Alloy wheel corrision

Stealthdave

Active Member
Sep 28, 2006
298
0
Car is coming up to the end of its 3 year warranty.

Just noticed the following bubbling on two seperate spots on the same alloys

THESE PHOTOS ARE NOT OF THE SAME BUBBLING, BUT 2 DIFFERENT INSTANCES.

Anyone know if this is covered by the warranty?

1st instance:
DSC04913%20(Medium).JPG


2nd instance:
DSC04915%20(Medium).JPG
 
Last edited:

jezyg

Active Member
Feb 21, 2003
2,324
22
Derby
I have had this isssue on another marque of car and intially the warranty claim was refused as it was said to be caused by stone chips hitting the side and then corrosion setting in. I did argue this should not happen on a car just over a year old and in the end Cadillac agreed to refurbish all 4 wheels.

Deffo worth putting a claim in and saying you have never used corrosive cleaners ect.
 

Cupra Jim

Active Member
Nov 18, 2009
148
0
Coventry
had this with BMW Mini and they refused and stuck by their guns too. Ended up sitting in the show room and refused to leave til I spoke to the dealer principle. Still no joy, I wish you the best of luck!
 

jezyg

Active Member
Feb 21, 2003
2,324
22
Derby
done 25,000, it is only on one wheel

Thats how many the Cadillac had done I also used the line that I had a BMW of similar millage driven on the same roads with no such issues. But it is a hard one to do as looking at your pictures it is a stone chip that has casued the intial damage and allowed water ingress.

The design yoou have is also more prone to stone chip strikes than other designs after alengthy talk with a Cadillac/Saab Engineer. In the end you may have to pay the £50 to get it refurbished or get a good will gesture. I could not get my wheels replaced but Cadillac did pay for the wheels to be refurbished. To be honest the powder coat finish is actually thicker and stronger than the orginal paint and laquer finish.
 

Stealthdave

Active Member
Sep 28, 2006
298
0
Sorry, should also add that these are two different spokes, and not the same...

We also have a mini cooper that is 5 years old which apart from the missus kerbing them have DO NOT have anything liek this bubbling on them.

If SEAT won't do anything, is it going ot get any worse if I dont get it fixed?
 

jezyg

Active Member
Feb 21, 2003
2,324
22
Derby
Sorry, should also add that these are two different spokes, and not the same...

We also have a mini cooper that is 5 years old which apart from the missus kerbing them have DO NOT have anything liek this bubbling on them.

If SEAT won't do anything, is it going ot get any worse if I dont get it fixed?

It will slowly bubble through further yes as the corrosion progresses so does need sorting sooner rather than later. But is more unsightly than anything else.
 

craigomills

Candy White FR TDI 170
Mar 31, 2005
195
0
Derby
I had the same on my old EP3 Civic Type R - Honda replaced all 4 wheels with no arguments.

Doubt SEAT would do this as they are tossers. (well the garage I use are anyhoo)
 
Aug 16, 2007
666
0
Wolverhampton
My alloys have covered 40k and are over 3 years old, no signs of corrosion at all - if the dealer shows you another 3 year old car with no damage your claim is going to be shot down in flames.

I think to get your dealer to make/contribute to repairs you need to choose your words carefully. Have you always had your car serviced there? Including the brake fluid and air-con? Which dealer is it? Maybe someone else has dealt with them with a similar problem?
 

Stealthdave

Active Member
Sep 28, 2006
298
0
Car has always been serviced by a seat dealer, but NOT the one I bought it from.

Had the brake fluid done at 20k service as recomended. Never any mention of servicing the aircon.

My warranty runs out 9th January, booked in for service on 4th so will metnion it then.
 

mifune

You just try and kill me
Dec 19, 2009
24
0
NORN IRON
this happened to a mate's alloys ONLY he had the wheels for 2 WEEKS ! i think it a defect myself ...classic case of contamination with the top coat chemically reacting with something underneath !
 

OLDOILER

Full Member
Jul 28, 2005
1,292
1
Wiltshire, UK
My alloys have covered 40k and are over 3 years old, no signs of corrosion at all - if the dealer shows you another 3 year old car with no damage your claim is going to be shot down in flames.

I think to get your dealer to make/contribute to repairs you need to choose your words carefully. Have you always had your car serviced there? Including the brake fluid and air-con? Which dealer is it? Maybe someone else has dealt with them with a similar problem?
You will have a tough case, they will say that you used an aggresive wheel cleaner - very hard to prove otherwise too. Had a simlar case on VW Passat ALL 4 wheels blistered would'nt even go 50/50?!
 

Stealthdave

Active Member
Sep 28, 2006
298
0
Yeah, not holding out much hope either really, but it really is crap.

this happened to a mate's alloys ONLY he had the wheels for 2 WEEKS ! i think it a defect myself ...classic case of contamination with the top coat chemically reacting with something underneath !
 

richard_c_61

Guest
Car is coming up to the end of its 3 year warranty.

Just noticed the following bubbling on two seperate spots on the same alloys

THESE PHOTOS ARE NOT OF THE SAME BUBBLING, BUT 2 DIFFERENT INSTANCES.

Anyone know if this is covered by the warranty?

1st instance:
DSC04913%20(Medium).JPG


2nd instance:
DSC04915%20(Medium).JPG

Replaced one wheel on mine under warrenty, done similar miles to you car nearly 3 year old

Just stick to your guns and argue like hell youve nothing to lose
 

Stealthdave

Active Member
Sep 28, 2006
298
0
Just spoke to the dealers and apparently the alloys are only covered for one year and they won't fix it...:(

Is this something an alloy refurb company could probably fix? I've noticed that where the worst of it is that it is started to peel away and is down to the bare...
 

Cupra Jim

Active Member
Nov 18, 2009
148
0
Coventry
Yeah an alloy wheel firm will sort that a piece of cake, just make sure its a powder coat rather than a re spray, as it will bubble quicker if just sprayed.

Wait til the winter ends now and then get it done, if it gets worse don't worry as they will sort it.


Jim