NealcpLA

I love that red color! I actually ordered a set of both the red and the black. My strategy is to install one of each and decide whether I like that contract, as you have, or prefer them to b, essentially, "invisible"...but, I must say; I like these contrasting reds alot...do they seem to work? Have you brushed up against any curbs since they were installed and they protected from damage?...

tenspeed

I chose the red to go with the red calipers and "Supercharged" badge. I used red reflective motorcycle wheel tape to dress up my snow tire wheels. They were too plain to be rolling on all winter.

Plain snow tire rims


Red tape


I haven't curb tested them and most likely never will. My DWS06's poke out 5mm pass the rim and the red trim is about 3mm. The previous owner was from Yonkers, parked by feel and the right side rims showed it. Any trim will give some protection from curb rash but I wouldn't expect miracles.

Redd

I like the idea of the cheap ones from eBay. No, they won't be as durable.
But there's no expensive dealer installation, no unmounting the tires, no interfering with the rim surface seal. No expensive remakes if they are damaged. No puzzling some tire guy in West Podunk if you get a flat there and need it fixed, and he says "I never seen one a these afore." And his tools don't play nice with it?

With either kind I have to wonder if having the tires rebalanced really should be considered...another fast fifty in someone else's pocket.

Funny thing, Q5 OEM wheels (in any condition) are damned hard to find in the junk yards!

Sigq5

Would you guys mind reporting back in a few weeks after you ran your tires in highway for a while?
Thank you

userbbc

if a rubber/plastic strip can help prevent curb rash, does that mean the material is strong enough to push the wheel back from the curb when compressed?

i did notice when i had plastidipped wheels, there was one instance i came a little too close to the curb - thought i had damaged the rims but the plastidip actually seemed enough to prevent any curb rash.

Redd

I wouldn't expect the plastic to push back the wheel. I would expect the plastic to get chewed up and sacrificed, so if you are moving slowly you'd hear the scraping and stop before you chewed up the metal as well. But a good solid scrape? Should chew the plastic right off and continue to eat the rim.

Sigg, I'm not planning to install either one. I'll just install some of those retro '50's curb feelers instead.(G)

Sigq5

Redd
I really enjoyed your post, and had to explain to my wife why I was smiling (which shows my limitations).
To the 50's retro look, you may want to consider colors and LEDs to choose from. Just send me a set after you make the first million.
Sorry, could not resist. It has been a while since I have seen them.
Wishing you well.

Redd

IIRC there was a choice of one color in the 50's: Chrome!

And I have no memory of whether they ever sold lighted versions. You wouldn't want the tip lit, since that could scratch. But a green/yellow/red/blue "jewel" with a tungsten bulb in in would be very 50's, they were used as indicator lights in all sorts of things, even those big computer-things that the government had.(G)