This page is about the problems that almost all Volkswagen GTI 337 owners have with their rims.
If you haven't noticed any of these issues with your wheels, PLEASE TAKE A 2ND LOOK. After you wash your wheels, get on the ground and look at all 4 of your rims upclose. If you have the White Spots, you will see it. If you don't see any white spots, then you should feel the surface of the rim for Roughness/Corrosion. I first noticed them after i cleaned my rims and looked at the surface of the wheels.
You can also scroll down to see some sample of clean recently washed rims that are having problems. Please compare with yours
Please check this link for more information for now.
I also wrote a quick and dirty script to parse all the info that we used to hold here.
Early July 2003
Group Call to BBB
VWVortex 337 community started a group call to Better Business Bureau Auto-Line.
Call BBB Auto-line (1-800-955-5100) and take a complaint number, OR file your complaint ONLINE.
Friday, June 20, 2003
UK models have the same problem
Weggy from vwvortex community reports that 25th Anniversary models in UK has the same problems as our cars in the US. Here are some links from Weggy.
http://gti-anniversary.com
http://www.uk-mkivs.net/forum/...12608
http://www.uk-mkivs.net/forum/...=8245
Saturday, June 21, 2003
Letter!
I just got a letter from VWoA which is basically shows VWoA's ignorance about the problem. They don't know how to read, they don't know how to track customer's problem, RIMS ARE EFFECTED BY THE BRAKE DUST, WHICH IS CAUSED BY THE BRAKES CAPISH? If they could read only the complaint letters?!
Monday, June 30, 2003
Good news!
# Got good news from Gateway337CT from vortex forums. Here is a quote from his message:
... Mr. Dunbar just called me. He said, he doesn't know how I did it but VWoA is currently working on taking care of all 337 owners that are having issues with their rims.
Everyone that filed with the BBB will be getting a call from someone from VWoA very shortly.
For those of you that haven't called the BBB and filed your complaint, you will not be getting a call from VWoA.
You MUST call the BBB or file the complaint online. ...
# Also new picture added to the corroded wheels pictures.
Monday, July 14, 2003
New pictures
New pictures added from gtigirl337
Thursday, August 07, 2003
Resolution date over
Resolution deadline offered by VWoA is now over. Nobody contacted us 337 owners from VWoA. I think VWoA has one the worst customer services of the world. Currently 337 owners are contacting the local and national media. We are also searching for a legal resolution (like a class action suit against VWoA) for this problem. If you are/know a lawyer who is interested in this type of legal issues please let me know. email: emre at emresaglam dot com
Monday, September 10, 2003
Second resolution date is over!
I was contacted by BBB. The second resolution deadline is over too. We are getting screwed by VWoA again! They are offering me rim cleaning! This is crazy! The rims were already clean when you first delivered the vehicle! And they started to corrode. I really don't understand this attitude. I reopened my case in BBB. So I will be going into arbitration. I also filed online for a complain on NHTSA today. Here is the link
Tuesday, September 09, 2003
Pictures from DBull
Two new pictures from Dbull added to the pictures archive.
Tuesday, September 23, 2003
BBB arbitration day
I was contacted by BBB, they are calling me for an arbitration. Oct 6 will be the date. I did not confirm this date yet. I will call the BBB today.
Thursday, September 25, 2003
BBB Arbitration day confirmed
My arbitration day October 6 is confirmed.
Thursday, September 25, 2003
Web site updated!
I updated the web page design and functionality. You will be able to see the pictures before clicking on them 
Friday, September 26, 2003
BBS contacts
Here are the BBS contacts if you would like to send your wheel pictures to them also.
Please keep your picture sizes below 25K.
BBS of America Inc
5320 Bbs Drive, Braselton, GA 30517
(770) 967-9848
http://www.bbs-usa.com
Email of Mike Kaptuch, President: Mike-k@bbs-usa.com
Saturday, September 27, 2003
New pictures added
New pictures sent to me by Gateway337. I don't know the real owner of these pictures.
Jason (JJ_337)
jj98@iname.com
FYI - I had my car detailed today at my local VW dealership and they could NOT get the break dust off my rims. I will post pics on Vortex. I'm made sure to say how disappointed I was they couldn't get the dust off.
I will be contacting VW on Monday to see what the next course of action is.
JJ
Jason (JJ_337)
Sorry I should mention that, I clean my rims 3x per week. Yes 3X per week and I still can't get rid of the brake dust. I can't imagine what they'd look like if I cleaned them according to VW's recommendation of once every other week.
JJ
paul
paulb@saradon.com
can you get a few shots ded center showing the area of the hub, I have seen a few wheel where ther is flaking around the hub opening.
ron boston
rboston@suffolk.edu
I am from Boston Ma and I am experiencing the same problem with brake dust corroding my BBS RC wheels. The dark spots logded in the corner of the spokes and discoloration.
