Borbets and Bentleys (long)

[Jim Griffin <JGriff@pobox.com>]

Just thought I'd fill you all in on some recent decisions.

The Bentley manuals (3 volume set) are now available for the 92' and newer
models 100/A6/S4/S6. The price is $275 USD. I decided that since I will most
likely keep my current car until the wheels fall off, or decide to upgrade
to an S4/S6, I will need the manuals. I figured that with them, I can
probably save the big $$ asking price. I ordered them last week, and expect
to receive them this week. Once I get them, I'll let you all know what I
think of them.

Remember my post about whether to upgrade rims and tires? I also decided to
venture forward with that as well. I decided to go with the Borbet Type H
rims, in 15x7 (i.e they look a lot like the BBS Moda M1 rims, but a lot less
expensive). They are at a 35 mm offset. I paid $600 for the set of four.
They should be coming in within the next coupla' days.

Here's the story. I was "on the fence" about what to do. I have 195/65/15
Pirelli P4000 SuperTourings with plenty of tread left on them, on the OEM
rims. I was thinking of just getting the new rims, and putting the 195s on
until they wore out. Then I would try 215/60 on the new rims.

Then I said, nah... just get the whole package from the Tire Rack, and use
the 195s in the winter. I called the Tire Rack, and for $800, I could get
the Type H rims with Comp T/A HR4s, in 215/60/15. But the rep says that they
can't guarantee that size on that car. They do not have it listed as an
approved fitment in their computer. Oh... so if I order them, and there is a
problem, I can't return them. Yep, that's right. D*mn... now what do I do??

When I had put the 215/60s on the 15x6 OEM rims, I had no problems. Possibly
'cuz it was a 45 mm offset instead? Perhaps with the 35 mm offset, it will
rub on the frontedge or backedge of the wheelwell?

I decided to go to NTW, where they could order the rims for me as well. The
price differential between them and TireRack was about $58.00, for just the
rims. I figured that this difference would be eaten up by balancing
etc....(i.e. if I bought them from the "Rack", I'd have to pay for the
balancing here locally).

I already had lifetime balancing for my tires that I had bought at NTW last
year (althought the NTW guy TRIED to charge me for lifetime balancing for
the new Borbets, claiming that this was a different tire and rim combo, so I
had to re-pay!! Sorry... NOT!!), and a 12 month/12,000 mile alignment
warranty still in effect, so... they got my business.

NTW also said that they would be willing to test-fit a 215/60 for me, to see
if there was going to be a clearance problem. I thought that was a nice
gesture on their part.

So, to make a long story longer, I went with the 15x7s in the interest of
$$$ (i.e rim cost and able to get the useful life out of my current tires),
and to be conservative with the upgrade (i.e. what if I hated the 16 inch
low-profile upgrade for $1200!!?? ARGHH!!).
I know, I know... I probably disappointed several listers with that
decision, but....

Between the Borbets and the Bentleys, I am now about $900 poorer.... it's a
good thing I don't have a "Significant Other" to explain THAT to!! And I
guess it's a good thing my boss will be giving out the bonus checks in about
a month!!

Thanks for listening, and I'll give you all my impressions soon.

Take care.

                             Jim Griffin
                      JGriff@pobox.com
  http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/4475
                        Maryland, USA
   "Perception is often stronger than reality!"
                               '92 100S
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