Grimsby Audi and Soft RS4 wheels

[gareth215]

This gets even more confusing! it seems some people get the swap to hard wheels just by asking even if their wheels are not bent and irrespective of condition, some get them checked at the local dealer and others have to go through the fun and games of being without their car for a couple of weeks while they get sent off to Audi UK for checking. Sadly I fall in the last group my wheels are getting sent off on the 5th of May!

I have been told my wheels will be checked and will only get swapped for hard wheels if they meet the criteria, but apparantly Audi refuse to disclose what that criteria is, I asked for their criteria so I could get the wheels checked my self before going off to Audi in case there is a dispute later!

I would really like to hear from people who have had their wheels changed to the hard wheels recently without having to go to the hassle of having their wheels sent away. I had to argue to get a loan car and even then only have one for a week when the inspection may take up to three weeks! If some people are being trated better then me I wan to ask Audi why!

Cheers

[rickoshea]

Sounds to me like each dealer makes up their own rules. Try a different dealer ?

[quattrokid1]

INGRAMS did examine them while still on the car and the deformity was within what they prescribed by Audi so a replacement set was ordered.

Havent heard of sending wheels off to Audi and cars being grounded.

try them on 01292 270606

[lushman]

Gareth,

It sounds as if Audi are Pi ing you about. There is a tolerence in their guidlines of 2-4mm on the wheel and aslong as it hasn't been kerbed badly they will replace the soft for hard. I was obviously very lucky to have no hassle when changing them ie they ordered the wheels before mesuring them and fitted them before measuring them. I wonder what they would have done if the wheels had been outside their criteria?

If I was you I would speak to customer services at Audi Uk and explain the dilema you have. Audi are right in what they are doing, however it should be consistant with each dealership, which it is not. Read the sticky about soft wheels as every bit of detail you need is already there

Good luck Paul

[gareth215]

Gareth,

It sounds as if Audi are Pi ing you about. There is a tolerence in their guidlines of 2-4mm on the wheel and aslong as it hasn't been kerbed badly they will replace the soft for hard. I was obviously very lucky to have no hassle when changing them ie they ordered the wheels before mesuring them and fitted them before measuring them. I wonder what they would have done if the wheels had been outside their criteria?

If I was you I would speak to customer services at Audi Uk and explain the dilema you have. Audi are right in what they are doing, however it should be consistant with each dealership, which it is not. Read the sticky about soft wheels as every bit of detail you need is already there

Good luck Paul

When did you get your changed?

I had read about the 2-4mm tolerence before but wondered if they had changed this along with the rest of the proceedure i.e. having to have wheels sent away and being with out the car for a couple of weeks.

Also what is the Audi definition of not too badly kerbed ?- they must work to some guidlines?! I think the fact that they refuse to disclose this even when requested is unreasonable. I just have a nasty feeling they have no intention of replacing my wheels and will use the slighest excuse to turn the claim down making me having to jump through all these hoops first.

Gareth

[lushman]

Gareth, Without sounding flipant check this post out. This is the post re the wheel issue that has been running from 2005. I got all the info required to contact my local dealer who fobbed me of so I contacted Audi UK who resolved the problem for me. I personally wouldn't leave my car for a number of weeks with Audi for them to check the wheels. They have a workshop they can do it on site!

http://www.rs246.com/index.php?name=PNp ... ic&t=48974

Paul

[gareth215]

Gareth, Without sounding flipant check this post out. This is the post re the wheel issue that has been running from 2005. I got all the info required to contact my local dealer who fobbed me of so I contacted Audi UK who resolved the problem for me. I personally wouldn't leave my car for a number of weeks with Audi for them to check the wheels. They have a workshop they can do it on site!

http://www.rs246.com/index.php?name=PNp ... ic&t=48974

Paul

Hi, I have already read through the sticky post on wheels and contacted Audi UK. However it seems the sticky post is out of date. Audi make it much harder now.

The process of having the wheels sent to Audi UK is their idea, the dealer started off by saying I would have to pay up front for the new wheels (£2000) before they would send them for inspection and it was only if they where with in "guidelines" that I would get a refund!

Having the wheels sent away and getting a loan car for the first week only during the inspection process is the best Audi UK would offer. Also thanks to Audi UK getting involved I dont have to pay the dealer to send the wheels for inspection or removing my tyres! And they expected me to be grateful

It seems Audi have changed they way they will deal with this issue which is why I wanted to know how recently people have been able to have the wheels inspected while you wait at the dealer? I wonder If I am the first to fall victim of the new scheme, which seems intent on making getting new wheels as difficult as possible.

