Another potential issue I found today while washing the car. I noticed a mark on a rear alloy. Car is always hand washed. Mainly use AutoGlym, Meguiars or Auto Finesse products. Alloy has never been kerbed. 

Looks like water has got under the varnish. It only takes a stone to hit the wheel to crack the seal. But it's a common problem with diamond cut alloys. 

 

The only cure is a refurb when it gets bad enough to be obvious. I'm thinking of having mine painted all black when they need it.

 

Chris

 

 

Thanks for reply. Do you think it is a pointless exercise saying to the Dealer if the car is under 3 x years old with 14k miles?. I was hoping to own the car for around 5 x years but so far it has disappointed me. This is another issue that has cropped up. I've also just read about the timing belt cost. Think it will be leaving the family quite soon

I'm sure a dealer would call it fair wear and tear. The plastic centre caps on all VW cars are also susceptible to the same problem, but it costs much less to replace them! 

 

Chris 

Aye, diamond cut alloys are definitely not "all that". I think I'll be getting rid this year. Alloys starting to go already. 19" wheels are already not a great set up, ride wise. This is just another issue. I already had abnormal outside edge tyre wear and that was put down to a consequence of the alloy size 🙄. Car looks great but tyre wear, alloy wheel issues, rear camera issues and timing belt replacement cost are things I wasn't really expecting. 

1 hour ago, Pappasmurf said:

This is another issue that has cropped up.

 

As per above, that looks like stone chip damage to me. That can happen no matter what car you buy. Could be a stone thrown over by a passing car. If it's something you want to avoid then only option is to buy plain steel wheels.

The area is completely "flush". No raised area at all. Would a stone chip not have damaged the surface?

No need for visible chips just a hard hit, or even a slight one.

White worm can happen with brand new replacement rims getting tyres fitted.  

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/476768-possible-alloy-wheel-issue

 

10 minutes ago, toot said:

No need for visible chips just a hard hit, or even a slight one.

White worm can happen with brand new replacement rims getting tyres fitted.  

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/476768-possible-alloy-wheel-issue

 

All it needs to do is cause a hairline crack in the varnish coat. Water will do the rest.

 

Chris

Yes,  has has been the case for many many years.   The OP has been lucky so far.

"lucky" maybe with regards to these wheels but not a term I'd use with regards to the car itself. On a side note, I'm pretty much done with "diamond cut" alloys. Flawed design imo. Last car was an Audi A5 with "rotor" alloys and although they took longer to blemish, once it started it looked horrendous. I've walked past other Audi's with "rotor" alloys with the same faded finish after the deterioration starts. Researching this on the Karoq was a bit of an eye opener

Yes, diamond cut alloys look pretty in a showroom when new and shiny

 

But are not very practical over life of a car, as any stone, chipping etc thrown up by passing vehicles soon damages them, as do many motorists if they bump into kerbs etc.   Once damaged, any moisture that gets under coatings tend to make them look tatty.

 

A quick look around my nearest car park confirms that only tiny minority bother to clean them to shiny state, so rather defeats the purpose of having them.

 

My 2018 sportline alloys looked awful after 4 years, I recently got them all refurbed and coated in all-over gloss metallic grey (BMW orbit grey actually) and I am much happier with the look and the repairability.

Paint/varnish is always thin on a right angled edge, consequently more likely to crack etc!