wheels and rims stolen...HELP!

[echophlox]

Tragedy struck 3 weeks ago when I found my 03' MM on blocks. Luckily, I found a set of factory tires but another tragedy has struck. Insurance pretty much covered the loss, so I took the car to a Mercury Dealership in Atlanta that said they could get the factory rims for the car. When I went to pick it up, the tires and wheels were installed on the wrong axles and my rims weren't polished aluminum. They were like my spare. Can anyone give me some feedback or help with the rim fiasco? Are original rims available, or is the dealership grossly mis-informed?

[Bradley G]

someone messed up at the dealer.
Tell them you want OEM wheels and tires.
TELL THEM THEY SHOULD LET YOU KEEP THE MISFIT SPARE(s) THEY TRIED TO PAWN OFF ON YOU.

[Bobmiddle]

There is tons of lititure out that states our cars come with polished rims. Take it to the dealer and make them aware. Sometimes shops will go ahead with repairs or replacement of parts eventhough they know it is wrong to get the car to you like they promissed. And if you say nothing they are done. if you say it is wrong they will fix it. They most likley did not know they had the wrong parts untill they opened the boxes to mount the tires or if the tech had no Idea they should be polished they did not know untill the car was pulled up as READY. Good Luck and see if they will throw in a new full size spare for your hassel.

[echophlox]

There is tons of lititure out that states our cars come with polished rims. Take it to the dealer and make them aware. Sometimes shops will go ahead with repairs or replacement of parts eventhough they know it is wrong to get the car to you like they promissed. And if you say nothing they are done. if you say it is wrong they will fix it. They most likley did not know they had the wrong parts untill they opened the boxes to mount the tires or if the tech had no Idea they should be polished they did not know untill the car was pulled up as READY. Good Luck and see if they will throw in a new full size spare for your hassel.

I was so pissed when I went to get the car, I wouldn't even drive it off. Heck, I couldn't because of the odd spare. I plan on going up in the morning. I'm going to try to act calm and not freak out, because they kind of have me in a tight squeeze. I have been driving around in a stupid PT Cruiser rental for 3 weeks and am about to go nuts. Next step is a Viper alarm and the wheel locks are already on the car.

[kayzap]

Relax and be calm. Mistakes happen. Just point to a picture of the O.E.M. wheels and nicely ask them to get and install them.

This dealers been helpfull to you in the past and it would not be wise to throw that away over a correctable misunderstanding.

[ctrlraven]

I was so pissed when I went to get the car, I wouldn't even drive it off. Heck, I couldn't because of the odd spare. I plan on going up in the morning. I'm going to try to act calm and not freak out, because they kind of have me in a tight squeeze. I have been driving around in a stupid PT Cruiser rental for 3 weeks and am about to go nuts. Next step is a Viper alarm and the wheel locks are already on the car.

That sucks man. If you get a Viper alarm make sure to get the 507T Tilt/Motion Sensor and 508D Dual Radar Sensor.


http://www.drdetailshop.com/tiltmotion.jpg
507T Digital Tilt/Motion Sensor

The Tilt/Motion Sensor is used to compliment the level of security provided by the shock sensors found on most alarms.
The Tilt/motion sensor detects when the vehicle is being raised in an attempt to either remove the wheels/tires or tow the vehicle.
The 507T is capable of independently referencing the vehicle's initial angles of vertical and horizontal inclination each time the vehicle is parked, ensuring the most accurate tilt (vertical) and motion sensing (horizontal) possible.

The unit has selectable dipswitch settings for both the tilt threshold and the motion
sensitivity levels. You can select the sensor for tilt detection only for both tilt and motion.



http://www.drdetailshop.com/508Dbig.jpg
508D Dual Radar Sensor

Generates two invisible detection fields around your vehicle, offering either a Warn Away® response or full alarm. Great for convertibles, sunroofs, T-Tops for both trucks, SUV's or any size car.

The 508D uses a ultra-high frequency field to detect objects of sufficient mass which move within a defined area. The 508D triggers the first stage output if an object is detected in the outer zone of coverage, while the second stage output is triggered if the inner zone is violated.

[shawn.criswell]

Did your owner's manual come with the CD-ROM? They should be able to look at it and it'll show what the OEM wheels and treads are supposed to be.
If it were me, I'd raising one !@#$ of a stink!

[echophlox]

Relax and be calm. Mistakes happen. Just point to a picture of the O.E.M. wheels and nicely ask them to get and install them.

This dealers been helpfull to you in the past and it would not be wise to throw that away over a correctable misunderstanding.

I went in today very calm, and explained the situation. After some haggling and information exchange they realized that my wheels were'nt correct. I actually had to call another mercury dealership and ask about the chrome wheels and then get a part number to pass on to the guys working on my car. I think everything will be back in order by the weekend. Next thing, ALARM system!!!

[echophlox]

That sucks man. If you get a Viper alarm make sure to get the 507T Tilt/Motion Sensor and 508D Dual Radar Sensor.


http://www.drdetailshop.com/tiltmotion.jpg
507T Digital Tilt/Motion Sensor

The Tilt/Motion Sensor is used to compliment the level of security provided by the shock sensors found on most alarms.
The Tilt/motion sensor detects when the vehicle is being raised in an attempt to either remove the wheels/tires or tow the vehicle.
The 507T is capable of independently referencing the vehicle's initial angles of vertical and horizontal inclination each time the vehicle is parked, ensuring the most accurate tilt (vertical) and motion sensing (horizontal) possible.

