Boxster Wheel Issue.
Discussion
I've never seen anything like that before on a wheel but it does look like a bad quality repair to some sort of impact. Surely there must be a similar 'scab' on the other side in the wheel well?
All I can say is that I have witnessed some failures of alloy wheel repairs and personally would never have an alloy repaired on any car, especially on a Porsche.
All I can say is that I have witnessed some failures of alloy wheel repairs and personally would never have an alloy repaired on any car, especially on a Porsche.
jedm said:
It's a 13 plate 981 bought in February from a dealer.
Exactly what date in February?What warranty did it come with? By law, it must have 3 months.
Or was it a Porsche main dealer?
In any case, whether in warranty or out, you should get on the phone to the dealer explaining the issues, that you're not happy, that you feel the wheels are a safety issue and should be replaced at their cost (in full).
Be pleasant but firm. Send them a synopsis of the conversation (I told you... you said... etc) along with photos. Give them a day or so to come up with a solution you are entirely happy with. It may be they too didn't know about the issues, but that shouldn't be your problem.
Keep dated notes of telephone conversations, who you spoke to, what was said. Try not to deal over the phone, but get responses in writing (email is quickest).
Keep posting here with updates so we can advise.
IMPORTANT: You will need to take the other two tyres off so as to check those rims too. Do it now, or you may have a bigger, more difficult, battle if you find they're the same at a later date.
Edited by DJMC on Wednesday 11th May 11:45
jedm said:
Feb 10 from Porsche main dealer, so with 2 years warranty.
Sorted then.No way on earth can your OPC wriggle out of this one with "they all do that sir"!
Make sure you check the other wheels yourself. Make sure they also pay for any sundry extras, like the cost of removing, then replacing, your old tyres or the other tyres (if that applies).
Phone the service manager, explain your car is undriveable due to your discovery and you'd like a loan car while they order brand new wheels. Ask them to come and collect with a low loader. Be pleasant throughout.
If any problems at OPC level, I have a good contact at Porsche GB who sorted my wheel issue.
Don't settle for anything less than new wheels. Even if the other two are undamaged (on the face of it) I'd be suspicious about them and indeed the WHOLE CAR now. Has it been in an accident!?
You need to get the car checked for accident damage. If it appears to be accident damaged, you are close enough to the purchase date to REJECT it and get your money back in full. Don't think "well, it looks OK to me". If such unusual wheel damage has been covered up, what else has been covered up which will creep out in the future to either worry you, or kill you.
Wheel damage often equals suspension damage which leads to chassis damage, and so on.
I had a similar experience with a Mercedes UK E-Class in 2014. After 5 months 14 issues had been found, including a buckled front wheel. The car hadn't had it's 120 point inspection. Merc UK bought it back at full purchase price.
By the way... even though you are dealing with an OPC keep notes of each phone conversation, dates, names, etc.
Edited by DJMC on Wednesday 11th May 12:09
it looks like they refurbished the wheel before selling it to you and that the person that did it didnt care about how the "invisible" bit looked. Or the previous owner had it repaired... I would doubt that an OPC would do that ...
God knows where I get my faith. My experience of OPCs is that they sell the cars and rely on the new owner to notice problems (hoping they wont)...
God knows where I get my faith. My experience of OPCs is that they sell the cars and rely on the new owner to notice problems (hoping they wont)...
jackliebling said:
it looks like they refurbished the wheel before selling it to you and that the person that did it didnt care about how the "invisible" bit looked. Or the previous owner had it repaired... I would doubt that an OPC would do that ...
God knows where I get my faith. My experience of OPCs is that they sell the cars and rely on the new owner to notice problems (hoping they wont)...
I agree. But the OP really does need to prepare for the car to go back. The thought now should be "unless I'm certain that there's no connected issues to what appears to be accident damage, the car must be rejected."God knows where I get my faith. My experience of OPCs is that they sell the cars and rely on the new owner to notice problems (hoping they wont)...
