Fuming About Wheel Issue

[pw211]

I want to start this rant by saying I don't blame anyone for this, and if anyone it should be my fault. Nevertheless, its extremely frustrating so heres my story!

I spent two weeks looking for wheels. I didn't want to rush because I'm sure you all know how important wheel selection is. I finally found the perfect wheels, Stern ST-7's. I ordered them a week before Christmas (they were my xmas present). I ordered them (here is my mistake) from a wholesale eBay seller for the great price.

The tires came a couple days before xmas day, Dunlop SP Sport Signatures. The wheels end up arriving the week after xmas, with nothing but the wheels and the wheel caps. I then set up an appointment with Audi to mount, balance, and align everything. They set the appointment for the week after the wheels arrived. So I take it in that Friday at 9 in the morning and leave. At 4:30 I get a call saying, "Hey you need hubcentric rings to put these wheels on the car..."

So I go back to Audi, pick up my car with stock wheels, and leave after having Audi order the rings. TWO weeks later they arrive, and we had our appointment that Friday, yesterday. I take the car in, and since its supposed to only take 30 minutes I just waited at the dealer. First of all they tell me the wheel locks they have won't fit, and they need to special order some from out of the country. I say, "No problem, just put the wheels on anyway" because I honestly wasn't about to wait any longer. So an HOUR and a half after I get to Audi, the mechanic (a good guy) comes out and tells me they now need spacers for the car, cause currently the wheel hits the caliper... So now I need to wait until next Friday for them to go on. (Not to mention I got to see the wheel on the car when he was showing me the problem with the spacing and they looked great)

Honestly I know its my fault for not buying from a more reputable site or checking what I needed when I got the wheels. Anyway I just needed to complain about that experience.




ITS ALL OVER THEY ARE FINALLY ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ok so heres some pictures of my car. tell me what you think of the wheels and what you think I should be considering next mod wise. I KNOW I NEED LOWERING hehe but other than that is what I'm wondering you all think I should do?

[Phrost]

That sucks, but next time you'll be more knowledgeable and careful.

Wholesale places like that don't really care if the wheels fit, they just think "ohhh 18x8 that sounds about right." For example, everyone at VMR, or TireRack or SETuning or wherever you buy wheels from that are actually reputable care about your purchase and make sure what you buy fits right away.

You'll forget about your troubles when they're finally on the car though

[ny2flb7a4]

That sucks! Did you know the offset before you ordered the wheels?

[pw211]

yeah I mean it was my first set of wheels ever so I was learning everything as I looked for wheels. I knew the width and bolt pattern was right and the tire size, but I had no idea about offset and stuff. I was aware of the offest but I didn't know what it meant or what I needed to do to adjust to it. But yeah once they are on I won't care at all and I will forget all of this ever happened

[Sharkfin]

Next time just research it, the stern wheels actually come in perfect offsets but you must have got a different set

[quincyuk]

i was told by someone that even if u have the right offset, pcd and diameter, it doesnt autoatically fit your car because of the design......is this true??

[06B7audiA4]

been there broski, i feel ur pain..

[eMacPaul]

Well, they're nice looking wheels, so it'll be cool once you get them on!

[pw211]

i was told by someone that even if u have the right offset, pcd and diameter, it doesnt autoatically fit your car because of the design......is this true??

are you referring to the ST-7s? yeah I don't know what it is about these wheels but they are a huge pain. They look great though and if you like them its worth it, just make sure and order everything before hand. No one carries parts for these wheels its killin me

[Phrost]

i was told by someone that even if u have the right offset, pcd and diameter, it doesnt autoatically fit your car because of the design......is this true??

