No wing rust at all then suddenly its going crazy

[ReflexRob]

Bought my car exactly a year ago - 05 with 48k. I took great care to check for wing rust and there was absolutely nothing - not even pin prick bubble marks (I had an e46 3 series before and had the tiniest pin prick bubble mark on each wing which within 18 months turned into horrendous rust).

I've been observing the arches every week when I wash the car and the other day I noticed it was there and there in quite a big way. The paint finish on the wing is superb - looks factory applied it is that good and the perfect colour. I took the arch liner off and the foam is still there so booked it for inspection.

Ridgeway Newbury were happy to look at the car and the guy took my V5 details and then brought his paint depth gauge out to the car. He took loads of measurements and then said that the wing must have been resprayed as the readings were 140 - 150 on the wing and 95 - 100 (factory depth) elsewhere indicating it had been refinished.
He said if he accepted it for good will repair then if VW requested the bad wing returned to them 9 times out of 10 they do apparently, they would then charge the main dealer for repairing it when they shouldn't accept it.

Presumably i'm stuffed if the wing has depth readings that don't match what they should be?

[Juliand]

Oh, what a flippin shame - feel for you, especially as you were onto it, and checking it so carefully. Sooo annoying this. Why should  a previous repair to rectify a manufacturing problem be  a block on a claim??? I just don't get it- better to just let it rust away........... then claim - huh VW!!!

[ReflexRob]

Really shouldn't be happening on a modern car, wouldn't mind if it was just the wings but there are other bills coming all the time on this very tidy low mileage car!

[Ditto]

If you look up from behind the arch is is bubbling around the inner rim? Also have you checked where the wing meets the seal (best thing to do is point your phone through the gap and use the flash!).

If you're not aware of a respray, take it to a different dealer and get it checked again. It's worth small drive to another if they'll get it sorted! Especially if the sills are going too!

[ReflexRob]

Feels a bit rough on the inside of the lip - not awful though. I've removed the liner and snipped back the foam 10mm.

From previous experience I need to replace the wings not pay for a tidy up.

[Ditto]

Doesn't sound too bad then! I think you should still persist with claiming on the warranty though, most have success!

[ReflexRob]

I'm screwed - they say the readings are thicker than factory paint - no evidence of a respray though.....