hymer wheels

[helvic]

Reading an article on MHF regarding corrosion on alloy wheels; I took a look at mine, sure enough mine were corroded. As the van was over three years old I looked around to have them repaired, my wife said why don't you ring Lowdhams, where we got the van from, they said send me photos of the wheels which I duly did.

They got back to me the following day after contacting Hymer, they said that they will replace the wheels. Now have shinny new wheels they are the same as the original ones so I don't know how long they will last so it pays to ask!

 

[Madcaravanner]

Alloys should not deteriorate unless damaged so the fact that Hymer have changed them so quickly says that there's something wrong with a batch of them at least

 

[bladerunner]

I had a similar experience from Lexus - they find it easier to replace the UK ones corroded than change the processing plant of the wheels. Essentially only UK uses salt against ice - Germany and Austria use wine

 

[TinaLes]

Had similar problem on OH Mini Cooper S, it had split rims and the varnish peeled off the shiny bits making them look hellish. Took it back to supplying dealer inside warranty period, they said "Its mechanical damage caused by the fact the rims are in split sections therefore there is movement between them" so "Its normal that this happens".
I was not happy as the wheels were an additional £1600 option over and above the standard alloys, so I took it another BMW/MINI dealer who took photos sent to BMW Germany, who instantly gave the go ahead to replace the alloy wheels, but not with the Split Rim Type we had, so that was the admission that there was a defect in the wheel type.
So yes I agree, if not happy shop around, dont take the first answer as gospel, and keep trying.
Les

 

[Steve and Denise]

Sa me here six new ones waiting to be fitted

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[Pausim]

When Premier/Hymer replaced my wheels I was given different ones that look less vulnerable.

 

[Speve]

View attachment 265207 View attachment 265206
When Premier/Hymer replaced my wheels I was given different ones that look less vulnerable.

They are same as fitted on our 2018 B678DL

 

[Hettie's Crew]

Reading an article on MHF regarding corrosion on alloy wheels; I took a look at mine, sure enough mine were corroded. As the van was over three years old I looked around to have them repaired, my wife said why don't you ring Lowdhams, where we got the van from, they said send me photos of the wheels which I duly did.

They got back to me the following day after contacting Hymer, they said that they will replace the wheels. Now have shinny new wheels they are the same as the original ones so I don't know how long they will last so it pays to ask!

We did the same at two years old and the replacements are doing the same now they are two years old. I used a very good wax on the replacements to no avail. Lowdhams say Hymer will not replace again. Two years ago I was chatting to a French chap who had had his replaced four times on his Burstner and still they were pealing, so he gave up. The only solution is a different wheel like @Pausim got.

 

[Pausim]

Perhaps I got lucky but Premier are very good and work hard to look after their customers.

 

[Feltwell]

If you're getting them refurbed if out of warranty I suggest rather than going for a diamond cut with lacquer, as they were originally, go with a full powder coat. Will last a *lot* longer.

I was at an alloy wheel specialist a while ago - doing a roaring trade in warranty refurbs for Kia, all on diamond cut wheels.

I had the split rims on my Audi refurbed. £200 each

Then Mrs F crunched the family car, I had a buy a replacement car quickly and it had tatty alloys. £200 to get all 4 refurbed back to good as new. Moral is never buy split rims, even though they do look good!

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[GWAYGWAY]

Mine are awful, the front offside is completely covered in filiform corrosion, it is under the lacquer and spread over the polished face.
Not much I could do about it as it is two and a half years old not. I just took it to be the usual alloy wheel trouble but my Fiesta alloys are not like it after ten years. I prefer to have steel wheels anyway and when they get too bad I shall buy set of standard Sprinter steel wheels. They certainly are not worth the extra price as options.

 

[Paul and Val]

I think that after 3 years the fact that Hymer are willing to replace them is absolutely superb service.

 

[G-RMPS]

Had similar problem on OH Mini Cooper S, it had split rims and the varnish peeled off the shiny bits making them look hellish. Took it back to supplying dealer inside warranty period, they said "Its mechanical damage caused by the fact the rims are in split sections therefore there is movement between them" so "Its normal that this happens".
I was not happy as the wheels were an additional £1600 option over and above the standard alloys, so I took it another BMW/MINI dealer who took photos sent to BMW Germany, who instantly gave the go ahead to replace the alloy wheels, but not with the Split Rim Type we had, so that was the admission that there was a defect in the wheel type.
So yes I agree, if not happy shop around, dont take the first answer as gospel, and keep trying.
Les

 

[G-RMPS]

Travelworld replaced all four alloy wheels prior to us buying a two-year old Hymer, with all of 8000 miles on the clock.

 

[BusyBuilder]

Triumph had similar problems on their bikes.

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[Paul and Val]

I know that it make absolutely no economic sense but am I the only person reading this who really wants to pay hundreds and hundreds of Pounds to replace perfectly good steel wheels with sexy alloy ones? I don't wear my wife's knickers, I have no strange sexual fantasies (apart from the twin blonds of course) but..............I really want alloy wheels! Help! I don't care if the lacquer will peel off. I just want them!