You're question and situation explanation is lacking detail... Wheels can either:

1. Have a shallow spoke pattern so the spokes hit the carrier (common for us since our brakes are huge)

2. Be too wide or have too low of offset, so the inner lip or tire actually rub the spring perch on the strut.

You can buy wheels that are the correct offset and everything, but the spokes might not clear which has absolutely nothing to do with the size. There is no way to tell if they clear unless other people have them and have test fitting them I guess... or you can get wheels that are designed to account for big brake kits, so they're pretty much guaranteed to clear the brakes.

[blackbox619]

been there too. i think every new audi owner has done the same. why are you going to the dealer tho, don't you have a wheel guy local that will do everything for less? i learned the hard way and not to have wheels done at the dealership. also look into ecstuning.com for everything that you will need like spacers and longer bolts. good luck to you with the wheel install!

[jpcallmotor]

I have been there. Ordered some nice BBS off ebay, mounted tires at Discountire and then they wouldn't fit, I hated the feeling of waiting and all that. I just ended up buying a set of spacers and putting them on myself. It was well worth it in the end to do it the right way with the right parts. My wheels look great and I would never trade for another setup.

[Quattro]

happens to us all! soon it will be taken care of. Wondering why you would go to audi for this install, instead of a tire shop...I would assume a tire shop would charge you a lot less.. Just curious, not biggy though.

[grauler02]

ya can be tough when the deals are good on ebay. better luck next time

[TinaTbolt]

same shit happened with me with the stern wheels + rings. i ended up losing money.... super gay

[LimiTed]

happens to us all! soon it will be taken care of. Wondering why you would go to audi for this install, instead of a tire shop...I would assume a tire shop would charge you a lot less.. Just curious, not biggy though.

+1

also often times tire shops stock hub rings so you wouldnt have order them

[Snap-on]

Man that sucks goat nuts. Post pics when you get the installed.

[pw211]

been there too. i think every new audi owner has done the same. why are you going to the dealer tho, don't you have a wheel guy local that will do everything for less? i learned the hard way and not to have wheels done at the dealership. also look into ecstuning.com for everything that you will need like spacers and longer bolts. good luck to you with the wheel install!

Well I was going to honestly cause of the price, but my friend's troubles turned me away. He got it aligned at Big O' and they did a terrible job, his car was vibrating and shit. He ended up going to the mechanic at the Audi place (he didn't get his car at the Audi dealership, their mechanic is just one of the best in our area) and he did a great job, so I just stuck with the dealership.

And about the other places having them in stock: he called all around town to try and find these parts but no one carries them. Just a hard wheel to find parts for.

[B7A4Sport]

Damn, I just googled those wheels and I have to say great choice! I don't believe I've ever seen them on Audizine before, so props to finding something pretty rare yet attractive.

Sorry to hear about the install woes too - I couldn't relate more to the anticipation of getting new parts installed to your car, and even moreso when that anticipation is drawn out by complications.

Post pics when the torture is done!

btw, are you lowered yet? If not, that's your next move pal - no 4x4 mode with those wheels!

[grizzles]

Well I was going to honestly cause of the price, but my friend's troubles turned me away. He got it aligned at Big O' and they did a terrible job, his car was vibrating and shit. He ended up going to the mechanic at the Audi place (he didn't get his car at the Audi dealership, their mechanic is just one of the best in our area) and he did a great job, so I just stuck with the dealership.

And about the other places having them in stock: he called all around town to try and find these parts but no one carries them. Just a hard wheel to find parts for.

Yeah, I found that out the same way. Big O couldn't balance my wheels right even after they were supposedly balanced before shipment (tires mounted). I took them up to Audi and told them to give it a shot. I just googled the wheels and they look damn good, nice choice.

Btw, which Louisville are you in?

[cab7a4]

i feel you...i just bought new wheels then hopped on the freeway and my car shakes like it has parkinsons, i ordered spacers and have to wait till they get here :(

[pw211]

Yeah, I found that out the same way. Big O couldn't balance my wheels right even after they were supposedly balanced before shipment (tires mounted). I took them up to Audi and told them to give it a shot. I just googled the wheels and they look damn good, nice choice.

