Wing Corrosion MY and Mileage?
Discussion
Great little sports car, unfortunately with quite a few reliability issues: cracking windscreens, fuel pumps, alternators, software problems and corrosion only ever suffered one software problem with mine a (break failure warning) reset at Alpine along with the fuel pump recall, owned my Legende from new Oct. 19 bought as a keeper but sadly sold early 22 when the corrosion issue became more apparent, I couldn't have lived with bodywork corrosion repairs on a newish car, quality of the work and not knowing whether it would re occur in the future
Edited by Iceblue on Saturday 16th March 21:50
7en said:
I believe it has been updated with a plastic clip for joining the wing/bumper rather than metal. Hopefully replacing the clip will prevent it and save everyone the time.
Weather permitting I'll be doing some work and will check the car I'm driving this weekend.
That would make sense. Do you know when, i.e. which MY, Alpine started using plastic clips to stop the galvanic action kicking off? Weather permitting I'll be doing some work and will check the car I'm driving this weekend.
I wonder what the status is if you have happen to have PPF on the wings. Will the dealer also pick up the cost of the PPF to be removed professionally beforehand or is that an insurance job? You'd first need to have the PPF mentioned as an accessory and presumably stated upfront in your policy.
I'm going to ask my dealer to replace the metal clips as a preventative action - it will save everyone a lot of pain and costs. You might dodge an iffy fuel pump but you cannot beat the force of nature... Sooner or later, ALL cars WILL be affected if they are using metallic clips. Wish we'd discussed this earlier!
I'm going to ask my dealer to replace the metal clips as a preventative action - it will save everyone a lot of pain and costs. You might dodge an iffy fuel pump but you cannot beat the force of nature... Sooner or later, ALL cars WILL be affected if they are using metallic clips. Wish we'd discussed this earlier!
Looking at it closely it’s possible that the corrosion in this rear area is due to this style of mounting but it’s a very common way to secure bumpers to wings. I’ll concede that it’s unfortunate that the protection of the rear inner arch doesn’t shield the spire clip from road grime. This also doesn’t explain the front issues, either.
Those of us with aluminium bodied VH series Aston Martin’s will recall the problems that they had with corrosion around the door handles and other specific areas.
I was told by someone involved in the process that it was to do with bad handling/prep of the bare panels in the factory before paint. Could this be a similar thing? ie: the clips are “un hareng rouge” ?
Those of us with aluminium bodied VH series Aston Martin’s will recall the problems that they had with corrosion around the door handles and other specific areas.
I was told by someone involved in the process that it was to do with bad handling/prep of the bare panels in the factory before paint. Could this be a similar thing? ie: the clips are “un hareng rouge” ?
Front isn’t the same - just a couple of plastic clips, but the carrier is riveted to the wing which might be a problem source but it’s a long way back from the wing edge and hard to see that causing the issue so soon with these cars.
I’ve sprayed some dinitrol over the rivet heads as that area will be well washed over by water coming in from the headlight edges.
I’ve sprayed some dinitrol over the rivet heads as that area will be well washed over by water coming in from the headlight edges.
It can't hurt to replace the metal clips, however I'm of the thought that it could also be caused by impact chips and dirt gathering between the wings and bumper, which would explain why the front of some cars has the same issue despite having no metal clips. I only wash my car once every couple of months, so try to remember give the bumper/wing joins a quick spray with the hose on full to blast away any dirt.
Anyway, good work. Now get out and drive it.
Anyway, good work. Now get out and drive it.
I have flagged, during a visit this morning, to John Banks Alpine Cambridge the rear wing oxidisation on both sides of PE # 754. They are going to book the car in to do an assessment by their technicians and bodyshop team and then book it in for repair. There’s a two-week lead time for assessment and don’t yet know how long the works will take. Like anyone else, I guess, I am keen that the work is done to a high standard as I expect Blanc Solaire might be a pain to make look OEM for a small section?
rubes78 said:
I had a good chat with the bodyshop manager when I took mine in and from what he told me, it's the bracket that connects the bumper to the wing that causes the issue and they replace this with a better solution when making the repair. So it shouldn't technically re-occur. Time will tell.
rubeswas that an Alpine centre bodyshop mgr, or a larger combined franchise ?
My Alpine ctr are outsourcing the repairs as I assume they have a service workshop but no bodywork facilities.
Have asked the sales rep and the head of brand about the remedial fix to prevent recurrence but they don't know - head of brand says it's a 'known' issue not a 'common' issue
At least he has said he will ask as he can see the value to Alpine of a negated future warranty claim versus minimal cost now for improved clips.
Do we have anyone on here that is Alpine tech / parts dept who can confirm new and improved body clips ? Presumably there are old and new part #'s (or hopefully only the new ones are orderable now).
Gassing Station | Alpine | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff