At my most recent service visit (15k), the tech at the dealership managed to damage all 4 of my 18" sport suspension (sedan) wheels. It looked like the tech was angling the impact wrench incorrectly and ground marks into each of the lug nut hole sides.

I brought the car in to show a service advisor and he agreed that they need to take care of it. Basically, it's going to come down to one of two options. Get all 4 wheels refinished or order me 4 new wheels. Most likely, they would have the wheels refinished.

I'm curious if any of you have had experience with having wheels refinished. I know they will look good, but will they hold up well over time? I had a wheel refinished on a previous car and the finish on that wheel was starting to peel or flake a bit after a few years. I'd accept the refinishing, if I can be certain that the quality is like new in appearance AND longevity.

I know I'd prefer new wheels, but can't imagine they would be willing to pay extra for that.

Thanks for the comments.

Damon

 

try for the new wheel, doesnt hurt to try. maybe they will get you knew ones.
the reason why this happens is that with the air gun they use to take off the lugs it scratches the the lugnute holes. next time tell them to loosen them manually or have them use rubber boot on the socket

 

I'd insist on new replacements.
Refinished/painted I'm assuming, will not last as long as OEM factory finish. It's an unknown + depends who they pick to refinish them. Their choice, not yours.
If they insist on refinshed ones, then I'd demand some kind of warranty on the finish.
It would suck if a year or so down the road the finish is going bad, then you're stuck with ugly wheels that look like they have 100K+ on them and the Dealer will laugh at your claim without something in writing for finish warrany. They would make it your fault down the road.
This was not your fault, I would expect exact OEM finish/replacements.
The Dealer can just write it off as a lose on their end.

G/L

 

Damon,

Id also decide on the new replacements.

 

Definitely replacements.

 

Believe me, if I can get replacement wheels out of them, I will. I guess I'm figuring that will be quite an uphill battle.

I'm just curious if anyone has had good or bad luck with refinished wheels.

Thanks for all the replies!

 

Update:

It sounds like the dealer will only refinish the wheels. I asked about a warranty or guarantee on the finish and he told me that I'd have to talk with the service manager and he transferred me to him. I left a message and am waiting to hear back.

Has anyone had any good or bad experiences with the LONG-term quality of refinished wheels?

 

yeah, I ve had fine refinished wheels that were fine but, Id still push for a guarantee.

 

Pics of damage?

 

***UPDATE***

They "refinished" the wheels today. They apparently have some guy who is a mobile service do it right on site in the back of his truck. I go to pick up the car pretty happy that they were able to finish in one day. However, when I get there and see the results, I was pissed!

All the guy did was refinish the center area of the wheels just around the lug-nut holes. The finish was crap!! It was rough and didn't match the color or lustre of the original wheels. I had even asked the service advisor before the car was pulled around how the wheels look and the advisor said they look "great"! What a crock! I couldn't believe that he actually thought that.

Anyway, I went back inside and told him to take a look with him and told him I was completely unhappy and that they quality is terrible. I reiterated that new wheels should have been ordered, because I knew that something like this would happen. Blah, blah, I went on for some time. I stayed in control, but was very direct and firm. He brought my loaner car back around and said he wanted to keep my car to have the manager look at the wheels in the morning and that they would call me with their resolution.

All I can say is that I will be very firm on demanding new wheels. They are wasting their own time and money as well as mine pursuing any other resolution than new wheels.

 

Id stay controlled but firm. you should expect them to step up.

 

Discover Infiniti (now Kearny Mesa Infiniti) in San Diego scratched my rear passenger side rims before when I had my oil change there. I showed it to the service advisor manager and with a firm voice, I told him I wanted a new rim. He said he will take care of it. I made sure it's documented on my receipt with his signature. On my next oil change, they change it with a brand new one. I am sure I could have them chage it the following day but I just waited on my next oil change to have it done to save trip.

 

Great News!!

The dealership called me up yesterday and said they were replacing my wheels with brand new ones. Let me say again, they replaced ALL 4 WHEELS! I was so happy and brought my baby back home today. She looks great again!

 

Glad this turned out ok. My advise would have been to get them replaced. I learned that the hard way

 

great news. glad to see the dealer did the right thing