hixster Posted July 29, 2006 Report Share Posted July 29, 2006 Evening all! Had a puncture on Thursday eve and popped into the tyre centre just a they were closing. They said they could fix the puncture no problems. So they did,as he was putting the tyre back on the machine i could hear clanging of the tyre iron on the wheels, but though that was normal. He couldn't get the tyre on with that machine so went to another, fixed it , refitted the wheel and away i went, pleased that the car was back to normal. Anyway , today I got the car out and the tyre pressure light was on , so I check the pressure at the garage and there are 2 fecking great score marks and chips in the alloy. I am absolutely gutted , I look after my car so carefully and to have someone damage it so wrecklessly is really depressing. I've now called and told them about this and they've said to bring it down, but what can they do? I don't want it repaired , i want a new wheel which seems unlikely, what's my position here? Any advice appreciated.. Oh one last thing, small niggle, he replaced the valve cap with some crusty non matching old cap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedywheels Posted July 29, 2006 Report Share Posted July 29, 2006 Sounds like the work of our friends at the company that means 'Rapid Install'. Demand a new alloy, nothing less. It never fails to astound me how these grease monkeys just lob tyres onto your precious alloys and don't give one moments thought for your property. It happened to me once - never again. Hope you have success in getting your wheel replaced but please learn the lesson - do not use these outfits - go to someone who cares and takes pride in their job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKLooney Posted July 29, 2006 Report Share Posted July 29, 2006 [ QUOTE ] what's my position here? [/ QUOTE ] I'm afraid you don't have a leg to stand on as you accepted the car and drove off. Pretty difficult to prove that the garage were to blame for the damage. You will need to rely on the manager's sense of responsibility and good nature. I wouldn't walk in blowing my top off if I where you... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hixster Posted July 29, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] what's my position here? [/ QUOTE ] I'm afraid you don't have a leg to stand on as you accepted the car and drove off. Pretty difficult to prove that the garage were to blame for the damage. You will need to rely on the manager's sense of responsibility and good nature. I wouldn't walk in start blowing my top off if I where you... [/ QUOTE ] Agreed, I'm pretty sure i should take it easy down there. I have used them quite a bit in the past with no problems, but I just furious that this has happened and angry with myself for not spotting it sooner, or checking before leaving..Any idea how much a MK5 alloy is?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hixster Posted July 29, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Sounds like the work of our friends at the company that means 'Rapid Install'. Demand a new alloy, nothing less. It never fails to astound me how these grease monkeys just lob tyres onto your precious alloys and don't give one moments thought for your property. It happened to me once - never again. Hope you have success in getting your wheel replaced but please learn the lesson - do not use these outfits - go to someone who cares and takes pride in their job. [/ QUOTE ] Yeah totally, as looney says though , i think i haven't got much of a chance getting a new wheel... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedywheels Posted July 29, 2006 Report Share Posted July 29, 2006 If you don't ask you don't get. You can assure them you will never use them again if they don't replace the wheel and of course you will never use them again whatever outcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKLooney Posted July 29, 2006 Report Share Posted July 29, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Any idea how much a MK5 alloy is?? [/ QUOTE ] I think we're talking silly money if sourcing from VW (£400??) I would suspect that the best you could expect would be a free repair, and if your lucky, by a good refurbisher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedywheels Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 £535 from Rochford Tyres - ouch !! http://www.rochfordtyres.co.uk/product.a...ds=5x112%20et42,5x112%20et45,5x112%20et48,5x112%20et50,5x112/57-1%20et38&numPageStartPosition=11&strSearchCriteria=any&PT_ID=all&Make=Volkswagen&Model=Golf%20Mk5&strSize=18" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oatz Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 You maybe in luck as a friend of mine had the same experience and the manager coughed up there and then for a brand spanking new alloy. Fingers crossed for you (if initially you dont have much response/joy maybe dropping a subtly hint re trading standards may get their arses twitching) Best of luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 My rear Left wheel on the .:R32 was damaged fitting the last set of Yokohamas to it. Basically the shape of the lips on the Aristos is "bass-ackward" compared to wheels like BBS alloys. As such, the paint actaully scabbed off from the pressure the tyre lever created on the rim trying to fit the tyre. I noticed it when I got home - immediately phoned them, and they arranged to have the wheel repainted for me, no questions, no arguments, no fuss. It was an excellent job - and the reason I keep going back to these guys. They'll being doing the yellow peril too when it comes due for new rubber. Unashamed plug: See Dave at Pat's Tyres in Mitchell, ACT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxyboy Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 i had this happen on my old rx8.....took it to kwik fit....seen the boy struggle with it but thought nothing of it....cleaned the car four or five days later and noticed four gouges out of the alloy.....the manager said he would have it repaired no problem but under no circumstances would he replace the wheel....i was not happy with this but had the r32 on the way so i went with it.....the two problems i know of with a repaired whell are= 1) if you have used a silicon based tyre dressing you WILL end up with small pot marks on the repair, its almost a certainty 2) down the line somewhere when you get a new tyre fitted, the fitter will more often than not use a screwdriver to prize the wieght off, and score the new/soft paint job, which will lead to a gradual degradation of the wheel surface it can be a mine field, if you have the time, try for a new wheel for long term piece of mind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timski Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 Sorry to hear about that, Hixster. I learned my lesson a few years back when some young grease monkey ruined one of the alloys on my 16V Polo. He jacked the car up (nowhere near the jacking points) and before I knew it he was prising the centre cap off with a rusty old crow bar! He then proceeded to put a delightful score mark all around the rim when he put the new tyre on. When I complained, the attitude seemed to be 'Calm down, mate - it's only a wheel!' Sadly, a lot of tyre dealers just don't give a sh1t. It's just another tyre to change as quickly as possible before they knock off. When my Anni went in for new BBS wheels under warranty, VW fitted them on site. I told them of my past experience and they assured me they would take great care. True to their word, they were flawless. It's just annoying that taking care doesn't seem to come as standard and you feel you have to forewarn fitters before they set foot near your car 'DON'T MARK MY ALLOYS!' Punctures occur at the most inopportune moments and the temptation is to pop into 'any old