vRS Dark Chrome alloys corroding

[pipsyp]

Cleaned ours for the first time in a while yesterday and have noticed marks on the diamond cut face of the wheel, like the face of the alloy is starting to oxidise under the lacquer. Its happened on every wheel. It's not bad at this stage but imagine it'll only get worse.

Not v good on an 8 month old car. Has anyone here had similar issues and are Skoda aware of a problem with these wheels? I'm probably going to pursue a warranty claim to see if I can get Black wheels put on it as replacements if they'll do it.

[seboni121]

I think this issue has come up before, especially on these coated wheels may be a trip to the dealers and warranty ? But someone will be here shortly

[sharkrider]

Yes, all mine are corroding, and not at sites of damage (mine are White) I meant to meantion it when I was at the dealers , but I forgot :(

[ab vrs]

I had the same problem on my previous Volvo v70, which had diamond cut chromed wheels, went down the warranty route which was very painful. In the end I was told it was not a manufacturer default and that at some point had come into contact with something causing the problem, basically no joy, but as a gesture of good will they'd let me have a new set a cost, only £2,500. I no longer own the Volvo and do not deal with that stealer or maker.

Hope you have better look.

A metal polish can help, but doesn't last long until it will return.

[the mad monk]

there covered under the paint warranty but its proving you havent used wonder wheels and the like on them

i got a second opinion from a paint shop who backed up my claim that it was a paint defect on my mk1 vrs, so not too difficult and deffo worth it

Edited 30 January, 2012 by the mad monk

[seboni121]

1327931948[/url]' post='2666366']

there covered under the paint warranty but its proving you havent used wonder wheels and the like on them

i got a second opinion from a paint shop who backed up my claim that it was a paint defect on my mk1 vrs, so not too difficult and deffo worth it

Paint specialist

[Bullyboy]

Try owning a RX8 most cars had one set of wheels replaced under warranty !

I have the dark chromes and not really noticed anything strange but will give them a once over later this week. Mines going in next week for 1st year service so if anything nasty ill mention it.

Hope the dealer sorts yours out.

[Leon-y-k]

Don't you need to take extra care looking after polished rims?

I heard their a pita to keep perfect :(

[icemanmjm]

Always Always after washing car and wheels i put on a wheel barrier, this keeps them in tip top condition and no need for all those harmful wheel cleaner which are rubbish anyway, auto glym do a good one, try that instead, cheeers...ice.

[Leon-y-k]

I always found wonder wheels to be a bit harsh on the lacquered finish... :(

[Ad Lav]

If they get kerbed or stone chipped they will 'pickle' as its known in the trade - oxidisation - or salt and crap under the laquer which eats the laquer. Warranty job but only if no kerb marks etc as I asked dealer already

P.S I have no marks on mine touch wood!

[ChrisRs]

Ours was starting to show signs of oxidisation just before the Wife kerbed all 4 wheels!!!

[jonny boy]

there covered under the paint warranty but its proving you havent used wonder wheels and the like on them

Exactly. I'm NEVER letting Wonder Wheels (or any other acidic cleaner) near mine If they corrode, it's warranty, end of.

Also, the calipers will corrode and you'd need to explain that one as well. I mean, if you've not used acidic cleaners, there's nothing to worry about in your own mind.

Makes that trip to the dealers much easier with that knowledge.

[sharkrider]

Exactly. I'm NEVER letting Wonder Wheels (or any other acidic cleaner) near mine If they corrode, it's warranty, end of.

Also, the calipers will corrode and you'd need to explain that one as well. I mean, if you've not used acidic cleaners, there's nothing to worry about in your own mind.

Makes that trip to the dealers much easier with that knowledge.

lol... I've never used ANY cleaners on mine! just the works presure wash.

[jonny boy]

lol... I've never used ANY cleaners on mine! just the works presure wash.

Dave, when I saw your car, it looks as if you've never cleaned them, let alone used acid

[Can]

Diamond cut wheels are always a bugger for corrosion.

Dad had the same problem with the Honda, and one of the lads at work has a BMW and reckons he gets about 1 year out of a cut.

[Brian69]

My front nearside has a bit of corrosion next to where it's obviously been kerbed - bought the car like that - didn't realise it was corrosion at the time. Buying a year-old car I did expect the odd minor kerb mark.

To make matters worse I was coming home tonight and hit what must have been a really bad pothole (unlit country road - Cathkin Braes) - left tyre rubber mark on the alloy (which has fortunately come off) and another small dink in the alloy. I'm just going to have to bite the bullet and pay for the refurb myself - can't see me getting anywhere with a warranty claim - all part and parcel of car ownership :'( .

Glasgow City Council must have the worst kept roads in the UK - Albanian roads are probably in better condition.

[Leon-y-k]

My front nearside has a bit of corrosion next to where it's obviously been kerbed - bought the car like that - didn't realise it was corrosion at the time. Buying a year-old car I did expect the odd minor kerb mark.

To make matters worse I was coming home tonight and hit what must have been a really bad pothole (unlit country road - Cathkin Braes) - left tyre rubber mark on the alloy (which has fortunately come off) and another small dink in the alloy. I'm just going to have to bite the bullet and pay for the refurb myself - can't see me getting anywhere with a warranty claim - all part and parcel of car ownership :'( .

Glasgow City Council must have the worst kept roads in the UK - Albanian roads are probably in better condition.

hey can you contact for compensation?

[Brian69]

hey can you contact for compensation?

I'd be pushing my luck - what happened tonight is only a small dink.

I actually got two new tyres for my MKI vRS out of Glasgow City Council last year (plus they paid my train fare to Liverpool - where I was headed when I hit a pothole at 4am - parked the car up and got the train to Liverpool - had a flight to catch - they even paid for my taxi fare to the station). I was really lucky on that one as my fronts needed replaced anyway - when I emailed them photos of the damage I got a reply from a lassie I used to work with, and now works at GCC - they sent me a cheque in full really quickly. In effect I got two new tyres I needed anyway plus balancing courtesy of the council (plus saved on diesel on a Glasgow to Liverpool round trip).

[pipsyp]

cant knock my local dealers customer service, one look at the wheels and they've order 4 new ones for warranty replacement. Fair shout

[RikSlaty]

Noticed this on 3 of my alloys at the weekend corrosion under the lacquer and went to my dealer today and no quibbles they are replacing the 3 of them.

Guy that checked them said usually people wait to long to come and have them looked at and the lacquer has come off and you cant prove it wasn't caused by stone chips etc so best keep a regular check on them and go as soon as you have an issue.

[fletch555]

Started to notice some marking on one wheel....its under the surface as it won't come off. I did use Chemical Guys - Wheel Guard Wax on the wheels which says its safe on chrome. I'm pretty disappointed as the car has only done just over 4,000 miles and for about 1.5k of them, the wheels were in storage as I had winter wheels on. In an awkward position, as I think I would just rather replace all 4 with the dark alloys, not the chrome ones (as I can see these corroding in the future). But as only 1 is showing signs of corrosion, I doubt I could put in a warranty claim for all 4 wheels....how has everyone else got on?

Shot at 2012-03-27

[Auric Goldfinger]

As above, one or the wife's Vrs wheels is doing exactly the same thing. Warranty jobbie I think, in about 18 months. The car will be 2 1/2 years old then

[Ad Lav]

Just had my two rear alloys changed for this, no quibble over warranty either. Strange that the fronts havn't started pickling!

They send them back off to Skoda UK for investigation apparently, not all batches do it. Heard that it's particularly bad on Octavia Scout model wheels.

[Evil Miyagi]

This has just happened to one of mine :/

Off to Skoda I go :(