After a necessary visit to the dealer for my 2013 GTC (“top stopped half down”), they also advised both front wheels were bent.

The tires are wearing evenly and normally.
I notice no issues except perhaps when going more than 80 mph, and then a bit of shimmy.

Shouldn’t the tires reveal some uneven wear?
And most important if they’re correct, is there an alternative to the $6500 parts and labor?

 

I don't know if it's the same as here in the UK where, a couple of weeks ago, I took a pair of front wheels from our Mercedes SL in for refurbishment (i.e. blast clean, fill any dings then prime and repaint).

Prior to doing that task the workshop spun up the wheels, and found that one was slightly bent.

They charged me the equivalent of $30 to re-true it.

Admittedly it wasn't a major bend, but in your position I would definitely be seeking a second opinion from a reputable alloy wheel refurbishment workshop.

If all else fails, for $6,500 I would expect you to be able to buy new wheels from Bentley.

 

Thanks Mr. Green. I guess I would see uneven tire wear and poor handling. They did a front end alignment in November and I can discern no differences in handling.

 

Unless the wheel is damaged to the point where it's visibly distorted then I very much doubt that the tyres will be affected or the handling will be noticeably degraded. I'm sure that the driving gods who walk amongst us will claim that they can sense a quarter degree change in camber and perceive the slightest change in toe, but personally, on a two and a half tonne waft-mobile equipped with rubber bushes everywhere, I call BS on that.

If you want to see for yourself how bad, or not, the distortion is, then just go and buy a cheap dial gauge and a stand and then jack up the relevant corner and slowly rotate the wheel whilst watching the dial gauge.

I've no idea of the best tool stores in your district, but here is a dial gauge for $14 https://www.homedepot.com/p/WEN-1-in-Precision-Dial-Indicator-with-001-in-Resolution-10702/306639253 and a stand for a further $23 https://www.homedepot.com/p/WEN-Industrial-Strength-Adjustable-Magnetic-Base-for-Dial-Indicators-10711/307658756?

You might find it an enlightening experience, just to see how much distortion there really is before you let the main dealer bend you over. Obviously It's worth checking both radially and axially.

 

Thanks again. Whatever the dealer claims at this point is qualitative and seems discretionary
since they don’t provide any evidence.

Hard for me to believe that both are bent. In any case they believe in replacing not repairing anything. I like the idea of having a local wheel shop opining.

 

If there is nothing wrong why fix it? How did they figure out they were bent? Did you ask them to look at the wheels? Yes wheels can be bent without it affecting tire wear.

 

No, I didn’t ask them to check the wheels.
They look for things to repair which in their world means replace.

I try to avoid them except when absolutely necessary (my top opened halfway on the weekend, impending rain, etc.

I will ask about how they determined the bent wheels when I pick the car up. I’m presuming they put it on a lift and rotated the wheel and made a visual call.

i am inclined to ignore it unless I notice a change in ride or handling until i need new tires.

 

A U.K. dealer I took mine to for free health check said ( can’t remember exactly how many ) wheels were “buckled “
The tech said they check every car and 90 % have at least 1 buckled wheel .
Up shot was leave it as there was zero signs and symptoms.
I did ask how he said it not obviously pot holes , it also the tyre fitters machines when swopping tyres .
That was 4 years ago and 35 K miles with 3 season s of winter tyres / summer so 6 machine sessions on each wheel .

Again super smooth no vibrations or spurious tyre wear .

He said most folks just ignore , it’s just he was obliged to inform me .
Personally I reckon they measure by the book Bentley give them a tighter tolerance for a 200 mph car than say a cooking Toyota 130 mph car .
I know the 240 mph Bugatti is Ł25 K a pop for new tyres and possibly wheels every 2 years .As Something spinning at 240 is gonna create more forces then the Toyota guys wheels .
If you never really exceed 100 mph then all the more reason to ignore .
How ever if you intended to gun it down a German autobahn anytime soon then maybe get it sorted and replace the “ bent “ wheels .

Btw I have been 170 with my “ buckled “ wheels ......never noticed anything other than super smooth and the pull of the W12 on nearly full chat .

 

Thanks
I am inclined to ignore it until I need new tires.
I have been very careful to keep the tire pressure as recommended at 48 psi.

The ride is a bit hard and I suppose the tire pressure could translate to more impact on the wheels.

I don’t drive it over 80 mph and never in snow and ice.

 

Pressure sounds high ( unless you are set for above 160 mph ) I run on my summer P Zeros 36 rears and 38/40 ish fronts .
A better ride less harsh .

If i leave the car un used ( sometimes up to 3/12 ) i pump them up to 48 ish to mitigate against flat spots and immediately notice the harshness if I forget on its first run out .

 

I think you’re right. I followed the factory sticker for my 21 inch wheels. You’re correct the ride was harsher. I don’t go high speeds so I presume a lower pressure will have less impact on the wheels.

 

Just get a proper balance at your local shop. Bent or no does not matter. A proper tire shop will balance.

 

I finally figured out the various TPMS settings and lowered the pressures to "normal" guidance and the ride is much better, 38 psi front 34 psi rear.
The dealer tech (not the suits sales guy) said to ignore it as there are no symptoms and tire wear even.

 

You are correct, Sir, these pressures are much better.

 

don’t they only replace if the tire can’t hold air? That’s what they told me when they were selling the wheel and tire warranty to me. The rim only gets replaced if it can’t hold air