Pothole Damange to my Audi
 

I hit a pretty big pot hole last week on my way to an even. Big enough that if I tried to avoid it, I would be up on the curb on the left, or in the right lane and into another car on the right.

So.. I hit it. The dealership just called me and told me BOTH my front left and rear left rims are BENT. This is not going to be cheap that's for sure. Service Tech believes they are about $600 EA. PLUS I would have to pay for mounting and balancing!! NOT HAPPY AT ALL!!!!!!

I have contacted my insurance company to see if this is covered, but haven't heard back from them yet.

I've also started the process of filing a claim with the Dept of Transportation, to see if I can recoup the amount of money I'm losing on this.

The only GOOD thing out of all of this, I'm not paying for new tires.

I hate WINTER/SNOW!!!

If they're not completely ruined, a wheel straightener specialist can make them good as new for about $125 ea. I hit a pothole last year and was able to have two pf my OEM 19" wheels straightened perfectly.

maybe VA road is bad but here in NJ roads are terrible, potholes everywhere, except the GSP and turnpike.

Will the rim retain original strength after straightened?

Just an FYI - I have a set of 19" OEM takeoffs that match your sig pic that I am selling (although not actively - was waiting to post in the spring). If you are interested PM me. I want to sell all 4 - but probably would do all 4 for what the dealer is charging for 2 of them

I second the NJ roads blow. Both my left and right wheels hit some pretty deep holes. It was so loud and scared the sh*t outta me. Good thing is that they are not bent. At least i did not feel it shaking at highway speed.

I hit a rock about a year ago in a Avalanche and bent the right front rim up so bad the tire and rim looked like they needed to be replaced. Well, only the tire did and I had a straightening specialist work on the rim. Absolutely just as it was before impact. You would never know it hit a rock.

The entire issue of potholes caused by snow plowing is a major irritant to me. In this country the goal is to scrape the snow away right down to the road surface because so many drivers can’t handle any residue that might be left. As a result localities and states spend half the spring and summer patching last winter’s potholes, then they send the plows out the next snow season and start the process of destroying the roads all over again.
I know from friends in Europe that they do it differently, having plows that are set higher and just remove the deep snow that might otherwise impede forward motion. Many plows are equipped with sacrificial rubber-type edges so when the road is contacted steel blades do not rip the road apart. Drivers know they need winter tires, chains, whatever and take the responsibility on themselves to drive properly and be cautious. In the US we do things to accommodate the lowest common denominator.

Yeah, but if we did it the right way, imagine all the jobs we'd lose. What else would we do with our time? What else would we be able to complain about? It's all nonsense, of course. I know it's easier to do it a better way. But this is 'Merica. And we're gunna do it the hard way! Ferk yeah.

I thought the potholes are caused by salt more than by scraping?

I also have a set posted in the classifieds under parts and live in MD if you are interested.