Wheel damaged at dealer - advice please

[benm3evo]

Hi,

My car (e92 M3) was at the dealer for an MOT & wheel alignment. When I got the car home I noticed a small chunk had been taken out of the alloy. It was clearly not kerb damage so I worked out it must have been done accidentally during the alignment.

I got in touch with the dealer & they were very apologetic & arranged to have the wheel to sort it out for me. I've just collected the wheel & the repair itself is fine but it's clear to see where the wheel has been painted.

When I say clear, I'm sure someone just walking past wouldn't notice the change in colour/shade but you do notice if you know it's there. I also got my Mum & Dad to look at it & they can see the differnce straight away.

I'm now not sure what to do. Part of me thinks (not knowing anything about alloy wheel repair) that this is probably as good as it is going to get so I should put up with it but the other part of me thinks that the damage was not my fault so why should I end up with a wheel in worse condition than before it went in.

Edited to add it's the 19 inch wheel if that makes any difference!

Does anyone have any experience or advice on what I should/could do please?

Thanks,
Ben

[Magic919]

Always a risk when you have one refurbed. Some companies do a better job of colour matching than others. I'd probably have asked them to do both wheels.

[E30M3SE]

They've done a localised repair, take it back to them and tell them you're not happy with the repair. They damaged the wheel and have accepted liability by do the repair and it has not been repaired to a satisfactory standard. chances are that repair will standard out even more in a few months time.

[benm3evo]

I did worry about the colour matching before it was done as these wheels don't look like normal alloys, are they chrome finished or something??

Yes it is a localised repair & it has crossed my mind it may get worse in time. I'm wondering if it might be better if I ask them to do the whole wheel?...but then will it look odd compared to the back wheel!? Right pain in the ass.

Thanks for the replies!

Cheers,
Ben

[Magic919]

Look at Lepsons. That's the standard of work you want.

[bigtime]

They are diamond cut and I've yet to see anyone repair them to factory standard. I know it's harsh but the only way you'll get it as the others is to get a new wheel.

[andyman_2006]

Hi,

I would insist they repair the full wheel, if its one of the diamond cut ones then insist they send the wheel to either lepsons or pristine wheels.

They are both capable of restoring these wheels to a factory standard.

In fact my local dealer (stratstone) did use pristine wheels for all diamond cut wheels needing repair.

It sounds like a local on site wheel repairer has done this one, and not painted the full wheel, and yeah your right it will show wear very quickly, and stand out from the finish of the other wheels.

Stick to your guns and high standards and complain to the 'dealer principle' if your less than happy, or they wont send the wheel out for full refurbishment.

Good luck.

Andy

[benm3evo]

Thanks for the replies.

I have had a look at Lepsons website & it certainly looks as if they know what they're doing.

I'm at work today so I'm going to send an email to the Service Advisor that dealt with it & say I'm not happy with the finish & add some of the details from the replies on here re. the specialists that can deal with the diamond cut wheels. I'll see what reply I get & update the thread.

Thanks again,
Ben

[benm3evo]

Update -

Just had a reply from the Service Advisor to my 'not very happy' email. She has asked me to get quotes from the companies that specialise in the type of repair I need & she will then speak to her Manager to see if they can cover it. Whether this means fully or a contribution I'm not sure yet.

I'm going to get a quote from Lepsons & Pristine wheels & forward them on to the dealer & see what happens!

Cheers,
Ben

[andyman_2006]

benm3evo said:

Update -

Just had a reply from the Service Advisor to my 'not very happy' email. She has asked me to get quotes from the companies that specialise in the type of repair I need & she will then speak to her Manager to see if they can cover it. Whether this means fully or a contribution I'm not sure yet.

I'm going to get a quote from Lepsons & Pristine wheels & forward them on to the dealer & see what happens!

Cheers,
Ben

---

Hi Ben,

If it helps pristine charged me £125 a wheel all in. This was about 2 years ago, and on a E46 polished 19" diamond cut and they are just as from factory, and the finish has stayed perfect since.

I would push for the full cost to be covered, its not the sort of service you expect and you should not have to incur costs after having this work done, you could also say if its not fully covered you'll escalate this to bmw uk.

Regards

Andy

[benm3evo]

Cheers Andy, that is useful as I haven't had a reply to the enquiry I have sent to Lepsons as yet so at least I have a rough idea now.

To be fair to the dealer, they have been pretty good so far & were very understanding about me not being happy with the finish on their repair attempt so I'm hoping they'll be ok to pick up the full bill. They have had a fair bit of business from me (& my parents) & we've stayed loyal to them when viewing cars at other dealers in the past so hopefully that will count for something!

Cheers,
Ben

[ashway]

If its a diamond cut wheel they are notoriously difficult to refurb, if only having one done it will be noticeable when compared to the other wheel on the same side.

Why not compromise on a new wheel or try for an unmarked 2nd hand one off eBay and ask them to stump up.

For a guide to price see here,


http://www.alloywheelsdirect.net/bmw_alloy_wheels/...

PS I have no connection to above company

[Soov535]

ashway said:

If its a diamond cut wheel they are notoriously difficult to refurb, if only having one done it will be noticeable when compared to the other wheel on the same side.

Why not compromise on a new wheel or try for an unmarked 2nd hand one off eBay and ask them to stump up.

For a guide to price see here,


http://www.alloywheelsdirect.net/bmw_alloy_wheels/...

PS I have no connection to above company

Buy a new wheel, ebay the other one. Split the difference.

[benm3evo]

ashway said:

If its a diamond cut wheel they are notoriously difficult to refurb, if only having one done it will be noticeable when compared to the other wheel on the same side.

Why not compromise on a new wheel or try for an unmarked 2nd hand one off eBay and ask them to stump up.

For a guide to price see here,


http://www.alloywheelsdirect.net/bmw_alloy_wheels/...

PS I have no connection to above company

Funnily enough, a mate has just suggested the same thing about it looking different to the other wheel. That's given me something to think about now!

I'll have a think over the weekend, hopefully I'll get the quote by then too. I did think about getting all 4 refurbed but, firstly, that will probably complicate it if BMW agree to pay for one & secondly, I don't really have the spare cash just now as it's car tax month!

Thanks for the input. Cheers, Ben

[ashway]

Fact is the wheel was perfect before it went in, dealer cocked up, didn't own up but subsequently accepted responsibility. Just stay firm in terms of what you consider to be reasonable and let them sort it.

No way you should be out of pocket in this case