Finally spoke to the service manager at the dealer today. Surprise Surprise they had no record of the alloy wheel replacement claim started back in Sept - will be pushing to get all 4 done now,

In addition we had a lengthy conversation on the state of the tyres. They have agreed to look at the tyres, but claim not to have heard of any such 'cracking' problem with either the Mazda 5 or Dunlops. They also claim that we should only expect 12-15k out of a front set - What ! I'd expect at least 20k, ok it's front wheel drive, but it's an MPV so driven pretty sympathetically - am I being reasonable?

I think that's me being softened up so even if they do accept there is a fault - they will be looking for a sizeable contribution from us. Also I don't particularly want Dunlops again - but have been seeing some stuff on the net suggesting that these Dunlops were specifically developed for the 5.

I can't get it in until Tues, but will keep an eye on things until then. Interestingly the service manager did mention things like the car sitting in a field somewhere...mmmm.

Thanks for all your input guys & I'll keep you posted.

P.s Date code looks like 1808...so 18th week of 2008, which would tie in with fact that they are on a facelifted 2008 car - so the age issue seems unlikely.

Edited 24 March, 201016 yr by harveys

Also I don't particularly want Dunlops again - but have been seeing some stuff on the net suggesting that these Dunlops were specifically developed for the 5.

I wouldn't worry too much about that - Dunlop developed a tyre specifically for the Mazda MX5 - the Dunlop D89 - and believe me it was crap compared to some of the others available at the time!

Re other makes I'd look at the Vredestein Sporttrac 3's (about £85 per tyre in your size) or Ultracs (about £105) or Goodyear Excellence (£95).

All should be significantly better than the Dunlops you have, although personally I'd go with the Sporttrac's.

Edited 25 March, 201016 yr by skomaz

I wouldn't worry too much about that - Dunlop developed a tyre specifically for the Mazda MX5 - the Dunlop D89 - and believe me it was crap compared to some of the others available at the time!

Re other makes I'd look at the Vredestein Sporttrac 3's (about £85 per tyre in your size) or Ultracs (about £105) or Goodyear Excellence (£95).

All should be significantly better than the Dunlops you have, although personally I'd go with the Sporttrac's.

Cheers for that - I have Vredsteins on the Octavia VRS - Ultra Sessanta's - & like them, so will check out your suggestions...it might ultimately come down to who is going to pay for them !

yeah, the Dunlops were special to the Mazda 5, but from day one there were problems with edge wear, especially rear inners, we had to adjust the front and rear tracking to different specs to try and alleviate the problems, had to fill in forms for Mazda with digitally read tyre depth readings as well for when tyres needed to be replaced due to the excessive wear

Went to the dealer as planned today

- the good news is that they accept the alloys are corroded & are to replace all 4 (as should be the case).

- the bad new is that as some on here suggested would likely be the case, they are claiming that the tyres are nothing to do with them, are not covered under warranty, are not dangerous, don't need replaced, would pass an MOT (wouldn't even get an advisory) blah blah blah...I've sent them on my photo's tonight - as it was wet when I took the car in & admittedly the damage didn't look so severe as in the dry.

Fortunately I'd done my homework on here & elsewhere...so quoted the Sale of Goods Act - 6 year rule, Which? magazines advice on goods sold with an inherant fault being the responsibility of the seller (so in this case the dealer) & not the manufacturer, maker & the known issues with the Dunlops etc etc.

The dealer has agreed to approach the manufacturer of the car (Mazda) & the tyre (Dunlop)...to see what they are prepared to do in our case...

Was interesting to hear the different angles that firstly the Service Manager came from then the General Manager...the SM dismissed all my claims about known issues with the 5, Dunlop etc etc...whereas the GM accepted that there were known issues & was prepared to take it further - without accepting liability.

It was also interesting to hear the level of discontent in the waiting area of the 'service centre'...from folk complaining about the attitude of the staff, to waiting times, to unexpected bills etc...so it seems I am certainly not alone !

I saw a 2006 RX8 last weekend - all 4 alloys badly corroded. Going to cost someone

Quick refresher - Mazda 5 - 18 months old, 7k on the clock - all 4 Dunlop SP2050 Maxx tyres (205/50 R17 93V XL's) very badly cracked on inner & outer edges, + 1st set of tread blocks - see pics earlier in the threads.

I am still trying to resolve this. Basically it has dragged on for too long, due to very poor service from the dealers side - when I sought confirmation that it was being dealt with, it transpired that they were claiming that they hadn't received any of the photo's I'd sent & claimed to never have received any messages to call me back. It has now been kick started again with the Regional Tyre Manager now involved & he stated today, 'these tyres need to be replaced' - yes, I replied, that's what I've been telling you for weeks now - but who is going to foot the bill ? Answer seems to be that any claim to Dunlop will need to be done retrospectively - i.e after they have fitted another 4 Dunlops - something I am not too keen on for various reasons 1)don't want to be out of pocket - (can probably get the same or better tyres cheaper elsewhere) & potentially receive nowt & 2) not too keen on fitting the Dunlops again...

Having shopped around, I have a local garage I have used for tyres/repairs before offering to submit the claim on our behalf, via his tyre broker and suggesting I could fit another make - he is recommending Hankooks (I wasn't too sure they were good quality - but most reviews I've found tonight are good), while one or two of the lads at work are suggesting Uniroyal Rainsports.

Does anyone have any experience of submitting a claim for tyres to a manufacturer...and was it successful???

Would be very grateful to receive your comments/advice on how best to proceed.

Whatever happens, I will be replacing these tyres, but clearly feel the manufacturer, dealer or car maker should be paying at least a % of the cost - reasonable??