When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Had my new Pirelli tires installed on my GS today and when I picked up my car I noticed all 4 wheels have scraps at the same spots and same distance from the edge of the rim. I immediately went back in the shop and got the owner to look at it and he immediately said they didn’t do that. It got heated between us because I know these scraps were not there, I just bought this car a couple weeks ago and now every little blemish on the entire vehicle and I am 100% positive they were not there when I dropped the car off. Looking for feedback on how everyone would handle this.
I'm guessing the tire shop you used is a single store tire shop and not a place like Discount Tire, which uses equipment, methods and personnel that wouldn't allow that damage to happen. You live and learn - next time I bet you won't go to such a place without knowing their background. From what you've said it sounds doubtful the owner will ever agree to do anything about the damage his shop caused, and personally I would not trust him to have it done right. Your best bet is to go to the Lexus dealership, or someone else you know and trust, and ask who does the dealership's wheel work and make an appointment to have your wheels' finish touched-up or painted by an expert. You'll have to pay for it yourself, which shouldn't be too expensive...and count it as payment for a lesson learned.
I see that you added some pictures of your wheels in your original post. Are the white marks I see on-top-of the wheel's finish? It appears that 'if' the white marks are material that was added to the wheel's finish that maybe those marks can be removed without damaging the wheels.
I see that you added some pictures of your wheels in your original post. Are the white marks I see on-top-of the wheel's finish? It appears that 'if' the white marks are material that was added to the wheel's finish that maybe those marks can be removed without damaging the wheels.
The scraps are into the metal and deeper than they appear on the images, the pics don’t do the damage justice. It may be possible on some of them but a couple a pretty deep.
I'm guessing the tire shop you used is a single store tire shop and not a place like Discount Tire, which uses equipment, methods and personnel that wouldn't allow that damage to happen. You live and learn - next time I bet you won't go to such a place without knowing their background. From what you've said it sounds doubtful the owner will ever agree to do anything about the damage his shop caused, and personally I would not trust him to have it done right. Your best bet is to go to the Lexus dealership, or someone else you know and trust, and ask who does the dealership's wheel work and make an appointment to have your wheels' finish touched-up or painted by an expert. You'll have to pay for it yourself, which shouldn't be too expensive...and count it as payment for a lesson learned.
Correct, this is a 2 bay local garage, that is a mile
from my house. I never take my cars here but I made a bad assumption that they would be able to put new tires on without damaging my wheels, obviously I was wrong.
That damage might cost more than you think due to scrapes on the machine finished parts. I learned this week on my other car that machine finished wheels cost significantly more to repair. A good shop will need to put the wheel on a machine lathe to be recut with a diamond bit in order for you to have the shiny finish with the machine look lines. I was quoted from $100-130 per wheel to fix machine finished wheels. The cheaper way would be to sand, fill, and paint but it won’t have the reflective look anymore.
I would continue to pursue the tire shop to have them cover the repair. Good luck.
I'm guessing the tire shop you used is a single store tire shop and not a place like Discount Tire, which uses equipment, methods and personnel that wouldn't allow that damage to happen. You live and learn - next time I bet you won't go to such a place without knowing their background. From what you've said it sounds doubtful the owner will ever agree to do anything about the damage his shop caused, and personally I would not trust him to have it done right. Your best bet is to go to the Lexus dealership, or someone else you know and trust, and ask who does the dealership's wheel work and make an appointment to have your wheels' finish touched-up or painted by an expert. You'll have to pay for it yourself, which shouldn't be too expensive...and count it as payment for a lesson learned.
I have used a big tire shop before where they didn’t train the technician correctly and he tried to stretch the front 235 tires onto my rear 265 rims after putting both rear 265 tires onto my front 235 rims because he didn’t realize that my GS had staggered wheels. He left gouges in the wheels and the manager wasn’t happy when they had to pay to refinish all four wheels on my 2013 GS.
Taking to a big tire shop doesn’t necessarily mean that they will do a blemish-free job but they are more likely to take responsibility. Now I make sure they know my cars have staggered wheels. Lexus dealers would probably be the safest but they charge way too much and road hazard claims will be harder to deal with.
This is why I ALWAYS take a pic of my wheels in the tire shop parking lot before I hand over the keys. If I see something after I can verify if it was there before the install or not, and show directly to shop.
Probably best to show a shop mgr. the condition of the wheels prior to installation. I'm getting new tires next month on my RX and will show the wheels to mgr. before install.
This is why I ALWAYS take a pic of my wheels in the tire shop parking lot before I hand over the keys. If I see something after I can verify if it was there before the install or not, and show directly to shop.
I will definitely be doing this next time and almost did it this time but told myself I was being crazy, people get new tires put on all the time without any issues, how can a mechanic mess this up. I was wrong, always CYA.
I called my insurance and filed a claim. If they can prove the damage is from the tire replacement, they will go after his insurance. Worst case is I have $100 ded on my comprehensive insurance and they said this will not raise my insurance rates. Claims adjuster will be here Monday to look at the damage.
If you paid with a credit card you may want to consider disputing the transaction. This will trigger communication and you can learn if a dispute can hold-off making the full payment to the tire shop until you find out how much it will cost to repair the damage, plus more for diminished value. Or, you can call the credit card company and ask what they can do to help you about this.
My brother's 3rd gen GS350 suffered wheel damage when he took it into Costco for new tires. They only offered him $100 and he was ticked. He ended up buying a whole new wheel. Took it to the dealer to have the tire remounted and they were able to get the low profiles on without a scratch. I don't work with tires, but I have been told low profile performance tires are a pain to get on the wheel.
I had a 350Z that I ran into a curb. I will never forget that sound and the sinking feeling of what just happened. But, it turned out OK as many people like aftermarket rims on those cars so I bought a whole set of factory wheels on Ebay. The supply market was kind to me. Kept one for myself and sold the other three. Actually came out ahead.
Sorry about the damage, but now my brother will never go anywhere but the dealer for his tire work. Maybe tire shops are OK, but stay away from Costco for your low profile tires.
Wheels damaged during tire install
