When Discount Tire Chips Your Wheel...

[Nightkiller6]

I picked up some Hartmann HTT-256 (rotor reps) in Matte Anthracite a couple weeks ago through Discount Tire. Had some Pilot Super Sports mounted at the same time of install for wheels and tires.


I ordered some Audi center caps but they had not arrived yet.

I also needed some new lug bolts since I was coming from the stock 17s so I had to come back to DT to get them retorqued (I dont have a torque wrench) after 50-100 miles.

After about a week the center caps finally come in and I had to come back to DT to get the lugs retorqued, and since my center caps came in, I said I might as well just let Discount Tire put on the caps since it is pretty fast for them to take the wheels off and easier for them to do instead of myself.

They put the caps in and they brought my car out to the front and I took the car and left without checking the wheels to make sure there was no damage. (BIG MISTAKE BY ME)

Anyways the next day I was looking at all the center caps and I noticed a big gouge in the metal near the center of one of the wheels.

I know for sure I did not do that. I was pretty sure the tech working on my car did not want to go through the trouble of taking off the wheel and it looks like he tried to pry it out with a screwdriver with the wheel still on the car. He scratched the wheel and then realized he needed to take all the wheels off to avoid further damage to change the rest. This is the center cap that he tried to pry off.

At least this story has a happy ending. I called the manager, he told me to bring the car in so he could see the damage. Within 5 seconds of looking at it he goes, "Yup, totally our fault. We will order a brand new wheel for you at no charge."

So moral of the story - Change your own center caps.




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[weagle1856]

I picked up some Hartmann HTT-256 (rotor reps) in Matte Anthracite a couple weeks ago through Discount Tire. Had some Pilot Super Sports mounted at the same time of install for wheels and tires.

I ordered some Audi center caps but they had not arrived yet.

I also needed some new lug bolts since I was coming from the stock 17s so I had to come back to DT to get them retorqued (I dont have a torque wrench) after 50-100 miles.

After about a week the center caps finally come in and I had to come back to DT to get the lugs retorqued, and since my center caps came in, I said I might as well just let Discount Tire put on the caps since it is pretty fast for them to take the wheels off and easier for them to do instead of myself.

They put the caps in and they brought my car out to the front and I took the car and left without checking the wheels to make sure there was no damage. (BIG MISTAKE BY ME)

Anyways the next day I was looking at all the center caps and I noticed a big gouge in the metal near the center of one of the wheels.

I know for sure I did not do that. I was pretty sure the tech working on my car did not want to go through the trouble of taking off the wheel and it looks like he tried to pry it out with a screwdriver with the wheel still on the car. He scratched the wheel and then realized he needed to take all the wheels off to avoid further damage to change the rest. This is the center cap that he tried to pry off.

At least this story has a happy ending. I called the manager, he told me to bring the car in so he could see the damage. Within 5 seconds of looking at it he goes, "Yup, totally our fault. We will order a brand new wheel for you at no charge."

So moral of the story - Change your own center caps.




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At least there was a happy ending. I love Discount Tire and they're generally great people. Would've hated to hear something completely bad about it.

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[A4 Centaur]

They have some real ape handed folks at that one too! I had trouble with the one in Arvada.

Now I only use the Porsche and Audi dealer. I also tip the kid generously as I can. Sick of how generally and poorly skilled American workers can be.

What kind of training program do these guys go through? Glad to see they are taking care of you!

[Nightkiller6]

At least there was a happy ending. I love Discount Tire and they're generally great people. Would've hated to hear something completely bad about it.

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Ya they have always been really nice and have had great customer service for me.


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[vwblackb5]

Not sure why it's not common sense for techs to understand that the retaining clips anchor in one-way and the only way to safely remove them is from the inside (wheel off).

OP, on a side note where did you get the center caps for the rotor reps and are they 60mm outer diameter?

[Nightkiller6]

Not sure why it's not common sense for techs to understand that the retaining clips anchor in one-way and the only way to safely remove them is from the inside (wheel off).

OP, on a side note where did you get the center caps for the rotor reps and are they 60mm outer diameter?

I got them on ebay. They are 70mm O.D. and are perfect fit. Ill look for the link.

Link: http://m.ebay.com/itm/181848107766?_mwBanner=1

I would check your wheel manufacturer to see what part number fits for them though. I have heard of different companies reps take different part number center caps.


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[vwblackb5]

I got them on ebay. They are 70mm O.D. and are perfect fit. Ill look for the link.

Link: http://m.ebay.com/itm/181848107766?_mwBanner=1

I would check your wheel manufacturer to see what part number fits for them though. I have heard of different companies reps take different part number center caps.



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^thanks! Yea I figured I'd ask, I also purchased rotor reps for winter (18x8) albeit Alzors from ECS and I measured the OD to be in the 60mm range and clip or ID to be 57mm. The center caps are definitely wheel/manufacturer dependent.

[ojmcneill]

I didn't know you could get hartmanns through disc tire. May I ask what the whole setup ran you?

[slacktide]

At least this story has a happy ending. I called the manager, he told me to bring the car in so he could see the damage. Within 5 seconds of looking at it he goes, "Yup, totally our fault. We will order a brand new wheel for you at no charge."

The manager making sure you were taken care doesn't surprise me at all. I've had several similar experiences of DT going out of the way to make sure the customer was satisfied. Also, not surprised that the shop guy effed it up. I know several people who own various automotive, aircraft, and marine maintenance shops, and they ALL say that it is almost impossible to find help that has not just a basic level of mechanical competency, but also knows that they have responsibility to care for a customer's property and not return it with dirty with new damage.

[Nightkiller6]

I didn't know you could get hartmanns through disc tire. May I ask what the whole setup ran you?

You could order anything through discount tire as long as you tell them what you want.

