Alloy Wheels Corrosion - covered by Warrenty?

[len_merclover]

Hi everyone, thank god it's Friday !
Ok. I have noticed under inspection that all my alloy wheels seem to be corroding around the merc badge on the alloy and in the inside of the wheel. The best way to describe this is as if you had a wallpaper stripper against paint and it would give you a buddle affect!

Does the MB 30 yr rust warranty cover this?

thanks

 

[television]

You have water under the lacquer that gives the milky effect have a word with MB not easy to get them replaced

 

[Ellsy Tanners]

I doubt you will get anything but worth a ask, if the rest of wheel has the very slightest of marks kerb or anything then theres no chance.

 

[gordofski]

Hi everyone, thank god it's Friday !
Ok. I have noticed under inspection that all my alloy wheels seem to be corroding around the merc badge on the alloy and in the inside of the wheel. The best way to describe this is as if you had a wallpaper stripper against paint and it would give you a buddle affect!

Does the MB 30 yr rust warranty cover this?

thanks

Possible reply will be " sharp in take of breath, sorry wear and tear, it's an act of god, don't think you have much of a chance, but until you ask you will never know, good luck any way.
Keep us all posted.........then we will all try

 

[len_merclover]

I have been to Mercedes and they have taken picies and sent them away to be looked at........... so far so good!!! it would be nice to get new alloys or even re-con ones a!!!

Ps. I also had some rust along the two strips on roof where the roof rails would go....apparently these are common rusts as the two type of metals fight each other and cause corrosion.......I will defo get them done...so if you have a merc 2003 e look for rust!!!

I will post on the thread when updates!

 

[television]

Thanks Len for posting back,, I think that MB have stopped doing the re con wheels now and that they only do new ones

 

[philharve]

Alloy wheels warranty

Hi All

I put in a claim for new alloy wheels last year and had pictures taken too but the answer from MB was a flat 'no'. Wheels are regarded as disposable items because they can be subject to heavy wear & tear.

However, their response may have been different if my wheels had been less than 3 years old.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[joem]

My recent conversations with MB regarding paint failure repairs would imply that Alloys are covered for three years regardless and effectively not at all afterwards. They are specifically excluded from the 30 year Mobilo Life warranty from rust from the inside out as an alloy can't rust from the inside out other than by having the paint damaged.

Effectively 3 years no questions asked and then nothing.

 

[jpbp200]

Wheels are like brakes and tyres, if you can prove a manufacturing fault then replacement will be forthcoming, otherwise it's a bit like saying I seem to have drunk this beer and now my glass is empty....would you please fill it up again as I paid for a full one.....

 

[joem]

Hi jpbp - I think there is a reasonable amount of time involved when you are talking about a manufacturing fault and I think this is different dependent upon the product in question. I think to prove a manufacturing fault on a wheel you need to prove more than a cosmetic defect.

I take your glass of beer point and yes, I would love to join you for one at your expense obviously!!

Worth mentioning that brakes and tyres are effectively consummables in law and are exspected to wear out so you would be looking to prove they had worn out faster than would reasonably be expected when looking for compensation. A wheel moresoever would leave you effectively proving it was not round enough or something to be proving it was not fit for purpose when looking for compensation and a paint defect would be considered insufficient grounds for action. Effectively in law the three year cosmetic warranty on wheels would be considered quite reasonable.

Check with your local solicitor.

 

[jpbp200]

sure joem, I'll get the first one!!!

I agree with you. I don't think Len has much chance of getting wheels done as I think they are also considered to be consummables. And as you say, three years is a pretty decent amount of time anyway. I wouldn't expect any leeway on that but you never know.

Good luck anyway Len. Hope you get them sorted.

 

[len_merclover]

Thank's for all the replies. I had a call y.day from merc to say the roof rust had been authorized. Still no answer on wheels but no news is good news. I will update either way. Len

 

[jpbp200]

I know this is an old thread but I have just taken my 23 month old car to my dealer because 3 of the wheels are starting to show corrosion around the centre caps and the centre caps themselves are also corroded. They are AMG 6 spoke wheels. There is no other damage on any of the wheels eg kerbing etc. They took some photos and are replacing three of the wheels for new ones.

 

[JBell]

All replacing them does is prolong the agony, the next set will do the same.

Your best bet is to try to get the dealer to refurb them with powdercoat

 

[jpbp200]

All replacing them does is prolong the agony, the next set will do the same.

Your best bet is to try to get the dealer to refurb them with powdercoat

Really? That's disappointing to hear. Surely if every set of MB wheels corroded after 18 months they would do something about it and change the manufacturing process? I can't imagine any dealer footing the bill for completely changing the finish mind you. Have you managed to get this done?

 

[JBell]

Really? That's disappointing to hear. Surely if every set of MB wheels corroded after 18 months they would do something about it and change the manufacturing process? I can't imagine any dealer footing the bill for completely changing the finish mind you. Have you managed to get this done?

The problem is the polished and lacquered finish, it chips and water gets underneath giving the "milky" finish.

