Expensive OEM wheels and my options

Zul the Conqueror

I have a 2003 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V. It looks a lot like this one and I think it is dead sexy.

I've managed to give the wheels a bit of curb rash over the years (as you can see, the tires provide no buffer to scraping the wheels.) I'd like to replace them, but I've never found an aftermarket wheel that I thought looked nearly as good as the OEM ones. Since the damage is just aesthetic, I'm not going to buy new wheels that I don't think look at least as pretty.

So, the problem is that the OEM wheels cost upwards of $400 each, and I haven't won the lottery yet, so I can't afford to spend that much on making my car pretty. My other options seem to be to buy new knockoff wheels or remanufactured OEM wheels. Either of these options seems to come in about $180.

And so I turn to the car gurus of H/A: are knockoff wheels safe and could I use one or more with the remaining OEM wheels? Are remanufactured wheels the deathtraps the internet thinks they are? Are there any more or less reputable wheel remanufacturers, or any way to know I'm getting a safe wheel?

Alternatively, feel free to suggest aftermarket wheels that you think are as dead sexy as the originals.

Cryogen

Have you looked into the option of having your wheels repaired? I did this when I scraped a curb. Unfortunately for me they weren't able to match the color of my wheels (but they weren't a common color like yours) but it was definitely a much cheaper option and might be worth researching.

Personally, I wouldn't feel safe running a mixed set of wheels. I guess if you absolutely HAD to do it, you could maybe consider doing it in pairs (both fronts or both rears).

Someone else will need to address your questions about knockoff or remanufactured wheels for your car, no experience in that field

The Black Hunter

I wouldn't buy knockoff wheels, it really comes down to how much you really want to make your car pretty

I recently got into an accident and have a black quarter panel on my white care because it simply isn't worth the several hundred to get it repainted

Djeet

I used to have these wheels and I'd regularly get curb rash. Getting them remanufactured (repaired) cost me about $75 per wheel.

adytum

Go to car club meets for Nissans

I bought a full set of OEM wheels + Pirelli tires off a guy at a meet for $100. He had just replaced his wheels with aftermarket ones and didn't need the extra set.

SideAffects

I would just find a forum dedicated to that car and look in the For Sale section. People are selling stock wheels all the time when they get aftermarket ones. I would actually second the option of getting them repaired...one guy had his S2000 wheels repaired a few weeks ago. The repair guy actually drove to our workplace and did it in the parking lot! It was I think about $50 per wheel to get them all sanded and coated and touched up. If the rash isn't too bad I'd just get them repaired.

THEPAIN73

The main problem with aftermarket wheels is if you ever bust one and get a bend on it and they stop making your type of wheel you are up a creek.

As a parts salesman there is no bigger hassle than trying to find aftermarket wheels after a customer bent the hell out of one. 9/10 (which is closer to 10/10) the customer bought aftermarket wheels on clearance.

Just be ready to accept the responsibilities of buying aftermarket wheels.