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BMW did a number on my alloys

6K views 68 replies 22 participants last post by  Major_Sarcasm 
#1 ·
Before we get started, the dealer in question (who will not be named at this stage) are working with me to rectify the issue, but I felt I needed to vent this.

Long story short, I've had a ballache having two new rears fitted. Not getting callbacks, no updates, car not moving all day etc. and losing two days wages (that's after waiting for them to arrive in stock, so two days to actually fit the tyres)
This is what BMW did to my alloys... Thankfully I inspected the car before leaving.
BMW have offered a refurb, however having had a BMW refurb before which failed within a year, I'm still dubious...

So take this as a warning everyone, always always always check your car over fully before leaving!!
Pics:





UPDATE:
Should mention as well, they left 63psi in one of my tyres and I only realised when the pressure monitor system reset as I got home... Now the tyre says "do not exceed 40psi" so is this tyre now unsafe to use also??
 
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#2 ·
That is awful, you can tell how they've done it and it's just lack of attention/rushing!
 
#4 ·
HN1989x said:
OMG.

This just made me cringe.

I have a slow puncture that needs to be repaired and I am stressing at the thought of anyone touching my alloys lol
I have a place near me that has one of those auto machines, means a hand will never touch the alloy, always ask them to use that! Might be worth having a look around and seeing if anyone has one of them
 
#6 ·
Holy moly that's awful - what a mess they've made of it. Makes mine look paltry by comparison:


Amazing that there's two instances of this on page 1 of the forum (same wheels too). Hope you get it all (fully) sorted bud.

As I felt like saying to the owner of the place that damaged mine, it doesn't matter how much you've spent on that tyre fitting machine if you've got a :censored2: MONKEY operating it!
 
#7 ·
garysan said:
Holy moly that's awful - what a mess they've made of it. Makes mine look paltry by comparison:


Amazing that there's two instances of this on page 1 of the forum (same wheels too). Hope you get it all (fully) sorted bud.

As I felt like saying to the owner of the place that damaged mine, it doesn't matter how much you've spent on that tyre fitting machine if you've got a :censored2: MONKEY operating it!
I'm appalled at how much damage they've done and how little contact I've had since...
 
#9 ·
marco_polo said:
63 psi - I'd insist on a new one for free. Maximum tyre pressure will be marked on the sidewall, but I'd be amazed if it's over 50 psi.
It states on the tyre 'do not exceed 40psi whilst fitting bead" bit worrying as they know I work far away from where I live, but we're happy to let me drive on it...
 
#10 ·
Thats a wrecked tyre. Complain, bitterly. Jesus, what is the world coming to, doesnt anyone care about their job any more? Dangerous incompetance; there are no excuses, and no words to explain that.
 
#12 ·
That is absolutely appalling, I'd be :censored2: seething. Please mate, do NOT accept a refurb on your wheel, demand a NEW wheel and demand a NEW tyre......and demand that they don't let some Troglodyte with fewer brain cells than teeth work on your car.
 
#13 ·
Right went in this morning.

BMW Cooper Thames Ditton are refusing to replace my alloys and will only offer a refurb.

They have also said the tyre should still be ok, but will "check it Saturday" so I'll be driving on a potentially dangerous tyre for another week...

This will be the last BMW I buy now. I'm f*cking disgusted with how I've been treated...
 
#14 ·
I really doubt you'll be able to push for a new alloy, as frustrating as it is.

If they really wont budge on the refurb it might be worth having the next level ready to suggest - you'll accept them covering the cost of a refurb carried out by a company of your choosing and get a professional, reputable refurber to do a good job of fixing it. This is a possible middle ground I'd try and go for. Again they probably wont go for it as they'll say they can't guarantee another companies work, but if you state a previous BMW refurb failed then see what they say. Maybe say you accept the guarantee then is with the other company, but you want BMW to foot the bill.

In terms of the pressure, they obviously just blew the bead onto the rim using whatever pressure was in the air line and didn't bother to set a max. Either some lazy fitter or the teaboy doing some training. Either way that's really bad from a main dealer, but my worry would be that they've most likely done that to all the tyres they fitted and simply forgot to deflate that one to the correct pressure. So how many people are driving on tyres that have been blasted up to that pressure routinely?

It's frustrating that no-one seems to take any pride in anything these days. Even though it's 'only' fitting tyres, why not do a good job.

I'm dreading getting new tyres and trying to find a fitter I can trust not to mess the wheels/tyres up.
 
#16 ·
Another reason I don't think a refurb is good enough is; my car went into BMW with unmarked alloys, that are about a year old, and could pass as new.
So why should I settle for anything less than new ones? I trusted my vehicle to be looked after at the dealership, I paid over the odds for my tyres, I had to go back and forth to the dealership to chase them for an update on why it was taking them 2+ days to fit some bloody tyres. I lost two days wages, plus spent a fortune in fuel travelling to and from thames ditton, so I would expect BMW to atleast cough up for some new alloys.
 
#17 ·
I know how you feel, but you also need to be realistic.

