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Flaking Alloys - Replace or Refurb?

Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 8:49 pm
by boysey
Anyone had any experience with getting replacement alloys out of their local dealer or 'proper' refurbishment?

Long story, short ...

Bought the car a few months ago from dealer (car was 3 months old), the wheels had a few minor marks and part of the negotiation I asked to have them replaced. Not surprisingly the said 'no', but would refurbsih them. At the time I enquired about having them doing 'properly' as I had ready about flaking if not done 'properl'y. They said they would have them done accordingly.

Here we are a few months later and they are starting to flake .. so do I insist on getting them done somewhere like Lepsons (?) so I know they are done properly or push for replacements?

If there is anyone with getting them replaced that would help my argument ... 8)

Cheers,
Boys

RE: Flaking Alloys - Replace or Refurb?

Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 8:58 pm
by al'srs4
I have 07 B7 RS4 and am going through exactly the same. I have already told the dealer (over the phone) that I want the wheel replacing - he didn't say no, just bring the car in and we will have a look at it. What really erks me is the fact that the flaking alloy is the only one I haven't kerbed - F*****g typical.

Will let you now how I get on. Alex :?

Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 10:04 pm
by boysey
Nice one Alex .. :D

I have 3 flaking :roll:

I plan to go to the dealers on Thursday so will post on here how I get on ...

Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 8:05 am
by 55JWB
I had exactly this when I had my car, I wrote a letter to the dealer principal about my buying experience, not a shouting letter, I explained that I did not want a 'man in the van' solution and wanted either replacements or Pristine or Lepsoms to do the job properly, they originally suggested that they would contribute the cost they would have spent with the man in the van toward a proper solution they eventually paid for all four (all four were flaking) to be done at Pristine....

Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 8:51 am
by Skip
Bought mine a year old last Aug, 3 wheels were flacking so dealer said they would refurb them in there body shop, fine by me. The car went back into there body shop yesterday for the same thing 3 wheels getting refurb'ed. If it happens again I will push for new wheels, not going to be getting a refurb done every few months. All done under warrenty as well.

Skip

Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 9:34 am
by victor2vt
Advice i've always been given.

Make sure you use a non acidic alloy wheel cleaner.

Don't use red hot water to clean them

Don't have the power wash wand too close to them when hosing wheel

cleaner off.

The only manfacturer i've experienced who, more or less, had a no

quibble policy regarding flaking, not kerbed, alloys was Mitsibushi, 1999

to 2002 Evo V1 Official Raliart import 3 year factory warranty, owned

from new.

They took photos of the flaking alloy/s, e.mailed them to HQ who then

informed dealer to refurb or replace, under warranty, at their cost, no

questions asked

Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 5:23 pm
by S25MRS
If there's anyone that has a single OEM wheel they'd like to sell, whether flaking or not, please let me know - I've got a thread running in classifieds, so my apologies if this one is a bit naughty :?:

Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 5:25 pm
by Skip
OK just got the car back, 3 whole days in the Audi body shop. I might be a bit critical I'm not a car body painter. There are stone chips they have just painted over poor paint job ie thin in at the spokes if at all, rub marks like the have used fine emery on a couple of areas, couple of what looks like dust in the paint. All four wheels are the same something wrong with them. :(

What too do? 1: Take it back saying its a very poor job for 3 days work.
2: Get a second opinion on the work from another body shop.


Skip

Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 5:59 pm
by ARSEY4
S25MRS wrote:If there's anyone that has a single OEM wheel they'd like to sell, whether flaking or not, please let me know - I've got a thread running in classifieds, so my apologies if this one is a bit naughty :?:
You have pm

Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 6:53 pm
by Virdee Autos
Take it back, I certainly would not be happy!

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 10:46 am
by dom888
I just noticed that one of mine is flaking after Wayside Milton Keynes refurbished it.

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 8:20 pm
by boysey
Well .. they offered to do a 'proper' job in their body shop so am hopeful they will sort it :roll: although reading about Skip's experience I am far from convinced ... :cry: let's see...

Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 6:44 am
by Skip
Went back to the dealer yesterday to complain, asked for the Bodyshop manager but got the guy who did the work, he actually did the work the last time as well. I said that for the car being with them for three whole days it looks like the job was done by an apprentice and not supervised. Was told he and an apprentice worked on them. If this is what you call a professional job on a car of this value its a poor reflect on the bodyshop. He went to get the bodyshop manager but came back saying he was busy and that he would speak to the Sales Manager on Monday, to see what he would do. I said from the conversasion I had with the bodyshop manager a few days ago I expected the wheels to be shot blast back to bare metal and done properly, Just need to wait and see what happens on Monday now.

Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 4:39 pm
by Adamt
Mine havent been scuffed, however I noticed that the 'paint' is certainly thinner in some places than others. I was going to mention this at my next service - thoughts?

Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 6:56 pm
by Mgbruce
After a long battle with Audi Aberdeen i have 4 x new alloy wheels being fitted on the 28th, i am getting the new wheels due to the poor finish i.e. some parts not painted correctly. This has taken me over 4 months to get the result i wanted and after being told all RS4 the wheels were the same from the factory. I have some pictures somewhere i will post later.