Sep 17, 2013
jerry33 Wow, it's like a TR6.�
Sep 17, 2013
brianman Picture?�
Sep 17, 2013
jerry33 The picture in post 114. It didn't come across in the reply for some reason. (It always comes when I don't want it to). Or did you mean a TR6 picture?�
Sep 17, 2013
brianman I meant the TR6 picture. We search didn't pop up any rims like that for me.�
Sep 17, 2013
jerry33 I was thinking that it looked like the OE redwalls the TR6 came with. Scroll down a bit on the link to see.�
Sep 17, 2013
brianman Ah, excellent. Thanks!�
Sep 18, 2013
TsRocket who put them on for you?�
Sep 27, 2013
TsRocket Has anyone from the seattle area installed the AlloyGators by others? Mine are here. Discount Tire will not install, SC won't install, questing for someone to put them on for me. Thanks.�
Sep 27, 2013
D_McAllister Just had a local tire shop install these, no more worry about curb rash!�
Sep 27, 2013
TsRocket you put them on yourself? Oh, ARGH! Girls can't do that. Any Seattle suggestions for me? Mine are here.�
Sep 28, 2013
brianman Metropolitan Detail in Bellevue will do it.�
Sep 28, 2013
Gerardf Just ordered my set. TESLA10 discount code is active again
�
Oct 14, 2013
SamGarber Any sense to putting these on 19" Cyclones? Anyone have pics if so?�
Oct 15, 2013
scaesare A 19" tire is still plenty low-profile enough to get curb rash on the rims, so I did it with my 19" spoke-style rims.�
Oct 15, 2013
SamGarber Ah gotcha - did you go anywhere specific to get it done?
�
Oct 15, 2013
gbdesai So what about the reports I've read by doing a search on the rim protectors that say they can come loose when driving and cause all sorts of damage to the car's paint, body, other cars on the road? Real issue or not?�
Oct 15, 2013
swegman No problem with them coming off. I had them installed in April. In fact, I had to replace one tire in August due to a bulge in the sidewall) and Tesla SC had a difficult time getting the AlloyGator.�
Oct 15, 2013
scaesare Why yes... my garage.
If you are the type to do light vehicle repair/maintenance work, installing them is pretty easy. Took under 2 hours:45 mins for the first one figuring it out, and about 15 mins each for the remaining 3.... plus setup/cleanup.
If you aren't up for do-it-yourself, people typically have their preferred tire service center do it, form what I've read.�
Oct 15, 2013
artsci Not if properly installed.�
Oct 15, 2013
SamGarber Yes - that is exactly my point, how do I tell if they will properly install them? I have never done anything non-standard to my previous car's tires. I have Firestore, STS Auto, and Sears Auto in close proximity so I guess those are fairly well-respected for this kind of thing?
�
Oct 15, 2013
100thMonkey the install video makes it pretty clear that they need to be hammered in all the way... I left a bit of a gap. I was lazy and didn't fix it right away but I did keep an eye on them over 13,000 miles and over several months, the gap grew. I did finally jack the car up, partially deflated the tires again and hammered them in all the way with the proper hammer. Even when installed properly I do think it makes sense to inspect them every so often, they do take quite a beating. Bottom line though, if I had not installed these, the rims would have been ruined by now... the gators are worth their weight in gold, probably literally over time!�
Oct 16, 2013
cfOH Yep, I do a visual inspection every few hundred miles...takes 20 seconds...just to make sure they're all still seated properly. It's easy to tell if they're not since the lip that hangs over the wheel should be touching (or within a mm or so) of the wheel. If you can see or feel a significant gap, then jack the car up, deflate the tire, spray on some soapy water, pound it back in with a rubber mallet, and reinflate the tire. I've only had to do that once and that was on the very first one I ever installed. All the rest have stayed put over the 1,500 miles or so I've driven on them so far. And they've saved my wheels at least three times that I know of.�
Oct 21, 2013
SamGarber So I tried to get 3 local tire shops to install them for me, and they all refuse citing liability issues and lack of understanding how they affect the interface between the rim and the "bead" of tire. I am a newbie to fancy rims and tires but would really like to get them done. Is it really as unsafe as they claim??? I don't have air pumps at home and nowhere near mechanically inclined doing it myself is out of the question.�
Oct 21, 2013
markb1 I don't see how the Alloy Gator clips are any different than the clips they use to hold balancing weights to the outside of the wheel.
