I was just told by my mechanic that 3 out of 4 of my S60T5 17" original Amalthea rims are bend and no longer round. Hence the car starts to wobble a bit at speed of 160-180kph. My car just clocked over 23000 km, 15mths old. I'm a careful driver hmm..let me qualified that a careful fast driver. And I have never run over any major humps/bumps that would cause such destruction to my rims.

My questions:
1. Could it be a defect on the rims?
2. What's my chances of getting Volvo to a provide a warranty?
3. Can they be repaired? According to my mechanic, it can be done but it won't be 100% round anymore.
4. Is there any side effect after being repaired?
5. Is it better off to change all 3 rims than to get them repaired?

I don't think it is a defect. They bend pretty easy even from a pot hole.
I doubt that Volvo will warranty the rims.
Here in the U.S. we have company's that repair bent rims to perfect condition.
I would think there would be someone in your area that would be able to.

Usually when they repair them they are a good or better than factory.

If you look at replacing them look around at different options as well.
Here in the U.S. the rims are like $350.00 US dollars.
The S60R 18 inch rims are a lot cheaper that the 17 inch rims.
But the tires are about the same price.
So look good and keep an open mind.
You might be able to buy the S60r rims and tires for the price of the 3 17inch rims.

Hey James,

Look around for the rims specialists. Of course the rims can be repaired. Of what I heard, the repairs are normally good. If the mechanic thinks that they won't be 100% round anymore, try shop around.

There are many shops with amny kinds of expertise if you know where to look.

Unfortunately, I don't have anyone in mind for this purpose. Happy hunting.

Of if you do, feel like you want to shop for a new set of rims, get one with a dual purpose. (Read: Not only looks good on the body, it helps to cool the brakes as it rolls, for instance...Perfo or Comet designs are such instances.) Like the 855 Columba wheels can do the same, but the effect is not that pronounced.

:)

Thanks Tech and Bear for your replies.

Sent to the dealer a few days back, they confirmed rims are bent but not due to manufacturing defects hence no warranty.

Solutions to my woes:- Repair the rims or get new sets at promotional price. Will be going for the former solution. Did some checking, repair price per rim is about RM80. But they will need at least one whole day to fix them.

I've couple of questions:
1. The tyres i using today are 225/45/17Goodyear F1 (default from Volvo) and they're pretty noisy. Especially when i recently swapped the back tyres with front ones. Is unbearable at speeds of 110kph. Any suggestions ?
I thought of buying 2 new tyres (not sure what model to buy) and place them at the front and use the existing not so worn out 2 tyres at the back.
Is that a good idea.

2. Dealer told me that a low profile tyres are prone to such problems. (bent rims). Hence is it advisable to change to a higher profile tyres considering the road conditions in Malaysia? And what sort of tyres should i change to ? Any recommendations?

3. Check out some tyres price too. I heard Michelin Pilot is much better than Goodyear F1 ? Any truth in that? But they sure cost a bomb about RM860 per piece.

Cheers.

James,

Sorry to hear of your woes.

I am using 225/55ZR16 on all five tyres. Goodyear Eagle F1 - GSD3, Directional. Which model is yours?

Please also check where were the tyres made?

There have been complaints that tyres that are Made in Thailand would scream. On mine, are those such made in Thailand (I have not mal-intent here) but in my case, the tyres squeak at very low speeds (like when going down basement for parking). But when at high speeds, I LOVE them! :)

On FWD cars, it is quite common for the front tyres to wear out faster compared to the back. But how fast they wear out, will depends on your driving styles and habits. :)

Yes, it is quite common for people to change just the two front ones ahead of the not-so-worn rear tyres. If you have $$$ to spend, go for all fours. If you don't, don't worry. Just keep an eye on your tyres for signs of wear, periodicaly. That's being safe! :)

Low profile tyres need more preparation before we can stock them. In my previous ride, the low-profile tyres damaged all my four shocks, in 6 months! :( So, i guess, if you really must put them on, bear in mind the things you have to be prepared with, like stronger shocks (though there is generally nothing wrong with Volvo's original shocks - in fact, they're great!).

Cut it short, keeping it stock is the best thing, but I understand the need for 'change' to spice up our lives. :haha:

What tyres to use, will depend on the kind of roads you have travel mostly. For me, my daily stretch sees me having to pass through at least 23 speed-bumps (you know lah, our roads - If you make them too straight and clear, people start racing on them) to work. So, i keep stock rims and tyres. Some people who live in Rawang and uses the highway, prefer hi-profiled tyres, etc... Up to you, dude. Just query the tyre specialists as much as you can - make them work for their money!

