Superlite Wheels - - absolutely disgraceful!

[Deadscoob1]

Despite being advised otherwise, Ian and I purchased a set of Superlite 3 piece wheels for our XTR2.

Although being mucked about over delivery dates, them being late and lack of response when queried (guess we shoulda realised something was up then   ), we persisted and the wheels were finally delivered - and they looked lovely and were light - perfect or so we thought.

On our first drive after registration, the back wheel literally fell off. whilst we were doing 70 on a dual carriageway. First thoughts were we hadn't tightened the wheel bolts up - when we looked the bolts were still in the hub.

Looking into it we realised the wheels were 4 piece - to achieve the correct offset they bolt a spacer to the inside of the wheel - no bad thing - unless, the wheelbolts don't actually sit in the wheel face, just in the spacer. So the bolts shear in the spacer and the wheel falls off as theres nothing holding it on. Clever huh, for apparent Motorsport spec wheels.

So we called Superlite - Karen answered and to be honest I got the impression nothing was up - spoke to Henry who asked for the wheels back and he said he'd make up 4 new centres, in 1 piece and they would be done immediately. This was 2 weeks ago. I took the afternoon off work to go back and wait for parcelforce to collect the wheels (arranged by me). It was agreed they'd pay for a new tyre, the damage to the bodywork (minor) and delivery charges for the wheels - I think we were being exceptionally fair as potentially this could have had lethal consequences.

Back in work the next day, theres an email from Karen stating that she'd get the wheels collected - called her up to say hey'd been sent - she asked how much - £45 + £5 insurance - "I'm not paying that - it would have only cost us £20!!!" Err excuse me - you're arguing over £20 after I've taken an afternoon off over you dodgy products?    

Anyway, spoke to Henry on the friday after chasing and hearing nothing (their slogan should be "we'll ring you back") - I told him we were planning some tracktime next (tomorrow) weekend and would he be able to get them back. He said yes. I said can I book the tracktime then - he said yes - he'll definitely ship thursday for friday delivery.

Now I've been chasing them since monday - again, they will always "call back". I tried them a dozen times on wednesday/thursday - "we'll call back"    Try them from 4.30 to 6pm last night - no answer.

Call them today - "Yes, they're being painted now and will be with you tuesday" Err excuse me? "Yes we've been let down by the painter - we have to rely on them" Right - that stops you making a phone call and returning at least one of my messages does it? "Our email has been down" - strange - Karen said she was doing accounts and that's why she hadn't replied.

So, we've arranged a trailer, track insurance etc - I'm off work today waiting for the wheels. They would've known by tuesday that the wheels wouldn't be ready - yet they still didn't say.

I am absolutely disgusted and so pi55ed off you wouldn't believe - 2 working weeks and 2 weekends without our wheels and tyres - not exactly "immediate" is it  

Extract from their site "Superlite Wheels are design approved and tested to meet all current and proposed legislation on road and motorsport competion wheels including: TUV (Germany), JWL (Japan), B.S.AU50 (UK), S E M A (US)"

Yeah right - there is no way on earth those wheels would pass any of the above.

In our eyes we have been blatantly lied/bull5hitted to, have been perfectly reasonable over potentially lethal hazard, been patient - only to be screwed up once again - so this weekend is a loss and it's now 3 weeks till we can track the car - we could've got another set easily by then.

Up till now, all companies we've used have been absolutely superb - PJ, Fluke, TTS etc. Superlite IMO are the absolute pits - very poorly designed product with no safety margin and the most atrocious "customer service" I have ever experienced.

If you haven't guessed we would not recommend Superlite for anything.

None of the above is fiction, it is all fact and the dangerous nature of the wheel can be found in the police report - we insisted they attend when the wheel came off - their words on the setup were less than flattering.

Are we justified being this irate? Have we been reasonable?

Sorry for the rant

   

[Mossman]

Craig, sory to hear all this, just picked it up from Scoobynet. I think you are absolutely 110% justified in your thoughts. They sound F&*kin' terrible! I will avoid them at all costs. I hope you get it all sorted mate.

Mossman

[Bananaman]

How do these people stay in business what a bunch of F***ing   holes

I bet the air is blue round at your house, i feel sorry for the cat  

Andy

Look on the bright side at least you will have a XTR2 to play with soon (hopefully)

[Deadscoob1]

Yeah,

Wheels will be delivered tuesday apparently - they hadn't even ordered the replacement tyre  

We'll see - maybe next weekend we'll be able to get on track

[Westfieldman]

So Mike Barnby R500 wheels look like a bargin after all as the S****lite wheels where on my list of possiable wheels

Mike just takes a litle longer that he first prommises

Unfurtunatly he only does 13" wheels at present.

Paul.

[Miraz]

Sorry to see your tale of woe..my experience with Superlight was better than this. I know that others have been unhappy with the service they received too.

[Phssthpok]

If you haven't guessed we would not recommend Superlite for anything.

Thanks for the warning, the best way of dealing with   like these is simply not to buy from them in future and advise friends to do likewise.

[Matt Seabrook]

Just read your post I am thinking about 3 peace wheels for next year. That puts superlite`s web site in the recycle  bin.  

[Deadscoob1]

Forgot to say - the centres are not even helicoiled so the bolts tap straight into the alloy......hmmmmm

[Keith Scarfe]

When I was looking for a new set of wheels for the race car at the start of this year, it was a toss up between 2. Superlites or Compomotives (would have liked image but too expensive). In the end I went for the Compomotive TH, 3 piece splits. Very good indeed they are too. Have done a full season with them with no problems and they still look like brand new. And I believe the centre impeller design really does help to cool the brakes. Looks like I made the right choice.

[stu999]

Deadscoob, IMHO I dont think I would even consider putting the Superlites on the car after that scenario, I would be asking for my hard earned back to go and spend on decent wheels.

[Nick M]

Ding to what Stu said - send the whole lot back for a full refund.  If no joy, take them to the small claims court.

Safety outweighs any other consideration and if it were me I doubt I'd trust the wheels to be able to use them on track.  If they can make the centres as one piece, why didn't they do it in the first place ?  And not using helicoils in aluminium is highly dodgy IMHO.

[John Loudon - Sponsorship Liaison]

Keith,

What size Compomotives did you go for and what do they weigh? I thought that you run 13" ACB10s?, but thety only do 13" in 5" and 5.5" widths.

John

[Keith Scarfe]

Yes we do use ACB10's - 13X6X21 (front) and 13X7X22 (rear).

I got TH splits in the required sizes ok. 13x6 and 13x7 both with et19. I don't think these were anything special. IIRC, the fronts have the smallest outer rim size you can get in order to get the offset I wanted. This meant a small diameter valve had to be supplied but apart from that I think they were 'off the shelf'. I have the part numbers at home somewhere, let me know next week if you want me to find them.

Cheers.

Keith.

Weights were 4.5Kg for the 6" and 5Kg for the 7". Not mega lightweight but ok.

[SteveD]

errrr why not try image bl**** good wheels and sensibly priced to