DT is also a wholesale buyer of Achtuning/Hartmann wheels also so I got a small discount on the wheels ordering from Discount than what the price is on Hartmann wheels.

The whole setup was about $2,400 total. For wheels, 255/35/19 Pilot Super Sport tires, mounting and balancing(lifetime rotations and balancing for free).

Then I got a $200 Black Friday Rebate so total came out to $2,200.



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[A4 Centaur]

Are the Hartman's really made in Germany?

[Nightkiller6]

Are the Hartman's really made in Germany?

That is what they say I think, I dont think they would lie. The quality seems to be very good so if you are wondering about the quality ask anyone with the Hartmanns.

I have heard nothing but good things about them and they seem to be the best reps on the market.

[B G 8er]

Seems like a reasonable price. Exact situation happened to me a few years ago when I had a local shop in LA (Ron's Tire and Wheel) install Mich Pilot Super Sports on my brand new Nuespeed Wheels. Actually, RTW had sold me on a set of black plastic lug nut covers which where very tight.

I too was waiting on OEM caps so I returned a day or to later to have my new caps swapped as well as have them re-torque the wheels. For some reason, the main Installers asked some B helper to remove the lug caps. I noticed he was struggling with a screwdriver to try and pry the first one out. Needless to say, he damaged my wheel. The Manager at Ron's Tire and wheel agreed to reimburse me for a replacement wheel but turned around and banned me from their shop for life. Too bad because my other experiences with their shop and prices were good.

If you care about your wheels, you need to pay close attention to who's working on them. Too many of these shops have guys that don't really care. Just like the story I read recently posted in the B8S4 forums where someone went to a fast oil change place and the worker there drained all his DFG fluid and tried to send him on his merry way withoput telling him.

[Nightkiller6]

Seems like a reasonable price. Exact situation happened to me a few years ago when I had a local shop in LA (Ron's Tire and Wheel) install Mich Pilot Super Sports on my brand new Nuespeed Wheels. Actually, RTW had sold me on a set of black plastic lug nut covers which where very tight.

I too was waiting on OEM caps so I returned a day or to later to have my new caps swapped as well as have them re-torque the wheels. For some reason, the main Installers asked some B helper to remove the lug caps. I noticed he was struggling with a screwdriver to try and pry the first one out. Needless to say, he damaged my wheel. The Manager at Ron's Tire and wheel agreed to reimburse me for a replacement wheel but turned around and banned me from their shop for life. Too bad because my other experiences with their shop and prices were good.

Wait so, they banned you for life because this guy working there does not know how to do his job? Crazy

I mean, if they work at a place that is constantly changing wheels, they should know the proper way to take those caps off.


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[slacktide]

That is what they say I think, I dont think they would lie. .

Their website does not say anything about country of origin. "Designed by Germany's finest craftsmen and engineers" is not he same as "Made in Germany" I know that a few years ago they were made in Italy, and i found a few posts from them on a different forum saying that they are now from Germany and "other EU countries" which is fine with me. I'd guess that different styles are from different foundries. I'm sure if you called Hartmann or ACHTuning they could tell you where a specific model comes from.

[KompressorLOgic]

ive had discount tire damage my brand new wheels before, they were cheap 17" wheels for my beater rx7, when they mouinted the tires, the guy was prying on the chrome lip with the bar, and left two divots in 1 wheel and 1 in another.

at first the tech was tring to suggest they were damaged already, but they were brand new with boxes and the boxes has no sign of damage, then I looked at there tools and it looked like a bar mark

I had the manager come in and he offered to pay to replace the two damaged wheels. and simply asked what I had paid for them. I probably could of said higher than what they were really worth, but I was honest.

I was glad they at least righted it so ill give them an a+ for customer service,

ive also used there lifetime tire warrenty replacement coupons before when I hit a bad hole and it bubbled my tires sidewall

[A4 Centaur]

That is what they say I think, I dont think they would lie. The quality seems to be very good so if you are wondering about the quality ask anyone with the Hartmanns.

I have heard nothing but good things about them and they seem to be the best reps on the market.

Thanks, guess I need to order some then since I can't seem to get anyone to sell their OEM Ti Rotors. Those are made by Ronal. I just need another set of winter rims to put the Sottozeros on.

[B G 8er]

Wait so, they banned you for life because this guy working there does not know how to do his job? Crazy

I mean, if they work at a place that is constantly changing wheels, they should know the proper way to take those caps off.


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I know right? Well I think the guy they asked to help was actually the Janitor but all the Techs were busy. Why they asked him to F'n touch my car I have no idea. Probably a good idea not to go back to that place anyways.

[wyld]

1. I absolutely love Discount Tire and have been using them for all my cars for almost 9 years. I've been going to the same location that has the same manager the whole time. They've always been just awesome to deal with.
2. I just ordered a new set of Hartmann HS5-209 from Achtuning and Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 from DT this morning. I had no idea I could get the Hartmann wheels from DT as part of the package and save a few bucks doing it. Hartmann isn't on the DT website so I never thought to ask. I've even ordered wheels from DT earlier this year for my Jeep. Dangit!

[Nightkiller6]

2. I just ordered a new set of Hartmann HS5-209 from Achtuning and Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 from DT this morning. I had no idea I could get the Hartmann wheels from DT as part of the package and save a few bucks doing it. Hartmann isn't on the DT website so I never thought to ask. I've even ordered wheels from DT earlier this year for my Jeep. Dangit!

Nice! Ya it doesnt say that DT is a wholesale buyer on hartmannwheels.com or DT's website, but it does on Achtunings website. I did not even know DT is a wholesale retailer of theirs until I looked through everything on the Achtuning site. Honestly dont even worry too much about the savings had you ordered through DT, its less than $100 you would of saved.