2006 Subaru wheels
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Discussion

Reidy10_0

Original Poster:

1,123 posts

233 months

Tuesday 20th May 2008
quotequote all
I have a 2006 WRX grey import.
Luckily I managed to get it registered with Subaru UK.
At my last service 4K miles ago i talked Subaru in to replacing my Alloys as they were flaking away.
Now 4K miles later they are at it again and i will need to contat Subaru again.
I hope they agree and replace the wheels again.
Will i have to do this every 4K miles?

Has anyone had the same experience or have any ideas for solving the problem?

Cheers

Bungleaio

6,585 posts

231 months

Tuesday 20th May 2008
quotequote all
Are they the same wheels as mine? If so I've not had any problems with them




Reidy10_0

Original Poster:

1,123 posts

233 months

Tuesday 20th May 2008
quotequote all
Same wheels.
They start to bubble around the centre caps.
Like i said this is my second set and i have seen them on Ebay with the same problem.
Keep an eye on them mate.

stevieb

5,253 posts

296 months

Tuesday 20th May 2008
quotequote all
I have had no probs with mine! i have a set on my 04 scooby.

Reidy10_0

Original Poster:

1,123 posts

233 months

Sunday 7th December 2008
quotequote all
My WRX grey import will be getting it's 3rd set of wheels fitted on Monday.
The last set only lasted 4K miles.
I am also getting a new sun roof fitted due to surface rust inside the Cabin and rear boot piston thingys that keep the boot open.
All done under warranty.

I am a bit worried about them messing around with the sunroof, hopefully they will not have any problems sealing it.
Fingers crossed.

adamfraser

569 posts

232 months

Sunday 7th December 2008
quotequote all
Subaru warranty with wheels is never ending.

It really isnt.

Fair enough, working at a main Subaru dealer I see it more than often, but it is around the centre caps 99 times out of 100.

Never seen the sunroof or hinges one before, thats new. Got any pictures?

Edited by adamfraser on Sunday 7th December 03:13

Reidy10_0

Original Poster:

1,123 posts

233 months

Sunday 7th December 2008
quotequote all
adamfraser said:
Subaru warranty with wheels is never ending.

It really isnt.

Fair enough, working at a main Subaru dealer I see it more than often, but it is around the centre caps 99 times out of 100.

Never seen the sunroof or hinges one before, thats new. Got any pictures?

Edited by adamfraser on Sunday 7th December 03:13
The sunroof has surface rust on the inside but Subaru are going to replace the whole unit.
The wheels did bubble from the centre caps outwards.
Like i said i am getting my third set of wheels on Monday and i am guessing that Subaru will be hopeing they last until my warranty is over in March.
I dont think that is very fair but what else can i do?
I suppose they should be properly powder coated.

I dont have any pics handy.
The rear boot piston thingy's are also covered in surface rust.

What problems have you came across?
I would like to keep a eye out for any problems developing between now and March for obvious reasons.

Cheers



ScoobieWRX

4,863 posts

255 months

Sunday 7th December 2008
quotequote all
It would be cheaper for Subaru to let you take those wheels to a professional refurbishment outfit and then reimburse you the cost. It's only about £50-£60+VAT a wheel therefore that's got to be cheaper than Subaru replacing a whole set every few months. At least that way they won't go wrong again and you get the peace of mind that they have been done properly!!

The refurbers will strip those wheels down, treat them, spray and clearcoat them in whatever colour you want. Personally i think those wheels would look nice in Mica Black, same as the car, something i will be doing next year with my WRX wheels.

Failing reimbursement just pay to have them done. It's not a lot of money, way cheaper than replacement aftermaket wheels and they will look awesome when done. thumbup

adamfraser

569 posts

232 months

Sunday 7th December 2008
quotequote all
Reidy10_0 said:
The sunroof has surface rust on the inside but Subaru are going to replace the whole unit.
The wheels did bubble from the centre caps outwards.
Like i said i am getting my third set of wheels on Monday and i am guessing that Subaru will be hopeing they last until my warranty is over in March.
I dont think that is very fair but what else can i do?
I suppose they should be properly powder coated.

I dont have any pics handy.
The rear boot piston thingy's are also covered in surface rust.

What problems have you came across?
I would like to keep a eye out for any problems developing between now and March for obvious reasons.

Cheers
I agree, I think it is a problem with powdercoating at the factory. It's really only on the newer cars that I have seen it on (Spec-D's, Sti's and WRX's, and now creeping through on Legacys aswell) so i dont know if they have changed their painting methods in recent years or not. And it is always bubbling from the centrecaps.

Powercoating will usually cost between £150-200 for all four wheels. We get them at £150 for four as we do supply them with quite alot of wheels (but these are NOT warranty jobs, dont worry smile)

Never seen the surface rust or boot hinges being rusty.

What else have i come across? Struts. Rear suspension struts on most new Subarus are a nightmare. More commonly on STi's, but there have been a few WRX's creeping through the net. At any point if you hear any knocking noises from the back, get it straight into the dealer. It will most likely be Struts but this is covered under Subaru warranty as it is a known problem, so do not worry about paying this. If i remember right it is actually covered for longer than the standard Subaru warranty but best to check with your dealership about that one, either that or I will find out when i return to work on Wednesday.

