Question related to model for static_prop and help wanted

wallit I had a look at the LA Bearcat this afternoon and I really should take my own advice about limits..

Original is around 95k faces. I had it down to 9.9k faces and the just screwed the topology over. I cant waste anymore time on this but I did like the model.

Here is the wheel looking fooked with faces mashed up. Ignore the texture on it but can see its be nasty stuff and and I'd never be happy at this.