Working from this stance, you need to be "sold" on the car again. I'd be wanting an independent engineer's report on the car now, funded by Porsche as you will have "lost faith" in their ability to pre-delivery check the car. OK, that's a little unreasonable perhaps as the fault was hidden, but if they say no to that expense the existing damage would perhaps be grounds to reject the car.
They would counter by saying they will do a 111 point check, but this is wholly inadequate. The suspension geometry and chassis alignment needs checking at the very least, and what other parts have had bodged repairs done by the prior owner, assuming the OPC is innocent?
Can't believe OPC selling a car with these tires, especially 981!
it's maybe understandable for an older age car and from a private seller or even an independent dealer but OPC should really be careful about this. You might even have a strong case against them, whoever was doing this physical/engine checks they were not careful at all.
it's maybe understandable for an older age car and from a private seller or even an independent dealer but OPC should really be careful about this. You might even have a strong case against them, whoever was doing this physical/engine checks they were not careful at all.
jedm said:
Well to be fair to the OPC the tyres looked fine, it wasn't until they were removed from the rims that the damage became evident.
Anyway I've written to the OPC taking into account the advice received and we'll see what happens now!
Good luck, I think it's an absolute mistake on their side. You, as a responsible buyer, going to OPC and buying a used car from them, instead of a probably much cheaper but risky situation. They should be much more careful.Anyway I've written to the OPC taking into account the advice received and we'll see what happens now!
It begs the question how carefully do OPC's check cars they sell?
They're generally good at fixing cosmetic issues, but it's hard to believe the rim damage was isolated to just the rear wheels without a knock-on effect to anything mechanical or to chassis/body.
Did you determine the cause of the puncture? If a nail, fair enough, but if it was a blow out or other failure I'd pin the cost of the new tyre/s to the rim damage too, as the tyre may have been internally damaged and later failed in your ownership.
They're generally good at fixing cosmetic issues, but it's hard to believe the rim damage was isolated to just the rear wheels without a knock-on effect to anything mechanical or to chassis/body.
Did you determine the cause of the puncture? If a nail, fair enough, but if it was a blow out or other failure I'd pin the cost of the new tyre/s to the rim damage too, as the tyre may have been internally damaged and later failed in your ownership.
Edited by DJMC on Wednesday 11th May 17:10
You have done the right thing by contacting the OPC. No one would take tyres off to check wheels if everything looked OK from the outside.
I am assuming that both the wheels that had new tyres were damaged? If went this is looked at and the other wheels are also damaged, it could be a number of things. I doubt accident damage as to damage all four wheels would mean the overall damage would most likely mean a write off, so a Cat D which would have to be declared.
My feeling is the original decent wheels were swapped out before trade in and the good ones sold. But who knows at the moment.
I am assuming that both the wheels that had new tyres were damaged? If went this is looked at and the other wheels are also damaged, it could be a number of things. I doubt accident damage as to damage all four wheels would mean the overall damage would most likely mean a write off, so a Cat D which would have to be declared.
My feeling is the original decent wheels were swapped out before trade in and the good ones sold. But who knows at the moment.
You have done the right thing by contacting the OPC. No one would take tyres off to check wheels if everything looked OK from the outside.
I am assuming that both the wheels that had new tyres were damaged? If when this is looked at and the other wheels are also damaged, it could be a number of things. I doubt accident damage as to damage all four wheels would mean the overall damage would most likely mean a write off, so a Cat D which would have to be declared.
My feeling is the original decent wheels were swapped out before trade in and the good ones sold. But who knows at the moment.
I am assuming that both the wheels that had new tyres were damaged? If when this is looked at and the other wheels are also damaged, it could be a number of things. I doubt accident damage as to damage all four wheels would mean the overall damage would most likely mean a write off, so a Cat D which would have to be declared.
My feeling is the original decent wheels were swapped out before trade in and the good ones sold. But who knows at the moment.
Edited by stebbo on Wednesday 11th May 19:29
Gassing Station | Boxster/Cayman | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff