BBS RA's...what are they made of?

[mikejungle]

I've got BBS RA's on my car and when one of my tires went flat, the wheel crumpled like an aluminum can.
What is it made of and does that happen with this type of wheel?

My friend was saying his alfa romeo wheels were some sort of magnesium alloy and these might be like that because they're fairly light. t or f?

And any idea what a price estimate is to get the dents out? i.e. i just want to know if i'm looking at $50 or $500.

It's not in too bad a shape, just a big dent in the lip on one side.

thanks

[dashboardmonkey]

take it to a reputable wheel repair shop.

if it isn't too fucked up they can fix it fairly cheap

[BraveUlysses]

They're probably cast aluminum.

Magnesium street wheels are rare for good reason--they shatter when they break.

[mikejungle]

Ah...so my analogy about the wheel being like a soda can was spot on.

So what's the advantage of aluminum? Lighter? Is it still structurally as good as steel as long as you don't do something stupid like...get a flat?

[netcsk]

wheels are aluminum alloy most of the time (you should know it if they aren't as it is kind of rare). Steel wheels are just that, carbon steel (the wheels you use hub-caps with). I'd imagine the RAs are aluminum.

Aluminum is much softer than carbon steel but is also much lighter. Other metals are added in to remedy this to an acceptable point. I'm surprised yours are soft enough to bend that easily. Stock lips (if 3-piece)?

[mikejungle]

no no...the wheel is just one piece. i think? no rivets or anything, so i imagine it's one piece.
here's a pic just in case you don't know what it looks like:

[BraveUlysses]

Ah...so my analogy about the wheel being like a soda can was spot on.

So what's the advantage of aluminum? Lighter? Is it still structurally as good as steel as long as you don't do something stupid like...get a flat?

Aluminum is much lighter than steel. It can be quite strong, but that depends on which aluminum alloy it's made of and how it is manufactured (cast, pressure cast, forged, machined billet, ect).

Magnesium is extremely light but very fragile--not acceptable for anything other than track use.