garage' to get it sorted. My advice: it's worth lobbing the space saver on until you can find someone who'll do it properly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy32 Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 Sorry to hear that Hix, hope all goes well with trying to get it sorted. I would find it very difficult to dipplomatic with them but it is the best way. When I had all mine replaced I asked before he started if he could go carefull with the alloys, he used some plastic sleeves that fitted over the tyre machine and had no probs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hixster Posted July 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 Thanks for all the feedback guys and gals. You live and learn eh? I have used this tyre shop for a long time and they've been great, and I hope we can resolve the problems amicably. I guess in the future I will ask for a pre-change inspection to agree the state of the wheels and then ask for the plastic cover to be used. The actual damage seems to be where the tyre fitting clamp/iron has bounced over the spokes, it's not on the rim.. So a quite big circular scar that runs across a few spokes. I'm going down there first thing tomo and will let y'all know how it goes... 10 minutes meditation before hand to put me in a peaceful frame of mind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swil00 Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 Experienced both kwik-fit and Rapid fit in the past.. Both ended up in alloy repairs.. I think now I'll be heading to an alloy wheel specialist for tire replacement.. As for alloy wheel repairs.. I had a minor kerb mark repaired on my old .:R Guy refurbed the full wheel even although the damage was very minor on one edge.. Wheel was then left overnight under a fancy wee heater to bake.. The end result was as good if not better than the original finish and only cost £47.. Don't see why silicon based tire dressings affect the end result if the full wheel is refurbed ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxyboy Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Don't see why silicon based tire dressings affect the end result if the full wheel is refurbed ? [/ QUOTE ] as with any silcon based product....it gets everywhere and is a nightmare when it comes to re spraying....i've seen whole cars in a body shop having to be resprayed again due to someone using a silicon product nearby.....it causes a kind of pitting on the paint.....go to a body shop and ask....all bodyshop products are specifically chosen to contain no silicon.....believe it or not....even a strong aftershave can have a undesired effect on a new paint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikemod Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 I can sympathise with you hixter. Had the same thing happen on the 18's on my GTI Looked after them without a mark for a year, only noticed the damage when I got home. Big score on one of the spokes and a bit of the dark gray paint chipped. Rang them up and they said, sorry, but wouldn't even think about replacing with a new rim. They did say they would fork out for repair but it is near impossible to find anyone who can fix them. Went to the dealers to get a touch up brush and they asked how much I had paid for the tyres. I told them and they said that they would match that price and if any damage was caused when replacing them they would replace the rim. (£240 for 2x 225x40x18 Conti 2's fitted) Guess where I am going the next time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swil00 Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Don't see why silicon based tire dressings affect the end result if the full wheel is refurbed ? [/ QUOTE ] as with any silcon based product....it gets everywhere and is a nightmare when it comes to re spraying....i've seen whole cars in a body shop having to be resprayed again due to someone using a silicon product nearby.....it causes a kind of pitting on the paint.....go to a body shop and ask....all bodyshop products are specifically chosen to contain no silicon.....believe it or not....even a strong aftershave can have a undesired effect on a new paint [/ QUOTE ] They you go - everyday is a school day and all that... Would've thought a proper repair would involve respraying the full wheel anyway.. I know mine was.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geo_nr1 Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 I had the same thing happen. Called the place that changed them and advised him of the damage. I demanded the cash for a new alloy. He advised me that he would powder coat it and I had already called coaters to ask their opinion, and one knew of the R32 and its almost "unique" colouring and said that there was no way he could have guaranteed the alloys on one side to be the same shade....I got £200 out of them and was happy at that as the day before the puncture, VW said they would change all the alloys under warranty as they were starting to bubble Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hixster Posted July 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 O.k , so been to the fitters this morning, they totally accept liabiliy and have offered a refurb, the guy came out of garage straight away offering his apologies and said he knew it had come off the machine whilst changing the tyre , but didn't see any damage at the time. Their attitude was good and helpful. I have said I will think about the refurb, I didn't push for a new wheel at the time , but now after thinking about it more , i will talk to them about it, i'm not very pushy but I think i will feel disappointed if i don't ask. I have spoken to VW and they recommend a refurb co. that will do a great match. they have quoted me £323 + vat for a brand new wheel. which i'm going to propose to tyre fitters on the phone today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hixster Posted July 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Apparently the company that are repairing the wheel is spit and polish.. Spit and Polish this is also the company that the stealers recommended to me and who they send all their refurbs to. Anyone know anything about them??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedywheels Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Never used them but they have a good reputation - sure you should find comments on their work if you 'Google' them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan32 Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 I've used them and got to say not overly impressed with the finish or the service. I've just bought a set of refurbished wheels which were done by Pristine (haven't got the number to hand) and although I was told they were expensive, the finish is stunning. Looks like they took their time. Believe was in the region of £150 per wheel but thats still half the price of a new one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james1978 Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 any contact info dan32?.Its just that i need my wheels done,But dont want to use just anybody,I want a good as new finish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedywheels Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I've used them and got to say not overly impressed with the finish or the service. I've just bought a set of refurbished wheels which were done by Pristine (haven't got the number to hand) and although I was told they were expensive, the finish is stunning. Looks like they took their time. Believe was in the region of £150 per wheel but thats still half the price of a new one. [/ QUOTE ] While I've never had any work done by Spit and Polish, I can confirm Pristine's work is excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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