I bought an A4 Allroad (2021 Vorsprung model) 2 months ago which was a one owner dealer’s car. Tyres were almost all worn to the limit so decided to change all four. Unfortunately two of the locking wheel bolts are seized/significantly over-tightened and despite the fitters breaking two removal tools as well as stripping the locking wheel bolt adapter, they remain in place. They have given me contact details for a specialist ‘locking wheel bolt remover’ who I hope will sort the removal.
 

My questions are: should I be wary of the recommended ‘remover’? assuming the bolts can be removed, which locking wheel bolts might be recommended (McGard seem well regarded, however when I use a couple of suppliers’ checking facilities with my registration number, they claim not to have any to suit!). Thanks.

Hello Adam, 

Sorry to hear of your plight. 
A couple of points as I see it:- 

‘…tyres almost worn to the limit…..’. It used to be that car retailers had to ensure any (non-trade) vehicles retailed had to have a minimum of 3 mm of tread remaining at the point of sale. Still is? 
If it had been mine, once the locking wheel bolt became over difficult to remove, then I would have returned the vehicle to the retailer under the 90 day warranty, and requested that they remove the locking wheel bolts. 
If they ( the retail dealer?) have pointed you to a specialist, then why not entrust the car back to the dealer, and request they arrange with the specialist. 
I’m not sure why you should feel wary of the recommended specialist -? 
Mc.Gard? Well proven supplier. Why not look up their contact details and give them a ring? Alternative:- it wouldn’t surprise me that the specialist would be well versed in the availability of replacements. 
Perhaps you could let us know how you get on Adam.

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

Thanks Gareth, my first port of call would have been the dealer, but they are 90 miles away from me!  Not sure whether I can go to an alternative Audi dealership, presumably the warranty applies anywhere in the UK? 

I have to say that the follow-up service from the (Audi) dealership I purchased from has been poor - they still owe me a second key which, despite numerous calls and emails, has yet to materialise.  I'm therefore rather reluctant to go back to them at this stage.

Adam

Spare Key, you should push for this. I thinks it's about £350 for a replacement key from Audi. 

They might the DHL it to you rather than royal mail 

Thanks for the additional detail Adam. I can see the impracticality of returning to the retailing dealer in this case. Visiting your local dealership and 90 day warranty items dealt with?? Don’t see why not, but obviously you would need to check. 
Follow up service poor? Perhaps not surprising if they retailed a car with tyres worn to near the limit . Not a good start for you. 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

i get mine off with old 21mm socket with the loads teeth not them crap 50p shape ones  and hammer  allways came off kev

18 hours ago, audia4b5kev said:

i get mine off with old 21mm socket with the loads teeth not them crap 50p shape ones  and hammer  allways came off kev

I've done similar in the past, or using thread removal tools. Just jack the car off the ground and be patient.