I am SUCH an idiot. Why oh why didn't I inspect the wheels before the dealer put them on and before I drove away? I just got them installed last Thursday.

I decided last night to clean the salt and brake dust off of them, and I noticed some HUGE gouges in the passenger side front wheel. I assure you, I did not curb the rim, nor did something hit the rim to cause the damage to the wheel.

Can anyone help identify where the damage most likely occured? It could have happened at the factory, at TireRack, during shipping, or when the dealership put them on. I sent a note to Alex at TireRack asking if he has any guidance for me. I just hope someone can/will do something for me.

 

From here, it looks like accidental curb rash. But it could also have happened at the shop where the tires were mounted.... There is a chance that the rim fell flat onto the floor by accident when the installer was handling the rims, etc.

This is why it is so important to check shipped goods before accepting. Right now it is going to be very difficult for you to prove and assign liability to someone. Wait for Alex at Tirerack and see what he says about the damage.

It could also be highway debris damage.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful. The upside to this is that this type of rashes can be repaired from wheels to perfection.

 

Yep. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

What kind of professional do I need to go to? I didn't think it was repairable!

OT - I thought you weren't going to post anymore? I'm glad you are still at least offering advice...

 

That does not look like curb rash. I also don't think dropping it would create that array of scratches. My guess is that you ran over a stick and it bent up and scratched the wheel or something like that.

 

I would guess it was done at the shop that installed them otherwise they probably would have pointed it out since they were new. If you do a search for wheel repair in your area you will find a good wheel repair specialist. They fill in the gouges with body filler and repaint them.


http://www.wheelcollision.com/

http://www.truwheel.com/index.htm

http://www.unitedwheeltechs.com/


Or do it yourself: http://www.audiworld.com/tech/ext43.shtml

 

Does it look like perhaps a tool slipped? Like an impact wrench?

 

OMG, just a stick could do that kind of damage? Man, if a stick is harder than the surface of the wheel, I can't wait to see what they look like after a few months! I certainly thought they were more durable than to be scratched up by a stick. Are they THAT fragile?

I don't know if you can tell it from the picture, but the gouges are DEEP. It's not a surface injury. They are deep. Looks like down to the metal and then some...

Thanks!

 

Claim you did inspect them before installation and this damage must have happened during installation? Not ethical I know but look at the odds of where this damage could have occurred.

 

This kind of damage can be attributed to any number of causes. It's not 'curbing', but could be caused by road debris. IMO this could have happened most likely during mounting or installation. Tire Rack ships their wheels and tires pretty much safe from typical damage during shipping. My best guess is that the wheel was dropped sometime during the installation process, or something had fallen on the wheel itself. Careless use of the tire mounting equipment can cause this too.

The damage seems to be confined to the wheel finish, which could be pretty easily touched up to be unnoticable.

Was this damage seen right after picking up the car, or has it been a while?

 

Looking at your posted pictures it appears that the damage, scratch or gouge, radiates from the lug bolt hole. If that is a good assessment of the damage I would think it was caused by an installer dropping or letting the impact gun slide down the wheel.

It's very hard to tell the extent of the damage but, to me, it would be worth discussing it with the shop that installed the wheels.

I don't believe that it was damage from shipping as that would have been on the edge of the rim or the face of the spokes.

By the way, The Panasports do not fit the JCW brakes so I like you will most likely go with the ASA wheels as I like the look of them better than the Miniltes.

Hope this helps...

 

I saw it four days after picking up the car. All I did was go home from the dealership, and back and forth to work twice. I didn't drive it at all over the weekend. I didn't hit any curbs (I'm positive) and I don't remember ANY noise hitting the wheel. Why oh why didn't I look at it when I picked it up. It was pouring down rain, but that is no excuse...

 

Yikes...never use a shop that impacts on wheels...

I always shudder when on unique whips they use an impact on $10,000 wheels...

 

What would they have used at the BMW/MINI Service Department?

 

Goodyear did a bit of scratch damage to my wheels when they mounted my new tires. Luckily it wasn't bad & frankly I have curbed them several times so the wheels were far from perfect to begin with. It did teach me a valuable lesson for when I get some shiney new wheels. From then on when I carry my Mini in for work I will get the counter man to come outside with me & we will do a visual inspection of the wheels & I will make him note on the work order that there is no damage present when I dropped off so if they damage them they buy them

 

Well, shoot. Getting it repaired would take some time. I don't have a spare which I'd be better off just getting another wheel and tire and saving the damaged one as a spare. GRRRRRR.....

I hope someone will own up to the damage...

 

Have you called the shop?

 

Nope. Still waiting to see what Alex says I should do. :( The BMW/MINI service will probably tell me the wheel was like that when they got it and will tell me to go fly a kite...

 

It's already very late to claim that the dealer caused the damage, and the longer you continue to wait without reporting it to them, the stronger the case they have that you could have caused it yourself during all this time.

If you're trying to contact Alex at TireRack, I suggest you phone in addition to e-mail.

 

Oh, I won't pester Alex too much. He's always gotten back to me via email. I was thinking the same thing, but heck - it's worth a shot.

 

No way (as Greatbear clearly pointed out). The protruding spokes would have took more serious damage.

I'm betting on the installer.

 

And I think I said that in my post. Other "causes" installer mishandling or road debris.

 

Yup. Not sure about road debris unless its something ragged, sharp but the pattern is weird. I'm still guessing installer

The protrusion of those spokes is the dead giveway as I have somewhat the same kind and dealer even made mention of the protusion near curbs ... bad thing.

 

I'd call the shop, well really I'd drive there & let them have a look at it. My best guess is yep they did it. The only question is will they own up to it. Lets hope so, but don't hold your breath. Just cross your fingers.

Tire Rack knows how to ship wheels & I find it hard to believe they were damaged in shipping.

What would a BMW MINI shop use to put your tires on? An impact, not what you want to hear, but I'd wager that's what was used.

Your idea to buy another wheel & keep that one as a spare is a good one. When those wheels are discontinued & all wheels are eventually, you won't be able to buy a replacement if you need one. Now you'll have one.

You might try checking with a detailer like Octane Guy & see if those scratches could be polished out. It's possible.

Sorry about your troubles.

 

Yep, good ol' Octane Guy pretty much said what you did. OUCH and you may want to get another wheel.

 

looks very much like an impact gun slipped out of the installer's hand. there are scratches in between the spokes...nearly impossible for that to happen any other way.