Replacing alloys for cosmetic damage isn't going to happen and under trading standards probably an unreasonable request since the company is only expected to correct any damage they created. A replacement would be the next step if a repair couldn't be carried out effectively.

Not saying you shouldn't push for it, just not to expect it, and have a second position you'd be willing to accept as middle ground :wink:.
 
#18 ·
Barney McGrew said:
I know how you feel, but you also need to be realistic.

Replacing alloys for cosmetic damage isn't going to happen and under trading standards probably an unreasonable request since the company is only expected to correct any damage they created. A replacement would be the next step if a repair couldn't be carried out effectively.

Not saying you shouldn't push for it, just not to expect it, and have a second position you'd be willing to accept as middle ground :wink:.
Would you think that accepting a full alloy refurbishment (so fully stripped of paint and sprayed back over as a whole again) to be a realistic middle ground?
 
#19 ·
I certainly wouldn't accept it and would fight long and hard to get a replacement, they owe it to you due to the shoddy way have been treated and the shoddy what they have treated your car....along with a grovelling apology. Could you contact Michelin for an opinion on the tyre? Have to say that as much as I love my car, the after sales experience I have had with my dealer has left a very bitter taste in my mouth. If I hear the word "characteristic" once more........ :censored2: :censored2: :censored2:
 
#20 ·
Stegosaurus said:
Would you think that accepting a full alloy refurbishment (so fully stripped of paint and sprayed back over as a whole again) to be a realistic middle ground?
Completely depends on what you can work out with the dealer.

I'm not saying don't ask for a replacement, just to be realistic that you'll probably need to do a little dancing around finding a middle ground that suits both you and the dealer.
 
#21 ·
Stegosaurus said:
Another reason I don't think a refurb is good enough is; my car went into BMW with unmarked alloys, that are about a year old, and could pass as new.
So why should I settle for anything less than new ones? I trusted my vehicle to be looked after at the dealership, I paid over the odds for my tyres, I had to go back and forth to the dealership to chase them for an update on why it was taking them 2+ days to fit some bloody tyres. I lost two days wages, plus spent a fortune in fuel travelling to and from thames ditton, so I would expect BMW to atleast cough up for some new alloys.
The wheels are poorly finished from the factory. A refurbishment done properly won't be worse that they were.
 
#22 ·
Kerr said:
Stegosaurus said:
Another reason I don't think a refurb is good enough is; my car went into BMW with unmarked alloys, that are about a year old, and could pass as new.
So why should I settle for anything less than new ones? I trusted my vehicle to be looked after at the dealership, I paid over the odds for my tyres, I had to go back and forth to the dealership to chase them for an update on why it was taking them 2+ days to fit some bloody tyres. I lost two days wages, plus spent a fortune in fuel travelling to and from thames ditton, so I would expect BMW to atleast cough up for some new alloys.
The wheels are poorly finished from the factory. A refurbishment done properly won't be worse that they were.
Hardly a ringing endorsement but I agree, paintwork is a bit patchy on factory fresh ones. I'm having two of mine referbed next week so we'll see hoe they come back. Hopefully a bit better than original...
 
#23 ·
Stegosaurus said:
Would you think that accepting a full alloy refurbishment (so fully stripped of paint and sprayed back over as a whole again) to be a realistic middle ground?
I have to agree with Barney, go for it, but yes, thats a realistic middle ground. It'll be structurally sound, so provided its cosmetically indistinguishable, its reasonable. I know you'll know, but sadly even in court you probably wont get more.

Raceys suggestion to contact Michelin is a good one; if you can get a response from them as evidence, then a new tyre from the dealer is inevitable. Even without it, they should be rolling over and not even contesting that. You wouldnt have anything to gain from over-inflating it yourself just to get another new tyre, after having just paid for ine (and all the inconvenience). I'd be in there raising my voice on a Saturday morning, making sure potential customers heard it, after the way they havent resolved this quickly.

Edit: Michelin care line 0800 031 8802 M-F 09:00-18:00.
 
#24 ·
I bought an ex demo Ford from a main dealer online/ over phone and it was described as perfect, i asked about marks on alloys, etc and was told they were as new. A week later i drove 180 miles to collect it to find 1 alloy kerbed :x dealer said he'd sort a refurb out local to me which was done a week later. I called to pick up the wheel (diamond cut face) to find the specialist company had made a mess of the refurb - bubbles/ blisters under laquer on polished face, gouge marks all over inner rim and poor finish between spokes.
It has taken 4 weeks of threats/ poor reviews on google, etc to get the result i wanted - a brand new alloy delivered to me and i'm keeping the refurbed 1 to sell on ebay :D
Keep pushing - leave reviews on all BMW forums, google, etc and someone higher up in the chain will get to see how you were treated which could be what the dealer needs to sort the problem out - they don't want potential new customers to know how bad they treat customers so will try to make you take down the reviews
 
#26 ·
Same dealership that I used to have my recall work done. (Last week)

Honestly the service guy that I dealt with was quite arrogant and dismissive.

I met with the Dealer Principal who was much more understanding and willing to hold his hand up.

I can't remember his name right now but I would be asking for a sit down with him.

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