[TheLiverBird]

To put it politely - I'm well peeved - to be honest - I'm totally f***** off. To cut a long story short i hit a huge pothole the other night and have had to get a new tyre - was resigned to losing £200, but hopeful that I could get it back by claiming from the council about their crappy roads and the fact that the hole I hit had been marked for repairs weeks ago and was still not done.

Anyway, due to my OCD and the fact that I try to keep everything in as good condition as possible, my major worry -that's proved to have been well justified - was that they'd damage my wheel during the change over.

I'd asked the lady on the phone when organising this on Friday and then again the technician today what would happen if something did go wrong - and I'd been reassured by the company (that at the moment will remain nameless until this is sorted to my satisfaction) that if there was any damage it would be rectified.

I took photos of the immaculate wheel this morning but it was a) raining and b) quite dark, so they're not the best - but do hopefully show that it was unmarked.

Anyway, when I return to my car the technician, to his credit was very honest, and explained that he'd dropped something on the wheel and damaged it. He showed me the marks and said someone would contact me in about 15 mins about how to go about sorting this (they're the diamond cut 442 alloys so this will no doubt get interesting as there's no way I'm accepting a poor job).

No contact was made after an hour so I eventually had to phone them - only to be told that I needed to photograph the damage and email it to their claims department. Then, once they'd received photographic evidence and a write up from the technician would they explain what was going to happen. I've received, about ½hr later a confirmation email (sort of standard stuff but admitting that their technician has said he'd done the damage) and saying that they'd contact me (that was 4 hours ago).

I'm giving them until the morning to offer a solution - then I'll want this chasing up by a manager.

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/att...1&d=1454954798

[Roberto71]

Man that is s**t. How on earth do these guys make mistakes like that?? It seems far too common. It's just sloppy.

They need to get you a new alloy. Can't see how that can be repaired to as new condition, that's not a scratch, it's a chunk taken out.

[willjames]

What's he dropped on it? A feckin anvil? Numpty...don't stand for it, got for new. No excuses for shoddy work!

[AlfaM]

To be fair, he admitted it and the company has too - nothing gets sorted within a couple of hours, less so if you start ranting and raving.

The time to kick off is when they deny all knowledge!

[Drek]

Not sure why you'd want to 'kick off' as they've admitted they were at fault, why make it worse by being stroppy?

[TheLiverBird]

Originally Posted by Drek

Not sure why you'd want to 'kick off' as they've admitted they were at fault, why make it worse by being stroppy?

Just edited the above to remove the kicking off bit - just an over reaction to being very pissed off!

Like's been advised I will stay calm in the hope that they can get it sorted - but not sure the 2 colour nature and the diamond cut are going to allow a decent refurb, and I'm not sure they're going to be too willing to replace with new @£500!

[Chris Peacock]

That can be repaired no issue, just need a decent company like Lepsons.

[Drek]

Good luck with it and you never know, it might be pain free..!

[Herr Dreier]

Originally Posted by TheLiverBird

Just edited the above to remove the kicking off bit - just an over reaction to being very pissed off!

Like's been advised I will stay calm in the hope that they can get it sorted - but not sure the 2 colour nature and the diamond cut are going to allow a decent refurb, and I'm not sure they're going to be too willing to replace with new @£500!

I presume the wheel wasn't damaged by the pot hole (i.e. cracked?). Did you get anywhere getting the council to pay for the tyre?

It sounds as if the company is pretty honest. I'm sure they'll do the right thing. They'll have public liability insurance which would cover this (depending on their excess, etc), although probably too low an amount for them to bother. If it were my company, I'd have the wheel replaced, which would generate good will - i.e. you'd be pretty happy about that. Hopefully, in return you'd then use my company again and tell all your mates about your "good" experience.

The best companies will always use a negative experience to give an excellent one. If they play it right, you can be happier than you would have done if they'd not caused the problem in the first place.

[pmheadwired]

I had a similar experience but it was my own fault bought a set of budget tyres and took them to a cheap place for fitting there was scuffs on alloys on both wheels afterwards. Pissed me right off but eventually just ignored it.

