I knwo I dont post on here much, but I lurk all the time. Anyhow I am slightly displeased with my car and at this point my local dealer. My 05 coupe has been into thier service department multiple times for minor annoyances and a sensor failure.

Well I have a couple problems, first my 19" wheels have the finish coming off of them on three of my four wheels. It's like it is just flaking off around the outer edges in certain places on each wheel. I just hadn't dealt with this because I have no time. Well two nights ago I'm driving and my low tire pressure sensor comes on. I pull over to look at my tire because my car is pulling....Get out to find my valve stem leaking out of the middle of it! I take off the valve cap and it just snaps in half. I was so pissed so i take it to the dealer in hopes that they will warranty it, well as it turns out they are trying to say I hit a curb and that is why it broke and they will not warranty it. And the finish on the wheels is their evidence saying things are embedded in the actual rim, I live in CO for gods sake, Its been through winter driving of course there are things in there! Anyway I am just upset with this car overall at this point, so many small problems I almost wish I had kept my VW. If anyone has any ideas on how to deal with either issue I am open to them. By the way the car only has 5600 miles on it if that is of any relevance.

 

U Should have bought the wheel and tire warranty for like $500-this would have been covered.

 

As far as the finish goes, couldn't road salt do that? What have you used to clean them? Only asking because my '05 19s are fine.

As for the valve stem, that certainly seems odd, but if it were due to a fault in the tire it would seem likely that it would have showed itself prior to this. It does sound like something damaged it, be it during your driving or perhaps a case of vandalism? If damage to the rims is to be expected due to your location/climate, is the valve-stem damage possibly related to road debris or snow/ice build-up? I would think that aluminum stem would get fragile in the cold.

 

I've thought about the road salt thing, but I know other people with G's and they have no problems given the same conditions, being that it is not my primary car in the winter doubt that is why the finish is coming off. I just use aluminum wheel cleaner to clean them nothing fancy and I stay away from the oily tire dressings.

It is possible that vandalism could have occured as it was parked in the parking lot at my college for about 6 hours before this happened. I don't know, I guess I am just frustrated with the car and the little things. Its not about the money for the parts, its just stuff like this shouldnt happen to cars in this class/price range all the time.

 

you should not be upset about your car, it's just the infiniti service, i wish i had kept my bmw 330 too, infiniti warranty doesnt do anything, i feel like i bought a used out of warranty car..
anyhow this is my first and last nissan....

 

haha...thats what my friends say about BMW

 

Why use aluminum wheel cleaner? Regular old car wash cleaner has got to be a "softer" on the wheels.

 

This is also my first and last nissan.

 

i usually use whatever I am washing my car with, but when the break dust is stuck on there I have to use some kind of cleaner to get it off and they never come out as good as with a cleaner of some sort. Point is I have owned several cars with this finish on the wheels and never has one done this to me. The service really does **** me off though.

 

im with you 2

 

now i'm worried about my OEM 19" and the upcoming NYC winter.
anyone keep their OEM wheels on year round?

 

me 3

 

hehe, nope aluminum won't get brittle in the cold. No more than the steel body on your car.

 

Yep, I have to agree with you here. I have many friends with BMW and they are pretty fed up with them. So far, I haven't had any big problems with the car or service.

 

Wow, I am surprised to hear that.

When I had my 04 350Z 6MT, I had great service from Nissan. I get even better service with my G35C. I had no problems with the finish on rims but I do not face the extreme weather conditions that you do so...

I don't think road salt would take off the finish. It's clearcoated and I have used highly abrasive polish on my stock 19's when I had em and they rims were fine. I mean I scrubbed those suckers.

Maybe you got paint thinner on em or paint remover? That will lift the finish on ANYTHING. If there is no proof of impact or actual rashes from curbing the rims then the dealer SHOULD cover it! Especially with only 5600 miles. Try another dealer man or make your salesman help you.