Well it was inevitable, this evening while traveling on the highway, I hit something (I'm guessing something metal) that caused myself to get my first flat tire. Once I got the wheel off and put the spare tire on, I saw that the rim was cracked pretty bad and the tire had a gash in it.

It's kind of weird because just a week or so ago I was wondering when my first flat tire would be and now it happened (ESP or maybe I should have knocked on wood).

I was wondering if any of you had advice on where to find a new rim? I looked on eBay and came across something that looks promising (and not too expensive): check it out here and also this one that is listed as maxima compatible, which has me worried that it wouldn't look right.

Here's some pictures of the damage:

 

Its a real gamble between the two. The seller does not claim the photo is the item you are getting in either listing, it is the same exact photo. Both listings use the same Nissan part number. The seller's part number is almost the same for the 2.
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My guess is that the "universal" one, while new, is a knockoff, copied as closely as possible without getting sued by Nissan, will have some appearance difference. How noticable, I have no idea.

 

Good point, I hate when ebay people use generic photos.

Do you have any thoughts on a "reconditioned" rim, as in the first item I listed? Think it would be safe?

 

You can find some good deal on Craigslist or wheel/tire section on the org.

 

I don't know the e-bay seller is located, I didn't try to look for that. There is a place by me in Dallas that re-builds rims that has actual photos on their web site. These rims come from anywhere they can get them, car crashes and the like. Looking at the photos on their web site shows that some look like sh|t and some look good. In general, I would be somewhat afraid to buy one knowing that it may have come from a car that was totalled.

 

Call these guys and ask for Tony. I deal with him alot, tell him Brandon from Les Schwab in Vancouver WA told you to call. they have great price's, and there products are #1. Plus they ship to any location :-).

http://www.factorywheeloutlet.com/

 

Thanks guys, I'll definitely take all your advice.

DennisMik, I hear you, I don't think a wheel that has been in a wreck is a good idea.

Revs2Hard, I'll give him a call tomorrow!