I purchased a set of rims from wheelmax.com about two and half years ago. The rims were a set of "speeds" by Exel, wheelmax' brand. I was happy with the rims until recently, and what happened to me will frighten you if you already have a set of these rims on your car.
About one month ago while I was taking a corner, at what I estimate to be 35mph, one of the rims "failed". The rim seemed to collapse. It felt like a tire blowing. This sent me sideways towards the curb. I hit the curb, hard, breaking two more rims. I then continued down the sidewalk on the frame of the vehicle.
When I came to a stop, I got out to look at the damage. The rim had litterally shattered. After closer inspection, the tire, which is completely off of the rim, showed no signs of damage or contact with the curb or anything. This means that the tire was removed from the rim before striking the curb. Luckily noone was injured. I thank God that nobody was walking down the sidewalk.
I contacted wheelmax asking for information on why this could have happened. After multiple emails, I received a return email asking for more information. I explained all that I knew. I then received an email telling me "you had an accident, the rim is damaged, I do not see how this is wheelmax's problem". I explained to them that the product that they sold me failed causing the accident. Again I received no reply.
I then was informed of another person at wheelmax that may be able to give me some answers. He apologized for the other person's comment and tried to offer me some explaination. He said that I should remember that these are inexpensive rims and that they did have @10,000 miles on them.
I am beside myself on this. An accident happened that their product was a factor in, and it is my fault for purchasing the product they sell, because it is inexpensive? I could understand lesser priced rims being less attractive or heavier, but more unsafe? And 10,000 miles is what the average person drives in 10 months.
I would advise everyone to not purchase from wheelmax.com. The product they sell, by their own admission, is less safe. The cliche' "you get what you pay for" is something you should keep in mind.
0 comments