Wheels flaking

[drbru]

Recently bought the RS4 knowing that there was a little bit of flaking...However its got significantly worse possibly due to a lot of Albanian jet washing....

Any idea how much to repair...Im assume a wheel refurber will need to prep all wheels and then re-spray them?

Another option...Is this something I can claim on warranty??

Cheers

Brunel

[Pie]

Up here in Scotland you'll be between £50 - £100+ per wheel depending on who you go to although bearing in mind you always get what you pay for (long term)
I guess the main issue (like painting bodywork) would be getting a good match with the other wheels so might be worth getting the corresponding wheel on the same side done at the same time??

Not sure what the warranty from Audi says although again it may come under the banner of paintwork / corrosion so you may have a case as a wheel is certainly not a wear and tear item.
If the other 3 wheels are minted, unkerbed and obviously been well looked after you could probably argue poor workmanship from Audi.
It won't do you any harm to put it to them and challenge them, also if you don't ask you don't get!

[lengster1]

Doubt very much it will be covered under warranty as i would have a large bet on the fact its flaking due to being smart repaired ie tight arse local repair instead of doing the whole wheel,it should be covered if it was done as part of prep for sale at an audi dealership but you try and get them to admit or honour it!! Ive just coughed up £470 for full set properly done at lepsoms

[Marcus-RS4]

Lepsons FTW

[Nib]

Agree with lengster1. Probably been done on the cheap before.

These wheels need to be stripped, painted properly then baked. Lepsons will tell you that their process is the same as the factory finish, and I believe them. Never had a problem with their refurbs.

[dutchbarge]

I Purchased my RS4 in December 2009, and the wheels started flaking, and Audi ended up paying for them, i live in West Yorkshire, but for anybody wanting there wheels refurbing i HIGHLY RECOMMMEND these guys they did a right job, they removed wheels from vehicle, removed tyres, prep and powder coat them really pleased. Price £329.00 for all four
Details:
The Wheel Specialist
Unit 4 Phoenix Court
Lotherton Way
Garforth, Leeds, LS25 2GY Tel:0845 4654867

[Pie]

Was giving the car a good clean tonight and I noticed a slighter darker shade of silver on one of my wheels, on closer inspection it turns out the lacquer has started to peel. Washed and dried the rest and gave them all a much closer inspection and pretty much every wheel has at least one blemish to the top coat, some nothing more than a couple of mm, others a good +10mm squared.

Have only had the car since end of February this year and covered about 2300 miles (Bought from Audi Wakefield with 12 month Warranty).
All 4 wheels are otherwise minted and I have made no contact with any kerbs in the time I have owned the car.

Local Audi dealer gave me a printout of the car's repair history when I went in with an EPC fault which includes a line stating all 4 wheels being refurbed by Leeds Audi November 2009. Car had only done 100 miles between the refurb and me taking ownership so it looks like the repair was done as part of prep work.
As I'll be over that side of town tomorrow for a meeting, will drop in by with the car and see what they say.

[Pie]

Not interested!
Actually thats maybe a bit harsh, the local dealer won't honour this repair even though I had an Audi repair history sheet stating all 4 wheels were refurbed only 7 months (Approx 2500 miles ago)
Looks like Wakefield had carried out a shonky Smart repair as prep prior to sale.

Seemingly this is sold as seen and carries no warranty - which I'm somewhat sceptical about.
Although this isn't Aberdeen Audi's fault, the vehicle was still sold through the Audi network and as such, minumum standards should still apply.
Repair work failing to last more than 7 months surely cannot be acceptable?

I might take this up with my local consumers advice crowd and get some feedback otherwise it looks like getting the wheels away to Lepsons for a full on refurb.

[Marcus-RS4]

Doesn't work carried out by an Audi garage carry a 2 year guarantee, else, what's the point in spending over the odds?

[lengster1]

Yes it should,but as i stated earlier i think you will have a job on trying to get them to honour it,they prep on the cheap with things such as this,you have a good case though with it being recorded in its service log,i didnt even bother looking at mine just bit the bullet,an audi approved used car should have no major expense in its first year of ownership thats what you pay the premium for,i would take if further but thats just my opinion,its common practice with all dealers to have cheap smart repairs done but on wheels it looks crap within months and is not a proper repair,as ever it comes down to money,they will fob you unless you push hard,i had good responce from customer services recently after being fobbed by a jumped up service manager who didnt know an rs4 from a focus,if you have a genuine case i think they will help,it does take the shine off things having all the aggro though

[Marcus-RS4]

The think is, its not a great deal more money to get them done properly.. Sooo impressed with my Lepsons job, they are like brand new again! (truly!)

[RS6chris!]

I was in the same boat...Audi "refurbed" mine for them to flake within 6 months!!! Grrr...wernt intrested when i complained.

How much does a cheap smart repair cost? probably the same as a proper re feurb.

I just had all 4 off mine powdercoated from a local guy on an industrial estate for £200!!!!

They look ace proper job and full whell done insides as well.....tyres off...acid bath...powdercoated...re balanced the lot.

I,m in the north east so if any one wants to know..its in Thornaby Teeside.

My point is for 200 squid a proper job if Audi looked furthur afield than the local smart repair bloke in a van they could get a proper job done cheaper!!!!

[matthew.lewis2]

What colour and how good is the gloss finish that people are going for in the powder coating?

[RS6chris!]

What colour and how good is the gloss finish that people are going for in the powder coating?

The finish is great..very glossy...although mine are darker than the OEM colour...but i like them...almost slighty Anthracite.

[dibbs26]

I believe Pristine Wheels down south do an excellent job. They have the UK contract for Lexus wheels.
They can also do an exact OEM match.