[PassatPat]

Just picked up a 2014 SE a couple of weeks ago. I got it for $9999, a low price IMO, but there's a catch: the PO apparently liked to park it under trees with low-hanging branches, so I put money aside for a respray on the rear bumper and trunk lid. it also has 81K miles, a lot for a '14. My '05 was totalled in an accident.

Anyway, another issue is the wheels, It has 17" Sonoma 5-spoke VW alloys but all 4 are scratched, pitted, etc. I'm trying to decide whether or not to leave them as is for winter and get a new set of either reconditioned wheels, aftermarket wheels from someplace like Tire Rack (Bronze would look cool because the car is Opera Red) or a brand new set of Sonoma replicas from Car ID, a brand called "Replicaz." I like to leave my VWs stock, so I'm leaning toward skipping the aftermarket option. Has anyone ever ordered replica copies of OEM wheels here, and if so, is the quality the same as factory? I can get these
"Replicaz" for $135 apiece, OR for $150 apiece, get real VW Sonomas that have been refurbished. Should I stick with OEM?

 

[GrandpaBill]

I thought SEs came with 18 inch wheels...? Anyway, you have 17 inchers. Put winters on those and buy a set of 18s with summer rubber (19s if you like the look and can afford the more expensive rubber). My understanding is that factory quality is low pressure cast. I wouldn't buy "reconditioned" wheels. Buy the best new wheels you can afford. Tire Rack and ECS are good places to shop. Call them up, talk to them. Take time to enjoy the process. BTW, unless you have deep scratches on the trunk lid, it can probably be corrected without repainting.

 

[VWGUY4EVER]

What Bill said on both. Keep the OE wheels for winter. And if the trunk doesn't have deep damage to the finish, a good machine polishing or wet sanding should do the trick.