Damaged wheels

[Stefaab]

Hello guys,

I have a 2007 RS4 and fully enjoy the car every day!
Here is what happened:
Last year, around January, I went to the tyre retailer for winter tyres(I have the 18" rims). But when putting them on, they scratched the wheels.
The tyre retailer was fair to admit the damage made, and sent the wheels for repair. After a couple of attempts the repair was satisfying and I thought the problem was solved.
But a couple months ago, I noticed that the paint began to peel and I returned to the retailer. He was somewhat embarrassed and after some discussions he agreed to let the assurance handle things so that I would get a new set of wheels.
When the inspector of the assurance company was there to look at the wheels, I told him that I was interested in buying the old wheels (as I would get new ones) in order to put the winter tyres on it. Of course the old wheels have still some value and he estimates their value to 50% of the retail price of new ones.
Is this a fair estimation, knowing that wheels are now more than a year old and that there is some noticeable damage(=only the paint that peels at some places).
Thanks in advance for your help.

All the best,
Stefaan

[P_G]

TBH I couldn't give a direct answer on the 18" wheels, however here in the UK as comparison the 19" wheels for the RS sell for approx £450 GBP + VAT (so £528.75 GBP) and you can get them from other sources for approx. £330 GBP inc. VAT brand new.

Given your scenario, I would wonder if there were space to haggle the price down? Shy bairns never get!

[rs4v8]

From Highland Audi (for a 19" wheel)

quote 'The wheel for your RS4 is £362.62 +VAT (£426.08 including VAT)'

Exactly he same price from Audi in aberdeen.

[P_G]

When I first started asking about RS4's and replacement wheels my local dealer did quote £450 + VAT including valve and sensor; perhaps the difference is because of the latter two parts and that they've reduced the price?

[theaxe]

Just noticed these if anyone is looking for spare wheels:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/349906.htm

Looks like a bit of a bargain with new tyres too!

[Andyuk911]

Group buy, LOL

[Stefaab]

Thanks for the replies guys!
But is the estimation of 50% of retail price for the old wheels fair?
Can you also tell me which ET (of the rims) we need for the RS4?
Thanks!

All the best,
Stefaan

[pippyrips]

Thanks for the replies guys!
But is the estimation of 50% of retail price for the old wheels fair?
Can you also tell me which ET (of the rims) we need for the RS4?
Thanks!

All the best,
Stefaan

I would try for a bit more tbh but its not a million miles away......

Also with regards to the alloys up for sale on pistonheads, the rear of the spoke looks very different to all those i have seen before. (They have all had a flat finish to the rear with the Audi circles placed on the centre hub.)

[rs4v8]

When I first started asking about RS4's and replacement wheels my local dealer did quote £450 + VAT including valve and sensor; perhaps the difference is because of the latter two parts and that they've reduced the price?

Yeah, this was wheel only. Even though, the quote your dealer gave you seems a bit steep for the wheel, valve and sensor!! Wouldn't be like an audi dealer though would it, lets be honest!

[graemep]

Thanks for the replies guys!
But is the estimation of 50% of retail price for the old wheels fair?
Can you also tell me which ET (of the rims) we need for the RS4?
Thanks!

All the best,
Stefaan

I would try for a bit more tbh but its not a million miles away......

Also with regards to the alloys up for sale on pistonheads, the rear of the spoke looks very different to all those i have seen before. (They have all had a flat finish to the rear with the Audi circles placed on the centre hub.)

Suspect by the wording that the one for sale on Pistonheads are replicas, or the new TT OEM version - they are listed as fitting the A3, S3, etc.

[P_G]

Thanks for the replies guys!
But is the estimation of 50% of retail price for the old wheels fair?
Can you also tell me which ET (of the rims) we need for the RS4?
Thanks!

All the best,
Stefaan

I would try for a bit more tbh but its not a million miles away......

Also with regards to the alloys up for sale on pistonheads, the rear of the spoke looks very different to all those i have seen before. (They have all had a flat finish to the rear with the Audi circles placed on the centre hub.)

Suspect by the wording that the one for sale on Pistonheads are replicas, or the new TT OEM version - they are listed as fitting the A3, S3, etc.

Agreed, my RS wheels have flat backed spokes, even the new ones I bought. Plus they look to have an outer rim edge / lip which RS4 wheels don't have.

[Stefaab]

Hey Guys,

I've got some good news. I responded the letter of the assurance company and told that the value of damaged alloys was estimated too high.
I thought that a value of 35% of the retail value (<= wheels are more than 1 year old + damaged +still peeling) was more correct. The assurance company replied the same day that they approved the 35%!

Also I contacted the Audi dealer to ask the price of new wheels (to compare it with the price the assurance company is referring to) and this for the 18 " and the 19"size. Now the prices are somewhat strange: the 18"wheels cost 601 euro/wheel (without VAT) and the 19" wheels 515 euro/wheel. Knowing that the 19"wheels are a 1900 euro option in Belgium, I was rather shocked to hear this.
Is Audi’s marketing fooling around with us?

Thanks for all the help and replies!

All the best,
Stefaan

[P_G]

Possible explanation Stefaan is that 19" wheels have a higher no. produced so unit cost may be lower. All UK RS4's came with 19" as standard and 18" as NCO, as it did in certain other European countries IIRC.