[TheLiverBird]

Originally Posted by Herr Drier

I presume the wheel wasn't damaged by the pot hole (i.e. cracked?). Did you get anywhere getting the council to pay for the tyre?

It sounds as if the company is pretty honest. I'm sure they'll do the right thing. They'll have public liability insurance which would cover this (depending on their excess, etc), although probably too low an amount for them to bother. If it were my company, I'd have the wheel replaced, which would generate good will - i.e. you'd be pretty happy about that. Hopefully, in return you'd then use my company again and tell all your mates about your "good" experience.

The best companies will always use a negative experience to give an excellent one. If they play it right, you can be happier than you would have done if they'd not caused the problem in the first place.

Wheel was fine (before the tyre fitter got to it!). I was going to sort out the stuff to claim today (printing the photos and writing the letter) but got sidetracked by this mess! I've posted a few of the 20 or so pictures I'm using as evidence on another thread in the hope that someone who's successfully claimed can advise on their use. It's been raining constantly since so all the photos have the potholes full, or filling with water.

I do hope you're right about the company - I have used them before and they were excellent, and will certainly use again if this is rectified properly. I've looked on another thread and there was somebody very happy with a repair done by a company in Stockport (Prestige Wheels) which is only about 45 min drive away. Heard good things about Lepsons too, but they're the other side of the country so hoping to avoid shipping the wheel off to them as I don't think my car will run on just 3 of them - bloody BMWs and runlets / no spares!

[willjames]

Originally Posted by TheLiverBird

Wheel was fine (before the tyre fitter got to it!). I was going to sort out the stuff to claim today (printing the photos and writing the letter) but got sidetracked by this mess! I've posted a few of the 20 or so pictures I'm using as evidence on another thread in the hope that someone who's successfully claimed can advise on their use. It's been raining constantly since so all the photos have the potholes full, or filling with water.

I do hope you're right about the company - I have used them before and they were excellent, and will certainly use again if this is rectified properly. I've looked on another thread and there was somebody very happy with a repair done by a company in Stockport (Prestige Wheels) which is only about 45 min drive away. Heard good things about Lepsons too, but they're the other side of the country so hoping to avoid shipping the wheel off to them as I don't think my car will run on just 3 of them - bloody BMWs and runlets / no spares!

I e mailed Prestige first with photos to gain feedback on whether they could repair first and I actually had them come to my work in their mobile unit and repair mine. This was easiest for me. Came , wheel off, repaired and wheel back on in a couple of hrs or so. Just check first, if yours are diamond cut it maybe more difficult to do, but then again I'm no expert as I have only had it done once.

[TheLiverBird]

Originally Posted by willjames

I e mailed Prestige first with photos to gain feedback on whether they could repair first and I actually had them come to my work in their mobile unit and repair mine. This was easiest for me. Came , wheel off, repaired and wheel back on in a couple of hrs or so. Just check first, if yours are diamond cut it maybe more difficult to do, but then again I'm no expert as I have only had it done once.

No one would touch the diamond cut alloys I had on a Golf GTI about 10 years back. Hopefully, as they're a far more common finish now, companies will have worked out, or got the equipment to repair them now. Although I seem to remember someone on another forum saying they needed to be off the car for a couple of days - which isn't really an option without a spare!

[DB118D]

I've had some experience in claiming from my local council for pothole damage.

Be aware that it WILL take forever to sort out and that they won't want to pay the full cost of your new tyre. They will chip you down on the basis that the tyre replaced wasn't brand new (unless you can prove otherwise)

[TheLiverBird]

So, the tyre fitting company have contacted me this morning and offered to fully pay for a refurb at the place of my choosing. My problem being - the wheel's needed for a number of days and the car doesn't even come with a jack to get it off - let alone anything to leave the car supported by for a week or so! Also - this leaves me without any transport for the length of time it's off the road - a manager is getting back to me about how this issue will may be resolved.

Also I need to sort out a reputable repair place......