 

[mitzimad]

had the same problem with my vw eos so did this

 

[TinaLes]

Reading this thread only proves to me that any diamond cut alloy wheel with clear laquer over the top can only fail at some point, because the slightest scratch to the laquer coat will let moisture creep under it, then its all down hill from that moment.
As @Feltwell mentioned a nice coloured powder coat, maybe silver with contrasting black, with a final laquer coat to preserve will last a hellover lot longer, and look just as good.
The alloy wheels on our van came as standard, I would not have paid for them as an option, as they will probably need refurbing, question is when, not too soon I hope.
Les

 

[tanex]

the Alloys on my 2004 Mercedes G wagon were so bad I replaced them yet my 1988 G wagon wheels were so good they are now on my Hymer. 30 years!!! And down here we do noy salt the roads.

 

[Pausim]

I have alloys and Hymer have replaced them. However, I would not specify them if ordering now. Alloys may be pretty but I would be perfectly happy with steel and a decent wheel trim.

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[Lenny HB]

Reading this thread only proves to me that any diamond cut alloy wheel with clear laquer over the top can only fail at some point, because the slightest scratch to the laquer coat will let moisture creep under it, then its all down hill from that moment.
As @Feltwell mentioned a nice coloured powder coat, maybe silver with contrasting black, with a final laquer coat to preserve will last a hellover lot longer, and look just as good.
The alloy wheels on our van came as standard, I would not have paid for them as an option, as they will probably need refurbing, question is when, not too soon I hope.
Les

About sums it up.
Quite happy with my steels

 

[Steve and Denise]

Someone I know has a Merc 680 star line with hubcaps and lost a hubcap £260 for the hubcap and £40 for the center cap!

 

[Feltwell]

Mine are awful, the front offside is completely covered in filiform corrosion, it is under the lacquer and spread over the polished face.
Not much I could do about it as it is two and a half years old not. I just took it to be the usual alloy wheel trouble but my Fiesta alloys are not like it after ten years. I prefer to have steel wheels anyway and when they get too bad I shall buy set of standard Sprinter steel wheels. They certainly are not worth the extra price as options.

I'd just get them powder coated - should cost around £200-£250 inc VAT for 4 wheels for a plain silver powder coat. They should then last just as long as your Fiesta alloys.

Don't bother with the mobile alloy wheel refurbishers, there's a limit to what can be done in the back of a van while you wait - it will be a wet paint finish, not a powder coat, and the wheel won't be chemically stripped or blasted. OK for a minor cosmetic repair but not for a full refurb that you want to last.

When I had the other half's car done I actually used the place next door to Dave Newell, they take the vehicle in and put it on axle stands for the 2 days it takes to do the job.

Steel wheels on my own van, not fussed about changing them either.

 

[Feltwell]

When I had the other half's car done I actually used the place next door to Dave Newell, they take the vehicle in and put it on axle stands for the 2 days it takes to do the job.

Forgot to say - some places will strip & powder coat them in a day. There is a place in Birmingham, just off Spaghetti Junction, who if you drop a vehicle off at 9am will do it same day.

 

[GWAYGWAY]

E

I said mine were bad so here is a photograph of two f them

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[Pausim]

Hymer teplaced my wheels and they weren’t as bad as yours @GWAYGWAY , though I did report the problem wiithin the 2 year warranty. Still worth talking to your dealer because others have reported getting replacements outside the warranty period. I guess the wheel supplier is picking up the bill, not Hymer, and may be refurbing the returned ones.

 

[BILL 875]

Diamond cut alloys a waste of time i had a toyota land cruiser new alloys 3 yrs, burstner new alloys 2 yrs rapido alloys on their way out, Merc powder coated i think 4 yrs perfect.
Bill

 

[Hettie's Crew]

Does anybody know if the sharp corners/diamond cut edges on the bolt holes and spokes would have to be rounded off before powder coating.

 

[airwave]

Bit off subject i admit , but still relevant i think , the steel wheels are only marginally better . I've had to replace two of the wheels on my van , though it's also a hymer , it is 18 years old . I've been on the road since the late 70's , wheels are something i've never had any issues with on any other vehicle , yet this year i've had two . My guess is the other two (three if you count the spare) are either shot and have an inner tube fitted , so are not far behind . Either way i'm gonna factor in their replacement for the future , starting with the spare next year .

Alloy's , nah wouldn't give them house room , though i will admit they do look nice . Quite aside from the issue you guys are having they can cause problems with braking systems , are highly nickable , and increase your insurance loading .

 

[Feltwell]

View attachment 265458 EView attachment 265459 I said mine were bad so here is a photograph of two f them

I've seen worse. If the metal beneath the lacquer is badly pitted then the texture of that will show through powder coating - but most of what you see there is just manky lacquer, which gets stripped off before the coating happens. They'd come up OK I reckon.

Does anybody know if the sharp corners/diamond cut edges on the bolt holes and spokes would have to be rounded off before powder coating.

I don't think they do.

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