AU2 ute wheel choice

[Aulpgute]

Hi guys. As posted yesterday the ute will be getting a fairmont bonnet/grille whilst at the panelbeaters next week. Just wondering what to do about my wheels. They are AU2 17' tickfords but badly gutter scarred and tyres are fairly worn. Don't know whether to spend the $'s to have them repaired, painted and new tyres or whether to pick up a set of BA 17's in good shape with reasonable tyres as there seems to be a fair few sets of these reasonably cheap. Are the AU2 Tickfords worth more as a wheel if repaired nicely? What do you think would look better? Thanks again for a great forum.

[b2tf]

I've just sold a set of AU2/3 17's (same rims) for $600 with shagged tyres, they were in great nick with only one chip in them. I reckon they are a great looking wheel, the only reason Ive taken mine off is because I bought a set of T3 TS50 rims, which are ones Ive wanted for a long time.

IMHO, BA XR 17's dont look all that good on AU's, but it depends on if you want to go up to 18" rims or not. If you do youll find you have a fair bit more choice in wheels.

[Aulpgute]

b2tf you're right, they are still a neat wheel, just hard to see past the marks in them. I think I'll either redo them or if not maybe some 18' xr8 wheels at the right price

[b2tf]

if theyre not too badly scuffed, give them a very gentle and careful once over with a file, the have them repainted or do it yourself. They should come up pretty well.

[superroo]

well i was talking to the bloke who runs wheelfixit.com.au when i pick up my new rims from him and he charges $100 per rim to fix everything.

He files out some of the gutter rash, fills the rest it, then resprays and clear coats the wheel. He can make them top notch again.

Cheers

[Aulpgute]

Thanks for that, just got a price about the same from a guy here in Sydney who does the same. Just a matter of picking out what new tyres to buy now.

[b2tf]

Maxxis 235/45/17 on special for $135 each at Bob Jane. Meant to be a very good tyre too.

[Bucknaked]

Where are the pics Austin?

[JC]

Bucky - OT, but how is your car a T3 replica? It doesn't even have a T3 front end! Might as well call it a Titanic replica - it looks as much like the Titanic as it does a T3.

b2tf - yes, i would like to see a few pics of your new wheels too.

[b2tf]

My wheels havent arrived yet, they will be here early next week.

[Bucknaked]

Originally Posted by JC

Bucky - OT, but how is your car a T3 replica? It doesn't even have a T3 front end! Might as well call it a Titanic replica - it looks as much like the Titanic as it does a T3.

Why not.

[Mechan1k]

I know where his old wheels are going as well :hihi:

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

I know where his old wheels are going as well :hihi:

You do? :

[Mechan1k]

In the shed. :hihi:

[JC]

Anyone looking for a set of 17s, that are a bit different to every other set of 17s going around, may be interested in these:

Link:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....9088&rd=1&rd=1

[GK]

Originally Posted by b2tf

Maxxis 235/45/17 on special for $135 each at Bob Jane. Meant to be a very good tyre too.

MAV1's or MAZ1's?

I've heard very good things about the MAZ1's and I have MAV1's. They are a great handling and grippy tyre in all conditions (at least with my driving anyway) but are noisy as all heck.

I won't be buying them again. Toyo Teo Plus might be the go next time round, or a set of Nankangs. Many say good things about them.

GK

[Sledgehammer]

Originally Posted by b2tf

Maxxis 235/45/17 on special for $135 each at Bob Jane. Meant to be a very good tyre too.

Any prices on 18's, im lazy i know.....

[b2tf]

yeah cant help either of you sorry, I just saw a poster when i was in at Bob Janes enquiring about rims and tyres (before I bought the T3's).

IIRC, the guy quoted me MA-V1 in 18 at around $250 a tyre which I thought was pretty excessive. I have Silverstone EvoVIII on the ute now and so far they are proving to be a very good tyre for the price.

[Mechan1k]

Originally Posted by b2tf

I have Silverstone EvoVIII on the ute now and so far they are proving to be a very good tyre for the price.

Not a bad tyre by the looks of it when I saw the ute too.

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

Not a bad tyre by the looks of it when I saw the ute too.

Yeah they come up well, good in the wet although I didnt give them a true workout, and around town they are great. Highway noise, well yeah there is noise but I'm yet to find a tyre that doesnt make noise going along concrete roads.

[Mechan1k]

Oh GK .... don't get the Nankangs ... I found my Savas a better tyre ... and I don't abuse tyres ... i like to get around 70,000km from a tyre.

So far about 40,000km ... and the Nankangs have really worn unevenly with good alignment ... the tread has scalloped badly on the right (due to a stuffed ball joint though) ... and they can get noisy when they where unevenly.

One of the guys at work loves his MA-Z1s on his bug eye WRX ... says they handle the wet better than the $400 Bridgestone Potenza S03s he used to have.

And I like the look of the Hankook K104s as well.

I am going to speak to a local tyre place that sell both theh Maxxis and Hankook and see what they say (they changed the tyres and wheels over for me the other day and were excellent) ... so will see them again.

[Mechan1k]

Originally Posted by b2tf

Yeah they come up well, good in the wet although I didnt give them a true workout, and around town they are great. Highway noise, well yeah there is noise but I'm yet to find a tyre that doesnt make noise going along concrete roads.

Man some of those concrete section on the Hume near Wagga was atrocious at some points ... it made a hell of a roar when cruising at ... ummm ... freeway speed (plus about 10%). Loud enough to drown the exhaust out ... so i had to turn the music up.