I have not tried Michelin yet, though I plan to, when these tyres run out.
But definitely not the above RM500 each ones... $$$ is tight! :haha:

If you do change, why don't you start a topic and give us your recommendations in here? Cool?

:)

You can replace 2 tires and put the best 2 in the back.

I would stick with the factory setup.

In my opinion the Michellin Pilots are tons better than the Good Years!!!!

There should be a different series of michellins besides the pilots that should be cheaper. Check into it.

Just got my 3 rims done. Feel slightly lighter with the steering though. And seems stable at high speed. The only complaint is the noise from the 2 front tyres. Very noisy indeed. Humming at 60kmph and screaming at 110kmph.

Anyway I'm planning to replace them pair by pair.

I've checked the GoodYear website it says the F1 tyres are ultra performance type. Well i think i would go for a more balanced between performance and comfort.

And I heard tyres are much cheaper down south ie in Spore.

Thanks guys. Cheers.. :)

Im glad you got it fixed for the most part.
Once you replace the tires you should feel a lot happier.

The GoodYear F1 came with the car when purchased. :) So, am not complaining, nor praising. But I will definitely be looking for a different one later. :) Just as preference.

Cheaper in Singapore or JB?
I've heard them being cheaper in JB, but not sure about Sing, though.

BTW, James. When you're on PLUS, you may feel the urge to floor the accelerator. :haha: Remember the speed-traps, ya?

:)

Good Luck!

Yes is cheaper over in Spore. Will try to get more details later from a friend of mine who works in Spore but stays in JB. He told me that imported tyres are subjected to taxes in Msia whereas in Spore they're not. Hence the disparity in price.

As for the speed traps, have been plying that same NKVE route (Klang-Damansara) for 10 over years. Subconsciously I will get to my working place without me knowing. You know what i mean. So driving fast is one of the thing that i really look forward to. Especially when you meet "friends" who want to give you some "challenge".

You know i used to drive a 7years Honda Accord 2.0. And now what a big diff. Life is much exciting now on the highway.

:P

So, it IS cheaper, eh?

Could you please later, just check on a few models and list here the prices for comparisons. :) I don't have any specific model, though.

But then again, James... Yours is not only the newer version, High-Pressured Turbo version, somemore! T5 is definitely something 'jangan main-main' kinda wheels!

Hahaha :haha:

Keep the right foot easy, dude...
Drive safely...




"Bullying Any Hondas Lately?"

Check out a couple of models such as
Toyo (about RM450 per piece) and Falken (RM457 per piece) - 225/45/17

Will keep you posted when i get more pricing on the Michelin and Goodyear. Read a newspaper article about how cool and good are the Pirelli's P Zero Rosso tires. Any comments?

The T5 power is awesome. Recently met a T5 owner at a Caltex station at TTDI and he told me he owned a Beemer 3series before and its power and acceleration is no where near that of the T5.

Cheers

Sure!

You could open up a new thread either here or in the Wheels section, to give your comments. :clap:

318s and 320s are usually my target for 'smoking-sports' as well.
:haha: But of course, normally i realise afterwards that most of them are female drivers! (Have no idea female drivers love speed as much as men!) :haha:

"Bullying any 3 series lately?"

Getting back on track with tyres. How do Continentals fare?
Another Q for James : what tyre pressures do you have when you are doing 160-180 kph, do you push up the tyre pressures as recommended by Volvo?

I know this is an old post but will pick up the thread anyway

I have to replace my tyres at least the front ones - I have an S60 T5 with the low profile 18" tyres I think they are 235/40/18......

Expensive I know...........

Can you guys recommend a good tyre place?

Am interested in the singapore thing as well.......... are they cheaper?


By the way even 328's can't catch the T5 - don't bother with the 318's and 320's.....too easy. :banana:

Dr Kieran,

Checkout the spots in Klang. Some of them are really good and relatively cheap for the price.

Thanks Ampang


I already changed them in Singapore - one of the tires was completely wrecked in fact a strip came off the inside and lodged in the brakes - had to have the car towed whislt in SG........

This is apparently a symptom of wheel rubbing when on full lock.......... need to fit a steering limiter.

For anyone interested I fitted Pirelli Dragons 235/40/18 at S$450 each........ actually the price is about the same as Malaysia i think......as i checked out the cost a little here.


They are pretty good tires - a bit quiter than the Pirelli P Zero's that were on there - the grip is good in both wet and dry so no complaints so far.

Cheers

K

Thanks for the update!

:)