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Dear Wheel and Tire People,

I've been living in manhattan for 6 months and these bastards at the parking garage are killing my car. They have scratched the **** out of my wheels- every single one including the spare! Well, maybe not the spare, but it's still a sorry state of affairs.

Anyway, I used to enjoy my audi celebration wheels but now I can't bear to look at my car because of them!

I have already tried bribing these fools but nothing seems to work and the turn-over at these garages is high so once I slip them a $50 they get end up getting fired in less than a month!

My current wheels stick out a bit from the rubber and when the parking-monkeys rub up against stuff it just scrapes the wheel.

My question:

"What wheel/tire combo should I buy to ensure that they don't get scratched?"

I am looking for 17" or 18".

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,
Ross

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that way the side wall will give you some protection. For example, I run 225/45s on 8" wide rims in the summer. Very aggressive look as the sidewall is almost square on the wider wheel, but very little protection. In the winter, I run the same size winter tire but on the stock 7.5" rim. The sidewall bulges some and provides some additional protection since the rim is half an inch narrower. Therefore, if you want 17s, I'd go 17x8, but maybe go with 235 tires. Just know that if you hit a curb hard enough, the rubber will bend in and you will hit the rim. There's really no way around it. I'd suggest parking in an inside garage, reserving a monthly spot on the first floor right up front, and that way you may pay a little more, but they will baby your car. Also put a cover on it so it will stay clean.

Nothing is 100% safe, but I would suggest using a 17" to give yourself some sidewall protection.

You may be able to sneak on a slightly wider 235/45R17 also. Call me to discuss!

You should get a narrow rim, like 17x7 or 17x7.5 max (actually, your OEM 17" rim is 7.5), and then either put on a tire that is in itself wide (like Bridgestone S-03 225/45) or even go up to 235, like others suggested, but you may have rubbing issues with 235, depending on rim offset.

If you get a 17x7, then a 225/45 tire with a good rim protector should be enough.

Also, look at a rim design with spokes that are not sticking outwards. You don't want something like Mille Miglia Spiders.

Buy some deep-dish rims so that there is nothing that sticks out!!

What would be a good deep dish? I would also run a tire a bit wide so that the edge of the wheel wouldn't get scratched.

Any suggestions?

-r

There are a few Park&amp;Lock garages in Manhattan that accept monthly customers. Depending on where you live, maybe you could park at one of those garages instead of at a valet lot. I try never to let valet parking touch my car.

Drop me an email.

-- Peter

50th btwn. 8th and 9th... there are a few garages around but no park&amp;lock that i've seen. The garage is in the basement of my building so it's pretty convienent and that's key.

-r

I go there all the time. Not sure if they accept monthly customers, buy you may want to check it out.

only the rims.

cushion.

and the only thing sticking out (just barely) is the rim protector. So, parallel parking can be tricky (and should be avoided altogether) :-)

The only problem is that he may have rubbing issues if he goes with a 235-series tire, especially a wide one like the S-03.


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My GF and I had been going out a very short time, and we were making out in my car in that garage. The manager drove up in a customer's Mercedes and STARED at us until we left. It was pretty funny.

Regardless of that situation, I still use that garage when I drive into Manhattan. Or else I'll use the one on 42nd &amp; 9th Ave.

Dude, you live in MANHATTAN. You do not need your car for convenience. Park it a few blocks away at a better garage. Plus a Park&amp;Lock will most likely be cheaper than a valet lot, so the money you save can buy you some new rims to replace the damaged ones.

Good luck,
Peter

Commute to NJ EVERY DAY!!!!!!! But, I guess three blocks would be OK.

-r

park.

It's been demolished!!!! All that's left is the foundation! I went today looking for it and when I couldn't find it I went into a dry cleaners and they pointed to the construction site and said "gone".

-r

I just parked my car in that garage about a month ago.

It's on 8th ave between 53rd-54th streets. There is an entrance on both 53rd and 54th St. And across 8th ave is a supermarket.

I have used that garage once or twice over the summer. Please tell me that you were mistaken!

PLEASE!

-- Peter

I was there during the summer also, maybe mid July.