timwhit
Hairy Aussie
Just tell the guy that he can either refund your money or you will dispute the charge.
The storageforum Audi S4 Thread
- Thread starter Stereodude
- Start date
Just tell the guy that he can either refund your money or you will dispute the charge.
Stereodude
Not really a
So, my two options were a full refund or they'd give me $200 back (the cost of the premium finish). I chose the refund. Apparently the wheels can't be refinished due to structural concerns about thermal cycling them in the oven during powder coating. I guess three times is the limit.
They're also still claiming that these sorts of defects are a normal side effect of the powder coating process and that I'm being more picky than most customers. They did say that since they're powdercoated 3 times the defects sort of build up / multiply and single step powdercoated wheels are better. My salesperson is checking to see if they're willing to build me another set of wheels with a different & simpler single stage finish.
They're also still claiming that these sorts of defects are a normal side effect of the powder coating process and that I'm being more picky than most customers. They did say that since they're powdercoated 3 times the defects sort of build up / multiply and single step powdercoated wheels are better. My salesperson is checking to see if they're willing to build me another set of wheels with a different & simpler single stage finish.
I likely fit in with their less-picky customers then. The wheels didn't look unusable to me, but I'd be annoyed at the defects just like you are. I'd probably ask for a refund also. Who has to pay for the return? I'm assuming they do?
I likely fit in with their less-picky customers then. The wheels didn't look unusable to me, but I'd be annoyed at the defects just like you are. I'd probably ask for a refund also. Who has to pay for the return? I'm assuming they do?
Stereodude
Not really a
You didn't see them in person. The fact is you can get a basically flawless finish on a $700 set of wheels, but they're trying to claim this is normal for a $1700 set of wheels. It is absurd. If this is really what a customer should expect, that information should be provided to customers up front with pictures and some sort of disclaimer like, "Your wheels may contain up to x number of small defects not exceeding x mm in size. This is a normal side effect of the powder coating process."
That hasn't exactly been conveyed to me, but I don't plan to pay.
Stereodude
Not really a
I think I am going to take my refund and get a set of Enkei Raijin 18x8.5 ET42 wheels in Hyper Silver instead of screwing around with Forgestar wheels.
They're also spin forged like the Forgestar wheels. A little heavier at 21.1lbs, but cheaper.
They're also spin forged like the Forgestar wheels. A little heavier at 21.1lbs, but cheaper.
They do look very similar to the Avant Garde M310 wheels I'm interested in. I'm thinking about going the 19x8.5, despite practicality and weight (26lbs). One of the other guys in a thread on AZ (which you probably saw) has them and I love how they look on his car except for the stretch look which he is fixing. The part that I still don't yet get is that they are 19x8.5 et 35. He's using 255/35/19 tires on those wheels. Does that sound like the right offset and tire size? This post from ModBargains suggests it is the correct size for the S4. The price is about $1000 for the set.
Stereodude
Not really a
Stereodude
Not really a
That's going to be tight. Real tight...
It sounds like it may or may not rub depending on the tires you use. linkL0U said:
They are really nice looking wheels. I don't know how the darker color would look with the Estoril blue, but the silver would probably look sharp. The price is a bit hard to stomach at almost three times the price of the AG M310s but the weight on them is pretty good for a 19x8.5 wheel.
time
Storage? I am Storage!
Stereodude, did you weigh the Forgestars you received?
I'll wait to hear back from the other guy on AZ to see how it works out for him. Reading more, it seems et 38 would be a better fit than et 35, but most wheels aren't made with et 38 it seems.
Now I'm wondering if it's worth going 19x9 if I'm bothering to jump up to 19 in the first place. That might be pushing my luck with rubbing though.
Stereodude
Not really a
Not yet. I expect they're about 19.5lbs maybe a hair less. I'll have to weigh one before I send 'em back. I don't have very good scale though. It'll be a crude measurement.
