Discussion
I'm due to view and drive an RS4 this weekend.
I've had a good read through RS246.com which has raised a couple of concerns/questions, namely:
The 'soft' wheels - do they really buckle *that* easily?
If the car doesn't have an Audi warranty, how much might a new set cost?
Are the 'hard' wheels that much better?
Why do people repeatedly go for OEM soft sets, and not aftermarket?
It seems that a remap can see around 420 bhp quite easily - can the clutch handle this increase well?
Would it be wise to even consider this upgrade on a car of around 40-50,000 miles?
To fill up with VPower - roughly how much would this cost, and approximately how many miles could you reasonably expect to get out of a tank (excepting 'sprited' drives).
Thanks in advance.
I've had a good read through RS246.com which has raised a couple of concerns/questions, namely:
The 'soft' wheels - do they really buckle *that* easily?
If the car doesn't have an Audi warranty, how much might a new set cost?
Are the 'hard' wheels that much better?
Why do people repeatedly go for OEM soft sets, and not aftermarket?
It seems that a remap can see around 420 bhp quite easily - can the clutch handle this increase well?
Would it be wise to even consider this upgrade on a car of around 40-50,000 miles?
To fill up with VPower - roughly how much would this cost, and approximately how many miles could you reasonably expect to get out of a tank (excepting 'sprited' drives).
Thanks in advance.
Audi should change any buckled wheels under their 'lifetime goodwill gesture', however i believe this is only limited to one set.
You'd really have to give them a good smack to buckle them i'd have thought.
Get about 220 - 260 miles on a full tank depending on your right foot!
Clutch has no problem with the stage one upgrade
You'd really have to give them a good smack to buckle them i'd have thought.
Get about 220 - 260 miles on a full tank depending on your right foot!
Clutch has no problem with the stage one upgrade
Ziggymarlon said:
Audi should change any buckled wheels under their 'lifetime goodwill gesture', however i believe this is only limited to one set.
You'd really have to give them a good smack to buckle them i'd have thought.
Get about 220 - 260 miles on a full tank depending on your right foot!
Clutch has no problem with the stage one upgrade
You'd really have to give them a good smack to buckle them i'd have thought.
Get about 220 - 260 miles on a full tank depending on your right foot!
Clutch has no problem with the stage one upgrade
A full torque launch at 3000 rpm from stand still can bend the wheels - that's the correct term, buckled would mean a good whack on a pot hole or similar - and the car can do this without being re-mapped.
I firmly believe you can drive the car very fast without encountering wheel bend.
Just get the ones on the car checked before you buy it.
If they've been refurbished before, then they probably will not be covered on lifetime goodwill.
The wheels can be bent very easily, perhaps even running over a slightly high catseye. They bend on the inside unsupported edge. They are guaranteed for the life of the car so there are no limits as to how many wheels you can get from Audi, hence the reason that some people stay with the "soft" option. If you check RS246 in detail you will find that some owners have had many sets, indeed I have has 8 wheels so far although I did go for the "hard" wheel, which have the normal 2 year warranty and which still bend but no so easily.
Really it is all a bit of a mess and some dealers try to put up obstacles the replacing the wheels but there is a copy of the Audi UK letter setting out the lifetime warranty on RS246. Don't let it spoil the pleasure of owning one of the best cars out there.
Cheers
NigelJ
Really it is all a bit of a mess and some dealers try to put up obstacles the replacing the wheels but there is a copy of the Audi UK letter setting out the lifetime warranty on RS246. Don't let it spoil the pleasure of owning one of the best cars out there.
Cheers
NigelJ
Edited by NigelJ on Thursday 19th April 07:36
Edited by NigelJ on Thursday 19th April 07:37
>>Why do people repeatedly go for OEM soft sets, and not aftermarket?<<
IMO because generally speaking Audi RS4 owners don't like the aftermarket look (bit chavvy - plus the car is a 'sleeper', so anything that raises it's profile is possibly undesirable?)
>>It seems that a remap can see around 420 bhp quite easily - can the clutch handle this increase well?<<
Yes, no problem (so long as it's healthy enough to begin with. I have the 470bhp St3 MTM and no clutch issues at all) You would be STRONGLY advised to upgrade the brakes if you go this route though.
>>Would it be wise to even consider this upgrade on a car of around 40-50,000 miles?<<
No reason why not - mine has 63k on it (Cambelts need replacing around 40k - if you're looking at a car of this mileage CHECK that this has been done - you'll need documentary evidence from s dealer if you're getting a warranty with it - plus peace of mind)
>>To fill up with VPower - roughly how much would this cost, and approximately how many miles could you reasonably expect to get out of a tank (excepting 'sprited' drives).<<
Bout 55 quid and yes - very low 200's to mid's
As for wheel bending launch starts - wont happen. The force exerted via the brakes is greater (and more frequent) than the force via the drive train and if that doesn't 'bend' them (which it doesnt) then 'starting grid' launches defintely wont
IMO because generally speaking Audi RS4 owners don't like the aftermarket look (bit chavvy - plus the car is a 'sleeper', so anything that raises it's profile is possibly undesirable?)
>>It seems that a remap can see around 420 bhp quite easily - can the clutch handle this increase well?<<
Yes, no problem (so long as it's healthy enough to begin with. I have the 470bhp St3 MTM and no clutch issues at all) You would be STRONGLY advised to upgrade the brakes if you go this route though.
>>Would it be wise to even consider this upgrade on a car of around 40-50,000 miles?<<
No reason why not - mine has 63k on it (Cambelts need replacing around 40k - if you're looking at a car of this mileage CHECK that this has been done - you'll need documentary evidence from s dealer if you're getting a warranty with it - plus peace of mind)
>>To fill up with VPower - roughly how much would this cost, and approximately how many miles could you reasonably expect to get out of a tank (excepting 'sprited' drives).<<
Bout 55 quid and yes - very low 200's to mid's
As for wheel bending launch starts - wont happen. The force exerted via the brakes is greater (and more frequent) than the force via the drive train and if that doesn't 'bend' them (which it doesnt) then 'starting grid' launches defintely wont
Edited by blackb1ade on Saturday 21st April 10:50
I'm in the process of getting a full set of replacement hard wheels for the soft ones on mine currently, after one of my soft wheels cracked & buckled on the inside.
One point worth mentioning is, that if you have any kerbing or scuffing on the wheels, then you will come up against resistance from both the dealer and Audi UK CS to get a soft wheel replaced for another (obviously to try and curtail the perpetual replacement programme).
However no matter what condition your wheels are in (i.e. perfect,bent/cracked or scuffed), you can elect to switch to a full set of new hard compound wheels, which i am opting for. These still have 2 years warranty.
One point worth mentioning is, that if you have any kerbing or scuffing on the wheels, then you will come up against resistance from both the dealer and Audi UK CS to get a soft wheel replaced for another (obviously to try and curtail the perpetual replacement programme).
However no matter what condition your wheels are in (i.e. perfect,bent/cracked or scuffed), you can elect to switch to a full set of new hard compound wheels, which i am opting for. These still have 2 years warranty.
Edited by TopBear on Sunday 22 April 16:15
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