Dealers don't pay for any warranty, MB sort it, my parents had the same on their W204 and had the wheels replaced, they are going again so they will have them powder coated next time (at their own cost probably), it's much tougher in our climate.

 

[-ralph-]

I've just had three months of hell with this issue, plus a catalogue of other errors and just generally awful customer service from both Mercedes Benz Customer Services and Mercedes Benz of Nottingham (Inchcape), who at times were just frankly rude.

I had exactly the same issue with corrosion around the centre caps, so reported it so I could get it sorted under warranty before the car hit 3 years old. I've had three months of emails back and forth between me, the dealer and Mercedes customer services, until last week they refurb'd the wheels as a "goodwill gesture".

To cut a long story short...

The dealer inspected the wheels and said since they were scratched on the spokes and one was kerbed slightly, they could do nothing as MB would not replace a damaged wheel. My reply was in that case there was no warranty on the wheels as they could be damaged the day you drive a new car out of the showroom and they have to expect some damage on a 3 year old 30,000 mile wheel. They continued with this line for a while while I argued that the scratched on the spokes were completely unrelated to the corrosion around the centre caps.

During the whole episode the car went out of warranty, so then MB customer services tried to tell me they could no longer help! I replied to say get stuffed, the problem was inspected within the warranty period.

Then they replied saying they couldn't help as it wasn't a manufacturing fault, but due to "External Influences". I replied asking what these influences were that wouldn't be expected on a 3 year old alloy. They replied to say they couldn't say what the "External Influences". At this point replied telling them I'd sort it myself and claim via small claims court, and that the customer service at Nottingham was the worst I'd ever experienced for any product anywhere.

Nottingham then called to see if they could help, but basically just made excuses about having to work within the manufacturers guidelines. I replied advising them of various forum threads on the subject, sent them a watchdog article about MB's"External Influences" excuse, and sent them pictures of other E class with exactly the same issue. Basically said I could prove the same issue affected lots and lots of Mercedes cars and there was no way the small claims court would not uphold my claim.

At that point they replied saying they would ask MB for a contribution towards a refurb, at which point I replied saying it had better be a 100% contribution because I wasn't paying a penny.

Last week they refurbed them for free.

It's been hellish, but it clearly is the case that MB don't paint these wheels well enough to last 3 years as so many people have the same issue, so if your wheels are within warranty, don't give up the fight, as you can't lose. Eventually they have to give in because consumer law will never come down on their side in this case.

 

[-ralph-]

I've just had three months of hell with this issue, plus a catalogue of other errors and just generally awful customer service from both Mercedes Benz Customer Services and Mercedes Benz of Nottingham (Inchcape), who at times were just frankly rude.

I had exactly the same issue with corrosion around the centre caps, so reported it so I could get it sorted under warranty before the car hit 3 years old. I've had three months of emails back and forth between me, the dealer and Mercedes customer services, until last week they refurb'd the wheels as a "goodwill gesture".

To cut a long story short...

The dealer inspected the wheels and said since they were scratched on the spokes and one was kerbed slightly, they could do nothing as MB would not replace a damaged wheel. My reply was in that case there was no warranty on the wheels as they could be damaged the day you drive a new car out of the showroom and they have to expect some damage on a 3 year old 30,000 mile wheel. They continued with this line for a while while I argued that the scratched on the spokes were completely unrelated to the corrosion around the centre caps.

During the whole episode the car went out of warranty, so then MB customer services tried to tell me they could no longer help! I replied to say get stuffed, the problem was inspected within the warranty period.

Then they replied saying they couldn't help as it wasn't a manufacturing fault, but due to "External Influences". I replied asking what these influences were that wouldn't be expected on a 3 year old alloy. They replied to say they couldn't say what the "External Influences". At this point replied telling them I'd sort it myself and claim via small claims court, and that the customer service at Nottingham was the worst I'd ever experienced for any product anywhere.

Nottingham then called to see if they could help, but basically just made excuses about having to work within the manufacturers guidelines. I replied advising them of various forum threads on the subject, sent them a watchdog article about MB's"External Influences" excuse, and sent them pictures of other E class with exactly the same issue. Basically said I could prove the same issue affected lots and lots of Mercedes cars and there was no way the small claims court would not uphold my claim.

At that point they replied saying they would ask MB for a contribution towards a refurb, at which point I replied saying it had better be a 100% contribution because I wasn't paying a penny.

Last week they refurbed them for free.

It's been hellish, but it clearly is the case that MB don't paint these wheels well enough to last 3 years as so many people have the same issue, so if your wheels are within warranty, don't give up the fight, as you can't lose. Eventually they have to give in because consumer law will never come down on their side in this case.

 

[Xtractorfan]

Excellent result, well done there.

 

[Rory]

Nottingham then called to see if they could help, but basically just made excuses about having to work within the manufacturers guidelines.

Maybe it's an Inchcape thing - I had the same on daughter's Golf, a basic model but bizzarely fitted with diamond cut alloys, from Inchcape's VW Chester.