best of luck,

ddb

http://www.wheelsandcaps.com/catalog.asp?Make=PORSCHE&Model=BOXSTER&year=2003

I had one shred a couple years back, but didn't damage the wheel.

For a single replacement, try these guys...

http://www.wheelsrims.net/

Try calling these guys. They may be able to repair your wheel.

http://www.rimandwheelworks.com/services.html#welding

THanks guys.

By the way, anyone know if a 18x10 rear wheel will fit a 265/35 tire?

p.s.

for all you would be Boxster buyers lurking, that's $560 to replace one (probably China made) replica wheel and one boring (albeit life saving) snow tire. :D

I have 265/35 on 18x10 rear.

PLap,

Theres a shop here in LA called LAX Wheel Refinishing. They manufacture wheels for Ford, Chyrsler & GM.

I just had one of my Range Rover wheels repaired by them and can't be happier. You may want to give them a call.

$55 to weld/repair
$75 to weld/repair and paint to factory finish.

If you like the style of your wheels and aren't happy with the condition these guys will make them look brand spanking new.

Let me know if you want their info.

I have a set of replica lightweights collecting dust. The rears are 18x10. The front wheels are definitely nolonger round (stupid Dallas potholes) but you don't want those anyway. The rear(s) are curbed and possibly slightly bent too. Because of the condition I have not listed these for sale, but one or both might work to get you out of a bind, especially if only for snow tires.

am i missing the part where you mention which wheel you need? front/rear? width? offset?

Rear, 18 X 9 (not sure of the offset but its the factory 18" Carrera for Boxsters).
#99636213800

http://www.wheelsandcaps.com/images_all/ALY67301U.jpg

or I'll have to go with two 18 x 10 's made for a 996 Carrera and do the e-brake cable thing.

keep in mind that if you go the 18x10 route w/ the 911 offsets, you'll need 21mm spacers and longer bolts.

have you tried these guys: http://www.wheelenhancement.com/

EDIT: yes you have.....my bad.

$500 used?!?!?!?

yep. I paid (although I got a steal) $1,100 for all four in 2005. Same with my Litronics, paid $1400 for those in a Brandywine Porsche group buy. The prices of OEM porsche parts nearly doubled in less than four years. Must be the Euro vs Dollar.

I have seen some wheels of that style listed on ebay recently. I think by "wheelsandcaps."

It's probably worth a look if you haven't done so already, searching alternatively under "wheels" plural, and "wheel" singular.

BTW, I need two Carrera III rear wheels, if anyone finds/has those. Carrera III is similar, but a slightly different style, in 18," either 9" or 10."

^ wheels and caps canceled my order. THey must have emptied out their stock.

So a wheel repair shop got back to me and claimed that welding the crack sounded like no biggie to them. I told them inch and half but now I'm thinking I may have measure it for sure. The cost is about $120 not including the shipping.
Anyone think this is crazy?

Any available wheel with a Boxster fit (9") are just to close to a the price of another full set of repica winter beating wheels (different style). 10" wheels are available but I'd rather not use spacers, particularly on a hard winter tire.
I'm leaning towards getting the wheel welded and refinishing all four wheels once spring rolls around. Given the scarcity of the wheel (and cost $2K used!!) it sounds like a good idea.

p.s.
check out the video. They come to you

http://www.awrswheelrepair.com/