Struts isnt a hard job, you are given a whole new Strut and top mount, back seats are taken out, wheel off, two bolts holding the hub assembly to the struts are taken out, three 12mm nuts on the top of the strut are also removed, strut drops down, swap the spring and rubbers onto new strut, and refit. 20 minutes a side maximum (if you are good wink)


Reidy10_0

Original Poster:

1,123 posts

233 months

Sunday 7th December 2008
quotequote all
I heard about the rear struts a while ago but i have never had any knocking sounds.
If you can look in to the timescale of warranty they are cover over i would appreciate it.

If this set of wheels dont last i will ask for them to be coated.
I think they are more painted than coated these days.
I am sure thats how they get the fancy pearl finishes etc.
Unfortuently painted wheels are not up to UK weather.

I had a problem with my last 1996 impreza wheels.
My tyres were allways going flat.
After a few sets of wheels Subaru admited having a problem with porous wheels.

I also have a 2003 forester and wheels are perfect, no fancy finishes on them just good old fashioned powder coating.

adamfraser

569 posts

232 months

Monday 8th December 2008
quotequote all
Reidy10_0 said:
I heard about the rear struts a while ago but i have never had any knocking sounds.
If you can look in to the timescale of warranty they are cover over i would appreciate it.
No problem smile


Reidy10_0 said:
I also have a 2003 forester and wheels are perfect, no fancy finishes on them just good old fashioned powder coating.
Indeed - They should stick with their old methods. Although saying that, their paintjob on Outback wheels from around 03-05 was a monumental flop - they are the worst corroding (the mirror finished ones)!

Reidy10_0

Original Poster:

1,123 posts

233 months

Monday 8th December 2008
quotequote all
adamfraser said:
Reidy10_0 said:
I heard about the rear struts a while ago but i have never had any knocking sounds.
If you can look in to the timescale of warranty they are cover over i would appreciate it.
No problem smile


Reidy10_0 said:
I also have a 2003 forester and wheels are perfect, no fancy finishes on them just good old fashioned powder coating.
Indeed - They should stick with their old methods. Although saying that, their paintjob on Outback wheels from around 03-05 was a monumental flop - they are the worst corroding (the mirror finished ones)!
Do you work at S&S by any chance?





adamfraser

569 posts

232 months

Tuesday 9th December 2008
quotequote all
Indeed I do. smile

Reidy10_0

Original Poster:

1,123 posts

233 months

Tuesday 9th December 2008
quotequote all
adamfraser said:
Indeed I do. smile
Thats where i am getting the work done at the moment.
I think you will find a few of your work mates scratching the heads today while replacing a sunroof unit.

Lorna tells me I am collecting the car tonight.

Nice 330 STI in the show room!

adamfraser

569 posts

232 months

Tuesday 9th December 2008
quotequote all
Reidy10_0 said:
adamfraser said:
Indeed I do. smile
Thats where i am getting the work done at the moment.
I think you will find a few of your work mates scratching the heads today while replacing a sunroof unit.

Lorna tells me I am collecting the car tonight.

Nice 330 STI in the show room!
Hope it all goes well for you - I'm back in tomorrow smile enjoyed my holiday too much frown haha.

330 is Lovely... seats are especially great, proper recaros. Still - 5k extra for what is esentially an STi with a PPP, and a few nice seats and a push start?


Reidy10_0

Original Poster:

1,123 posts

233 months

Tuesday 9th December 2008
quotequote all
Over £30K if i remember correctly.
I did not get a good feeling inside the car, very tight.

Still picking up the car tonight but just been told that Subaru sent the wrong sun roof and they are on back order so it could be next year before it is fixed.

Magic!

Another trip to the seaside in January

adamfraser

569 posts

232 months

Tuesday 9th December 2008
quotequote all
Reidy10_0 said:
Over £30K if i remember correctly.
I did not get a good feeling inside the car, very tight.

Still picking up the car tonight but just been told that Subaru sent the wrong sun roof and they are on back order so it could be next year before it is fixed.

Magic!

Another trip to the seaside in January
Yeah its about 31k OTR price or thereabouts if i remember right.

Typical bloody International Motors - can they EVER get a delivery right?

Hope it all gets sorted out in the end for you mate. smile

Thejimreaper

3,178 posts

234 months

Wednesday 17th December 2008
quotequote all
Had my wheels on my 06 STI refurbed about 6 months ago. Not because they needed it i just fancied changing the colour. The chap that did them said the original paint was rubbish.

stara

137 posts

230 months

Wednesday 17th December 2008
quotequote all
it's not just subaru that have wheel problems, lexus do too, i don't think the japanese know we use salt on our roads, anyway, i removed my alloys (same as those pictured) and fitted a set of pff7 replicas made by redline, they've been on 18months and still look great.

Reidy10_0

Original Poster:

1,123 posts

233 months

Friday 24th April 2009
quotequote all
26K miles and i am now on claiming for my 4th set of alloys.
I am going through more alloys than i am tyres.
WTF is going on Subaru?????