common alloy issue?

[fatlad]

so my alloys on the SE have started to blister & bubble around the valve & a genuine replacement is £800+vat!!

my local wheel company can refurbish for between £300-£400 but need the wheels around 2/3 days as part of the process is to dip them for around 15-18hrs prior to refurb but i need the car for daily hospital cancer treatment.

has anyone of you comrades changed the alloys from standard?

if so what did you go for & are there any pitfalls of to look out for?

[ColinB]

If these are the original wheels and you’re sure there’s no evidence of external damage (kerbing, careless tyre fitter, previous repairs, etc) then you might like to have a robust conversation with the dealer about whether this premature failure is reasonable and see if he’ll contribute to the cost. Can’t remember now whether the anti-corrosion warranty covers the wheels but do check that. Good luck.

If you end up going down the repair route, then why not buy one spare (even a cheap steel wheel) and get the alloys done one at a time so you’re not off the road at a difficult time? Or, if the damage is just cosmetic and not structural, leave it until a more convenient time?

[Kremmen]

Alloy wheel problems, like you describe, were a common problem on the Lexus IS200

I had all mine replaced under warranty after just 2 years as they were bubbling

At the time, on the Lexus forum, the rumour was something to do with the way the Japanese made the alloy, not fit for UK weather

[fatlad]

If these are the original wheels and you’re sure there’s no evidence of external damage (kerbing, careless tyre fitter, previous repairs, etc) then you might like to have a robust conversation with the dealer about whether this premature failure is reasonable and see if he’ll contribute to the cost. Can’t remember now whether the anti-corrosion warranty covers the wheels but do check that. Good luck.

If you end up going down the repair route, then why not buy one spare (even a cheap steel wheel) and get the alloys done one at a time so you’re not off the road at a difficult time? Or, if the damage is just cosmetic and not structural, leave it until a more convenient time?

hi Colin yes theres evidence of kerbing which was on when i bought it, & i enquired at the dealer when i bought it as the bubbling too was evident but not as bad as it is now  only to be told its past the 5yr corrosion warranty period..

refurb it is then.thanks

[Lord Voltermore]

I think refurb is probably the way to go.   The following post lists  some of the possible pitfalls of using other wheels

https://clubjazz.org/forum/index.php?topic=18431.msg158797#msg158797

Problem with alternative non standard wheels  is you will probably also need to budget for new tyres, and permanently fitting non standard wheels on a car of this type and age can  affect the resale value ,and maybe upset insurers.

I suppose you could buy used Honda wheels, maybe steels, or damaged alloys ,with tyres to use for a few days. And get some of  the cost back by reselling them later.  Or fit them with winter friendly tyres (maybe all seasons) . Or maybe even get this second set refurbished later to improve their resale value. But I expect you would still make a loss greater than the cost of hiring a car or using a taxi for a few days.

You could try complaining to the main dealer. I doubt they would accept liability, but in view of your extra need for a working car they might as a goodwill gesture lend you  a  spare set of wheels for a few days, etc.