mightima

This morning I hit the curb while making a 90 degree turn merge to the express way. I never had the problem before but it was raining and my crappy potenza cannot handle that.
Dealer inspected and saying that the strut(mount?) is bent and quote me with:

1. Replace the left front strut($450)
2. Replace the left front rim and tire($800)
3. Alignment($150)

all include labor.

I definitely will go for aftermarket strut(thanks for all the info) if necessary and maybe 4 Michelin pilot sport a/s or Dunlop sp sport 5000 .

Do you guys has any suggestion? Any comment on the dealer charge?

Here are my questions:

1. Do I have to replace the strut? Can they just bent the mounting over and keep it working?
2. Both the rim and tire are scratched on the surface, is there any potential damage to the rim other than the look? I know the tire core might be bad and I always wanna get the better tire anyway.
3.Any experienced owner of Dunlop 5000? I didn't find too much info about this one. And we all know how good is a/s but they cost.

Thanks very much for the help.

mightima

anyone please?

2k2kev

1. why are you having the dealer do it? Are you having insurance cover it? If not, buy your own stuff and have a shop put it on. You're taking it dry if you pay $800 for a wheel and tire. Take it to a local guy, have the aftermarket stuff you want installed, and ask for a quote.

And $150 for an alignment? Go somewhere else...

foodmanry

iTrader: (15)

The wheel can be checked for other imperfections other than the surface scratch. You can take it to a tire shop and have the balanced checked. They can also tell you if anything is bent on the wheel. Personally if it's only a scratch and nothing else wrong with it I would just leave it as is, or get the scratched fixed.

The tires...well I don't know much, but there are a hell of a lot of choices. Again the tire can be checked at a wheel/tire shop.

The strut mount should be checked by again a wheel/tire or suspension shop.

Basically your priority right now would be to find a shop that deals with wheels, tires, and suspension. They can review the damage and give you an estimate as to what really needs to be replaced or can be fixed. I wouldn't take my Max to the dealer for an issue like this, they will just rape you with the cost.

Yeah..alignment for $150, too much! I got a lifetime alignment for $99 from Firestone Tires.

NT2SHBBY

#1 rule of thumb-- NEVER go to the dealer UNLESS IT'S WARRANTY!!!!

Greek to the Max

iTrader: (2)

Enough said.

mightima

Thanks for the feedback. Maybe I'll get dealer to change the struts($320 for both sides labor) and get the tire and alignment done somewhere else. The technitian told me the wheel is also bent which means I have to get a new one...

Thanks!

bsetiawan

iTrader: (43)

For that price, you might as well buy a set of Tokicos to upgrade your existing struts.

mightima

I'm going to get the GR-2 to replace the front pair, and even if I pull my car out of the dealer without any service, I still have to pay for the inspection fee for $100+. That is why I'm thinking at least get one thing done. Well, maybe get it done somewhere else can still cover the expense, I'll check with that.
Thanks.

ryand.white

Purchase the struts and install them yourself. Look around on the .org for a wheel, or even find a Nissan junk yard and pull a wheel. Just what I would do in your situation. Forget the dealer, they just want your money. save it.

slider71

I slid into a curb with my 2k2 GLE last winter.
Dinged two wheels. One has some road rash, other has very minimal.
I was ****, and wanted mint, and didn't know of someone local to refinish them. I know at least one of them isn't bent for sure.

If you are interested, PM me, and I'll send you some digital pics of each of them. They are just taking up space in my basement, so I could definitely hook u up with something.

mightima

Please email me a pic or two and your offer. Thanks!