URGENT Please Help!

Ouch! Not sure if one of those wheel repair guys can fix that. Do a search as I think that Armen recommended a wheel repair guy to someone before.

 

My boss just hit a pothole. He owns a MB CL65. He bent both sides of one rim. He's taking it to Ron's Tires/N. Hollywood. They send to someone who bangs them out and repaints them. They need to look at the rim, but if they can fix it, it will be a fraction of the price. They quoted my boss a few hundred dollars. If you happen to call them, ask for Vic or Raul. Phone number is 818.980.2200. I've never used them, but you sounded desperate.

Good Luck.

 

I was just imformed that you cannot repair a magnesium wheel. I also spoke with David at Premier Motorsport. He told me you can pick up a set of 4 for about $2,500 - $3,000 if you look hard. He said he just sold a set of 4 last week for $2,500. Keep looking the wheels are out there.

 

You might try Wheel Enhancements in Culver City. Their business is straightening and refinishing wheels.

 

I certainly wouldn't do this without telling the owner!!!

 

You do plan on telling the owner, correct? If you are thinking of just getting the wheel replaced and not telling him, I think you are making a big mistake. If he is a friend he will understand as long as you make it right. But, there could be some damage to the suspension and it could be dangerous. This needs to be checked out as it looks like a pretty good hit. Also, look on ebay for the wheels.

 

Wheels America is nationwide with a 24 hour turnaround.

I agree that disclosure is MANDATORY to whoever trusted a car like that to someone who doesn't watch out for potholes........

UHHHHH, THIS IS YOU...........

However they will tell you if it is repairable........maybe, looking at your case.....any deformation of the bolt circle due to forces transmitted thru the spokes is trouble.....

HTH....good luck.

 

If I was the owner, I would want a new wheel - That one is cracked now.

 

Maybe HE's the owner and he just wants to fix it "economically".........

You know, one of those financially challenged 360 Spider owners........

 

I'd say his chances of the alignment being unchanged by an event like that are...........................zero.

 

That would make it a $3,100.00 pothole.............let's mark the GPS coordinates.........

 

If it's in LA, you can call 311 to report it to the mayor, then file a claim with the city street maintenance division.

I hit a pothole over the weekend as well - I'm thinking about calling them as well.

Good luck.

Byron

 

Jason, that changes everything...........

1.The owner asked you to drive.
2. He wasn't able to drive.
3. It was truly a pothole.(Wasn't sure you just were telling us this)
But, he must have witnessed it.

He should pay at least 51%

 

I wouldn't want to fix a cracked wheel, especially for a high performance car like this.

 

wouldn't this be covered under comprehensive insurance?

 

Jerryz, excellent suggestion. This should be covered by insurance. In this case he should get the best work done. Possibly new rim, alignment, any other messed up parts, body work, etc.

 

Right, but isn't this kind of a sticky situation? The guy lending his car is being a nice guy and now he takes a hit on his insurance? Some people wouldn't care and who am I to say but it would seem that the guy borrowing should assume responsibility to get things back the way they were. Obviously not everyone would agree and this guy may not mind. Maybe the borrower's own insurance will cover? Is the owner the only one supposed to be driving it?

It's a tough one but a risk the lender and borrower take with an expensive car. No offence but there is only one way to avoid this predicament........ It's a good lesson for us all and this isn't designed as a lecture. It sounds like you are taking good measures for the owner and that's commendable. Good luck with finding an inexpensive solution.

 

I agree, the driver should check his insurance. It may cover him for any vehicle he is driving. Also, a comp claim is not a moving violation, hence no points against the claimant. I recently called my insurance, AAA, to see if during an earthquake my car is damaged by falling objects, if they would cover. They said no problem, that is what comprehensive is for.

 

If you can find a set for $3k, get it, it is worth more than that. The rim you show cannot be fixed safely, parts are not available. Dealers will generally not discount it either. I had to buy a rear rim for mine for a much lesser situation. Sorry for your luck. Good thing the car is okay otherwise.

(If anyone has a set of 4 for $2,500 I will take them all day long.)

 

First, take these pictures, write a letter on behalf of the owner, send it into the city immediately. Speak with someone on the phone if you have to so you establish some kind of communication with the city and where to send the photos and information.

They will advise you to persue this through insurance or not and your insurance will look to the city for reimbursement. Advantage is you get it fixed sooner without waiting for the City to act. A comprehensive claim for something like this does not count against your record since this didn't happen because you kerbed it, or something your fault.

The City will want to deal with the owner of the vehicle and so you're probably going to use his insurance if you need to.

A similiar situation happened here in Burbank to someone I know two years ago, new rim and tire paid for by the city, but after filing a claim and having it replaced by insurance so the car could be used right away.

Sunny

 

Oh good, that makes me feel better - Glad to hear the owner already knows.

What a bummer.... Hope you can get things fixed without too big of a hit to the wallet.