Excitement turns to sadness: read for those getting their cars
08-18-13, 12:58 PM
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
Excitement turns to sadness: read for those getting their cars
After 3 weeks of waiting for the car to show up at a dealer 2 hours away it finally arrived. My wife and I picked it up yesterday and I quickly did a look over. Everything looked great and I thought nothing of it. This morning I wake up to wash, polish, and seal the car. I soon noticed the driver front rim was damaged with a couple gouges out of it. Pretty bummed at this point but figure at least I know the rim will be replaced. Another hour goes by and this time I hit the same rim with some soap and I see bubbles. To my disbelief the tire has been punctured in the sidewall. Not just in one place either but 2 separate places almost perfectly aligned with the gouges on the rim. Now I am completely shocked, angered...I can't drive the car. With the tire any sort of large bump and the tire could easily blow out. Better question is what is my dealer 2 hours away going to do. Hopefully they can work out something with my local dealer but as of now I am down a car. Also this with exactly 112 miles on the odometer. Moral of the story for those getting their cars completely look the car over before leaving. Here are pics:
08-18-13, 01:18 PM
#2
After 3 weeks of waiting for the car to show up at a dealer 2 hours away it finally arrived. My wife and I picked it up yesterday and I quickly did a look over. Everything looked great and I thought nothing of it. This morning I wake up to wash, polish, and seal the car. I soon noticed the driver front rim was damaged with a couple gouges out of it. Pretty bummed at this point but figure at least I know the rim will be replaced. Another hour goes by and this time I hit the same rim with some soap and I see bubbles. To my disbelief the tire has been punctured in the sidewall. Not just in one place either but 2 separate places almost perfectly aligned with the gouges on the rim. Now I am completely shocked, angered...I can't drive the car. With the tire any sort of large bump and the tire could easily blow out. Better question is what is my dealer 2 hours away going to do. Hopefully they can work out something with my local dealer but as of now I am down a car. Also this with exactly 112 miles on the odometer. Moral of the story for those getting their cars completely look the car over before leaving. Here are pics:
08-18-13, 01:23 PM
#3
When I took delivery of my "just off the truck" G35 6MT back in 2005 you would have thought I was overly cautious but it took a good 45 min for my personal inspection. I recommend using a checklist.
08-18-13, 01:24 PM
#4
Driver
Thread Starter
The drive home was pretty much all interstate with no chunks of debris. I think if it was that I would of felt it in the car. This was definitely done via the delivery. I was thinking maybe the way it was clamped on the truck or on the rail.
08-18-13, 01:31 PM
#6
Driver
Thread Starter
Good question...if they were in a rush or they tried to pass it off. I am definitely not responsible for this damage and I am sure the dealer will take care of it.
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08-18-13, 01:40 PM
#8
Driver
Thread Starter
With the wheel rotated and damage at the bottom, without running your fingers over the rim you would have never seen it, which I think is why we missed it.
The reason I know the tire damage wasn't from the drive is because it is punctured straight through, clean, even and completely inline.
Couldn't imagine what debris could cause that.
The reason I know the tire damage wasn't from the drive is because it is punctured straight through, clean, even and completely inline.
Couldn't imagine what debris could cause that.
08-18-13, 04:13 PM
#10
Driver
Thread Starter
Actually now that I think of it...I bet it didn't happen during delivery but when the dealer installed the wheel locks. My guess was there was a lug nut stuck and they used a little too much force and gave way. These were already installed when we picked up the car. My guess was some low on the pole tech screwed up and didn't say anything...
08-18-13, 04:13 PM
#11
Lexus Test Driver
Sad to learn about your experience.
Maybe for now, the first step is to email the pictures to the salesman of the dealership where you bought car from, as well as contacting Lexus USA? When any portion of the side wall of the tire is damaged, there is no patching possible. From the way the tire puncture and the rim damage, it looks like someone has hit your driver's wheel really hard with a corner of a curb.
In fact, it is dangerous to drive the car with such a tire. You should be thankful that the tire was not acting up during your 2-hour drive back home. And you are right, the wheel can be replaced. They should send a new wheel and someone to replace it on the spot.
Maybe for now, the first step is to email the pictures to the salesman of the dealership where you bought car from, as well as contacting Lexus USA? When any portion of the side wall of the tire is damaged, there is no patching possible. From the way the tire puncture and the rim damage, it looks like someone has hit your driver's wheel really hard with a corner of a curb.
In fact, it is dangerous to drive the car with such a tire. You should be thankful that the tire was not acting up during your 2-hour drive back home. And you are right, the wheel can be replaced. They should send a new wheel and someone to replace it on the spot.
08-18-13, 04:16 PM
#12
Lexus Test Driver
Actually now that I think of it...I bet it didn't happen during delivery but when the dealer installed the wheel locks. My guess was there was a lug nut stuck and they used a little too much force and gave way. These were already installed when we picked up the car. My guess was some low on the pole tech screwed up and didn't say anything...
Keep us posted how it turns out. Good luck.
08-18-13, 04:27 PM
#13
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I'm pretty sure you hit something in your way back home! Don't blame the dealer... all they can do is give you a new rim and a tire at their own cost, but you will still paying from your own money. Good luck!
08-18-13, 05:43 PM
#15
Driver
Thread Starter
Well the PDI list only has one section filled out (the interior) area and that is it. The rest was never marked as I have a copy right here. Also the PDI could of been done before the wheel lock install. I think I would admit fault if I had hit something or better yet have felt it while driving the car. There is not other marks on the wheel or car. Just the 2 gouges an what appears to be something that entered the sidewall and came through the other side. No curb is sharp enough to accomplish that.