Boy am I MAD!!!!
Discussion
I have to put this on here, if not for advice, just to get it off my chest. I've just returned from a tyre and wheel dealer out here (I'm fortunate enough to live in Spain) after having a rather unpleasant experience with the dealer concerned...
Last weekend I had a puncture on the Autopista and had to put the car on the back of a pick-up to get home. I run the car on 19 inch rims, but have a set of the original 17s so decided to change all four wheels as the 19s could benefit from a refurb anyway. Unfortunately one of the bolts on a front sheared clean off.
I took it to said dealer (who specialise in 18+ alloys so should know what they're dealing with and the costs involved, and are English so no communication issues) who said they could sort it out with a kit called "Easy-Out". When it came to addressing my situation they realised that this kit was of no use as it worked for broken bolts, not nuts. However, they told me not to worry, they'll do what they can. I said from the outset that I was very fond of my 19s so if you're worried about damaging them in any way, then feel free to pass on it and I'll take in to a the OPC to sort out, but they carried on. They said they would be able to drill out what remained of the nut until the remainder would crack up and fall off. I pointed out that there was only about 3mm of nut left on and showed them the tapered profile of the replacement nut - i.e. be careful not to drill too far...
An hour later and after a couple of additional requests by me not to drill too far after watching him the wheel is off and to my horror there is very little of the wheel left behind where the bolt sits. Having spoken to unbiased, uninvolved but very knowledgable experts in the field yesterday, this part of the wheel takes the majority of the stress in cornering and braking and so shouldn't be repaired, if it were even possible (a welding torch wouldn't work as it would be starved of oxygen inside the nut-hole). Basically I need a new wheel.
On asking them whether they accept any responsibility (very calmly and unagressively I might add) for the damage done and the replacement wheel now required I was pretty much ejected from the premises and asked not to return!!!
I could take them through the courts but I'm unlikely to get anywhere out here and if I did it would take forever. I can lodge a complaint with the Consumer Association Office out here and at least cause them some grief on that basis but other than that I'm a bit stuck and faced with a hefty replacement cost!
Sorry for the rant, but had to get it off my chest. If anyone does have any suggestions then I'd love to hear them. I don't think I'm allowed to name and shame so I won't although I'd really love to help to protect anyone else from having to deal with these guys (they have a UK dealership(s) too; not to mention it would make me feel better!!!!!!!!!!
Jem
Last weekend I had a puncture on the Autopista and had to put the car on the back of a pick-up to get home. I run the car on 19 inch rims, but have a set of the original 17s so decided to change all four wheels as the 19s could benefit from a refurb anyway. Unfortunately one of the bolts on a front sheared clean off.
I took it to said dealer (who specialise in 18+ alloys so should know what they're dealing with and the costs involved, and are English so no communication issues) who said they could sort it out with a kit called "Easy-Out". When it came to addressing my situation they realised that this kit was of no use as it worked for broken bolts, not nuts. However, they told me not to worry, they'll do what they can. I said from the outset that I was very fond of my 19s so if you're worried about damaging them in any way, then feel free to pass on it and I'll take in to a the OPC to sort out, but they carried on. They said they would be able to drill out what remained of the nut until the remainder would crack up and fall off. I pointed out that there was only about 3mm of nut left on and showed them the tapered profile of the replacement nut - i.e. be careful not to drill too far...
An hour later and after a couple of additional requests by me not to drill too far after watching him the wheel is off and to my horror there is very little of the wheel left behind where the bolt sits. Having spoken to unbiased, uninvolved but very knowledgable experts in the field yesterday, this part of the wheel takes the majority of the stress in cornering and braking and so shouldn't be repaired, if it were even possible (a welding torch wouldn't work as it would be starved of oxygen inside the nut-hole). Basically I need a new wheel.
On asking them whether they accept any responsibility (very calmly and unagressively I might add) for the damage done and the replacement wheel now required I was pretty much ejected from the premises and asked not to return!!!
I could take them through the courts but I'm unlikely to get anywhere out here and if I did it would take forever. I can lodge a complaint with the Consumer Association Office out here and at least cause them some grief on that basis but other than that I'm a bit stuck and faced with a hefty replacement cost!
Sorry for the rant, but had to get it off my chest. If anyone does have any suggestions then I'd love to hear them. I don't think I'm allowed to name and shame so I won't although I'd really love to help to protect anyone else from having to deal with these guys (they have a UK dealership(s) too; not to mention it would make me feel better!!!!!!!!!!
Jem
Sorry I cant offer any advice but I can simpathise with you, I live in the Algarve and have a Boxster, there's no one willing to work on it here so I have to make a 600kn round trip to Lisbon just to let a bunch of jokers work on it and then take the piss when presenting me with the bill. But hey we have better weather dont we?
), for example by suggesting that we can drive with the roof down in comfort (without the heater on full) 300 days per yearGassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff