During my short defection from Skoda to Honda last yr (Civic 1.8 EX Sport), I did not think much of the alloys the Civic came with, so bought a set of TSW Rocket 5's from a local dealer (in Ireland) for topgear.co.uk. Thought they looked cracking on the car , but I just was not happy with the Civic and sold it on after 6 mths with the standard wheels refitted.

I stored the TSW's out the back, and kinda forgot about them to be honest . A few weeks back I remembered them and thought about selling them on - only got them last Aug and only did about 3,000km on them so they are as good as new, and with Toyo Proxies fitted should get me a few quid . I go outside to check the details on the wheels only to find this :eek:. All 4 wheels ruined with corrosion of some sort :thumbdwn:.

Anyway, contacted topgear, hoped to maybe get refund, no way they said, they will only replace like-for-like. I now have no faith in the wheels and dont want another set of them, so they have said they "might" exchange them for another style of TSW wheel. So where I am looking for your help is in picking another style of wheel from their range. Please check here, 17" TSW Alloy Wheels & Car Tyres Packages - Topgear Alloy Wheels and let me know what ye think :confused:. Personally I am not in love with any of them but if I do have to take 1 of them what 1's do ye think I should opt for ??

Thanks

Bryan

Personally i would get the Legend's, and sell them straight away!

Cut your losses and get a decent make.

Get something that is lacquered and try get a PCD that suits your octy maybe?

Either that or get a buyer for them and get whichever is easiest to sell at minimal loss and sell them on.

Personally i would get the Legend's, and sell them straight away!

Cut your losses and get a decent make.

I thought TSW were a decent make when I bought them

Am happy with the wheels on the Octy so wont be rushing to buy any other make for awhile yet - But thanks for your input Gizmo

TSW are a decent make mate think you have been well unlucky. I dont like Top Gear their service every time I call them is shocking. Have you spoken to TSW direct now they are really helpful and may offer you the alternative you want rather than the alternative you have no choice in. You have clearly been sold a product that is defunct in some way. I would not take the answer from Top Gear as gospel. TSW sorted out my alloy wheel problems from one of their suppliers and trust me they want to know when one of their suppliers is not playing fair as its their name at stake.

They are a decent make, I have seen this before the cause is due to minor surface damage possibly by stones or brake dust eating into the laquer. What happens then, water gets in and corrodes the unpainted wheel. Its not a design fault, the problem is caused by lack of maintenance. I had the same problem on my old Boxster with its 18" split rims, the only thing you can do is get them refurbed and painted instead of polish/laquer.

mannyo is spot on there - my laquered GTI rims were a fookin nightmare and constantly corroded as did my Toyota Celica rims. Getting them refurbed at about £40 a wheel may be your best option...

They are a decent make, I have seen this before the cause is due to minor surface damage possibly by stones or brake dust eating into the laquer. What happens then, water gets in and corrodes the unpainted wheel. Its not a design fault, the problem is caused by lack of maintenance. I had the same problem on my old Boxster with its 18" split rims, the only thing you can do is get them refurbed and painted instead of polish/laquer.

The wheels were washed when taken off the car (a few times while on it also ). There was no damage from stones or other wise, and the way all 4 wheels corroded in the same place - same edge of the wheel spokes, it looks to me like they were sprayed / laquered wrong in the 1st place :thumbdwn:.

Cheers for your input guys, but not trying to figure out why they failed but what other style of wheel to go for instead :confused:. Of the selection available what one's would ye opt for :confused:

Bryan

Unfortunately TSW still fall in with the other Halfords/Motorworld specials on the quality front

If TSW were that decent then the wheels would not corrode so quickly.

This is the typical sign of a cheaply mass produced wheel with little attention paid to QC.

i heard TSW were very 'soft' (buckle easy) and to avoid

Guys an Gals, I hate to do this but I need to push this back on thread, I am looking for what people think about the selection of wheels that I can choose from, not info on if they are good or bad :( .

I know everyone on Brisky has an opinion on things like this :eek:

Bryan

What about contacting Consumer Affairs and see what your stand point is regarding NOT taking a new set and getting a full refund..........ya never know !!!

After all you have now a different car which has alloys and the others were not fit for the purpose they were intended.

I too would try for a refund.

However, the Catalunyas seem popular-ish with the Fabia boys, why not get some of those?

1 vote for Catalunya and 1 for Legend - and whats this, no vote from Gaff :eek:

What about contacting Consumer Affairs and see what your stand point is regarding NOT taking a new set and getting a full refund..........ya never know !!!

After all you have now a different car which has alloys and the others were not fit for the purpose they were intended.

With Topgear being a UK based company, not sure how Irish law / right's will stand up to their company polices :confused:

:bump:

Catalunya's would get my vote from the options available.

With Topgear being a UK based company, not sure how Irish law / right's will stand up to their company polices :confused:

Ah right, well then maybe see how UK law stacks up?

Btw the legends look well

Bryan, We have these new-fangled yokes called European Consumer Laws now - check with local citizens information centre or online.

If you must go TSW again, Catalunya gets my vote, sorry to hear about the hassle.

Bryan, We have these new-fangled yokes called European Consumer Laws now - check with local citizens information centre or online.

If you must go TSW again, Catalunya gets my vote, sorry to hear about the hassle.

Cheers mathepac : guess will be no harm in making a phone call

of the wheels I was thinking of the Catalunya myself, and it seems to be getting the most (of a very few :thumbdwn:) votes, so it will be these I will ask for if given the chance

I'd consider the black ice:D

Mick:thumbup:

I'd consider the black ice:D

Mick:thumbup:

They have the same type finnishto them as the Rocket's AFAIK, and not going there again if I can help it :thumbdwn:

Sorry spotted this thread a bit late which is unusual for me if it involves alloy wheels as I chop and change them all the time.

If you don't get any luck with a refund I would go for either the Catalunyas or Cults out of that selection, BUT it's an out of date selection they're showing you so look for the Demon. Really smart wheel identical to what they fit as an option on the Vulva C30.

[img[http://www.topgear.co.uk/acatalog/4x_17_Inch_TSW_Warrior_Alloy_Wheels_With_Tyres.php[/img]

i'd get the warriors dude