Wheel Protection

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sixlargebeers

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A colleague has a 2015 S3 which I pass every day in the car park (trying not to count the days till mine arrives).

Last night I had a right good look over it (he was there too!) and noticed that the wheel rims (standard 18" S3 alloys) really fill the tyres to the extent that they don't get any real protection from slight kerbing which slightly more "recessed" rims might....

Have any of you guys invested in rim protectors such as alloygators (don't look particularly attractive I admit but might do a job up to a point) ?

P
 
Not looked at aloygators but had a look around car park at lunch time at a Focus ST with Eagle F1 asymmetric tyres on and was surprised to see the tyre to rim overlap its massive maybe 2-3 times that of the Contis.
 
Seen comments on other threads to suggest that's a huge plus in favour of Eagle asymmetric's. Seen the alloygators but not sure they'd look great on. I'll try to exercise care...
 
That's one of the reasons I've got GY! That and the grip :D
 
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I think alloygators almost like those big padded things you can get to cover the front of the bonnet - yes they may protect from scrapes or stone chips, but they look worse!
 
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Image
 
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Alloygators in Black on my S3. I think they look fine.. Each to their own though ... But I do know they have saved me more than once. The standard S3 alloys are difficult to be repaired.
 
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Also, another top tip, don't hit kerbs :D
 
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Indeed, don't hit kerbs is good advice ! :blow:

Last save, was an ambulance speeding towards me over a narrow humpback bridge and it was just over my side of the white line. I had to brake and swerve just clipping the kerb. The AlloyGators saved my rims that's for sure! .. Sometimes things are just out of your control.
 
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Must admit I can't see them ...... any chance of a close up pic ?
 
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Rob2k68 said:
Must admit I can't see them ...... any chance of a close up pic ?
Click to expand...

Thats kind of the point, they blend in.. U can get all kinds of colours now as well if u want to stand out from the crowd.
 
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Having a set of Eagle F1 Assy 2s fitted tomorrow by a mobile fitting company cheaper than halfords and coming to my house to do it so I get to have a watchful eye ! Main reason is for the added rim protection offered and slightly quieter ride (hopefully).

Will report back ....
 
I wasn't a fan of them on my old insignia but that was on 20s. Noisy! Hope you find them better.
 
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Rob2k68 said:
Having a set of Eagle F1 Assy 2s fitted tomorrow by a mobile fitting company cheaper than halfords and coming to my house to do it so I get to have a watchful eye ! Main reason is for the added rim protection offered and slightly quieter ride (hopefully).

Will report back ....
Click to expand...

Had them on previous cars, found them good but wore quick with my driving style. Also not a fan of the rubber protection but can understand why you've gone for them.
 
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^^ Never be without any rubber protection it get you in all sorts of trouble !!!!
 
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You cant beat a bit of protection... Would be interesting to see a Michelin SS tyre from a similar angle... Anyone???
 
Coming from a BMW 1 Coupé to my (very nice!) A3 saloon I had not even thought of checking rim protection on my tires... Until I heard the horrible scraping sound on my rear left when turning into the office entrance one morning. The BMW tires (sorry, never noticed what make they were) had ample rubber to protect my alloys. I suppose I got a bit lazy knowing I could depend on them...

Mind you, even the 20" wheels on my husband's Cayman are better protected than mine!
 
Trouble with the gaters if you have to get a puncture repair they will not replace you have to replace them yourself.
 
I hate to ask this, @Rob2k68 but are you sure you bought the GY F1 Eagle Assy2's with the rim protector?


There are 2 versions, 1 with rim protector, 1 without rim protector



Ce92piF.jpg








The only reason I ask, is that you should be able to get one, if not two, £1 coins on the width of the rim protector.

Unless of course, the polished rim of the S3 wheel is so proud that it negates the rim protection!
How many £1 coins can you balance on yours?


IMG_1705_zpsab079377.jpg




From:
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/thread...mmetric-2-thoughts.207320/page-2#post-2123985


edit:
@Flibble can balance a £1 coin on his S3 with GY F1 Assy2
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/s3-tyres.246232/#post-2479902
 
Last edited:
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audi upgrades
@veeeight Hi, I don't know 100% is the honest answer - I did ask to double check about the rim protector at the time of placing my order and they said yes.

It does say rim protector on the sidewall but doing the pound coin test the edge of the tyre is **just** flush with the face of the coin so nothing like the overlap in the above picture but as you say could mean that the polished rim itself is thicker :-

kCjiicDJ


There is certainly more overlap than the Conti's and they are quieter so I'm happy - after selling the 'old' tyres with 6mm of tread (6,200 miles of usage) it cost me £170 to change and they did it on my drive. The chap who did it was a top bloke and let me remove the old balance weights as I didn't want to risk any damage - very slick operation with air jacks I've never seen before they have a 12" base so have no chance of digging into your tarmac drive and torque the nuts back up - I'll certainly use them again. The Eagle's also seem to have a squarer side profile which looks to fill the arches better which I quite like.
 
