Wheels

stevekitch · July 26, 2013

Have a 56 plate 400h and just started to notice the alloy wheels are blistering around the Lexus badge. This is happening on all 4 wheels in varying degrees.

Has anyone else had this problem and is there anyway to stop it .

ColinBarber · July 26, 2013

yes mine are all doing it. See here for more info:

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/83403-corrosion-on-alloys/

teejaybee · July 26, 2013

Unfortunately Japanese cars are renouned for crap alloys! Lexus are no different. Lexus UK don't want to know if you are out of warranty yet Mazda UK replaced all mine without a quibble when the vehicle was 4 years old. You have 2 choices... replacement of refurbished. By far the cheapest option is the latter at about £65 a wheel. Make sure you get a decent warranty though.

IMHO if you let the wheels go when you come to sell the next buyer is going to want a substantial discount, better to hed off the problem now.

CJHYBRID · July 26, 2013

Think most of us have this problem .I want to get a really good refurb on mine and do not want to lose the shadow alloy effect.

Can anyone recommend a really good refurbisher preferably in the Lincs/Humber East Mid area.

Chris

Cymro · July 26, 2013

CJHybrid: I had my wheels done a few years ago by Lepsons. They then had a branch in Swindon. I deemed it worthwhile to travel from cardiff to Swindon; leave the car for 2 days; and collect. It was a wise choice. First calss jobSadly, they've since closed their Swindon branch. They now operate somewhere near London. See Google.

You may be interested in this post which I made before I had the work done. I recommend them unreservedly.

"Hello Webby 1,

I made enquiries of Lepsons, and they sent me a helpful reply
immediately (which I've added below for your information). I've told
them that I will proceed, but only after then end of July (because
things are manic here at the moment - daughter getting married, and
moving house, next month and as yet precious few arrangements in place!)

I propose to drive there; train back to Cardiff; and reverse journey after the job is done. Happy to keep you posted in August.

Really grateful for the recommendation to use Lepsons. Here's what they told me:

"Thank you for your enquiry,
The Lexus RX300, as you know, originally have a diamond cut finish. We
wouldn't recommend having this done again, and it is a high possibility
we couldn't refurbish them back to original, as the manufacture make
them so they cannot be machined again.

You can however have them refurbished in a Platinum or Dark Chrome
effect, which will last longer and looks just as good. This finish also
comes with a years warranty. (We have examples in the office)
The cost to have them re-done in either of these colours are as follows if you were to leave the car here;

Cost depnends on your alloy size. (For all 4 alloys).

10-18"- £360.00
19" - £408.00
20" - £456.00
21" - £528.00
22" - £624.00

Prices include VAT"

Excellent. 2 years later and the wheels are perfect.