So on Jan 2nd, I took the Evo to my local dealer to get my new all season tires mounted for the winter. When I picked up the car I noticed that the finish on every wheel had been scratched around the bead where the mounting tool rides, along with multiple impact marks around the recessed lug nut holes. I immediately walked in to the service manager and complained. After a bunch of aggravation, the dealership agreed to re-finish the wheels. I then asked what the process was to re-finish, since i didn't want a "band-aid spray paint job." I was told they would be sandblasted and re-finished by a professional third-party. I agreed that was fine and two weeks later dropped the car off and picked up my rental. When I picked up the vehicle later that evening I noticed right away there were still visible scratches around the bead, and the sandblasting looked like it was done with a scotch-brite pad. I swallowed my pride and cut my losses since they were decent and I planned on powder coating soon.

Now getting to the point. I rotated my tires this weekend, now that the weather is getting nicer here in Ohio. When I took off my wheels my heart dropped. Every Brembo is scratched and chipped to all hell, most of the damage was hidden inside the quarter inch gap, between the rim and brake making it impossible to see without taking the wheels off. I assume when they mounted the wheels, they set the wheel on top of the brake and rotated the wheel to align the holes which scratched the **** out of them.

I know this is from the hack who mounted my wheels or the third party company who refinished them. Another example of the workmanship, I also noticed the pinch weld was bent over from someone jacking the car up and the lug-nuts were very tight so I checked the torque, and they were at 115!

The car is eight months old and has only been touched by myself and the dealership, and I know for a fact I did not cause any of this damage. I guess I should have went straight home and checked for any damage, but it was sooo cold I did not. I went today to speak with the manager, and he basically said theres nothing he could do. Also, he told me that he "wished I would of bought the car from him." and that "from a business aspect, he cant say anything" which made me want to strangle him. Anyways my questions are...

The manager said maybe something got caught while driving, between the rim and brake causing the scratches, has anyone experienced this? On all 4? Highly doubt, but have to ask.

Now that it's been 6 weeks since Ive had the wheels refinished, am I too late to lawyer up? Is it worth my time and money? Do I have a leg to stand on?

I can tell by speaking with the manager that he knows they did it but hes still refusing to take any accountability.

Advise?

 

Id say probly too late now.. a lawyer would probly say that without any real proof that the dealership caused the damage you dont hav much of a case, being that its your word against theirs. i had a problem with my original dealership and my lawyer said it wouldnt be worth the headache. def make it known tho that the dealership is garbage and tell everyone not to go there. good luck man

 

Wow if the dealer cant even change the tires...that scares me!!!!!!

 

Why did you make two posts about this?

 

I would complian to the manager. He probably wont do anything but atleast let him know. If you take your car there again, hopefully only for warranty work, go over the car really well before you leave. Let them know you want to check it in the maintenance bay and not outside once the work is done. P.S. tell them to hand tighten the lugnuts next time.

 

You need to complain higher. Be nice but pitch a fit. Figure out whom is a regional manager/oversight for the dealership and complain to them if that does not work keep moving up the chain until you get to the CEO if you have to. Someone will make it happen for you it's just a matter of pushing the right button.

 

you can complain higher up, but at this point, they're pretty much just gonna blame you since you didn't point it out immediately. The pinch weld thing is pretty common because a lot of techs lift cars by the pinch welds.

 

I would be soooo pissed. It scares me listening to things like this, because if I bring my car anywhere its gonna breakkk

 

agreed from above, its probably too late...i would certainly complain though maybe they'll take care of you who knows lol, but to get them repainted or powdercoated wont break your pocketbook...good luck man

 

Here's my advice. Take a hard lesson in stride, refinish your calipers/wheels, and NEVER visit that dealer again.

 

It's definitely a turnoff when nobody in the auto repair industry uses a torque wrench.