paul130TDI Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 Hi Guys, I was wondering if anyone knows of or can explain differences in monza 2 18” alloys. My car is with the stealers at the minute for a load of warranty work part of which they changed the alloys due to corrosion, and in all honesty they have been excellent and surpassed my expectations on what they would cover under warranty. However, I called over to see the wheels they have fitted which on first appearances are identical to the monza’s where were previously fitted but on closer inspection, the profile is slightly different. This will be quite difficult to explain, but ill give it a go! The profile on the part of the alloy (on all spokes) which the air valve comes through on the original wheels used to carry smoothly through into the dish at the back of the wheel, i.e. at the same height and no steps down into it. When I looked closer at the new wheels fitted, the profile carries on past the inside dish height then steps back down into the dish when the profile passes the face of the wheel. Don’t get me wrong, im more than happy with getting the wheels replaced, in the end they have replaced all 4 instead of 3 which they were supposed to which I imagine is down to there being differences, Im just wondering why there are differences. I looked at other gti’s on the forecourt and one had the same as was previously on my car and another had the same as they have fitted. I take it VW wouldn’t fit replicas?? They have assured me the wheels are new and not re-con because the car is within its 2nd yr warranty opposed to the third, where if it had of been they would have replaced them with re-cons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davyk31 Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 I would not have expected them to fit replicas but you never know as they are MUCH cheaper. Replicas will be stamped inside with something like " not original equipment" or wording like that. You will need to take one off to see that though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonC Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 As Davyk31 says, best if you remove one wheel, Paul and look for the BBS part number. An original Monza II will have this, a VW number and "made in Germany" on the underside. Hope their genuine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 Hi Guys,However, I called over to see the wheels they have fitted which on first appearances are identical to the monza’s where were previously fitted but on closer inspection, the profile is slightly different. This will be quite difficult to explain, but ill give it a go! The profile on the part of the alloy (on all spokes) which the air valve comes through on the original wheels used to carry smoothly through into the dish at the back of the wheel, i.e. at the same height and no steps down into it. When I looked closer at the new wheels fitted, the profile carries on past the inside dish height then steps back down into the dish when the profile passes the face of the wheel. I take it VW wouldn’t fit replicas?? They have assured me the wheels are new and not re-con because the car is within its 2nd yr warranty opposed to the third, where if it had of been they would have replaced them with re-cons ....VW wouldn't fit replicas but your VW dealer might (they are only a franchise). Unfortunately what you describe is definitely a replica and doubtless not BBS hollow technology. I would be particularly concerned if any replicas were mixed with genuine Monzas. If I've understood your description correctly, it's as if the flat lacquered 'spokes' are slightly stepped up from the grey 'bevels' (on which the valve sits). If your dealer is pulling a fast one, you need to complain in writing to VW UK and use another dealer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul130TDI Posted October 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 Cheers guys, ill ask them directly if they are replicas or not and most certainly take a wheel off and check for myself when i get the car back. Ill keep you posted paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack_is_Back Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 If I've understood your description correctly, it's as if the flat lacquered 'spokes' are slightly stepped up from the grey 'bevels' (on which the valve sits). That description sounds like the replicas I've seen. Shocking enough that they would give you replicas. But then to blatantly lie about it when queried... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul130TDI Posted October 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 Hi guys, I think i may not have described it very well, ideally i'd post a pic which i will try to do when i get the car back. The step i was referring to isn't from the flat machined finish to the spokes, but on the bit in between the spokes (the graphite gray part of the wheel) which the air valve comes through and where this bit goes into the dish........ flip this is hopeless, there probably are names for these parts of the wheels but i've no idea, probably best posting a pic.......... cheers guys for your time and help Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davyk31 Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 I notice you are in northern Ireland, whereabouts are you Paul? I am from NI too and know a few dealers here that may pull a fast one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davyk31 Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 Also Robins point is right about the dealer only being a franchise but if this is warranty work the cash for the wheels will have come from VW. If they then fitted cheaper replicas oh dear it could be big time cross time !!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chriswastle Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 dont mean to be picky but the wheels are now made by ronal but are identical to the bbs apart from a slightly better finish....... I hope you manage to sort it out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silentandy Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 How old is your car? IIRC there are two different part numbers with slight differences between MY05 & 06 for the Monza II. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul130TDI Posted October 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 (edited) guys, many thanks for all your replies. Picked the car up tonight and took photos of the wheels all i need to do now is remember my photobucket username and password!!! But i did take one off to check the back. They have the BSS RD305 logo, VW logo and Germany markings, so i can only assume they are genuine and possibly the manufacturers have changed along the line somewhere. I noticed very little weights have been used to balance the wheels and tyres which probably help confirm they must be decent enough quality. I'll try and get the photos on to try and show what i was on about. Davyk31 - Hi, Im in belfast, so you can probably guess the dealer. Although my experience of them this time has been first class. Wherabouts are you? Sorry Silentandy, the cars feb 07 Edited October 1, 2008 by paul130TDI added reply to silentandys question Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davyk31 Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 Paul, I am in Coleraine, have used a dealer in Coleraine and also Campsie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul130TDI Posted October 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 hi again guys, finally to try and explain what i was on about, photos attached. The profile where the red arrow is on the new wheels tapers up past the inside of the rim height then tapers back down again, wheras the original whels profile was level from the red arrow into the inside of the rim. Anyway it appears they are genuine and happy days - got a full set, only 3 of the old ones had corrisson signs and the 4th didn't but was curbed. i thought only the 3 would be replaced but ended up with the set cheers paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 dont mean to be picky but the wheels are now made by ronal but are identical to the bbs apart from a slightly better finish....... ....But the big question is whether a new manufacturer has solved the white worm corrosion which the BBS finish is prone to. Another big question is whether Ronal are using the BBS hollow technology which will doubtless be patented. It was developed specifically for the Mk5 GTI originally (according to an earlier version of BBS's web site). