Do Audi Rims Bend a Lot?

[mdgrwl]

I'm coming from a Mercedes background and their wheels were like soft clay... they would bend if you just looked at a pot hole wrong.

How do Audi rims compare?

I have stock 19" Black Optic Package on my S5... I have 30 days to decide if I want to buy a tire/rim protection package and its $1,200 bucks... if this was a Mercedes, I would of got it already. Not sure with Audi ?

Do Audi rims bend often? Do they have a reputation for bending a lot like Mercedes do?

[J-Bo]

I wouldn't buy that package, personally - overpriced road hazard IMO - you can probably buy an entire set of black optic OEM wheels for less than that if you did bend one. Heck, you can get a nice set of aftermarket wheels for not much more than that. I saw several of the OEM wheels on ebay for not much. They're called 'titanium finish' and were on some S4 models as well. =)

[akatz]

You want that package. It even covers curb rashed wheels so IMO it is a no brainer, especially if you do a lot a parallel parking or city driving.

[LINDW4LL]

$1200 seems like a huge rip-off. Is that a lifetime warranty?

[Runge]

what are your roads like?

[adam123]

IMO the audi stock wheels are very strong. I drive in NYC on horrible road and most of my aftermarket wheels have bent, not the stock audi wheels, never. I would pass.

[Okan509]

stock wheels are really strong!

[Mops@Nemesis]

stock wheels are really strong!

+1, especially 19's on 255/35. That's a Rip, imo. Even if you curb once or twice, you're only in for a $100 or so per wheel to repair. They package is for fools, and people that cannot drive.

[mdgrwl]

Thanks guys.

My wife once hit two pot holes in her MB, bending two front rims and putting bubbles in both tires. MB hit us for $200 each wheel to straighten, and new tires cost $150ea... so $700 in all.

Ive driven on low profile tires for a while and only had problems with cheap aftermarket wheels... but all other experiences were good.

So ill chalk up the MB experience to a bad driver (my wife) and their very bendable wheels.

[Mops@Nemesis]

Yea it is VERY rare to hear of oem Audi alloys bending.

[bknewtype]

i dont think its overpriced at all, but its if u need it. the package covers tires AND wheels. and its not about just patching up. they will replace the tire/wheel.

[mdgrwl]

i dont think its overpriced at all, but its if u need it. the package covers tires AND wheels. and its not about just patching up. they will replace the tire/wheel.

They will replace the tire/wheel if its completely unfixable / destroyed. Most wheels are fixable... dealers work out rates with Alloy Wheel Repair companies that straighten, fix cracks and bends, curb rash, etc... 99% of the time, you'll get a fixed wheel first. Unless its "totaled".

Agian for MB, it would be worth it. It seems Audi wheels are much stronger then MB.

I almost honestly think MB made their wheels that way - to turn extra profit... but just a theory.

[IanCH]

They're called 'titanium finish' and were on some S4 models as well. =)

Replying for clarification to anyone reading this thread. Offset on titanium rotor wheels on the S4 =/= Offest on the same wheels for the S5

[lapisia]

+1, especially 19's on 255/35. That's a Rip, imo. Even if you curb once or twice, you're only in for a $100 or so per wheel to repair. They package is for fools, and people that cannot drive.

+1 - i don't understand how ppl manage to curb their wheels on a regular basis..learn to drive sheesh

[Zee Dgerman]

Usually manufacturers OEM wheels are very strong, regardless of the brand. They have to past much stricter tests than aftermarket rims, so I'm really surprised about your mercedes experience. If the car is a lease, you live in a real with shitty roads, and they will charge you $$$$$ when you return it... then yeah get the insurance. But other wise, you can fix rashed wheels for like 100$, and unless you beat them with a hammer or intentionally hit huge potholes everyday, they should not bend or crack, at least during the warranty of the car.

I'm coming from a Mercedes background and their wheels were like soft clay... they would bend if you just looked at a pot hole wrong.

How do Audi rims compare?

I have stock 19" Black Optic Package on my S5... I have 30 days to decide if I want to buy a tire/rim protection package and its $1,200 bucks... if this was a Mercedes, I would of got it already. Not sure with Audi ?

Do Audi rims bend often? Do they have a reputation for bending a lot like Mercedes do?

[GSS5]

+1, especially 19's on 255/35. That's a Rip, imo. Even if you curb once or twice, you're only in for a $100 or so per wheel to repair. They package is for fools, and people that cannot drive.

and people who live in new york, where it's acceptable to have craters and 4" tall obstructions in the middle of the road.

