Today, my dealer replaced all 5 17" alloy wheels on my IS200 as they had damaged them during a routine service.

I have noticed on the inside on each rim is a printed number. Is this the part number or batch number of some sort.
I'm not talking about the etched numbers for rim size etc. It looks to be stamped with ink.

Much appreciated.

Quite impressive to damage 5 wheels during a service !!

Dunno about the numbers you describe - I'd guess it'd be a batch number.

I had all 5 tyres changed as part of the Lexus tyre replacement programme.

An inexperienced Toyota technician damaged each rim replacing the tyres. He must have been blind! :?:

Have you the wheels change recently under warranty ?
Because the stamped number normally means they are warranty refurbished alloys
As for the damage,it looks to me as though the machine they have used,which has a big arm on it which acts as a big tyre lever has just been bear metal when it should have a rubber or plactic end to stop the wheel being scratched or damamged

On a - perhaps - related note...

Over the weekend I realised that I have an odd alloy - When I picked the car up 3 weeks ago the dealer told me he had put a brand new wheel on, anyway my 'odd' wheel has a distinct 'cut' finish - the very facing edge of the rim is very flat (NOT metalic), and looks almost as if it's been cut back to restore the surface. Comparatively the others' rims are all very metalic and sparkly, and curved.

Any idea whether I've got a poorly refurbished wheel, or did they change the alloys for the 2002 model - perhaps I've got a 2002 alloy on a 1999 car?

Div.

Div ..

Sounds to me like you have 3 refurbs + 1 new rim ...

I guess that's good then - even if they don't match.

I'm still mystified - is the difference 'metalic-effect-outer rim' vs the 'plain-smooth-outer rim' due to a difference in rims between models, or is the metalic effect 'added' when the wheel is refurbished?

I guess I should check the rear and see which way that one swings.

Not sure if they were replaced under warranty as they were damaged rather than a fault. However, there was no charge for them. The numbers don't seem to be unique however.



[quote]Originally posted by Chris Shipley
Have you the wheels change recently under warranty ?
Because the stamped number normally means they are warranty refurbished alloys
As for the damage,it looks to me as though the machine they have used,which has a big arm on it which acts as a big tyre lever has just been bear metal when it should have a rubber or plactic end to stop the wheel being scratched or damamged

found some amazing chrome standard IS alloys with gold center Lexus emblem. go on to ebay.com and type in chrome lexus wheels. something like $1079 just for the wheels. they look sick though:cool:

OOOOUuuucccch about the damaged wheel. I am really an*l about my alloys... had a puncture 1st week! (YES!) and took it to a Kwik Fit, then some dude there checked it for me and patched it (even though he said it was a bit close to the side, but did me a favour, no problems so far 10k on) and took forever putting it on and off, as I was staring at him ALL THE WAY! He was real nice, 'I'm sweating dude! I like your wheels, sweating here!" and made hardly any marks, but still one or two little ones.

On the note of Metallic or not, have the new cars (post Oct 2001) got much shinier alloys or what? My car always look like it has brand spanking new alloys at night under low light..... the edges near the tyre are always sparkling, even though there are hardly clean thesedays.