I need 4 center caps for my Touring alloys. Don't care if they're scratched (nobody looks down there anyway), just that they're completely intact with all hooks and installable. I would go to eBay but they're all from Hong Kong and I just don't trust that. I order Rubiks cubes from China, but not car parts... Thanks.
I ordered the center caps from Hong Kong and had them within two weeks of placing the order. The seller "superwin" has a positive rating, and I had no problems at all with him. I know there are several others here who have purchased from him off eBay and no complaint that I'm aware of...
Hey, thanks for the info. So they're real OEM Toyota caps? Also, why does the listing say caps are good for 2004-2010? Arent the caps used in the 2010 different (they have that textured pattern)? Also, are these caps difficult to take off if I want to put my wheel covers back on?
There are two types of caps, the smooth like I got from eBay, and the Textured ones you can get from Parts.com etc., for $54.00... Hard to tell them apart going down the road at 60 mph!
Are the "superwin" caps made of different material than the OEMs? I assumed the OEMs were metal and the Hong Kong caps were probably plastic... but if they're both plastic I'll just pay less, thanks. I agree, too, that textured vs. smooth is not a factor for me.
I Purchased two sets from Superwin and I have to say they are metal with a very strong spring. Got them in two weeks and the fit both my 2010 Prius' fine.
FWIW, I ordered the set of 4 hubcaps from "superwin" on eBay. Previous posters have mentioned good results from this seller, and had mentioned that the caps were of metal. My direct query to the eBay seller said the same: Hi,my friend,this is good quality plate metal OEM parts,please visit my feedback about the prius,thank you !!! - superwin-seller So, $26 and a couple weeks later, I have them in hand. They are decidedly NOT metal. The Toyota logo is more circular than the official one. I have little confidence that the chrome-like coating on these plastic parts will last more than a couple years. However-- They will probably look fine from viewing distance, and provided they fit correctly, will do the job of sealing the hub opening (I'll update this thread should they not fit). The spring on the back tabs is definitely metal and appears strong. They'll do the job for now, and will certainly show me whether I like the "covers-off" look well enough to pony up for the OEM caps should these fail in a couple months. Bottom line: you get what you pay for. But in this case, it's probably enough.
rfulcher, is your user name a reference to Family Guy? If it is, LOL. Nice review on the caps. I wouldve figured they were the fake stuff from China, but like you said, it wouldn't matter. The issue is how difficult it would be to take out (if the paint ever chipped, etc). As I understand it once those caps are popped in, they're meant to stay in. As such, I still haven't purchased them. ATM, I don't mind not having caps. The "black void circle" matches okay with the gunmetal rims. But I'm always keeping my eye out on ebay just in case.
I guess I'm missing what the big deal is about with the material these caps are made of... Quite honestly, I'm betting the OEM Caps are also plastic, metal would eventually rust or discolor. They do a good job of covering the hole in the middle of the wheel, and although I have not tried it, I bet the OEM Hubcaps would go on over the center caps with no problem!
Agreed on all above counts. It's not so much a big deal as it is a resolution of what the caps are supposed to be relative to OEM. I (admittedly) assumed that the OEM center caps were metal since the eBay poster stipulated that his/hers were "OEM metal". I think it's highly likely that the OEMs are actually "metalized" plastic. Besides, there's not much stress placed on the center cap, and it's mainly there for cosmetic purposes. And I guess it does prevent free entry of spray into the hub area. Plastic seems fine for that. Also I reached the same conclusion - I think the inner face of the OEM wheel cover has plenty of clearance for the center cap.
I have to claim ignorance on the Family Guy reference... sorry The caps pop in with a nice "click" using only moderate finger pressure, and fit snugly. You could easily pop them back out with a plastic spudger or cloth-covered putty knife / screwdriver (or some similar implement). I didn't try it, but I'll bet you could probably remove them with your bare hands if you really needed to. I guess I'm continuing to warm up to these plastic (GASP!) wheel caps. In fact I just finished my first commute sans OEM wheel covers, and though I was prepared for some subtle increase in wheel-associated wind noise, I couldn't tell any difference.
