Rims & Corrosion - Wilde Lexus Of Sarasota Will Not Cover Under Wa

[siestaflorida]

HELP!

Has anyone ever heard of the inside of your rims corroding? My tires have been losing air since January. The tires are brand new so a friend talked me in to having nitrogen put in them. So, I took my car to Ford, the only place in town that did it. I told them about 2 tires that kept going low. They filled the tires with nitrogen and told me there was nothing wrong with the tires but they did however change out all of the valve stems. Two days later, the tires were low again so I returned to Ford and they checked the tires again, still nothing. Again, three days later, back to Ford and they still did not find anything wrong with the tires.

One day while leaving work, one tire was so low that I did not think I would make it to Tire Kingdom. I expressed my frustration. These guys completely took all tires off the rims and checked them and found nothing. They were smart enough to look at the rims. They informed me that the rims were corroding and I needed to take them back to Lexus. Needless to say, I was totally shocked. I took my car to Lexus. I truly did not think I would have a problem either getting them repaired or replaced. First of all, I told them what the problem was and they told me I was going to have to pay $55 for them to analyze the problem. I told them there was nothing to analyze, I am telling you what the problem is. Then I get a call later in the day that it is going to cost me over $2,000 to have the rims replaced. 1) Well that would be perfectly fine if I were going to keep the car but I told them I was trading it in next year when the new body style comes out. 2) My warranty had just gone out two must prior. 3) My car has been in for all scheduled maintenance, 5,000 Miles , they Rotated the tires ,10,000 Miles , they Rotated the tires, 15,000 Miles , they Rotated the tires, 30,000 Miles, they Rotated the tires and my invoice states that they inspected the tires and adjusted tire air pressures and inspected tires for proper wear. At this time, they also replaced my brakes (01/07/08) Mileage 31,510 and then on 04/24/08 with just 33,124 miles, I had the 35,000 and again they Rotated the tires, inspected the tires, adjusted the air pressures and inspected tires for proper wear. Now wouldn’t you think with all of this rotating, inspecting and adjusting the air pressure in these tires, they would have seen the CORROSION on the rims? Perhaps they did and just didn't want to let me know because the car was still under warranty and they would have to replace them. I rely on Wilde Lexus of Sarasota to keep me informed about my car that is why I pay big bucks, at their dealership to keep it maintained including ALL scheduled maintenances (never under $600), including just getting the oil changed, which if you don't already know, it cost twice as much as Jiffy Lube.

I told them their offer was not acceptable. So he (the service advisor) went to his service manager and they came back with a $900 offer. They would split wholesale cost with me and they would pay labor costs. This is still not acceptable, as I feel the rims should be covered under warranty. They had plenty of opportunity to find the corrosion and repair or replace them. The reasons they gave me for the corrosion, were of course my doings, and let me tell you what they were:

1. They asked me if I lived by the water. Everyone in Sarasota lives by the water. If this is the case then they should not sell this type of rim in an area surrounded by water.

2. They asked if I stored chlorine in my garage as that would corrode them.

3. The car wash must have left some sort of cleanser that seeped down in there and corroded them.

4. I could have hit a curb and bent the rims and that is why they are not holding the seal.

5. Do I live on Siesta Key because the sand and salt water will do it.

I cannot express how disappointed I am in WILDE LEXUS OF SARASOTA. I have been a loyal customer since they opened their dealership here. I did however speak with Lexus Corporation and they said this was not normal wear and tear and they should cover it under manufacturer’s defect. They did however try to sell me a 2009 but I want the 2010 with the new body style. Plus why would I buy new rims for a car I am trading in next year. What I don’t understand is that I have had these type of rims on every Lexus I have owned. When I did live on Siesta Key, this did not happen. In my research, I have found this has not happened to anyone except on a 10 year or older car but not a 2004 with just almost 32,000 miles on it. But I am finding out things about Lexus that I don’t like and can’t believe.

DO ANY OF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS OR SUGGESTIONS BEFORE I CONTACT AN ATTORNEY?

I am going to call Lexus Customer Satisfaction Department tomorrow and if I don’t get anywhere with them, I will call to get this issue arbitrated if directed to do so by my attorney. All the service work I give them and the new cars I buy from them, they want to bicker over $900 and risk losing a loyal customer.

I can tell you right now, since I picked up my car on Friday, I probably will never go back to WILDE LEXUS OF SARASOTA unless they clean house.

I look forward to hearing from you very soon. I remain disappointed and surprised that Lexus will not stand behind their products.

SiestaFlorida

Sarasota, Florida

[Alex N Sarasota]

I don't know anything about rims corroding but I can tell you going back to Wilde Lexus of Sarasota is not going to do you any good unless you go in there when they are extremely busy (so that would mean during Season) and just start complaining and demanding to see the GM. But that would be just for your satisfaction and show the guys there how phyco we women can really become when we don't get what we want ..... ha ha. I would probably write Mark Wilde a letter first and send it to his admin office and address it to Wilde Automotive, send another copy to the Lexus dealership address, to his attention marked personal and confidential, and then one to his home. You can look up his home address in the County Property Appraiser records. I am sure he/they are members of the Better Business Bureau and if he does not respond to you within a week, I would send a complaint there.

I have never heard of rims corroding on a newer car. I would do whatever it takes to make Lexus replace your rims. It is sad that a Corporation as such is letting their reputation go downhill or is it the dealership? What is really sad, is Sarasota is such a beautiful and wonderful place to live, not to mention it is a small town and people talk.

When making a decision as such, if you always put yourself in the customer's situation (truly) then I believe you have made the correct decision. I believe they did not do this in your situation; I think they looked at your records and thought hummm, she'll pay for new rims. Also remember "what goes around comes around". And, the sales manager, parts manager, service manager and general manager think they are high and mighty, so much power; I don't know if they have noticed, but gas prices are the highest they have ever been and our economy is not doing so well, so what I have to say to them is: BE NICE ON YOUR WAY UP BECAUSE WE'LL MEET ON YOUR WAY DOWN. People are not buying cars and especially luxury cars right now. They are buying Hybrids, SmartCars, Mopeds, Motorcycles, taking the bus or carpooling. Stimulus checks won't buy a new car!

Don't give up and please keep us updated. Good luck, you can do it.