Help with Curb Rash
 

OK ok, I don't need any grief from you all ha, but I got a bit of curb rash on my S5 back right rim this week and need advice. The picture below shows the damage, yes I am pissed about it. I saw a few videos online where you can sand down the chips to make it less noticeable. While standing up you really have to be looking closely to notice the damage. Any advice is appreciated. Apologies for the dirt and water as it has been terrible weather in Houston today.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.aud...caf4850d19.jpg

Maybe you should have a wheel shop repair it?

Haha, agreed. I just hope it doesn't cost a fortune. A tiny sliver of the tire peeled off but shouldn't affect performance.

You are better off having a professional take care of it. It will probably be $100 all-in and it will beat any DIY job you can pull off.

Shoot I will take it for $100. Anyone know of any shops in Houston they recommend?

Another vote for bringing it to the pros.

Ask your local dealer who they use to repair wheels. I will bet they have a company who comes out to them regularly to repair wheels on their used vehicles.

I have dealt with that sort of damage in two very different ways in the past. One was DIY with some fine sandpaper and a bit of clear lacquer. This gave an instant result and the damage could only be seen if I specifically looked for it. The other was to call my friendly scratched paint expert. I had to wait 2 months (he's good enough to be consistently booked out this far ahead) and it cost me $150. The result was perfect in that I couldn't find the damage even if I looked for it very carefully.

The first method provides instant gratification/relief, but an inferior long term result. I'd always choose the second option if I could make myself wait.

Of course, applying method 1 doesn't necessarily preclude getting method 2 done later.

With my previous car, it was going to a fancy dealer showroom for sale on consignment about 12 months ago and I didn't have time to wait for the expert. So, I tidied it up myself and I think it looked OK. Certainly no-one inspecting the car commented or seemed to notice it. This is one of the dealer's sales pics showing the wheel in question:

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.aud...a144049d95.jpg

Unfortunately, I don't have a "before" photo - too disgusted and anxious to hide the evidence at the time!

JACE Auto. Ask for John, he is the owner. He is a big supporter of Audi Club of Houston and the community.

Thanks David, you are a huge help. I will call them after Easter. I am hoping they can repair it quickly as I do not want to be out of a car for more than a day.

I have one at the wheel shop and I was quoted $CA207 ($US155) taxes in.

whereabouts are you located in Canada? I'm looking for one too maybe getting it fixed prior to lease end

Lotsa gouges there, more than a cosmetic fix. You have an expensive auto, deserves the best you can do for it and it reflects on you as well. Let the pros handle it. .02

Perfect time if you want to change the color of the wheels. Sand it a bit and get it powder coated or plasti dip it yourself. Just don't hit any more curbs. :-)

You need to CNC fix this rim.

something like this:
Had one of my S5's wheels restored as well. They will cut a small piece of your rim, apply new clearcoat and it's good as new.

Don't go with sandpaper, because it will change the structure you see in the metal. (that's because the rims are cut with a CNC machine from the factory)

If you look closely at your rim you see fine circles across the 'bare' metal part of your rim. That's from the diamond cutter in the factory.

Normal rims you can just sandpaper the curb rash, fill it up, and respray

My dealership (Audi Beverly Hills) does it for $150. I'd start by asking your dealer.

Search around we have a few people around that will come to your house and do it for $100.00 per wheel.

Réparation De Roues (Montréal, Laval, Dorval...) - Exact Roues

A bit minimalist as a shop but they are considered the best in our region (Montreal)

SABS in SW Houston.

There is a company called Alloy Wheel Repair who can fix Rim Curb Rash and they work with a lot of dealers: https://www.awrswheelrepair.com

If it's a lease car you shoulda/coulda had wheel/tire insurance
 

My daughter's A3 got a new tire from a puncture and others have new wheels from potholes. The cost of alloys/tires just about requires insurance, much like iPhone insurance (I'd rather pay a few bux up front and have peace of mind.

"Few bux". My dealer wanted 1,200 for 5yr. Having never scrapped a curb, I declined the insurance.

If you consider that it costs $200 to fix and you don’t have to deal with deductibles and fine print I’m sure it makes sense on average to decline it.

That is why I declined it.

Yes, like all insurances, on average, we are better off without them.

As someone who always buys AppleCare — and only had to use it several times over 10+ years — I bought the wheel & tire insurance on my RSX. It more than paid for itself when I had to replace 2 16” tires and black chrome wheels in the first year of ownership of that vehicle.

Consequently, with the 19” wheels and tires, I also ponied up the money to buy the wheel, tire & key fob insurance on the S5. So far I haven’t utilized it but with the condition of the roads down here (especially potholes) I’d be very surprised if I don’t use it at some point(s) in the future.

It may not be for everyone but it’s worth the price to me.

— John