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Here's a link to my good experience of A1 Wolverhampton:
http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,726.0.htmlA1 Wheel Renovation:After hearing of their excellent reputation, I had planned on using Pristine in the Milton Keynes area. But, when I visited them, I found their customer service somewhat indifferent. In spite of many on this forum telling me I should get on and refurb my Monza's, it wasn't a priority over my cracked wastegate housing or failed KoniFSD's!
So it was when Nathan (Greenouse) posted his latest rims from A1 Wheel Renovation that I felt inspired and especially as their location in Wolverhampton was close to our first forum meet near Stafford - I could combine my journey and show off my new rims to everyone.
I phoned A1 (01902 871422) and asked for Nigel as Nathan had recommended. I was greeted by a friendly voice with a very heavy Black Country accent but he was the actual painter and clearly knew his trade and all about Monza's. So I booked myself in for the Wednesday lunchtime, folded my rear seats down and loaded my spare set of Monza 17's.
My SatNav ensured I had no problems finding A1's premises. On arrival I was somewhat surprised because it looked like the premises of a back street minicab firm of the sort where most of the drivers have just stepped off an aeroplane! The image in my brain was not dispelled when I saw nothing but Asians including a very friendly smiling Nigel. I couldn't help noticing that Nigel was wearing glasses with large GABBANA lettering on the sides - A bit bling for my own personal taste but each to their own. Access into their small backyard was extremely tight and so any thoughts of excuses and a quick escape were pointless. Anyway, Nathan had used these guys more than once.
While Steve swopped my 18's for the 17's I had brought, Nigel offered me a hot drink (nothing like that from Pristine!) and we started to discuss what shade etc I desired. Nigel and I quickly found that we were on exactly the same wavelength (except in choice of style of spectacles!)
We looked at some of his sample alloys and took a couple out to compare with my Monza's. It's all about lighting and how light falls on the shape of a wheel. Nigel explained why he couldn't paint a different colour on the 'inserts' (grey on the stock VW Monza 18) but that he would try and grade the Smoked Chrome silver over the black in those areas.
I am extremely pleased with the results and I have yet to see them in bright sunny weather when the car is clean - The roads are wet and very mucky at the moment. The Smoked Chrome is possibly better described as Gunmetal but the inserts can catch the light very brightly. They certainly don't show the dirt very easily.
Nigel phoned me on the Friday to tell me had finished my wheels in time for swopping back over on the Saturday morning on my way to the meet.
I have absolutely no hesitation in wholeheartedly recommending Nigel's family business
A1 Minicabs A1 Wheel Renovation in Wolverhampton. They don't have a web site or email as yet.