Wheel Corrosion - New Gs

Silver Arrow · July 22, 2015

Lexus are being quite fussy about what they will consider as being corrosion.

ColinBarber · July 22, 2015

Your dealer, or have they shown photos to Lexus GB who are the ones being difficult?

Silver Arrow · July 22, 2015

Dealership at the moment. It seems that if the lacquer has bubbled off then they will maintain that a stone caused it. How can they tell?

ColinBarber · July 22, 2015

It can be difficult to tell but they will want to see problems under the lacquer ideally before it has started to come away, that way they know it wasn't a stone that exposed the alloy which then allowed it to corrode.

It's essentially the same if they are inspecting the paintwork for defects.

Some dealers are more fussy than others, you could try another one.

is200 Newbie · July 22, 2015

Is this issue with wheels confined to the UK or does anyone know if its across the whole worldwide supply of Lexus cars...

I think I heard somewhere that the wheels were made in the UK ?

It seems to have been a long running saga for the OEM wheels corroding from the early IS's in the 90's ... and possibly the earlier LS's? You would think the issue would be resolved after at least 16 years of issues with them ... it doesn't seem to be good overall customer service for their product or continual improvement on their product as it seems to affect each model in the range?

Its a pretty substantial 'fault' with the cars even considering its just the image of it and not really mechanical - something you would expect the manufacturer to correct as it projects an immediate image of bad quality for the cars manufacturer

ColinBarber · July 22, 2015

It has been a long standing issue with Japanese wheels. Certainly seems to affect UK based vehicles more that other countries. Various theories, one is that our salt in the winter react with the lacquer used etc. Or it's the acid alloy wheel cleaners that are common in this country. It has also been assumed that is isn't worth Toyota increasing the spec which would be applied worldwide just to help the UK market, cheaper to replace sets under warranty.

The best set I've seen on a Lexus vehicle were the GS series II sport wheels. These where made by OZ in Italy and I've never seen a corroded set, other than from external damage. The lacquer is good on them, but I'm sure part of the reason is the owners tend to take better care of them. These wheels, sourced in Europe where put on the vehicle along with the other sports mods once they arrived in the UK - the standard Japanese wheels put on in the factory where binned (or probably kept as warranty stock for the standard GSs).

The original series I IS wheels were particularly bad. Originally they replaced like for like and owners were continually having wheels replaced every year. Once Lexus GB started to get them refurbished, rather than just replacing with new wheels, they lasted much longer, which proven it was a poor OEM finish. I never understood why Lexus GB didn't just refurbish the wheels straight from the factory to avoid multiple warranty claims and the bad customer experience.

Having said all that the wheels on the current lineup do seem better, but if you do get a chip or scuff then it will allow the wheels to corrode if it isn't sealed up again with some lacquer - the same as with stone chips on metal body panels.

Silver Arrow · July 22, 2015

I have complained again to the dealership. Lets see what happens (not holding my breath - the customer service seems to be a little worse at the same dealership now then it was a few years ago). The car is out of warranty in 4 days....

Silver Arrow · July 22, 2015

So a little perplexed

Lexmanic · July 23, 2015

Lexus are being quite fussy about what they will consider as being corrosion.

Got any pics? if so post them here

rayaans · July 23, 2015

My whole rim is exposed after kerbing. No corrosion after 3 years here. Then again I never had any on my 04 RX300 either

AmbroseJohn · July 24, 2015

My 2008 GS450h are quite badly corroded and have kerb damage too. It's £380 to refurbish them, so I may just buy a set of these instead.

http://www.wheelbasealloys.com/alloy-wheels/wolfrace/assassin/silver/18-inch

AmbroseJohn · July 24, 2015

Or I may try these.

http://www.wheelbasealloys.com/alloy-wheels/alutec/burnside/silver/18-inch

Cheaper than refurb. Made in Germany to ISO specs and tested with many different Tyre pressure sensors both OEM and aftermarket..

Silver Arrow · July 25, 2015

They are going to take another look this week. Will let you know what happens....

shapiro · July 28, 2015

I would love to hear the result of this. I have the f-sport smoked alloys (shiney grey) and don't see any issues yet but I'll keep an eye out after this.

Silver Arrow · July 31, 2015

Well after some discussion, low and behold, all 4 replaced!!

ColinBarber · August 1, 2015

Well after some discussion, low and behold, all 4 replaced!!

nice result :)

Silver Arrow · August 7, 2015

Yes it was, though today I gave the new ones a really good clean, treatment etc, and have noticed minor imperfections. 2 have what I can only describe as grit under the paint, implying that these are refurbs - which I was expecting to be honest.

Better than what I had, and I reckon the car will be gone before it becomes an issue.