Kerb damage to 'Y' spoke alloy

2432 Views 14 Replies 6 Participants Last post by imers1234, Nov 3, 2008

spike

Discussion Starter · Sep 18, 2008

Hi all,

This is my first post so forgive me if I breach protocols! I have searched but found no answer to my question which does surprise me as I imagine I'm not the first to suffer this.

I was recently 'run' off the road by Mr 'red van man' having been faced with the option of standing my ground and getting side swiped by said van or take evasive action and go for the kerb. I went for option two and now have a 19" Y spoke alloy with several minor chunks missing out of it and a few inches of scuffing on the rim

.

Cosmetically it doesn't look too bad but I'm concerned that with winter coming and salted roads that corrosion may creep under the now breached protective lacquer and make the situation worse. Plus any imperfection on such a beautiful car should not be tolerated!

I was recommended a company called Wicked Wheels who come to your home/place of work and do a mobile repair. I have read mixed reports on the web and was wondering if anyone here has used them and can make comment. Alternatively if anyone has used a different company I would be interested to hear your experiences. The advantage to a mobile repair is the car stays on the road as a repair takes approx 2 hours/wheel. Many companies require you to ship the wheel away which I would find very inconvenient.

Thanks in advance and for this great forum.

Spike

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jenbutmad

· #2 · Sep 18, 2008

Hey and welcome

and never apologise for posting thats what we are here for

i have the same problem, but the curbs grow legs and hit me

hehe

no but on a serious note, i had to avoid a crazy m3 driver coming towards me who was over my side of the road and i curb the nearside Y spokes, this was back in April when we had bad snow and its not been affected by adverse weather. Your best to contact your local audi centre and ask for a recomendation as the Y spokes have a funny coating... and stuff like acid based products can stain the wheel

Rab88

· #3 · Sep 18, 2008

You sure you want to keep using a wheel that's had "chunks" ripped out of it?

Even if it was repaired, i'd still be concerned for safety when using a repaired wheel.

How bad are the chunks?

Regarding your question, I reckon the finish of the Y spokes would be hard to duplicate. If the company is confident they can do it, then why not?

jenbutmad

· #4 · Sep 18, 2008

spike said:
several minor chunks missing out of it and a few inches of scuffing on the rim

OK so i never read this bitty...

I would still want a recommendation from audi in regard to refrubing these wheels are a friend took his in to be looked at and audi just replaced them under warrently. He had suffered from acid burning.

spike

Discussion Starter · #5 · Sep 18, 2008

Thanks for the quick replies.

I may have given the impression that the wheel has some bite sized chunks missing from it which is not the case. Because I had more or less come to a stop the car kind of dropped of the kerb rather than run along it. My missing 'chunks' are more chips and I would not imagine for one moment that they would cause any structural weakness in the wheel. Most of the damage is to the coating with only very slight damage to the metal. I also have no vibration or supected balance issues.

I agree with Jen that the colouring could present a problem as they have that gun metal appearance.

I will have a word with Audi and see what they say although I know wicked wheels have forecourt contracts with many dealerships. I would hate to pay the repair cost and a bit of profit for Audi on top!

The other way to look at it is they can hardly make it any worse!

jenbutmad

· #6 · Sep 18, 2008 (Edited by Moderator)

spike said:
I will have a word with Audi and see what they say although I know wicked wheels have forecourt contracts with many dealerships. I would hate to pay the repair cost and a bit of profit for Audi on top!

Get the advice then go in the back door

most of these places do work outwith the dealerships

spike

Discussion Starter · #7 · Sep 19, 2008

So I phoned Audi last night for their suggestions. They said they would normally use wicked wheels for a forecourt repair. However, as I have the Y spokes and because of the colour issues they recommend using the Audi bodyshop as they have the correct colour lacquer.

So despite the fact that wicked wheels advertise they will match any colour wheel, I will play it safe and go with Audi.

My next concern is finding a tyre fitting company who will take care of the wheels when it comes to replacing tyres (soon!). The high street chains seem a bit gung ho!

jenbutmad

· #8 · Sep 19, 2008

spike said:
So I phoned Audi last night for their suggestions. They said they would normally use wicked wheels for a forecourt repair. However, as I have the Y spokes and because of the colour issues they recommend using the Audi bodyshop as they have the correct colour lacquer.

So despite the fact that wicked wheels advertise they will match any colour wheel, I will play it safe and go with Audi.

My next concern is finding a tyre fitting company who will take care of the wheels when it comes to replacing tyres (soon!). The high street chains seem a bit gung ho!

yeah the only reason why i said about the colour is because i know of someone that had a problem had the wheels sorted and they got ruined.... so play it safe considering we are talking four figures for these alloys!! ive found there are so many products you just cant use on the Y spoke for cleaning its crazy!!!

if you can, im going to go to costco for my tyres, they supply mich which ive put on all my cars including my old M3.

Rab88

· #9 · Sep 19, 2008

jenbutmad said:
yeah the only reason why i said about the colour is because i know of someone that had a problem had the wheels sorted and they got ruined.... so play it safe considering we are talking four figures for these alloys!! ive found there are so many products you just cant use on the Y spoke for cleaning its crazy!!!

if you can, im going to go to costco for my tyres, they supply mich which ive put on all my cars including my old M3.

Try blackcircles.co.uk first, they'll be much cheaper, Jen. They'll send the tyres out to your local garage for you as well, and the fitting cost is included.

jenbutmad

· #10 · Sep 19, 2008

Rab88 said:
Try blackcircles.co.uk first, they'll be much cheaper, Jen. They'll send the tyres out to your local garage for you as well, and the fitting cost is included.

see your not just a pretty face mr rab

spike

Discussion Starter · #11 · Sep 19, 2008

You see it pays to ask!

Thanks guys and I'll let you know the outcome of the wheel repair when I get round to booking it in.

robb

· #12 · Sep 19, 2008

Welcome to the forum spike, I've used Wicked Wheels before on my old A4 sometime ago, did a great job, I was happy with the service. However, these wheels didnt have any tint too them like on the A5 Y's.

Let us know how you get on with what ever route you decide to go down as i will need to get mine done at some point, my left front has a couple of very minor scratches.

Rob

418BUC

· #13 · Sep 19, 2008

Hi Wicked Wheels is run as a franchise and I guess it really depends upon who you get.

My wife had a problem with her cross spokes on an A3 and the guy did a brilliant job. Whilst he was at the house, I showed him the Y spokes out of interest just in case and he said that they were repairable no problem and could be colour matched. Obviously goes without saying that it depends upon the severity of damage.

Lots of dealers use Wicked Wheels including my local Audi dealership who incidentally double their costs and pass them the work.

Hope this helps.

spike

Discussion Starter · #14 · Sep 19, 2008

Audi need to see the wheel before they will give me a price. If they come back with a silly quote then I will have a word with wicked wheels and see how confident they are at matching the colour. If it all goes pear shaped then I will be searching eBay for a spare!

imers1234

· #15 · Nov 3, 2008

Does anyone know the exact colour of the Y spokes. I might try buying some paint to repair some kerb damage myself.?

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