Stereodude
Not really a
Beside you couldn't consider them until you know if they die forged or not. :rofl:
I'm not saying it's impossible they're die-forged + rolled, but they could have written something much clearer if that was the case than the pile crap talking in circles that Matt quoted. I'm having a field day watching him claim that it doesn't say what it plainly says.
I'm not saying it's impossible they're die-forged + rolled, but they could have written something much clearer if that was the case than the pile crap talking in circles that Matt quoted. I'm having a field day watching him claim that it doesn't say what it plainly says.
I think you just like to stir up trouble over the details. 
I honestly didn't care what method they used to create them. I just liked how they looked and how light they are.
One of the guys over at AZ switched over to the AG M310s to 19x8.5 et 35 and he says there is no rubbing with the stock rubber 255/35/19. He has his car lowered also, so I assume the stock ride height would be a little safer. It looks almost perfectly flush with that setup.
I honestly didn't care what method they used to create them. I just liked how they looked and how light they are.One of the guys over at AZ switched over to the AG M310s to 19x8.5 et 35 and he says there is no rubbing with the stock rubber 255/35/19. He has his car lowered also, so I assume the stock ride height would be a little safer. It looks almost perfectly flush with that setup.
Stereodude
Not really a
Keep in mind it's possible that setup could rub with other tires.
Stereodude
Not really a
Well, within my ability to measure them I got 19.0 lbs.
I should point out that involves my weighing myself on a digital strain gauge bathroom scale while holding one and while not. I got the same weight without the wheel multiple times and the same weight with the wheel multiple times. The bathroom scale does have a 1 decimal place.
ddrueding
Fixture
On my VW I had a set of tires that rubbed, and it ruined the whole experience. I don't think I drove it really hard again until I got rid of it. Not an experience worth risking, IMO.
Stereodude
Not really a
More EBC:
Stereodude
Not really a
Yeah, I like the color shifting nature. I found the pictures by using the Google machine and the German name for the paint (Estorilblau Kristalleffekt).
I can't wait to see it in person, it looks very shiny. I like how silver wheels look on it, so that makes me feel better about getting aftermarket wheels in silver. Now to decide what size and which brand... Did you decide yet on the Enkei Raijin wheels? Good researching job on finding the images using the German name.
Stereodude
Not really a
I'm trying to sort out why TireRack says the 18x8 ET35 is a tight fit (and not offered) but other (non Raijin) ET35 and even ET32 18x8 wheels are offered for the B8 S4. Otherwise I can get the 18x8.5 ET42, but I think the 18x8 ET35 should be slightly lighter and it will position the rubber slighter further out.
Stereodude
Not really a
Stereodude
Not really a
I have a VIN. No idea what to do with it (aside from using it to get insurance).
Nice. I was hoping it would be possible to get the VIN before it arrived, mainly for insurance purposes. I'm planning to go in to my dealer possibly this weekend to make sure the certificate for the supplier discount is ok. I'm still getting conflicting information from my corporate perks rep. I don't want to be dealing with that on the day the car comes in delaying things. Maybe while I'm there I'll inquire about a VIN.
That's good news. Does that mean you're all set now and can order them?
Stereodude
Not really a
I guess. I have a few questions though. About lug bolts (mainly length) and hubcentric rings. I'm also hoping to get rid of the Forgestar wheels first.
Stereodude
Not really a
It turns out you get lug bolts and hubcentric rings even if you buy only only wheels (no tires) from Tire Rack. Tire Rack is being a little cagey though. They want to measure a 2013 first or they can't guarantee the fitment and won't take them back if they don't fit. They say this should happen in the next few weeks. I'm not sure I care, but then again I don't have an immediate need for wheels and given Tire Rack's location I can get them the next day UPS Ground so I guess I can hold off for a bit.
I also looked into "Locking" Lug Bolts. RAD wheel locks seem to be the way to go. Achtuning seems to have the best price after shipping. For the factory Audi wheels "14x1.5 26.5mm Ball" are the right size / type. Most aftermarket wheels use cone type bolts / nuts so I would need another set of lug bolt locks that are cone seat for the Enkei wheels.
ddrueding
Fixture
Are you close enough to just bring the car in and have them fit the wheels? That solves your problem and theirs.