Btw, which Louisville are you in?

The good one? ha in KY. Update for everyone: thanks to the shitty weather in Louisville, I STILL don't have them on. Maybe this week

btw, are you lowered yet? If not, that's your next move pal - no 4x4 mode with those wheels!

yeah thats DEFINITELY my next move ha I need to lower this thing badly, but like always I need to save up some money first.

[grizzles]

The good one? ha in KY. Update for everyone: thanks to the shitty weather in Louisville, I STILL don't have them on. Maybe this week

Cool, glad to see another B7 modder in town. Be glad you didn't put your wheels on yet, last week was hell on my paint and wheels. Cleaned up nicely when it warmed up but it made me wish I would've put my stock wheels on.

[pw211]

Cool, glad to see another B7 modder in town. Be glad you didn't put your wheels on yet, last week was hell on my paint and wheels. Cleaned up nicely when it warmed up but it made me wish I would've put my stock wheels on.

Oh I know I was very glad I hadn't gotten them on. BUT THEY WENT ON TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! im editing my original post and putting pictures there for everyone to see, I'm so happy! Tell me what you think of the wheels and car!

[Phrost]

Looks good! Of course you need to lower it as you know, it makes the wheels look really small when you're in 4x4 mode.

Also, I suggest carrying out the "smoked" look with your reflectors, headlights, and tails to help pull off the black look.

Now stay away from curbs

[TheHeggi]

4x4 like crazy and I'm not feeling those wheels/tires at all...not trying to be Mr. Negative, but I think you should put the stockers back on man. They look like 17s to me too....

[MOFSTEEL]

4x4 like crazy and I'm not feeling those wheels/tires at all...not trying to be Mr. Negative, but I think you should put the stockers back on man. They look like 17s to me too....

+1 Agreed.
Should have put a few hundred more in and gotten some 710's from VMR.
There are tons of wheels choices out there at great prices so there is no excuse in ending up with wheels that look like that.

[Phrost]

Before we get 20 more "wheels look like 16s" comments, look at it lowered. 30 second shitty photoshop haha

[TheHeggi]

Nope, I stand by my previous statement. Sorry dude. Maybe some tire shine would help?

[pw211]

Cool, glad to see another B7 modder in town. Be glad you didn't put your wheels on yet, last week was hell on my paint and wheels. Cleaned up nicely when it warmed up but it made me wish I would've put my stock wheels on.

oh and btw, you should stop by Bluegrass Audi. They have 3 R8's just sitting in the garage its gorgeous and not to mention a bentley ha

[grizzles]

oh and btw, you should stop by Bluegrass Audi. They have 3 R8's just sitting in the garage its gorgeous and not to mention a bentley ha

Yeah, I was up there last week getting my trunk latch replaced. Even better was an R8 w/ MTM exhaust, wheels and brakes pulled up to get serviced, it was sick.

[pw211]

yeah they are gorgeous. are there any car events/shows or nething like that around louisville? Id love to attend some but I haven't heard about anything

[supamannn99]

uhh all that trouble just for these wheels? and why the hell would you even go to a stealership for just installing wheels are you freaking kidding me?

[Sharkfin]

uhh all that trouble just for these wheels? and why the hell would you even go to a stealership for just installing wheels are you freaking kidding me?

I go there when I need tires removed from wheels since they have tools that are covered, other than that there is no need.

[grizzles]

yeah they are gorgeous. are there any car events/shows or nething like that around louisville? Id love to attend some but I haven't heard about anything

The local Audi Club chapter used to do some stuff but they haven't in a long time which is disappointing (especially since I pay $40 a year for a sub-par magazine anymore). So instead I have tried to goto the VW shows which are pretty cool, a couple Audi's show up. The Grossman show is in March and I will probably show in that one just for fun. Check out louisvillevw.org for more local VW events and such.

[Hyphy]

they look so small for some reason..they 17's?