I took my 01 NSX into the car wash as I have done in the past. This particular carwash has not caused me any problems in the past. Unfortuniately on this date June 9th (My birthday to boot) I took the car in. I recently had the wheels refinished and powder clear coated. They looked great. Well upon arriving home I noticed as I wiped off any excess moisture from the mirrors excedera that my driver front wheel had been gouged on one of the spokes. It was mid way up and I knew it was not there yesterday. It was too high up for a pot hole as well. About a year ago I had taken my car into the Metro carwash owned by a different person in Tustin. After a number of washes (say about 10 or so) I started to notice that the finish on the spokes was getting scratched. When I brought it up to the manager, he admitted that the plastic insert can sometimes cut into the wheels especially if the car steers into it. So he was cool and paid to have my two wheel redone. From that time on when ever I brought my car in he would stay in the car and insure that the wheel did not hit the outside rail.
At one time the Metro in Costa Mesa owned all the other Metro carwashes. Now I think the guy just owns the one in Costa Mesa and Huntington Beach? Never-the-less both the Costa Mesa and the Tustin are setup exactly the same with respect to the track system that is used.
So I kind of knew that they (Costa Mesa) was probably responsible. Anyway I drove right back to the carwash and asked for the manager. He swore that it was impossible that his track could hurt my wheel. Remember these wheels are slightly bowled out (look at them from the front of the car and the spokes actually protrude out past the line created by the tire. We walked over to the entrance to the track and I poined out that there were metal welds that protruded and were in front of where the plastic strip begins. He got frustrated and said I needed to see the owner. I waited the owner came over and immediately told me it was impossible for their track to hurt my wheel.
I suggested we drive my car over and take a look to see if the gouge is the same height as the welds. He refused saying he is running a business. There were no cars in line to go through the car wash at that time. When we got close to the track he said I was not allowed to get closer. He then said he had a camera and pointed to it. I suggested that we look at the pictures and he refused saying only the Police are allowed. Finally when I asked him for his full name he told me to leave the premise or he would have my car impounded.
You can imagine I was pretty pissed off, but I maintained my cool. My wife was with me (sitting in the car) so we left. I considered my options, none at the time were worth prison. I got online and went to the better business bureau.
They are listed and have received a grade of "F" for having a number of complaints and never responding to them. So there you have it. I will have the wheel redone. Probably will cost me $100 or more depending on how much work it takes. Hopfully the gouge is not too deep.
So my advice don't go to the Metro on Harbor Blvd. in Costa Mesa, CA
Manny
At one time the Metro in Costa Mesa owned all the other Metro carwashes. Now I think the guy just owns the one in Costa Mesa and Huntington Beach? Never-the-less both the Costa Mesa and the Tustin are setup exactly the same with respect to the track system that is used.
So I kind of knew that they (Costa Mesa) was probably responsible. Anyway I drove right back to the carwash and asked for the manager. He swore that it was impossible that his track could hurt my wheel. Remember these wheels are slightly bowled out (look at them from the front of the car and the spokes actually protrude out past the line created by the tire. We walked over to the entrance to the track and I poined out that there were metal welds that protruded and were in front of where the plastic strip begins. He got frustrated and said I needed to see the owner. I waited the owner came over and immediately told me it was impossible for their track to hurt my wheel.
I suggested we drive my car over and take a look to see if the gouge is the same height as the welds. He refused saying he is running a business. There were no cars in line to go through the car wash at that time. When we got close to the track he said I was not allowed to get closer. He then said he had a camera and pointed to it. I suggested that we look at the pictures and he refused saying only the Police are allowed. Finally when I asked him for his full name he told me to leave the premise or he would have my car impounded.
You can imagine I was pretty pissed off, but I maintained my cool. My wife was with me (sitting in the car) so we left. I considered my options, none at the time were worth prison. I got online and went to the better business bureau.
They are listed and have received a grade of "F" for having a number of complaints and never responding to them. So there you have it. I will have the wheel redone. Probably will cost me $100 or more depending on how much work it takes. Hopfully the gouge is not too deep.
So my advice don't go to the Metro on Harbor Blvd. in Costa Mesa, CA
Manny
