Fabulous Precious alloys refurb at AWR, Bury

[mikeonb4c]

Some places just do things right, and this place is one of them. My Bongo came with diamond cut Precious 17" alloys. Their slab sided look goes so well with the Bongo that although i bought 4 steel wheels and custom trims as the alloys had become tired, i'd always hoped to refurbish them. This years MOT flagged up that the inner tread portion of my 15" Avon Ice Touring tyres were only just bordering legal, and i mentioned my hopes for restoring the alloys to Adrian, my mechanic at Japandirect. He recommended visiting AWR (Alloy Wheels Refurbished) in Bury, so i did and they seemed confident they could do the job. Tbey advised against trying to diamond cut them and suggested a powder coat that should give a good effect.

So, while the alloys were with them i researched suitable tyres. AWR were happy to fit tyres even if not bought from them and lots of internet research drew me to Maxxis AP2 All Season tyres which had scored very well and come 4th in an Autoexpress review. I needed 215/55/17 and the AP2 could be got in that size, load rated 98R and with an Extra Load sidewall for good measure. Amazingly one ebay supplier (in Wrexham) was offering them at £267 for four, invluding express postage. One day after ordering online they were with AWR. On Thursday AWR called to say the wheels were ready.

I returned with the Bongo today and had the new wheels fitted and i cannot believe how good they look. The tyres seem to ride very well too and should cope well with wet, mud and snow. I can thoroughly recommend AWR - really good people and first class work. No wonder they're so busy. Here's a link to a pic:

https://goo.gl/photos/BscxV3sUv5P7BToS7

Sadly, the wheels are now showing up the rest of the Bongo I wonder what i might be spending on next

[Gasy]

Nice looking wheels
Tyres look a nice tread pattern aswell

I presume with powder coating the wheels it could be done it different colours aswell
I'm not an alloy man
But I do like the look of black alloys

[mikeonb4c]

Nice looking wheels
Tyres look a nice tread pattern aswell

I presume with powder coating the wheels it could be done it different colours aswell
I'm not an alloy man
But I do like the look of black alloys

I'm guessing you could do almost anything colourwise. I'm not an alloys man either, the more so as i get older, but these ones go so well on a Bongo, and i've a sentimental attachment also. The Bongo now needs a respray to match the standard they've set! Yes the tyres seem really great and at a really good price - they got a great review in the autoexpress survey.

[kloonsy]

They look very nice Mike, and you're right they really suit the bongo

[mikeonb4c]

They look very nice Mike, and you're right they really suit the bongo

Very pleased with them Dave. I'm not sure, but i think these could be the alloys featured on those dinky toy type models of the Bongo. Now its the rest of the (fullsize) Bongo i need to get up to a matching standard, which is hard when its my everyday drive. Hey ho, maybe i'll get more time when i retire.

[Bob]

Splendid.

[BongoBongo123]

How are you finding the Maxxis AP2 215/55/17, wear, comfort, noise etc... the Mrs keeps saying we should get all seasons tyres. I am more of the mind that optimium wet grip is most sensible but I won't argue too much !

[mikeonb4c]

How are you finding the Maxxis AP2 215/55/17, wear, comfort, noise etc... the Mrs keeps saying we should get all seasons tyres. I am more of the mind that optimium wet grip is most sensible but I won't argue too much !

For as much as they've been tested they seem superb. The price from the Wrexham supplier on ebay was also fab. They seem quiet too, more so than the Avon Ice Touring which were also excellent but not available in the spec i needed for 17" wheels. And of course the Maxxis did come 4th in a tyre review which is how they got my attention. Can't tell about wear yet but i'm not overly concerned as one treat i've decided to give myself is a ride i want not (within reason) just one that goes longer before it wears out. Oooooooh matron