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davyk31 Posted October 2, 2008 Report Share Posted October 2, 2008 If the new manufacturer has not adopted the hollow whatever technology then it means VW are happy to move on without this supposed advantage and backs up my take from the start that this was merely marketing blurb. I am sure we do not believe all we see in the advetisements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chriswastle Posted October 2, 2008 Report Share Posted October 2, 2008 i think you missed my point Robin i meant that if the alloys were replaced and they were BBS ( and the supplier is now Ronal) then the said alloys are probably refurbs ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted October 2, 2008 Report Share Posted October 2, 2008 i think you missed my point Robini meant that if the alloys were replaced and they were BBS ( and the supplier is now Ronal) then the said alloys are probably refurbs ! ....Ah, yes - I did miss your point - thanks for bothering to explain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul130TDI Posted October 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2008 Hi Guys, yeah see what your saying about refurbs, although all i can go on is i've repeatly asked them and they continue to say they are not. Even if they were refurbs it might not be a bad thing, if the original manufactured ones have the white worm problem which i can imagine is down to a production process, then a refurb wheel done well might not suffer from the same problems. Although saying this, i honestly think the white worming problem is due to the design of the wheel, unless others have different experiences, any signs of corrision on my original wheels were all stemming from around the wheel bolt holes. Its very easy to lightly knock the edge with either the bolt or wheel brace which i imagine would be enough to chip the laquer and allow moisture to get in. If this is the case i've just contradicted myself........ cheers Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted October 3, 2008 Report Share Posted October 3, 2008 .... The white worm gets in when the lacquer seal is broken or simply fails. It's the combination of diamond-cut and lacquer which is the problem, rather than the manufacturing process. So, in other words, I would say that the potential for white worm exists in all wheels with that finish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuprabob Posted October 4, 2008 Report Share Posted October 4, 2008 I popped into a local VW dealer yesterday and a set of Zolder wheels caught my eye, £799 including locking bolts etc.... On more careful scutineering there was a note on the bottom of the sales card in smaller writing "not genuine VW wheel" Eight around the showroom they were selling replicas of all the popular VW / Audi wheels. I know they are franchises but suprised it was so blatant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul130TDI Posted October 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2008 hi guys, further update, spent yesterday cleaning and polishing the car and while at it give the new wheels a couple coats of wax, im now convinced they are refurbs, on really close inspection of one of the wheels i found a few blemishes in the laquer, almost like a dimple with pin point dent in the middle and on the same wheel a few very minor blemishes under the laquer. I dabbed clear paint laquer over the dimple to make sure its sealed. Not realy sure if im peeved or not with them being refurbs, given all four were replaced including a curbed one which i was never expecting in the first place. If i thought about it long enough i'd be more annoyed that they blatenly said they were new wheels on at least 3-4 occasions, either they though and think they are or they were just telling me that. When i queried them they said they put i the chassis no and vw send relacements, but the policy was if the car is its first or second years warrenty then they would be new, if the third then they would be refurbs, given my car is in its second they would be new... At least theres about 1.5 yrs warrenty remaining, so if they start to corrode, they will be straight back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac_Terrorist Posted October 5, 2008 Report Share Posted October 5, 2008 If VW told me at a franchised dealer that they were going to replace my wheels under waranty then I would be expecting brand new VW ones. It's a new car warranty at the end of the day and you was sold something that was not originaly up to the job. You don't know the history of those refurbed wheels - could have been hit hard previously and re starightened. It's all about expectations when you use a franchise dealer. They charge premium prices and you should expect premium service. You probably originally purchased a VW in recognition of it being a quality & durable product. If I was a betting man I would be backing that refurbs will not be up to the quality / durability of the OEM finish. If your TV went wrong would you be happy if they sent you someone elses that had been repaired? I think the dealer should have been more transparent. At the very worst they should have offered to refurb 'your' wheels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fresco1 Posted October 5, 2008 Report Share Posted October 5, 2008 hi guys,further update, spent yesterday cleaning and polishing the car and while at it give the new wheels a couple coats of wax, im now convinced they are refurbs, on really close inspection of one of the wheels i found a few blemishes in the laquer, almost like a dimple with pin point dent in the middle and on the same wheel a few very minor blemishes under the laquer. I dabbed clear paint laquer over the dimple to make sure its sealed. Not realy sure if im peeved or not with them being refurbs, given all four were replaced including a curbed one which i was never expecting in the first place. If i thought about it long enough i'd be more annoyed that they blatenly said they were new wheels on at least 3-4 occasions, either they though and think they are or they were just telling me that. When i queried them they said they put i the chassis no and vw send relacements, but the policy was if the car is its first or second years warrenty then they would be new, if the third then they would be refurbs, given my car is in its second they would be new... At least theres about 1.5 yrs warrenty remaining, so if they start to corrode, they will be straight back Could always write a letter to your stealer, asking for clarification. They would probably think twice before replying, and depending on the answer you can at least have peace of mind .... ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teutonic_Tamer Posted October 11, 2008 Report Share Posted October 11, 2008 ....The white worm gets in when the lacquer seal is broken or simply fails. It's the combination of diamond-cut and lacquer which is the problem, rather than the manufacturing process. So, in other words, I would say that the potential for white worm exists in all wheels with that finish. You are spot on there Red. I reckon the Charlestons will be going the same way. However, because the Monza IIs have a much larger flatter, more visible surface area for the clear laquer over the diamond cut, then any white worming will be much more apparent. On the Charlestons, they have very narrow spokes, so any worming will not be as noticeable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now