V8 Vantage Alloy Wheel Cracked

[Southwestdave]

Just got back from the AM dealer to have some warranty work done on the car. I had some good news while there in that they confirmed the burning smell I got a few times recently was in fact a small engine oil leak, which at times is dropping onto the manifold and burning off.

They are fixing that under the extended warranty, happy days.

Then they came back and said they had found a small crack on one of the front alloy wheels. It is approx 1/2 inch long, on the inside of the wheel rim, and therefore I would have never seen it without them getting the car off the ground. However that is not covered under the extended warranty.

The car is an 07MY with standard wheels. I have no idea when this has happened. Has anyone else had this with their cars and did you just replace the wheel with a new one? In my case they are quoting £475 for the wheel, including fitting.

[Luckyluciano]

Go to astonmartinbits and get one from them. Used £100 or refurbished £175.

[Southwestdave]

Luckyluciano said:

Go to astonmartinbits and get one from them. Used £100 or refurbished £175.

Have you used them for this type of thing? Did have a look at their site this morning, but just wondered what I would be getting for the money?

[Luckyluciano]

You'll just be getting an old alloy that's been refurbed. It won't be damaged, buckled or cracked and you'll save a fair amount of cash.
They are only down the road from me.

[Southwestdave]

Thanks for the confirmation

[peterr96]

Yes. We found a cracked rear back in May. Likewise it was on the inside edge and invisble until the wheel was removed.
My misses knows she hit a big bd pot hole in feb/march so it probably stems from then.
The original finish of the 19" wheels was crap anyway, often flaking paint off the spoke backs and the inside of the wheel was almost "sintered" finish which was impossible to clean the grime off.
A properly refurbed wheel will show the other ones up and in my opinion be better than a new AM wheel!
I predict you'll be tempted to get the other ones done to match!
Make sure that the person doing the fitting takes care of the tyre pressure senders on the rim when getting the tyre off.

[Southwestdave]

Funny you should mention that, did wonder about the colour match of a referb wheel, wondered whether it would stand out as being different to the others

[mikey k]

buy a used one get it inspected and powder coat all of them to the same finish

[burntout]

Try this...

Find a large pot hole near you, shouldnt be hard on any british road! Take a photo of it and send the picture along with the bill to your local council.

You never know, I have heard this working before! Chances are it was a defective road that caused the damage in the 1st place, and given the price we pay on road tax for the privilage of driving our cars on such crappy roads, they shouldnt have a leg to stand on

[michael gould]

burntout said:

Try this...

Find a large pot hole near you, shouldnt be hard on any british road! Take a photo of it and send the picture along with the bill to your local council.

You never know, I have heard this working before! Chances are it was a defective road that caused the damage in the 1st place, and given the price we pay on road tax for the privilage of driving our cars on such crappy roads, they shouldnt have a leg to stand on

I'm surprised that the moderators havnt given you a red card for suggesting a fellow forum member might wish to commit fraud .......not clever......the sort of suggestion you might expect to find on the hot hatchback forum

[michael gould]

I've just realised .........you do drive a hot hatchback !!

[burntout]

michael gould said:

I'm surprised that the moderators havnt given you a red card for suggesting a fellow forum member might wish to commit fraud .......not clever......the sort of suggestion you might expect to find on the hot hatchback forum

I see your angle, but I wouldnt really consider it fraud, more trying your luck!! A lot of the roads in this country are terrible, and un noticed damage to wheels and tyres could be the cause of a serious accident.

How long ago was the snow? And still near where I live there are craters big enough to fill with water and start building holiday homes around them.

The councils should be held accountable for this type of damage to your vehicle.

[burntout]

michael gould said:

I've just realised .........you do drive a hot hatchback !!

Thanks....!!!!!