Poor Quality of Polished Aluminum Wheels on C6

05Vette · 05-09-05, 04:48 PM

Thanks, Remo. Good to be aboard.
David

Magster · 05-16-05, 07:19 PM

Well, for those of you who wanted to be kept informed on the C6 wheels on our new Corvette here we go!
Met with the "rep" from GM and he said that he had NEVER seen this happen to the wheels before. (guess he does not read memo's from GM, or read this forum) He then told us that he had to contact Detroit and would get back to us. Get back to us?????? We have waited 3 1/2 weeks just for him to look at them and now how much longer for a decision? He had the nerve to say that he could not make the decision on his own. Well not to be sluffed off I called GM and low and behold he does have that authority. Is GM in such bad money trouble that they are now shirking their responsibilities??? Sure looks like it. To make matters even worse they have now ordered 3 count them 3 new replacment headlights and all of them have debris of some sort or another in them. The Dealer had the unmitigated gall to say well we can shake the pieces in the headlight into a corner so it does not show!!! NOT HAPPENING!!!!! We went home I called GM and what can I say except that their attitude was no better. She said that it was escalated as far as she could go with the rims and there was nothing else she could do. GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE GM!!!! WE ARE EVER SO UNIMPRESSED!!! This left us only one choice [U]ARBITRATION. Got on the phone and filed the complaint. Hello GM did you get the FAX?
For the person who said that the "replacement program" works, we don't think so!!
What a bunch of CR-P!! Not only from the Dealer (Maita Chevrolet of Elk Grove California NOT RECOMMENDED BY US), but from GM itself! More to follow as this moves on!!

Billybeau1 · 05-18-05, 03:16 PM

An update to my earlier post. I was at a customers house today and they had a black 2003 50th anniversary. You guys are right, the wheels looked much better then my C6. Whats up with that? I guess seeing is believing

**Greenie** · 05-18-05, 08:41 PM

Billy. we dont know whats up with that! Have the suppliers changed? Is the finish different? I expected the C6 polished wheels to look AT LEAST as good as my C5. They dont!

Magster · 05-18-05, 08:53 PM

And DON'T expect any help from GM on replacements. I had someone say that the "replacment policy" was a snap!! NOT SO! Hopefully with filing for arbitration will facilitate our replacements.

**njmercer** · 05-18-05, 08:59 PM

This is very disturbing, but not unexpected on the part of GM. I finally just went out and bought new wheels for my C6 because the $1,300 OPTIONAL polished aluminum wheels spoiled the entire look of such a beautiful car. My car now looks absolutely awesome with my new CCW wheels.

I had a problem a few years ago after I had just bought my new C5. Every time I went to get gas, the pump would shut off immediately and the attendant would tell me I didn't need gas, yet I had NO gas. After several attempts by the dealer to fix this, GM told me there was nothing else there COULD or WOULD do for me and they suggested that I contact the Better Business Bureau and file a complaint against them. I was shocked at that response to say the least. I felt exactly as you do . . . what unmitigated gall! Yet we love these cars so much that we just keep buying them; I guess that's what they count on.

Magster · 05-31-05, 10:16 AM

Final note on headlights and wheels. After the "so called rep" looked at the wheels he determined that they are no different than the others, and you know what he is right. We took the time to visit 3 dealers in the area and ALL THE CHROME C6 WHEELS SUCK. No shine and discolored areas all over the place. Order the stock gray and purchase aftermarkets like we plan to do.

Headlight, FINALLY got one that has no errant pieces floating around and got it installed.

We will say one thing from first hand experience, IF you have problems and do not get a proper response, file for arbitration. It takes 15 minutes of your time, and although I will not say what the outcome was from GM, suffice it to say that we were more than satisfied. Dealers and Reps do not have the final say!

**Greywolff** · 06-03-05, 11:58 PM

Hmmm, my wheels look pretty good. Not as bright as the chrome ones on my '97 WS6, but still bright. Of course, the term "polished aluminium" does not equate to chromium plate to me, as it apparently does to some. Guess it's a matter of expectations.

Magster · 06-04-05, 12:39 AM

Our expectation was that Corvette should have wheels that are of even finish without faded or blotchy clear coat. Look hard, I am sure yours have it also. If not consider yourself lucky. We looked at several others at dealer lots and they were worse if not the same as ours. We have "polished aluminium" cookware that looks better and they are several years old!

**Greenie** · 06-04-05, 12:34 PM

I agree! The problem is that the C5 polished wheels look "polished"! We have something to compare the C6 wheels to and therein lies the problem for GM. What could have changed in 1 year???

texas_c6 · 06-08-05, 04:56 PM

I don't know what changed but Wow, the ones on my C6 are pretty bad, I had them on my C5 and they looked good. Wish I would of got the painted ones and traded them in on some chrome, in short, wasted $1300 for these. You think GM would go for swap and refund??

**Greenie** · 06-08-05, 07:25 PM

GM needs to be pressured by dissatified C6 owners who have the "polished" wheels. There are enough of them to "start a party"! But will they???

wheelsetc. · 06-08-05, 08:00 PM

Polished wheels were my choice head and shoulders above painted and wouldn't consider the aftermarket chrome. Agh. I guess I was lucky. My C6 was a December build and the polished wheels are perfect.

**WhalePirot** · 06-08-05, 09:04 PM

The polished wheels on most C-6s I have seen are sub-par. Polished, if the job is completed properly, is polished. It is not chrome, but it is hardly 'milky'. GM's attitude is neither new nor related to their money issues, except that it is the CAUSE of them. I learned (temporarily) with my C-4, when new. See, I was totally 'GM' for decades.

These days, it is just in vogue to blame health care or employees rather than take responsibility for understanding the biz and fixing the problems.

I've had similar dealer problems with Acura, so now I just buy BMW. They offered to (and did) buy back our '03 745Li, at full price, for an '05. The '03 wasn't really all that bad; just nuisance computer issues. BMW is not perfect, but understands that customer loyalty goes two ways.

I'd love (and can pay cash for) a new Z, but I don't need headaches from GM. If I weaken (and buy), it won't have GM polished wheels. Been there.......

**Remo** · 06-09-05, 06:13 AM

[QUOTE= If I weaken (and buy), it won't have GM polished wheels. Been there.......

[/QUOTE]

So Mike,

Did you ever own a late model Corvette with polished wheels? And are you "considering" a new C6? I kind of lost track of your point with all that Acura, BMW, employee healthcare business in your thread.

Remo