Warranty Advice please
Discussion
My first post!
Having recently become a lucky owner of a 2012 Storm Black N420 which I purchased from the dealer network I took the car in March to my local AM dealer for a service. One of the rear 10 spoke graphite diamond cut alloys showed evidence of spidering under the lacquer and the dealer looked to fix under warranty.
They queried with AM two options, which were to refurbish or replace, and a few weeks later came back to me to confirm they would refurbish. I agreed, but stated that the refurbished wheel had to be like the original finish. Unfortunately when it returned the rounded edge to the rim has disappeared and what is left can only be described as a jagged edge under the lacquer which catches the sunlight which makes it look lightly kerbed. The diamond cut finish also has a deeper more marked line finish. Not happy I stated to the dealer that It would have to be replaced. The dealer has turned round and said that AM are unwilling to replace the wheel and are suggesting refurbishing again. I wish I had just left the wheel as is, however the spidering would have eventually led to the lacquer flaking off, probably however with my low usage, after the warranty period. The car had done 5,800 miles when I purchased it and only one wheel was affected.
Not a good start to AM ownership. I had a Porsche before with no problems with wheels and/or warranty issues.
Has anyone had a similar experience with these wheels and had similar/different response from AM?
Having recently become a lucky owner of a 2012 Storm Black N420 which I purchased from the dealer network I took the car in March to my local AM dealer for a service. One of the rear 10 spoke graphite diamond cut alloys showed evidence of spidering under the lacquer and the dealer looked to fix under warranty.
They queried with AM two options, which were to refurbish or replace, and a few weeks later came back to me to confirm they would refurbish. I agreed, but stated that the refurbished wheel had to be like the original finish. Unfortunately when it returned the rounded edge to the rim has disappeared and what is left can only be described as a jagged edge under the lacquer which catches the sunlight which makes it look lightly kerbed. The diamond cut finish also has a deeper more marked line finish. Not happy I stated to the dealer that It would have to be replaced. The dealer has turned round and said that AM are unwilling to replace the wheel and are suggesting refurbishing again. I wish I had just left the wheel as is, however the spidering would have eventually led to the lacquer flaking off, probably however with my low usage, after the warranty period. The car had done 5,800 miles when I purchased it and only one wheel was affected.
Not a good start to AM ownership. I had a Porsche before with no problems with wheels and/or warranty issues.
Has anyone had a similar experience with these wheels and had similar/different response from AM?
AM OEM wheels are manufactured by Rimstock in West Bromwich.
Rimstock offer a refurb service where they return the wheels to 'as new' condition. I recently had a set of V8S lightweight 10-spoke wheels refurbed by them and they are, indeed, 'as new'.
Just insist that your dealer returns the wheel to Rimstock for the refurb.
Rimstock offer a refurb service where they return the wheels to 'as new' condition. I recently had a set of V8S lightweight 10-spoke wheels refurbed by them and they are, indeed, 'as new'.
Just insist that your dealer returns the wheel to Rimstock for the refurb.
Thanks guys!
Not sure I would want to change the finish of the diamond cut part of the wheel but I see your point - no future worries. I went on to Rimstock's web-site and lo and behold there was a picture of the wheel under their tab for supplying to manufacturers. If AM don't agree to a new wheel I'll try that route - thanks for the info. It sounds like all the wheels are prone to the corrosion eventually. Not planning any winter use so hopefully that will prolong their lives.
Not sure I would want to change the finish of the diamond cut part of the wheel but I see your point - no future worries. I went on to Rimstock's web-site and lo and behold there was a picture of the wheel under their tab for supplying to manufacturers. If AM don't agree to a new wheel I'll try that route - thanks for the info. It sounds like all the wheels are prone to the corrosion eventually. Not planning any winter use so hopefully that will prolong their lives.
acollin5 said:
One of the rear 10 spoke graphite diamond cut alloys showed evidence of spidering under the lacquer and the dealer looked to fix under warranty.
They queried with AM two options, which were to refurbish or replace, and a few weeks later came back to me to confirm they would refurbish. I agreed, but stated that the refurbished wheel had to be like the original finish. Unfortunately when it returned the rounded edge to the rim has disappeared and what is left can only be described as a jagged edge under the lacquer which catches the sunlight which makes it look lightly kerbed. The diamond cut finish also has a deeper more marked line finish. Not happy I stated to the dealer that It would have to be replaced. The dealer has turned round and said that AM are unwilling to replace the wheel and are suggesting refurbishing again. I wish I had just left the wheel as is, however the spidering would have eventually led to the lacquer flaking off, probably however with my low usage, after the warranty period. The car had done 5,800 miles when I purchased it and only one wheel was affected.
Not a good start to AM ownership. I had a Porsche before with no problems with wheels and/or warranty issues.
Has anyone had a similar experience with these wheels and had similar/different response from AM?
Diamond cut wheels are a PITA, it's not just AM. I've had 6 cars with them on and ALL of them have suffered "wheel worm" starting in the diamond cut area.They queried with AM two options, which were to refurbish or replace, and a few weeks later came back to me to confirm they would refurbish. I agreed, but stated that the refurbished wheel had to be like the original finish. Unfortunately when it returned the rounded edge to the rim has disappeared and what is left can only be described as a jagged edge under the lacquer which catches the sunlight which makes it look lightly kerbed. The diamond cut finish also has a deeper more marked line finish. Not happy I stated to the dealer that It would have to be replaced. The dealer has turned round and said that AM are unwilling to replace the wheel and are suggesting refurbishing again. I wish I had just left the wheel as is, however the spidering would have eventually led to the lacquer flaking off, probably however with my low usage, after the warranty period. The car had done 5,800 miles when I purchased it and only one wheel was affected.
Not a good start to AM ownership. I had a Porsche before with no problems with wheels and/or warranty issues.
Has anyone had a similar experience with these wheels and had similar/different response from AM?
Pristine no longer warranty refurbs on diamond cut finishes for this reason
I've powder coated all four wheels on 3 of the above cars, that gave a much more durable finish and ensured they all looked the same. My S wheels went from the "worm" riddle factory finish after 12 months to this
J & P Alps 14 047 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
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Just a quick update to say thanks for all the info and help guys and in addition to say that Aston have finally come good and given me a brand new rear alloy under the warranty! They have redeemed themselves! One happy owner again. Just hope the others hold up for a few years 😛
acollin5 said:
Just a quick update to say thanks for all the info and help guys and in addition to say that Aston have finally come good and given me a brand new rear alloy under the warranty! They have redeemed themselves! One happy owner again. Just hope the others hold up for a few years ??
I had three wheels replaced under warranty in two episodes.The fourth wheel is now showing signs of worm after four years. Having said that they have retained their finish a lot longer than my Merc or BMW did.
As Mickey said it's a problem on all wheels, in my experience it doesn't matter what finish they are other what marque the car is.
acollin5 said:
Just a quick update to say thanks for all the info and help guys and in addition to say that Aston have finally come good and given me a brand new rear alloy under the warranty! They have redeemed themselves! One happy owner again. Just hope the others hold up for a few years ??
Good news they replaced the wheel 
I had the exact same issue on my old 4.7 V8V, all 4 wheels refurbished and your right the finish is not the same. They messed it up the first time, second time better but not perfect. Car only had 8k miles!
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