The unit has selectable dipswitch settings for both the tilt threshold and the motion
sensitivity levels. You can select the sensor for tilt detection only for both tilt and motion.



http://www.drdetailshop.com/508Dbig.jpg
508D Dual Radar Sensor

Generates two invisible detection fields around your vehicle, offering either a Warn Away® response or full alarm. Great for convertibles, sunroofs, T-Tops for both trucks, SUV's or any size car.

The 508D uses a ultra-high frequency field to detect objects of sufficient mass which move within a defined area. The 508D triggers the first stage output if an object is detected in the outer zone of coverage, while the second stage output is triggered if the inner zone is violated.

THANKS FOR THE INFO!!!! I will be definately looking into this asap.

[ctrlraven]

THANKS FOR THE INFO!!!! I will be definately looking into this asap.

Not a problem, those are the alarm add-on part numbers also btw. If you go some place and tell them you want to add on those things and they have no idea what your talking about then you need to go some place else.

[dreydin]

wow, that alarm + wheel locks would be SWEET!

[echophlox]

So I found out that when I called about my rims, the parts dept said they could get them no problem, but when it came time to actually order them, they did it by keying in my VIN number and a wheel and part number showed up. They ordered what was specified by the computer, and when it came it was the wrong rim. At first they didn't believe me. I was like, c'mon guys....every Marauder ever made came with chrome rims. Even the parts guy said, "well that's not what are Ford's computer database says". Obviously they knew nothing about my car. What I had to do was call another dealer and ask the same question, and when they searched for the rims not entering my VIN number , the right wheels showed up. I then asked for the part number and give it to the body shop manager so he knew they actually existed. So basically, I had to do there job for them. As of now, the car will be ready tomorrow with new shiny rims and new stock tires. Sorry PT cruiser people....but I can't wait to turn this rental in and get my ride back. What a nightmare. Our cars are only become more of a target for theives and criminals as thy get more rare and hard to find. Everybody get the wheel locks and invest in an alarm so you don't end up crying like a baby like me when someone steals your stuff!!!!

[CRUZTAKER]

Ok...I saw this post and passed by thinking "this will work itself out"....

First thing to advise said owner:

YOUR WHEELS ARE NOT CHROME!!!!!

Our members and info from this site in the FAQ clearly state the part number for our wheels.

If YOU and the dealership YAHOOS in SHATLANTA cannot figure out this most medial first grade information...then it's time to give up the ship and sell it to FRANCE.

[magindat]

Wow, Barry! Worked up a little? :rolleyes:

He's right, though. The rims are NOT chrome and that may be part of the basis of confusion. They are polished aluminum and clearcoated.

[KillJoy]

Uhhh..... MY wheels are CHROME!

:dunno:

:rofl:

KillJoy

[CRUZTAKER]

Yes...yes they are.:coolman:

But try and pull a part number from the dealer on those. :P

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/6/2/6/stevowheel002.jpg

[JimmyXR7]

Wow, Barry! Worked up a little? :rolleyes:

He's right, though. The rims are NOT chrome and that may be part of the basis of confusion. They are polished aluminum and clearcoated.

20 years ago, I was unemployed and the bike blessing was coming up. So I spent a week cleaning and polishing my Harley FLH, dresser. Every day, I cleaned and cleaned. Polished and polished. The last day I used the Simichrome from Happich, made in Germany. Easter arrived and I rode across the street to gas up. Another customer's eyes lit up and before I left he got the courage to talk to me. He said he really liked my bike and how it was chromed-out. He did not believe me when I said it was polished aluminum. I even showed him the few chrome pieces as a comparison. He still thought it was chromed-out.
At the bike blessing, other people liked the chrome-out look and I kept my mouth shut, I was not going to convince them. I won the 3 foot trophy for the Best Dresser.
What have other people used to touch up abrasion marks on the Marauder wheels or do they need to be stripped of the clear coat?
Jim

[sailsmen]

Chrome, Shome, Mome. They are whatever you want them to be.

Barry, we are all equal and we are all correct. It is just a matter of different strokes for different folks.

My out come based education and PC has taught me this, please enroll in sensitivity training and anger management. Try a little Rip-ta-lils for your behavior!

Class dismissed. Everyone gets an A.:D

[CRUZTAKER]

ok...ok...I get the point.

I was brash.:banned:

Lesson learned. Hopefully on all parts.

[echophlox]

Ok...I saw this post and passed by thinking "this will work itself out"....

First thing to advise said owner:

YOUR WHEELS ARE NOT CHROME!!!!!

Our members and info from this site in the FAQ clearly state the part number for our wheels.

If YOU and the dealership YAHOOS in SHATLANTA cannot figure out this most medial first grade information...then it's time to give up the ship and sell it to FRANCE.

They got confused.... when you mention aluminum...they gave me powder coated polished ones...chrome is easier to understand for them, and they refer to chrome rims when you call for inquiries. Anyhow....I got the right rims and everything so I am happy to have the car back. When they type in your VIN number, the wheels for a standard Marquis show up. I think the marauders have an after assembly package put on in the factory that confuses everyone now. Same thing happens to Harley Davidson F-150 owners...these dealers can't go by VINnumbers solely to get parts.