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Am I missing something here, or on the above graphic with the two tyre types is exactly the same tyre but with rim protection getting 2 grades higher fuel performance?? And is cheaper!
 
Correct.

Cost is probably down to bulk purchasing, its the more popular variant.
 
Just as a comparison.

Alloygators offer about 2.5 - 3 x £1 coins worth of protection.

Here are pics with 2 then 3 coins.

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well, having started this thread before I got my S3 I thought I should update. I had the alloygators fitted after a couple of weeks of ownership in September. In short - I'm delighted with them. They have saved me from kerbing the front o/s wheel on pavements twice (there are marks on the gators to show for it but that's what they are for) and when I hit a large pothole just after Christmas they played a part in saving the wheel from damage (according to the tyre fitter who inspected it afterwards). I did need the wheels re-aligned as a result of that incident but the wheel itself was fine.
Well worth what I paid for them (£100 including fitting). I'm sure most folk could just pay for the gators (£60 I think) and fit them for free themselves but I was happy to leave it to the supplier (nice chap on south side of Glasgow who does it from Pentagon glass tinting premises - with the boss' blessing !) who I knew would do it properly on a day when I was busy at work and could collect on my way home.....highly recommend him and the gators.
 
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Dipping mirror and reverse camera guide lines help a lot but it only takes that split second loss of concentration .....
 
Rob2k68 said:
Dipping mirror and reverse camera guide lines help a lot but it only takes that split second loss of concentration .....
Click to expand...

Of if the kerb is on the driver's side.

I almost exclusively park against kerbs on the left side just so I can use the dipping mirror (which is brilliant).
 
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Ignition1 said:
Of if the kerb is on the driver's side.

I almost exclusively park against kerbs on the left side just so I can use the dipping mirror (which is brilliant).
Click to expand...

Raised / damaged curbs send shivers down my spine - avoid like the plague!
 
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jungle650 said:
You cant beat a bit of protection... Would be interesting to see a Michelin SS tyre from a similar angle... Anyone???
Click to expand...
I have just had some Michelin PS3's fitted to the front of mine - the rim protection is no different to the standard Contis
 
audi upgrades
I just watched two different videos on similar products for installation.

Rimblades was a glue on type and the other actually went between the tyre and the rim.

Is the glue on type ok?
 
Rob2k68 said:
Dipping mirror and reverse camera guide lines help a lot but it only takes that split second loss of concentration .....
Click to expand...

Or a large puddle filled pot hole in an airport car park at night , as I found to my cost earlier this week at Luton Airport.
 
Princess RS3 said:
I just watched two different videos on similar products for installation.

Rimblades was a glue on type and the other actually went between the tyre and the rim.

Is the glue on type ok?
Click to expand...

Alloygators go between the tyre and the rim. The design has been improved over the years and I believe the product you buy is now their version / phase 2 product. This has a better fitting system which is easier and stronger. A lot of the youtube clips show the original product. The newer one has smaller and fewer metal grips and a larger hard plastic flange with grippers which is what holds them in place behind the rim and between the tyre. If you do hit a curb with these on they offer good protection. When the gators is damaged due to a scuff with a curb you simply take a small blade or the key ring blade they provide and shave the damaged area down. Then its practically as good as new and your alloy is still safe.

Any other product which physically sticks to the outside of your rim I would image is only as good as the adhesive. I would also imagine you would have to be very careful when washing/ cleaning your car with stuck on products to the wheels. Also what happens to the product when you do hit a curb?.. Can you easily replace it or repair it?

Sorry not an answer for you I know but a few things to think about.
 
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Having started the the thread, I feel bound to report that my alloygators experience did not end well, although not for the reason I expected. Mine were fitted in September and saved my alloys on a couple of occasions. Recently I was washing the wheels and noticed some grime sort of seeping out (poor description - sorry) from the edge of the AG to the unprotected part of the diamond cut rim. I had a read on their website and discovered that AGs are not recommended for alloy wheels as they tend to trap moisture which can increase the changes of it seeping through the lacquer and causing corrosion. Guy who fitted them agreed to remove them but this revealed scratching right round the rim where the gators had been. Not sure if it was caused when they were fitted or when he took them off.

They'll need polished or more likely refurbed as a result. I should have researched it more thoroughly but equally I reckon he ought to have pointed out that they weren't recommended for diamond cut wheels. ANyway, he has agreed to sort something out once I've had them looked at. I've been pointed in the direction of the Wheel Specialist in Cumbernauld so am heading there on Saturday for an assessment of the damage. I must say I am tempted to explore a new finish although obvious concern with that is with the Audi warranty…..
 
Sorry to hear that!

Scatches likely caused by grit etc under the gators through use, that rubbed on the surface (from what I've read), rather than during application or removal
 
Yep that is fair comment. I reckon I might just have to swallow the cost of the refurb. WS get good reviews so I'm not entirely unhappy, particularly if they can give me a more robust finish - not sure how likely that is but happy to hear views guys….
 
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