Mike
I currently own a 2001 1.8t Wolfs Jetta with the 16" stock BBS rims. I am having the same issue, corrosion around the walls of the rims, not one or two spots or one or two rims all four with multi spots. Any thoughts?
dave
daveander503@hotmail.com
Does anyone know if the 20th anniversary cars are having these problems with their rims? I have noticed excessive brake dust on the rims. I use the volkswagen wheel cleaner that is made by eagle one. I havent noticed any pitting or corrosion but my car only has 1000 miles on it. Also anyone who could give me input on what type of pads they are using that work better would be greatly appreciated ~Dave (daveander503@hotmail.com)
Nick Koetting
nnk508@studentmail.umsl.edu
I am not sure who I am talking to but I have recently noticed black specks of brake dust embedded in my bbs wheels and am starting to get concerned. Please email me on how to file a complaint to get replacements. Has anybody received any yet? I live in St. Louis and am pretty sure I am the only one around here with this car. Thanks.
Friday, October 3, 2003
My arbitration day is postponed
My arbitration day for October 6 is postponed to the following week. 
I hope to get some date today or tomorrow.
Also people are receiving letters from VWoA regarding their detailing offer. I never get these mails. Although I called VWoA Customer support, they can never give me any explanation about not receiving any letters from VW. They are so full of lies...
Friday, October 3, 2003
On the air!
Our problem was on the air today around 2pm EST on Tom Martino's Troubleshooter radio show. I hope we can get some public attention to this problem.
Thursday, October 9, 2003
Tri-state 337 owners!
Tri-state 337 owners, please call Leanne from WABC-7, "7 On Your Side" They will have this issue exclusive.
EVERYONE from the NY, NJ, CT Tri-state area to contact Leanne about this
Here is the info you need:
WABC-TV
Attn: Leanne
c/o 7 On Your Side
7 Lincoln Sq.
New York, NY 10023-5998
- Leanne's contact information: Telephone (212) 456-0433, or Fax number: (212) 724-5636)
Friday, October 10, 2003
New Picture
New picture added to the gallery on the right of the page.
Saturday, October 11, 2003
arbitration day set
My arbitration day is set. October 21st. I'll post the results soon.
m.
That sux man...I give you credit for sticking to your guns...
VW sux the high hard one on this. VW for enthusiasts I disagree.
I can't believe how they treated us on this. They f-worded us. Period. They didn't clean up their mess, and they didn't take care of their enthusiasts. Period.
Sux.
m. (TA373 on the Tex)
Sunday, November 2, 2003
Arbitration lost.
I lost the arbitration case against the VWoA Since I am legally binded and I cannot talk on this case, i can't give you details.
All I want to say is: VWoA has won the case, but lost the battle. I won't buy any VW Gruppe products in my life, including Audi, Skoda, Seat, Bugatti, Bentley, and Lamborghini. (I won't be able to afford last few brands today anyway but who knows ) Also as a car enthusiast I will never ever promote any VW product to my friends, colleagues, family members, etc... (How can I do that anyway?!)
So, this page will stay as a www memory here and as a resource and image gallery for others who are having the same problem.
There are other people who are fighting on this issue but I am tired. I don't have time to waste for VW anymore. For real good and up-to-date info please go to vwvortex forum page.
Have fun and enjoy your day!
Thursday, November 13, 2003
Our problem aired on Channel7
Channel 7 - 7 on your side has aired our rim problems on the 12th of November (yesterday). Since we had a similar problem with Jetta Wolfsburg Edition BBS wheels, they have been aired together. Here are the videos thanks to pooz01wolfsburg from VWVortex
High Resolution, 640x480, Part 1, ~2.43mb, Windows Media Format
http://www.showmetheturbo.com/01-high.wmv
High Resolution, 640x480, Part 2, ~26.5mb, Windows Media Format
http://www.showmetheturbo.com/02-high.wmv
Low Resolution, 320x240, Part 1, ~380kb, Windows Media Format
http://www.showmetheturbo.com/01-low.wmv
Low Resolution, 320x240, Part 2, ~4.05mb, Windows Media Format
http://www.showmetheturbo.com/02-low.wmv
Also a mirror of the high resolution videos exists
Here 01 and here 02 Thanks to Jaken20
Suddenly VWoA has changed attitude, and decided to replace our rims on case by case basis. I wonder why... Why not listen to the customer and listen to the media? It's been a year that us, VWoA's customers, has been told lies, stories and blames. But two minutes public attention... and BOOM! I wish .......
vr6golf
matt@vr6golf.com
While it doesnt help the current production issues @ hand, it might me a good idea to switch to a organic pad to prevent furthuer degredation issues with your wheelset.
If they were mine, i know id want the wheels replaced and immediately follow with an organic pad solution to prevent this issue.
Friday, December 19, 2003
Free detailing offer results
I went to 15k service today to Alexandria VW with VWoA's free detailing offer letter. After the free detailing, my rims are shiny AND CORRODED! So this clearly shows that there is nothing to clear this corrosion from my (and lots of other) 337 wheels. This is clearly another failure from VWoA.
After a year and some more, white spots are getting bigger, nasty black corrosion is getting deeper. So this shows my skills for forseeing the future is good, and VW's are baaad. I will make a photoshoot tomorrow to update my wheels' status.
Sunday, February 15, 2004
Winter wheels
I bought some cheap rims and winter wheels, I removed my BBS RCs and I'll wash them and take detailed pictures of them. They will be posted here.
bradley
bradleyboy4@msn.com
I just recently bought a 337 and i am experiencing corrosion on my rims what can I do? I would be extremely grateful. thanks
