Indy Shop took a blade to my Steering Wheel

[///M4ster Yoda]

So Iv'e been holding off on installing my winter set of tires but needed to put them on today as snow might be headed here this weekend. I decided to use an indy shop that I had used many times over the last 20 years. The shop changed hands recently but I used them anyway as its close to home.

Well I get back in my ride and the whole steering wheel is sliced up. It looks like some one intentionally took a razor blade to my wheel. I obviously went back and made a huge stink but it went nowhere as its their word against mine.

What do you guys think? Its gonna piss me off every time I drive my car now with this slash. Not sure what I can do to make the shop buy me a new wheel. Probably nothing which leaves my finding another wheel or having this one repaired (not sure thats possible)?

Thoughts????

EDIT: I just contacted my lawyer buddy to hear his perspective

[FaRKle!]

Can't tell exactly how bad it is from your pic, but with shoes you can usually get scratches out with some conditioner, neutral polish, and brushing/buffing.

Of course knowing how crappy the leather BMW uses on their M-Sport wheels that may not work...

[Olivo]

Can you post better pictures? If worse comes to worse, you'll need a new steering wheel or to get it wrapped at minimum. It all depends on how deep the cut is.

[TheShaddix]

hey, don't bother fixing this as it'll never be as good as new. Also, arguing with that shop won't get you anything other than frustration. My advice to you is to get your wheel wrapped in alcantara or new leather. Just hit up Mike at Coby wheel (sales@cobywheel.com), you can send him your wheel to get wrapped or get one from him already wrapped and send him yours (that's what I am doing currently).

Sorry for what happened to your wheel, but I'd just look at it as an excuse to get a new mod!

[nicknaz]

I would talk to the shop owner about reimbursement (and possible negative reviews on social media) and find a replacement wheel (isn't the F30 m sport wheel really similar) and swap the airbags

You could also use it as an excuse to put in the m performance wheel with the shift lights and display on the steering wheel rim

[Rh6363]

That sucks man. Pic can't really tell how bad. But this might be the M gods telling you it's time to get that M performance steering wheel.

[wdskukm3]

How deep is that scratch. Is it just surface or did they actually cut into the leather. If it's in the leather you cannot fix that. Either re wrap or just get a new wheel. But see what your lawyer can do for you first. I have a feeling those guys at the indy shop were just lazy or jealous knowing you have the best car there compare to the junk they have there.

[OF Hero]

I'm not doubting you, but it makes zero sense for them to do this. Financially, reputation-wise, etc...they have zero to gain. I get that scumbags will do scumbag things, but i would think the almighty dollar (ie, your return business) would prevent such an act.

Furthermore, do you trust them to have properly mounted your tires?

[KevinM]

That sucks. I'd probably just get a new wheel, but try Leatherique first, to see how much it can be neutralized. A mobile leather repair shop will surely be able to fix that as well, but it may need to be retreated every few years given the location of the scratch.

GL

[Aaaaaaaaa]

I always put a steering wheel cover on when I get service or any work down. I also push the steering wheel in as far as it'll go. The steering wheel is so easily scratched by careless entry/exit by jacket/pants zippers.

Good excuse to get a M Performance steering wheel I'd say.

[///M4ster Yoda]

Thanks for the replies guys. There is a little more to this story so ill share. Unbeknownst to me (when I 1st walked in there) the old owner of the shop is being sued by the new owner. The new guy (seems like a real sleazeball) is saying the previous owner is stealing customers on side and directing them elsewhere. I was friendly with the previous owner but hadn't spoken with him in over a year. He is a scuba dive master and had a dive shop in Turks that my wife and I had visited.

Anyway, during the "heated" discussion the new owner accused me of being a spy/plant for the previous guy. Fuckin dude is paranoid. This is what lead me to believe it might have been intentional. After the wifey saw it in person she thought that they might have just been careless because of the angle of the slash. Either way it sucks.

All I wanted was to get my winter tires on the car before the storm hits. Live and Learn. Assholes didn't even set the tire sensors or put the BMW caps on the rims.

I started to look at the options you guys recommended. Coby Wheels is a good one but I would lose the heated steering wheel function. Same goes for the ///M Performance Alcantara Wheel. Toasty hands is nice in the Northeast winter months. Iv'e been hitting up members here and on eBay with OEM wheels for sale. The range is $300-400 used and up to $600 new.

Ill be leaving the old wheel on these assholes front door with a nice message letting them know that all the customers I directed there over the years wont be returning and social media is going to be alerted.

Here is another pic I took with a flash and another of the winter tires and Apex rims on the car. The group buy forced the black rims on me and I wasn't sure about them but I like the Darth Vader black bomber look.

[GMWNashville]

Have you chatted with the previous business owner about it at all?

[Turbotalon92]

Please at least share the city where they are located so I can avoid...I understand not the shop yet...

[AG23]

This happened to my audi s4 at a local dealer when they replaced a faulty stereo, but it was the leather on the shifter that got destroyed. They fixed it after I complained. I would bring it to their attention. Worst they can do is refuse to fix it, then you sue them in small claims court.

[ChuMpion3]

This shop needs to be named. If there isn’t more to this story, they need to go away ASAP.

[///M4ster Yoda]

Originally Posted by GMWNashville

Have you chatted with the previous business owner about it at all?

Yes. I called him last night. He filled me in on all the shenanigans with the new owner. The old owner felt bad but there is nothing he can do.

[///M4ster Yoda]

Originally Posted by ChuMpion3

This shop needs to be named. If there isn’t more to this story, they need to go away ASAP.

I'll name them. Fuck em. It's North Shore Imports in Setauket NY. The previous owner was awesome. We used to joke that he was an auto mechanic savant. He could diagnose anything. Very fair and reasonably priced. Most importantly honest. I've sent tons of people there over the years. Saab, Volvo, and Foreign car specialist. One of my 1st cars was a Saab 900 Turbo. That's how I ended up there in the 1st place

[No Boost]

Inundate these fuck twats with negative yelp reviews. I'm willing take your word and contribute to the cause.

[///M4ster Yoda]

Originally Posted by Stage IV

Inundate these fuck twats with negative yelp reviews. I'm willing take your word and contribute to the cause.

Let's just say the wifey has some plans

[Killed by Death]

Take the jerk owner to small claims court just to piss him off if you have the time

And give the shop one of these for me

[///M4ster Yoda]

Couldn't wait. Purchased a like "new" OEM heated wheel from a forum member for $415 shipped.

You guys think this is a DIY job or should I dare brave another local Indy shop?

Wasn't sure how complex removing the wheel is gonna be

[ONE1]

Originally Posted by ///M4ster Yoda

Couldn't wait. Purchased a like "new" OEM heated wheel from a forum member for $415 shipped.

You guys think this is a DIY job or should I dare brave another local Indy shop?

Wasn't sure how complex removing the wheel is gonna be

It's pretty simple. I just installed a CS wheel. Takes no more than an hour if you haven't done it before.