Stereodude
Not really a
Not really. Plus I want the wheels in my hands unmounted so I can Opti-Coat 2.0 them easier.
Stereodude
Not really a
I found what appears to be an even better wheel lock design from McGard. The McGard Ultra SL. It has a rotating collar/ring on the outside to prevent the typical hammer on a socket or counterthreaded easy out sort of attack. Unfortunately they aren't sold in the US, but I did find a seller on ebay in the UK offering them with international shipping. They look to be about $77 shipped.
Of course on the flip side of their effectiveness you'd better be really careful not to damage or lose the key since the common methods of removing wheel locks without the key won't work. Welding a nut to the front face looks like the only "easy" removal method without the key.
I like these. I'll likely get a set of these for my wheels once I decide what wheel I'm going to buy.
These seem nice and very secure, but probably a step beyond what I'm looking for. My parents next door neighbor had a tricked out Maxima with wheels supposedly costing somewhere around the $4K range (according to him) were stolen while his car was right in front of the house. The people who did this cut out the passenger side window and located the key to the wheel locks that was inside the car. They used bricks from garden to place the car on and stole the wheels plus a bunch of other stuff. It didn't matter that he even had wheel locks. The important part is to hide the key as well as possible inside the car.
I was able to see the 2013 S4 in person today. The dealer near me had one S4 in black (with an auto tranny). After looking at this one and a 2012 right near by, I really like the style changes on the 2013. I feel like they made the car look slightly more modern. I'm sure some of my opinion is biased because I have one on order, but I do honestly love how it looks in person after seeing it today. I took a few pictures with my phone, but the lighting was tough.
Pics:
http://imgur.com/a/Mgd7T
Pics:
http://imgur.com/a/Mgd7T
Stereodude
Not really a
They're probably also a step beyond what I need. I have a garage that I park in at night and I generally don't go to shady areas so I probably don't need something more than a general deterrent. I do find it interesting that the more effective wheels locks aren't sold in the US though.
I also have a garage to park in at night which is why I wasn't overly concerned. My parents live in a decent area with minimal to no crime and yet this happened right next door to them. The neighbor suspected it might have been the auto garage where he had the work done to his car, so they knew where he lived and exactly what was on his car, etc. My point being, you don't have to be in a shady area for someone to heist your wheels. If they want them, they'll get them. His downfall was a lack of garage space that evening. :-\
Stereodude
Not really a
With the McGard Ultra SL wheel locks if they don't have the key they're not going to be stealing your wheels off the car while it's in your driveway with out attracting TONS of attention and taking a LOT of time. Of course you correctly point out that they know the key is most likely in the car which makes their task easier. However, the idea is that they'll set the alarm off in the process of getting the key out of the car which might bring them the extra attention they're not after. A more conventional wheel lock can be removed without making a lot of noise or taking a significant amounts of time which makes it less of a deterrent.
The neighbor who had his wheels stolen had an alarm. The thieves cut out the passenger's side window without setting off the alarm and then disabled it somehow. Most people keep the wheel lock key in the car because if you don't, and you don't have runflats, you're screwed if you get a flat tire. Otherwise you need to remember to bring it into your house every day/night when you're not using your car which can be a pain in the ass. back to my original point, if someone wants your wheels, they'll get them even if you have an alarm. You'd have to have the wheel locks you suggested and remember to bring the wheel lock key with you at all times that you're not in your car. It's just not worth it IMHO.
Stereodude
Not really a
In your example that's thieves who really wanted the wheels and probably profiled him and came prepared. That's not someone driving up and down the street looking for an opportunity to score a set of wheels. Frankly, I don't think anyone is going to be that dedicated just to steal a set of 18" Enkei's or factory 18" Audi wheels. They not exactly a $6k set of HRE's.