Skoda Superb L&K 2012 Alloy Wheels - or so called?

[nczernus]

Hi Gents/Ladies,

Had the very mis-fortune to accidentally scuff the "alloys" on MY2012 L&K Superb.

Gutted. But also a bit puzzled.

It was one of those kerbs where it looks straight wen your going close up to it whilst reversing (was in Brixton at the time) but then this was a "Natural" stone kerb and had a jagged edge sticking out which caught the wheeel (.

Took it to a place recommended by Skoda and they took one look at it and said "Cant do anything with them, they are not Alloy Wheels."

???????

The Chap then proceeded to inform me that these particular wheels are made of solid steel, as in a full block of Steel has been diamond cut specifically to this wheel shape.

He also stated that this wheel, although more hassle when they are Kerbed/Scuffed, is so much more rigid than the conventional alloy wheels (as he pointed towards a Porshea Cayenne) and stated they would never buckle going over pot holes because they are so strong and you would get better tyre wear performance because of this. He also said they are double the cost of any alloy wheel.

He advised for the repair to be done properly they needed to be sent away to be poilished and diamond sanded.

I asked him could he not do anything as in if i looked at it from the road would i notice it.

He advised he could get rid of the noticeable mark, but not to pressure wash it or use the acid cleaner (wonder wheels) on them as the laquer he would put on it could peel away and leave a grey mark on the alloy.

One thing i have noticed is that in some places the black internal rim paint seems to be comming off on the outer edge in places.

Wonder if any other L&K owners have noticed this?

So good wheels, yes. Expensive to repair, hmm yes.

Cost me £48 to have the scuff removed completley.

Dents8 were the people that did it in Bolton and i was very impressed.

(they have fixed scratches on my car before when it got damaged at my local dealers).

So some good news and some bad news for L&K owners with the standard supplied steel wheels..

[Kiwibacon]

They don't look like steel, they'd be very, very heavy if they were. Steel is 3x the density of aluminium.

[Richf]

Mmmm pics??

[iancjc]

I have the L&K Wheels and I'm certain they're alloy - surely if they are seriously cut out of a steel block they will weigh loads, won't balance correctly and cost a fortune?

[mannyo]

They are alloy, and are diamond cut. its the diamond cut that the problem, since most refurb places won't touch them as once they are damaged they are almost impossible to sort since they are not painted. The wheels are in esence diamond cut and then laquer applied, any repair will be obvious hence why most avoid them.

[lowedb]

Yes, I agree as well. They are alloy. It's just that they are cut after painting, then lacquered.

Some places will repair them. I recently bought a set where one had been nicked, and that has been redone. It looks brand new! I'm told it cost £90 though.

However it will depend on the refurb technique. Many of the quicky mobile types do a quick fill and respray without removing a tyre. This is impossible with a diamond cut wheel because you can't cut it without removing the tyre. I suffered from a repair like this that had been done on a brand new car before delivery. Took it back because the paint was flaking off and the dealer showed me where it had been repaired.

The other way of refurbing is to take off the tyre, fully strip and repaint or powder coat. Then diamond cut and lacquer. I understand with diamond cut this is the only way, though there are probably still plenty who won't do them this way either.

[nczernus]

Ok Dudes,

Clearly you guys are more in the know than this guy at Dents8.

The repair is not noticeable at the moment and i had it done on Monday.

fingers crossed it lasts!!!

[Danny 57]

Hope so as well. Let "us" know what happens good or bad, hopefully good.

[Tech1e]

Lol, what a crock.

Put a magnet on it, does it stick?

[Jonny5ive]

Lol, what a crock.

Put a magnet on it, does it stick?

Don't hold back Ross :rofl: :rofl:

[Richf]

This thread has given me a chuckle even more so now the OP is getting a little stressy because he thinks we dont believe him !!

Mannyo summed it up , diamond cut wheels are a pain , few places will refurb them fully and those that do charge the earth for it , you did the right thing repairing the scuff separately if you can , no reason why that wont last

I had diamond cut wheels on my E class they are common on Mercs and they were a lot of trouble , ended up changing them for a some AMG copies in the end

[Ashmount]

This thread has given me a chuckle even more so now the OP is getting a little stressy because he thinks we dont believe him !!

Mannyo summed it up , diamond cut wheels are a pain , few places will refurb them fully and those that do charge the earth for it , you did the right thing repairing the scuff separately if you can , no reason why that wont last

I had diamond cut wheels on my E class they are common on Mercs and they were a lot of trouble , ended up changing them for a some AMG copies in the end

Agree entirely about the Merc diamond cuts. My Merc dealer refurbed mine as part of purchase (a demo with 1,700 miles on clock and all four wheels kerbed) declaring they would be "as good as new" - they were terrible and he had three goes over the life of the car, each time getting worse and stripping value from the car. After a lot off back and forth, Merc put four new wheels on it.

