MTCD01

All right so I'm guessing the installer that worked on my car sucks.

Everyone knows what the OEM wheel balance weights look like...well it appears that the guy (Carlos) that installed my new tires took a screwdriver and just stabbed and scraped at the OEM weights in order to remove them. When I complained about all the scratches that were left from this scraping the guy I was talking to looked at me like I had a third head...

"You mean those scratches on the INSIDE of the rim?"

"Yes those."

"Well you can probably wash most of that off."

"Sir, you don't seem to understand. These rims are painted. If you wouldn't take a screwdriver to outside of your car you certainly shouldn't be using one on my rims."

"We use pliers."

"Ok. So if these were mag or chrome you'd do the same?"

"Well the weights have to come off, and they were really stuck on there."

The conversation went on for a while eventually they offered to pay for touch up paint and he clean the rims and use the touchup paint to attempt to fix the scratches.

So this leaves me with a couple questions:

1. Am I just being an **** bastard? I mean I was really pleased that I'd managed 21,000 miles with no rim damage now all four IMO are ****ed.

2. How should I go about getting them repaired? Is it really worth it?

3. When installing tires on rims like these does anyone know the proper procedure to remove the old weights?

Thanks.

Dinhx8

I noticed you were from Northern VA- Im in Arlington-what dealer did you take it too just out of curiousity-?

sorry about the rims-I wouldn't say you are being ****, but where the wheel weights are located, its very hard to see in my opinion, and they get covered with dust so fast-even in the rears, even with the new brake pads. Had he scratched your rim , say by dropping it or placing it on the floor roughly and scratched the outer edge, I'd be pretty pissed-but the inside of it where the weights are in my opinion will always be a bit scathed.

Its up to you-fact is it should be returned to you the same way you left it-but if its your dealer, and you go to them regularly, i wouldn't get the reputation as that "**** customer" (not saying you are) cause who knows what they'll do next out of annoyance....good luck !

MTCD01

I went to a Firestone dealer here in Sterling, VA (right by dranesville road and Rt 7 intx).

I was really trying to be cool with these folks (my service rep at the car dealer loves me because I don't really give him **** about anything - I've gotten flashes, new "logicon" unit, new ebrake boot, new battery, and some CEL investigation from him and I've been very friendly through all of it). Their first mistake was quoting me the wrong price (had I heard the actuall price I'd have laughed at them), over the phone the guy quoted me a price that I assumed (based on my research) was an out the door price (why would you quote someone a tire only price?). So they had to knock off $160.00 to meet their quote (the guy was new is their defence on that one). Their next mistake was mounting 4 tires that I didn't order (I ordered Potenza RE050As and they mounted RE040s a $52.00 difference again in my favor). On top of all this they took a joy ride in my car and scratched the **** out of my rims during installation (I didn't bitch about the joy ride because I figured they'd give me a line about how they were checking the alignment...even though I was told they couldn't do anything with my alignment because the wheels are too big.

I'm really not that hard to get along with...I just want the product I order and my property to be undamaged. It ain't that much to ask IMO.

Dinhx8

Yikes- thats tough man, sorry about this experience...i'd defintely (in light of the new info) and-the fact that you get a long with your dealer, push this service shop to hook you up the best they can, as they have returned your car not the same as you handed it off to them- no matter how small, its still different and it sucks cause you obviousy are trying your best to keep it in top shape-

were they at least apologetic?

slllygrl10

The inside of the rims are scratched so when u put back the tires the scratches arent visible? I wouldnt bother having it repaired.

Dinhx8

i think he means the inside of the rim, where the wheel weights are, so they are visible with or without tire.

MTCD01

The tech wasn't appologetic as in his view the weights needed to come off (which I fully agree with) I simply don't agree with the method that was used to remove them. I know if it was my shop I certainly wouldn't damage someones rims on purpose.

Browns had a paint shop so I'll ask them about possible fixes when I go in for my oil change.

I have pics of the damage at home...I'll try to load them up later.