Austin Wheel chipped when tyre was changed!

[Brenbo]

I have just had one of those days.  First a bad day at work, then driving home I get a tyre pressure warning saying pressure low.  I checked the tyre and noticed a nail in it.  So I take the car over to the only tyre centre I trust as they usually look after the alloys......    Well I thought this was the case!  I get the car back home a few minutes ago, wipe off all the muck that was left on the wheel when the guy changed the wheel and to my surprise I discover a really obvious chip in the diamond cut wheel.  I know Diamond cuts being polished effect finish will show up the slightest defect, but this chip could have been avoided surely.

I live in Cornwall so the large national tyre centres whom would usually change tyres and protect the alloys in the process are few and far between.  However which tyre centres would you guys recommend to use next time so I could check to see if we have locally. 

I must say I am raging that the guy has damaged my wheel.  I have spent all that time caring for the car more than I do for my wife,  only to have somebody else damage it. 

Also I know diamond cut wheels have to be re-cut to remove defects, but is there any smart repair out there I could do on the wheel for the smaller dents or chips?

The wheel is an Austin 18".  I would purchase a spare wheel off of anyone on this forum, but I fear if I were to have to get a tyre put on it I will just get another dent on the rims. 

DAMN TYRE CENTRES!!

[Mr Savage]

I've had both my fronts done a couple of months ago and no marks at all on the alloys. If they use the right tyre changing machine then there should never be a risk of damage.

I say go back to the garage. If you've used them a lot in the past then they might refund the amount they charged to change the tyre at the very least (I know that's only £15 or so) or if you bought a tyre off them then refund some of that back?

I only use The Wheel Specialist in Nottingham because they have great reviews online and double up as a wheel refurber if they did for whatever reason damage the alloy.

Got any pics?

[Brenbo]

Will post a pic soon.  It is small but really obvious.  My wife has no interest in cars and wouldn't notice a dent in her own car unless it was fairly large.  However the damaged wheel is on the back and she was stood a metre or so in front of the car and even she notcied it from there without being show where the damage was.  I am getting concerned now as the two front wheels are getting thin on the tread and I will have to get those wheels changed soon as well.  I live in Cornwall near the border.  I am wondering if there is anywhere in Exeter or Plymouth where I can be assured they will do a better job changing the tyres.  There are white and black scuff marks inside the chip as well which make it obvious.  If I could just get rid of the coloured scuffs it would be much less obvious. 

Are there any decent tyre centres in Devon or Cornwall who I know I can rely on to not damage my wheel?

[Mark V GTD]

Firstly - before handing your car over to anyone you should have agreed the condition of the wheel before they touched it. Then checked it again before you left. If it was 100% perfect you really should have made a point of that - take a picture too. who cares if they think you are a bit weird - perhaps if they understood you are in the minority who care about their car they would take a bit more care!

This is very unfortunate (its happened to me before so I do understand).

Sadly it seem that only alloy wheel specialists can be let loose on these polished rims that VW seem to favour these days with any hope of them returning unscathed :-(

[mcmaddy]

I know I'll get shot down in flames for this but I always let my dealer do my tyres and then that way if they damage them they replace them.

[Mark V GTD]

Yes - but only if you can prove they damaged them. Condition inspection before and after work is essential.

That applies to the whole car if its a service or repair.....

[mcmaddy]

That goes without saying for a dealer visit 

[Brenbo]

I was actually wondering whether to get the dealer to change my front tyres when they need replacing.  I will also be doing as mentioned in regards to taking pictures of the wheels before going in to the dealer to be fitted. What is really gauling is the tyre centre I used also sell alloy wheels.  So does this mean the alloys you buy form the place are damaged before you even have them fitted for the first time. 

Thinking about it, I usually have the owner fitting my wheels, who is a car fanatic and does take car of wheels.  However this time I had a young lad fit the tyre this time and he has chipped the wheel. 

I am considering buying a spare Austin wheel to use as a spare incase I have to get any of my wheels refurbed.  But if I do this where do I get the tyre fitted?  I would fit them my self if I had the equipment and knew how to do it. 

[Mark V GTD]

Thats something I was considering doing too - I had decided if I did (same goes for when I need new tyres) i will use an alloy wheel specialist retailer. There is usually one in or near most larger towns and they fit tyres to the alloys they sell are obviously much more safety/protection aware than a standard high street tyre fitting bay. The last time I used a normal tyre fitting depot it was after a puncture and I stood over the poor guy. The one before that was a local centre - they swore there would not be any damage (feigning astonishment that someone would have the temerity to question the excellence of their workmanship) and consequently handed me back one damaged wheel....

My nearest one also refurbishes alloys as well as sells them so they understand that people do not want to leave their premises with a damaged wheel!

[Brenbo]

Thansk for all your feedback guys, much appreciated.  Does anyone have a spare 18" austin wheel for sale on this forum? Otherwise I may have to buy a cheap alloy the same size so I just get the austin refurbished and replace it on the car afterward.  If I can remember correctly, my VW Dealer told  me they have this refurbish wheel scheme where they will replace your damaged wheel with one which has already been refurbed and then take your wheel for the refurbishing which will then be given to someone else when they require a replacement wheel.  It was a while ago when i enquired and am unsure of the costs or even if it is still a scheme which is being run.  I will make enquiries with my dealer.  The benefits of this scheme is you do not have to be without a wheel for 2 to 3 days. 

However I am definitely considering purchasing a spare alloy of some kind.  Would be good if it were an Austin 18"?  Also I will not carry it in the car due to weight.  I will just store it in my garage with a cover over it.

Does anyone know of any cheap Austin wheels for sale?