Had the misfortune to kerb my Superb Luxon alloy in a very tight multi story cp- not badly, but across the face of the spokes and centre and it looked pretty awful. Got a price for a specialist refurb - £138 inc VAT. New alloy from Skoda £167 inc VAT (which I think is a fantastic price for an 18" alloy from a dealer).

A bizarre footnote: I went with a new alloy, but the dealer was going to charge me £288 inc VAT. Queried this against web prices - turns out if it is a replacement its £167 but if its an upgrade its £288. Dealer was apologetic for charging wrong price, but when I queried how there could be two prices for exactly the same wheel, he said it was a feature of VAG's pricing he had not encountered before and he would be writing to them about it. Very genuine response from a senior member of the dealer team.

I now have an extra Luxon if anyone is desperate...

[highinthesky]

Can anyone recommend a decent repair service for diamond cut alloys in/around Hampshire?

 

Also any idea of the cost to replace an 18" wheel on a 2013 L&K Superb?

[peanut18]

http://www.skodaparts.com/product/superb-alloy-wheel-18-inch-sirius-2013-2014-50651

[superbdreams]

There was a chunk missing on one of mine before I bought it.

The dealer sent it to http://www.platinumwheelrefurb.com/ platinum wheel refurb in Swindon.

I can not find the repair even 9 months on.

[ruffday]

Agree entirely about the Merc diamond cuts. My Merc dealer refurbed mine as part of purchase (a demo with 1,700 miles on clock and all four wheels kerbed) declaring they would be "as good as new" - they were terrible and he had three goes over the life of the car, each time getting worse and stripping value from the car. After a lot off back and forth, Merc put four new wheels on it.

Had the misfortune to kerb my Superb Luxon alloy in a very tight multi story cp- not badly, but across the face of the spokes and centre and it looked pretty awful. Got a price for a specialist refurb - £138 inc VAT. New alloy from Skoda £167 inc VAT (which I think is a fantastic price for an 18" alloy from a dealer).

A bizarre footnote: I went with a new alloy, but the dealer was going to charge me £288 inc VAT. Queried this against web prices - turns out if it is a replacement its £167 but if its an upgrade its £288. Dealer was apologetic for charging wrong price, but when I queried how there could be two prices for exactly the same wheel, he said it was a feature of VAG's pricing he had not encountered before and he would be writing to them about it. Very genuine response from a senior member of the dealer team.

I now have an extra Luxon if anyone is desperate...

 

An upgrade might include the tyre.

[highinthesky]

Can I thank all contributors.

 

Could easily have bought a replacement for £363 from my local dealer but ended up with the one from Nottingham for more or less half the price

[highinthesky]

Received my replacement wheel today.

 

Couple of questions on which I would appreciate guidance:

 

1. The new wheel came with the updated Skoda chrome centre boss fitted
    Is it possible to buy the Green Logo version singly or do they only come in packs of 4?
    Any suggestions on best place to buy?
    Quite like the chrome inserts and may buy these as replacements but would these be more expensive?

 

2. Has anyone found that their centre wheel caps have tarnished?

    Have just looked at mine and all four wheels have marks around the wheel hubs, on a car that is just over 12 months old!!
    Would this be a warranty issue?
    

[bryanp]

Received my replacement wheel today.

 

Couple of questions on which I would appreciate guidance:

 

1. The new wheel came with the updated Skoda chrome centre boss fitted

    Is it possible to buy the Green Logo version singly or do they only come in packs of 4?

    Any suggestions on best place to buy?

    Quite like the chrome inserts and may buy these as replacements but would these be more expensive?

 

2. Has anyone found that their centre wheel caps have tarnished?

    Have just looked at mine and all four wheels have marks around the wheel hubs, on a car that is just over 12 months old!!

    Would this be a warranty issue?

    

Ebay mate, they do them a single or 4's, could always change to the new badge as the look great on alloys, I've got/had Diamond cut Thermisto's on my Superb and they were in a shocking state, had them totally reburbed and sprayed by the body shop my Dad works at, got mates rates at £150 all four, but they said they normally charge £60 a wheel. Bit of a no brainer as a diamond cut refurb cost £150 a wheel (could almost buy a new wheel for that!), guys also told me that with a primer, 2 undercoats, 2 top coats and laquer they are alot better protected from then elements, they look great and you wouldnt know! theres a pic of them on a different thread on this forum.

[silver1011]

Prices up north are much cheaper, S.E.M in Sunderland charge £65 + VAT for a proper 18" diamond cut refurb.

 

Plenty of positive comments about these guys on the internet, I'll be getting my diamond cut Proteus alloys refurbed soon - but I won't be getting them diamond cut, normal paint for me from now on!

 

Diamond cut alloys look great in the showroom but are completely inappropriate for cars, especially those just out of warranty.