TVR taking the mickey or what
Discussion
Has anyone else out there been fobbed off by the TVR factory regarding wheels for Chimaeras? I thought the car went out of production at the end of this year? even if it has gone out in the last few months,I can't understand the hell why they have no wheels?
I think they need to wake up and join the 21st century regarding customer care,it seems to me they don't even seem fussed customers can't get wheels.....tell me how do I drive on two buckled wheels from now until Christmas which is the projected date of availability.........can anyone enlighten me,especially someone who works at said factory in Blackpool? Can you imagine a Porsche owner being told ohh we can't get any wheels for you sir for 6 months!! soon be out of business......!! beware TVR,we are all very discerning owners and expect standards,that I frankly don't think are being met.I spent 4 hours ringing every TVR dealer and contact in the country today and still ended up with silch regarding brand new wheels......HELP!!!
I think they need to wake up and join the 21st century regarding customer care,it seems to me they don't even seem fussed customers can't get wheels.....tell me how do I drive on two buckled wheels from now until Christmas which is the projected date of availability.........can anyone enlighten me,especially someone who works at said factory in Blackpool? Can you imagine a Porsche owner being told ohh we can't get any wheels for you sir for 6 months!! soon be out of business......!! beware TVR,we are all very discerning owners and expect standards,that I frankly don't think are being met.I spent 4 hours ringing every TVR dealer and contact in the country today and still ended up with silch regarding brand new wheels......HELP!!!
Mmm, soapbox by any chance?
A few facts first - the wheels for the Chimaera are, I believe, OZ and as a result supplied as needed to TVR for the Chimaera. They have had a long relationship with OZ and have used the wheels for Chimaera's for sometime.
The original wheels on a Chimaera were 16's on the back with 15's on the front, but this changed towards the end of the production run to 16's all round - this co-incided with the change to suspension setups and spring rates... but thats another story.
As per any supplier relationship its built on trust. In this case OZ pulled the plug and killed the product line for TVR. Not only did this mean that TVR could no longer source the wheels, but they also only had a few in stock for existing customers / dealers. This was one of the factors in the change of diameter for the later run Chimaeras. TVR's fault? Not entirely - call OZ and ask them why they stopped supplying that type of wheel to TVR? Not making enough profit by any chance?
This does leave TVR in a dangerously exposed position. They litterly cant do that much. The manufacturer refuses to make any more.... what can they do?
What can you do? Well there are a few options:
1) Put an add on things like Pistonheads asking if anyone has any for sale
2) Put an add in Sprint for the same (there are always some for sale)
3) Keep looking on sites such as eBay for wheels for sale (have seen two sets go already!).
4) Swap the wheels for a different type (there are a few owners on here who have done this - either forced or not).
Personally 4) is your best bet. If it was an accident then call your insurance company and sort out replacements. Will affect your no-claims, but its better than forking out for four new wheels and tyres! Team Dynamics seem to have the right sizes and TSW also have some crackers... but speak to the people on PH who have aftermarket alloys first - they can certainly help.
TVR taking the mickey - no not in this case I am afraid
Cheers,
Paul
A few facts first - the wheels for the Chimaera are, I believe, OZ and as a result supplied as needed to TVR for the Chimaera. They have had a long relationship with OZ and have used the wheels for Chimaera's for sometime.
The original wheels on a Chimaera were 16's on the back with 15's on the front, but this changed towards the end of the production run to 16's all round - this co-incided with the change to suspension setups and spring rates... but thats another story.
As per any supplier relationship its built on trust. In this case OZ pulled the plug and killed the product line for TVR. Not only did this mean that TVR could no longer source the wheels, but they also only had a few in stock for existing customers / dealers. This was one of the factors in the change of diameter for the later run Chimaeras. TVR's fault? Not entirely - call OZ and ask them why they stopped supplying that type of wheel to TVR? Not making enough profit by any chance?
This does leave TVR in a dangerously exposed position. They litterly cant do that much. The manufacturer refuses to make any more.... what can they do?
What can you do? Well there are a few options:
1) Put an add on things like Pistonheads asking if anyone has any for sale
2) Put an add in Sprint for the same (there are always some for sale)
3) Keep looking on sites such as eBay for wheels for sale (have seen two sets go already!).
4) Swap the wheels for a different type (there are a few owners on here who have done this - either forced or not).
Personally 4) is your best bet. If it was an accident then call your insurance company and sort out replacements. Will affect your no-claims, but its better than forking out for four new wheels and tyres! Team Dynamics seem to have the right sizes and TSW also have some crackers... but speak to the people on PH who have aftermarket alloys first - they can certainly help.
TVR taking the mickey - no not in this case I am afraid
Cheers,
Paul
sagalout said:
I was going to say that Graham.
The wheel/hub kit looked a damn good deal too.
Tony H
I was told this should be available late July onwards, looks good to me so I'm going for it.
On the other hand it'll also mean a load of s/h standard wheels will come on the market Aug. onwards, so you may not have to wait until Dec. anyway!
BTW, TVR are no worse than many. Ford, for example, only guarantee trim parts for 3 years after a car goes out of production. I had a 3-door Sierra Cosworth before the Tiv, and there were virtually no trim or body parts available at all. Oh, and the original wheels were like rocking horse poo ...
purplelou said:
Has anyone else out there been fobbed off by the TVR factory regarding wheels for Chimaeras? I thought the car went out of production at the end of this year? even if it has gone out in the last few months,I can't understand the hell why they have no wheels?
I think they need to wake up and join the 21st century regarding customer care,it seems to me they don't even seem fussed customers can't get wheels.....tell me how do I drive on two buckled wheels from now until Christmas which is the projected date of availability.........can anyone enlighten me,especially someone who works at said factory in Blackpool? Can you imagine a Porsche owner being told ohh we can't get any wheels for you sir for 6 months!! soon be out of business......!! beware TVR,we are all very discerning owners and expect standards,that I frankly don't think are being met.I spent 4 hours ringing every TVR dealer and contact in the country today and still ended up with silch regarding brand new wheels......HELP!!!
What wheels do you need? I have 2x15" fronts and 1x16" rear 5 spokes for the Chimp for sale.
a little off topic but you should try to get interior parts for Smart Mrk1 - Mrk 3 these have blue palstic rather than the later ones which had grey/black. Only place is via the Smart Club Website or via E-bay, the Mrk 3 were only stopped in late 01 so 18 or so later nothing from the manufacture it's a common issue with cars it seems 
!!
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