[RickFLS4]

Are you guys sure curbed wheels are covered? I thought these policies were road hazard only - pot holes and such that damage the tires and wheel. I didn't think they would fix a wheel if there was no damage to a tire.

The reason I ask is because I bought one of these policies (but it was only $643, not $1,200) thinking it would cover curb rashes. However, when I got the first one I took out the policy and saw exclusion #1 says they will not pay to repair a rim without a repair or replacement of the tire and the servicing dealer (different than selling dealer) confirmed curb rash wasn't covered. So, for me in FL with no pot holes, it is an expensive 3 year tire road hazard policy, since it doubt I will ever damage a rim from a road hazard here. (At least I didn't need to buy road hazard with new tires last month.)

Since OP's price was $1,200 maybe these are apples and oranges, but I'd recommend being a little more careful on understand the specifics of coverage before getting it than I was.

The reason some of us get curb rash is (primarily) because we let our wives drive our cars.

[Runge]

Are you guys sure curbed wheels are covered? I thought these policies were road hazard only - pot holes and such that damage the tires and wheel. I didn't think they would fix a wheel if there was no damage to a tire.

The reason I ask is because I bought one of these policies (but it was only $643, not $1,200) thinking it would cover curb rashes. However, when I got the first one I took out the policy and saw exclusion #1 says they will not pay to repair a rim without a repair or replacement of the tire and the servicing dealer (different than selling dealer) confirmed curb rash wasn't covered. So, for me in FL with no pot holes, it is an expensive 3 year tire road hazard policy, since it doubt I will ever damage a rim from a road hazard here. (At least I didn't need to buy road hazard with new tires last month.)

Since OP's price was $1,200 maybe these are apples and oranges, but I'd recommend being a little more careful on understand the specifics of coverage before getting it than I was.

The reason some of us get curb rash is (primarily) because we let our wives drive our cars.

going from http://audiaftercare.ca/wear-protect...s-of-coverage/

Curb Scuff Repair
Coverage for wheel damage caused by curb scuffing during routine parking maneuvers. Coverage limited to twice per contract term, up to $400 per event.

[shonseb]

I had titanium rotors on my A5 driving around NYC, they are very very strong wheels. That being said, I did bend my wheel once. I hit the mother of all potholes coming off the BQE onto the williamsburg. I had to cross the entire bridge before being able to pull over safely. But when I did I saw there was a whole line of cars with flats and bent wheels from that same pothole. I never had any other problem since then.

I would pass on the insurance. If you get curbed, that's $100 to repair. If you had to replace a wheel that's $500. Both much cheaper than the insurance. What I have done to protect my wheels is run the tire pressure at a higher PSI, around 40-42 in the city. My tire won't be as compliment that way so if I hit a pothole, it will likely not touch the wheel.

[RickFLS4]

going from http://audiaftercare.ca/wear-protect...s-of-coverage/

I am in the U.S. so I think we have different policies. Also the link indicates it is "optional" coverage so maybe I wasn't presented that option. However, when combined with the fact it only covers 2 times, I think I'd skip it and just pay per incident unless it was super cheap to add the option.

See exclusions 1 and 7 on my policy (U.S. Audi Pure Protection through Fidelity Warranty Services):



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[bknewtype]

I am in the U.S. so I think we have different policies. Also the link indicates it is "optional" coverage so maybe I wasn't presented that option. However, when combined with the fact it only covers 2 times, I think I'd skip it and just pay per incident unless it was super cheap to add the option.

See exclusions 1 and 7 on my policy (U.S. Audi Pure Protection through Fidelity Warranty Services):



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I think theres diff policies. When i purchased my a5 they stated that it covers curb rashes, damages, tires, etc etc and im from the us. I opted out of it cause it doesnt cover aftermarket wheels so its no point.


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[RickFLS4]

I think theres diff policies. When i purchased my a5 they stated that it covers curb rashes, damages, tires, etc etc and im from the us. I opted out of it cause it doesnt cover aftermarket wheels so its no point.


Sent via iPhone 5

Interesting. I think mine is the same as on the Audi USA site:

http://www.audiusa.com/myaudi/service and also here:
http://fd-warranty.com/audi/tireandwheel.html

Some dealers must have have other programs available. Wouldn't be surprised if it varied by state. At a minimum OP can compare his $1,200 quote to the following:

3 years unlimited mileage
"Deluxe" - no per occurrence limit for each tire and wheel $5K lifetime benefit
$643 (FD direct likely less than I paid at dealer)

Maybe the $1,200 is 5 years, including curb rash, or it is priced by state based on roads / weather. If not, it seems like a lot because the $643 seemed like a lot to me for 3 years of road hazard only.

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