The pinheads strike again... (got more than a new set of tires)

[palmerj <palmerj@earthlink.net>]

This time its not Audi-certified pinheads.

My A4 turbo landed a nail in the sidewall of the RR Continental
yesterday. It looked like it would take a patch, but I knew the local
Firestone|Bridgestone shop wouldnt repair it. Tried anyway. 

I was talked into a set of Firehawk SH30s with the agreement that if I
dont like them, I can get the Potenzas I wanted that wasnt in stock.
Not too hard to do... I wanted out of these contis since day one!

These things are soft! Feel softer than the R compound yokos I used to
run. I bet the tall tread blocks are the cause. H rated, 50,000 miles.

Here's the vent....
My wheels are scratched from the mounting machine, the removal of the
old weights and the attachment of the crude style, claw-grip, uncoated
wheelweights.
Each wheel has the same damage.
As a side, isnt that white dot supposed to be mounted opposite the valve
stem? Mine arent!

So for those who have btdt, I need your help. Im going back on tuesday
to get stick-on weights. Is it reasonable to get the wheels mounted
properly and to have them _repair the damage_ to my once perfect 5 spoke
wheels? I should have said something at the shop, but its Sunday and I
needed to get back on the road.

I havent tried to turn the lugs yet... Wouldn't surprize me to see a
range of 40 to 140 on the torque wrench.

Thanks in advance...
Jason Palmer
97 A4 1.8tqm w/ 200hp, no waiting.

btw: anyone need a pair of 205-55-16 contis w/ 7300 miles?