How to spend $1100.

DJ1979 · 14-10-2010, 05:04 PM

My Econetic has Zetec Alloys - being an Econetic I have no spare tyre, only the mobility kit.
I drive a lot of k's (1000 a week - hence getting the Econetic) but highway/freeway driving to and from Melbourne.

This morning, 4:30am, hit a massive pot hole that I think appeared due to recent torrential rain, wrecked the tyre and buckled the rim.

One tow truck and $1100 later, I will have a new wheel and tyre.

I could have spent $1100 on much more exciting things!

Luckily I am covered for the tow truck, but I really think that Ford (and any other manufacturer) should offer Roadside Assistance for any vehicle with no spare. Sure, a slow leak or a nail or something could be patched with the mobility kit, but something like what happened to me today is only going to be fixed by replacement - requiring a tow truck.

Anyway, rant over....

dannyhilton · 14-10-2010, 07:31 PM

1) Complain to the council. I know people who have got their new rim refunded due to a major pothole. Normally needs photo proof
2) Ford do offer road side assistance for 12 months IIRC on new cars. I guess after that you have to pay up. Sometimes they offer it free with servicing, albeit for 12 months.

Good luck man!

Kryton · 14-10-2010, 08:50 PM

You do 1000km a week and havent thought about buying a spare wheel - so that is somehow Ford's responsibility for your lack of foresight?
You knew the car had no spare when you bought it, why play the odds?
The council wont be paying the damage either, that stopped a year or so ago.

fiestaz · 14-10-2010, 08:54 PM

it is pretty stupid how they dont put a spare in the car, replacing it with a repair kit thing... yes it saves weight, but i dont think its enough for it to really matter in the long run.

definitely try the council, get a photo of the pothole as danny said, and hopefully you'll get somewhere. no harm in trying.

GoesLikeAZetec · 14-10-2010, 09:09 PM

Good luck man... Give it a go though. Its the councils job to keep roads, footpaths etc in good nick. But Danny is right, you need photo proof.

Maybe a few of us should order a spare rim from euro parts or something.. If a few live relatively close by, you could get away with one freight charge?

dannyhilton · 14-10-2010, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davway

The council wont be paying the damage either, that stopped a year or so ago.

In Queensland, Toowoomba more specifically, a mate got council to foot the bill for his buckled rim a few months back. Huge pothole in the middle of the main road. Then again, Toowoomba roads get stamped with trucks so perhaps they are more easy going here? He did have heaps of photo proof too. They put up a fight, but he eventually got the money.

Only problem with that Troy is Euro Parts charges delivery per rim :(

DJ1979 · 15-10-2010, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davway

You do 1000km a week and havent thought about buying a spare wheel - so that is somehow Ford's responsibility for your lack of foresight?
You knew the car had no spare when you bought it, why play the odds?
The council wont be paying the damage either, that stopped a year or so ago.

Bit harsh eh? I actually have the original wheels from my car - haven't gotten round to finding a jack to suit - this will give me a kick to arrange it.

The risk of a flat tyre is there no matter how few/many k's you do - I have no issue with the mobility kit as it will help you if you have a slow leak/nail puncture etc - but the damage done to my tyre was far above what it could do.

My point is: The VAST majority have spares, albeit a space saver in many instances - which will get you home when you need it. I firmly believe that if Ford want cars like the Econetic to do well in laces like Oz where we drive on crap roads for huge distances, they really should offer some support. The tow was covered and not out of my pocket.

Anyway, I had a crap morning, am $1100+ poorer and was having a rant - thanks for the supportive comment...

I agree - local council won't pay up - brother had similar experience

charleystnt · 16-10-2010, 05:29 AM

The factory z tech wheels are poo. Buckled mine on a dirt road. Cost $660 for a set of avanti racing wheels with machine finished outer. The are lighter, STRONGER, and look a heap better than stock. 10 split spoke style sorry don't have photo.

GoesLikeAZetec · 16-10-2010, 11:49 AM

Do you have the rim still? Any chance of a picture of it dj?

DJ1979 · 16-10-2010, 07:39 PM

I do have the rim - sitting in the back of my car - it looks fine to the eye but easy to believe it got bent outta shape considering the damage to the tyre. Going to see about getting money back on the wheel though - was on the same stretch of road today, and they have big signs warning of the potholes for about 10ks, so obviously I wasn't the only person to come unstuck....

fiestaz · 16-10-2010, 08:26 PM

is the rim not repairable? i got a buckled rim repaired recently for $100. if it is it could become your spare.

Franco Cozzo · 17-10-2010, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charleystnt

The factory z tech wheels are poo. Buckled mine on a dirt road. Cost $660 for a set of avanti racing wheels with machine finished outer. The are lighter, STRONGER, and look a heap better than stock. 10 split spoke style sorry don't have photo.

The factory steel wheels are pretty light and weak too, I dinted one of mine when I hit a big pothole.

craigdmb · 22-10-2010, 09:47 AM

Bugger that sucks mate. That potohole wouldnt happen to be on the Western Freeway by any chance, that road is atrocious at the moment with all the potholes. My tires are fine, but wow there was a big one. The bang was so loud, I am positive something is broken now in the car as a result. I now have a new squeak coming from the rear of the car that wasnt there before.

BrisVegas · 09-11-2010, 09:12 PM

My wife buckled a rim on her zetec this arvo when she hit a pothole. Chasing a new rim now if anyone has one. Any ideas what it costs to repair these, if thats possible?