I have tried to be really firm with Audi UK but believe me they are not interested and basically invited me to sue them if I was not happy with what they where offering.

I may well take them up on that offer if they do eventually refuse to replace my wheels! But I though I had better play along with their little game for the time being and let them send the rims off to be inspected.

If they do turn down the claim (which I half expect them to do) I will have to give full consideration to the legal issues involved. I think their is basis for bringing a claim in misrepresentation against Audi UK, as the publically promissed free wheels for life or a one off change to hard wheels and they have now drastically changed their position.

We will have to see!

Thanks
Gareth

[lushman]

Gareth,

I sympathise with you as I did not have any of the grief that you are experiencing. Is it possible for you to try another dealer that you know dont try and fob you off.

I am not sure whether it was due to myself being initially fobbed off by my local dealer and going through Audi UK, but I know it was this post that prompted me to try my luck so i other words I got my wheels in motion after you had already been to your dealer.

Its obvious though that each dealer is dictating their own rules to suit themselves.


Paul

[Hiltoa]

I'm currently going through shenanigans with Leeds Audi - will let you know the outcome. Certainly not in the 'replace wheels with no quibbles' category, but no mention of wheel assessment beyond what they have already done on site (confirming 2 bent wheels).

[p.binks]

I had a problem with Nottingham Audi with my wheels after they had been checked and 4 new hard wheels ordered,Audi uk refused to cover the cost as they had been repaired in the past ( cosmetic ) so I got the name of the "Arsehole" at Audi uk and gave him both barrels down the phone and told him to get his superior on the phone,after telling him the story of being messed about and taking time off work for this he said he would look into it,so I said I had the letter from "Kevin Rose" director of Audi uk in the cars document wallet and that I also had the wheel option form to change to hard wheels at an time and told him I would go to the top with this paperwork if need be,he said he would still need to look into it so I said he had an hour to get back to me which he did agree was long enough so after 15 mins Notts Audi phoned to say they had got the ok to fit new hard wheels etc which came to £1270 approx.
That was around a year or more back and I did download the wheel documents from this site and show the dealer when I went to collect the car,I would suggest you print the 4 sheet documents off and wave them at the dealer and Audi uk so they know your not playing about.

Good luck as they are hard work but if you use the tone that they all wear womens clothes and should get some balls and make a decision thats right instead of being scared and towing the company line it might give you the outcome you require.

Cheers "Bingo"

[gareth215]

Well is seems Audi UK are also happy to pick and choose who they make it easy for and who they make it hard for! Sadly they seem to have it in for me and want to make it difficult. Am I really they only person who has had to have the wheels sent off to Audi UK for examination, rather then the assessment being carried out at the dealer?

[Hiltoa]

Leeds Audi are now (after much dithering and chasing) starting to talk about needing to measure the deflection as Audi UK will now only replace affected wheels within a certain tolerance. So it's looking like I may yet be put through the same rigours as gareth215, and at best end up with 2 hard, 2 soft on my car, and the joyful prospect of going through this again when the remaining soft wheels get squished.
Apparently, as the 'lifetime replacement' was only a goodwill gesture and not recognised as an official warranty, Audi can redefine the meaning of 'lifetime' as it suits them.

I can feel my initial friendly and patient approach is about to switch into kick-off mode

[gareth215]

Leeds Audi are now (after much dithering and chasing) starting to talk about needing to measure the deflection as Audi UK will now only replace affected wheels within a certain tolerance. So it's looking like I may yet be put through the same rigours as gareth215, and at best end up with 2 hard, 2 soft on my car, and the joyful prospect of going through this again when the remaining soft wheels get squished.
Apparently, as the 'lifetime replacement' was only a goodwill gesture and not recognised as an official warranty, Audi can redefine the meaning of 'lifetime' as it suits them.

I can feel my initial friendly and patient approach is about to switch into kick-off mode

Hi, my wheels are on the way to Audi UK, wonder how that will go! you will have to keep me posted on how you get on!

[Hiltoa]

Will do. Currently awaiting a call back (again) after chasing (again) this morning. I may pop in tomorrow for some face to face discussion. (Again.)

[gareth215]

Good news just heard from Audi I have 4 new Hard wheels on order, so despite the replacement procedure being a bit more long winded it seems Audi are still good to their word and will replace bent soft wheels.

The whole process has taken two weeks from my car being dropped off with the dealer but they let me have a courtesy car for the full duration of the claim rather than just a week as they first stated.

So all in not too bad really.

Thanks for everyones help.