Lepsons seem to have a good reputation but: are 250 miles away so will need to sort out removing the wheel myself, propping up the car, packaging and sending the wheel (although they do offer a courier service) and it will take 7-10 days!!!!

Prestigewheels: local to me (about a 50 mile round trip), can take and leave the car (would just need to sort out a lift there twice), there are a few people on here who've used them but seem to offer no guarantee at all to do with diamond cut wheels and how long the repair will last!

Any advice or other recommendations would be much appreciated - but as a teacher with yet another holiday next week - I could do with it being done then if possible.

[JustChris]

Hi TLB this sucks.

These guys over in Ellsemere Port are excellent. BMW HJ don't touch the Diamond Cut and pass you onto them. I see from their site they have Manchester too.

I've not had work done here I must admit but I popped over and the workshop and site were spotless. They looked good quality to me.

https://www.thewheelspecialist.co.uk/

[TheLiverBird]

Originally Posted by Chris10Bimmers

Hi TLB this sucks.

These guys over in Ellsemere Port are excellent. BMW HJ don't touch the Diamond Cut and pass you onto them. I see from their site they have Manchester too.

I've not had work done here I must admit but I popped over and the workshop and site were spotless. They looked good quality to me.

https://www.thewheelspecialist.co.uk/

Just been looking at thewheelspecialist website and they are closer to where I live just, and look to be equally impressive as prestigewheels.

Just the worry now, once I've decided where I'm going, of leaving my car somewhere for a number of days while the wheel's done! Because no doubt someone will hit it or some other disaster befall it!

[Rukka]

Originally Posted by TheLiverBird

So, the tyre fitting company have contacted me this morning and offered to fully pay for a refurb at the place of my choosing. My problem being - the wheel's needed for a number of days and the car doesn't even come with a jack to get it off - let alone anything to leave the car supported by for a week or so! Also - this leaves me without any transport for the length of time it's off the road - a manager is getting back to me about how this issue will may be resolved.

Also I need to sort out a reputable repair place......

Lepsons seem to have a good reputation but: are 250 miles away so will need to sort out removing the wheel myself, propping up the car, packaging and sending the wheel (although they do offer a courier service) and it will take 7-10 days!!!!

Prestigewheels: local to me (about a 50 mile round trip), can take and leave the car (would just need to sort out a lift there twice), there are a few people on here who've used them but seem to offer no guarantee at all to do with diamond cut wheels and how long the repair will last!

Any advice or other recommendations would be much appreciated - but as a teacher with yet another holiday next week - I could do with it being done then if possible.

How about just taking it in to Williams in Lpool?

No doubt they will just punt it off to somewhere else but to be honest, your contract to repair will sit with Williams so if you are not happy with the job just make them do it again.

You might also find that they will loan you a spare wheel while yours is done so you got less hassle all round......

Worth a thought mate.


Rukka

[Palexr]

Originally Posted by DB118D

I've had some experience in claiming from my local council for pothole damage.

Be aware that it WILL take forever to sort out and that they won't want to pay the full cost of your new tyre. They will chip you down on the basis that the tyre replaced wasn't brand new (unless you can prove otherwise)

It might take literally forever. You want to try going through a pothole that is 9 inches deep (filled with water so you can't see it) in a Jag XF with 20" wheels on. Both nearside wheels (tyres and wheels) needed replacing - £1600 later Essex county council is refusing to pay....

The pot hole had no marks next to it or any sign that the council were about to repair it.

[PA11L JJ]

Take it to the wheel specialist. They did my diamond cut and it came back two days later as good as new and only £100.

[SkyJawa]

Tbh I'd want a new alloy.

Refurbished never match the oem 100% so it will always stand out to you.

[DB118D]

Originally Posted by Palexr

It might take literally forever. You want to try going through a pothole that is 9 inches deep (filled with water so you can't see it) in a Jag XF with 20" wheels on. Both nearside wheels (tyres and wheels) needed replacing - £1600 later Essex county council is refusing to pay....

The pot hole had no marks next to it or any sign that the council were about to repair it.

Thats not a pothole - thats a crater!

And councils are a PITA to deal with