I'm so frustrated, please read my story and help me with my questions. I appreciate it:

I ordered a set of S02 OEM rear tires off Tire Rack on Sunday and they arrived yesterday (Tuesday). Thrilled by the quick turn around, I drove down to a local service shop and had them mount and balance the tires for $16.95 each. When the technicial was finished I took a look at the car to make sure that they put them on in the correct direction, and suprise, suprise, both of my rims were damaged. It looks as though someone took a pry bar to the rims, and then scraped it around the inside and outside of the outer lip. The technician fessed up immediately and explained that the wheel "popped off" the mounting machine and he didn't shut it down fast enough to prevent it from scraping the face of my (OEM) wheels. He told me to see the manager:

I walked into the manager / checkout booth and told the manager that my wheels were damaged. His immediate reponse was "Absolutely not. We didn't damage them." I retorted, "Excuse me? You haven't even looked at the wheels. Your technician even told me how it happened." I'm supposed to bring the vehicle back today for the general manager to take a look at the wheel. They didn't charge me for the mounting / balance (whipty-do), but I feel that I am due at least one new wheel. The second damaged wheel already had a little curb rash on it, so its value wasn't decreased by the further damage.

I'm asking that they replace the wheels, and have all four wheels acid washed and re-wheel-waxed (so the new one doesn't stick out like a sore thumb). Does this sound reasonable? I called my dealership and they quoted $538 / wheel for replacement.

Second Question: Is it worth even looking into repairing the OEM wheels? I don't know if they are forged or milled - does that make a difference when it comes to repair possibilities?

 

Nah. This is a good excuse to get some aftermarket wheels.

 

The manual for my S2000 says that if you change to aftermarket wheels of a different diameter, your warranty is void. Does anyone know a good reason for this? I have the gut instinct that they are trying to get out of supporting vehicles that are abused by ricers...

 

Have them give you the replacement value in cash, say that you're going to have someone else mount it, and take off.

Then you can decide what you want to do w/ the cash.

 

I had one of my rims repaired and I can't even tell where it was damaged. Any good shop should be able to repair them.

 

Sorry for your problems.

Here's my notes on this subject:

Bridgestone said it was important that when installing the tires to only choose a shop which has a Hunter Tire Changer which eases the tire over the rim and seals the bead correctly without damaging/scratching the rim. Hunter

 

My brother had his rims totally butchered by town fair tire (chain of tire stores). They gave him a check of 1300 bucks. Dont let them get off the hook. Use the money to get a used set of stock rims that are in good condition. Then use the left over money and poweder coat the damaged set and use them for winter tires...

 

They damaged both, I'd hit them for both frankly. I'd be more inclined to go easy on them if the manager didn't try to deny it. He did, so...make 'em pay.

 

Thanks for all of the information, especially the details about the Hunter Tire Changer. I talked to the general manager at the shop today, and he was much better than the evening manager. He seems committed to satisfying me. At first he just wanted to remove the wheels and send them off for repair (and was about to put my spare on the rear, suggesting that I can "get by" on it for a few weeks - that's one way to kiss my differential goodbye) I told him that under no circumstances would I let his shop touch my wheels again, and that I want them to fund the repair or replacement at a third party shop of my choice (haven't chosen one yet), to my satisfaction.

The real question is, will a wheel repair satisfy me? The answer is yes only if I can't tell the difference and if it poses no safety / longevity concerns. If my wheels start rusting in two years, it's hardly worth going with a repair. Any more thoughts as to whether a repair would be satisfactory? The visible portion of the wheel is only gouged by an eighth of an inch or so. I wish I would know if they "fill" the damage or merely buff it smooth. If the case is the latter, I want new rims.

 

There's no substitute for a new, spec part.