[Q] Identifying Hard and Soft Rims.....

[wrsquire]

Hi All,

My hunt for an RS4 is progressing at a rapid pace, and so far everything I need to know I think I have found out

However, how do I find out which wheels are fitted (Hard or Soft?) the dealer says he does not know....

Are there any tell-tale external signs? Or is there something stamped on the inside of the Wheel?

Sorry if this has been covered before, but a quick search of the Forums did not turn up any initial hits.

Thanks for the Help

--Roger

[SimonS4MTM]

I am guessing that they can be identified by a part number, it will require removing the wheel however.

I have also found dealers to be somewhat dum when i have asked the same question. Most of them dont even know about hard or soft wheels

[PhilT]

http://www.rs246.com/index.php?name=PNp ... ic&t=47267

[JohnW]

Roger,

surprised you couldn't find this with a search.
If you remove one of the centre caps the part number for the wheel will be seen.

I forget which part number is which, but am surprised the dealer does not know this.
It's a 2 minute job to check all four wheels ...

[odysseyireland]

Roger

as posted by TarmacTerrorist on another thread:

"There is a long code under the centre cap, if it ends in 'AE' they are the hard wheels, if it ends with a 'T' they are the softies.

Audi UK hold a record of which cars have had the soft wheels changed for hard ones."

[Jani]

Sure it does. Etka doesn't recognise the AE-version, unless you manually enter it in. So it really is a PITA to find that number, or order those wheels outside UK at least.

[wrsquire]

Hi All,

Thanks for the heads up all.

I think the reason I did not find it with my quick search was because I typed "Identifying Hard and Soft Rims" the other thread that details the problem is : "Wheels: world warenty?" As cut an pasted from the title of the other thread.

I will be checking the wheels on the car I am looking at buying, as 2 of them apparently have a 'light scuff' mark.... And if they are the 'Hard' wheels then I have no chance of finding a pot hole to get them replaced and I would have to pay to get them refurbed

--Roger

[kcsun]

Also remember to get the car reg. checked by Audi UK to see if it is listed as hard or soft, so that there are not any reasons for backing out of a claim after you have bought the car

Watch out for "light scuff marks" as Audi are within there rights not to exchange wheels that have been curbed even if they are the bendy ones.

kc

[odysseyireland]

Roger

If you are still after the Imola car, just send a PM to tanoga on here as it was his car and he may able to tell you.

David

[SteveT]

I've just had 2 soft wheels replaced, they have sent hard wheels to replace them, the car is still in dealers, will be asking questions tomorrow as I've not signed up for the hard rims. Anyone else had similar problem - guess it doesn't matter if they keep replacing them, as I believe the hard ones can also bend.

[viffer]

Watch out for "light scuff marks" as Audi are within there rights not to exchange wheels that have been curbed even if they are the bendy ones.

Very true. But some dealers are pretty reasonable about this, eg Audi have just changed two of mine that each had a small mark. So just this once...

Cheers, Richard.