�
Oct 21, 2013
Chipper @markb1
HEY!!! Clean those wheels! You are driving a Tesla and have an image to uphold. :wink:�
Oct 21, 2013
markb1 That was just some random picture off the internet. My Tesla is at the body shop, probably looking far worse right now.�
Oct 21, 2013
Chipper Oh... (he says sheepishly with head forlornly down) :redface: My apologies!�
Oct 21, 2013
AlMc Sam...Might ask Nick at the SC for suggestions. They may not be able to put them on but they may know somebody who has done it for other Model S owners. If that is no help, usually a smaller 'repair shop' versus some of the big box outfits are more likely not to use the 'lawyers won't let us' statement.�
Oct 21, 2013
SamGarber Yep - going to try to get the guy that I found to polish away my curb rash to do it! Will update you on how it goes. Maybe even before and after pix.
�
Oct 26, 2013
SamGarber Well, ended up using the same place I found to polish up and repaint the damage on the curbed rims to install the AlloyGators. This was their first time seeing the gators so it was a bit of a long process. Got to see my MS without its wheels on, which was both cool and scary at the same time.
I think the install of the gators went pretty well, except some fitment issue one one of the back wheels where the plastic cover piece is a bit protruding because there was no way to mallet in the thing in further without risking damage to the rim or breaking the plastic. I guess it will do...
Here are some pictures of the process and the results (the fixed rims which ended up having the best installed gators):
�
Oct 29, 2013
OrindaAutoDetail I just installed these on an MS for the first time. Took 3 hours, I think I could do it in 2 next time!
They looked good! Barely could tell from 5 feet away they were on the car! And from my own experience working on over 140 Model S cars almost everyone with 21's curbs them with in a couple months so this really is a great ideal!�
Nov 1, 2013
leonari Where can one buy these in Europe? If you guys can give me a hint it would be great!�
Nov 1, 2013
Gerardf
In the UK where they are produced.. Alloy Wheel repairs, Protection, Refurbishment, Rim repair Birmingham
Try code TESLA10 (or search this forum for the code) for a discount�
Nov 5, 2013
GDH
Code doesn't work.�
Nov 6, 2013
Earthdog I think I didn't miss it but if I did I apologize. Is there somewhere in the US I can get these?�
Nov 6, 2013
Shumdit
Yes there is a place in NY but you a pay a premium for them. Wheel Protector Rim Repair & Wheel Repair Curb Damage Bent Wheel Mobile Rim Repair,Alloy Gator,Nassau County,Suffolk County,Long Island,Rim Repair Car Interior Repair News,ConvertibleTop Replacement News,Levittown,Nassau County,Suffolk County,Long Island,NY,New York,Infinity Worldwide, Melville, Massapequa, Mineola, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan,United States,U.S.A.,�
Nov 7, 2013
JPP Well done, Joe. Nice added service you can offer to Model S owners who already are there for OptiCoat. Still glad I stuck with the 19's.�
Nov 9, 2013
FlasherZ There is a caveat that you should be aware of if you purchase the AlloyGators. While the service center was investigating my inside shoulder wear, they removed my AlloyGators when changing the tires. When the did so, they observed that the wheel clear coat and, in some spots, wheel paint beneath the AlloyGators was significantly damaged/worn down. They suspect that road dirt had made its way between the wheel and the AlloyGator which then gets slowly ground against the paint. It wasn't down to the bare wheel metal yet after 10,000 miles of using AlloyGators, but it was something they recommended I be careful with.
That said, they've saved my wheels at least 2 times from more severe damage... so, guess it's your choice.
Something to be aware of...�
Nov 13, 2013
SamGarber Ordered 2 more sets on November 11 evening time - at my door today (overnight delivery from UK!!!) WOW.
�
Nov 23, 2013
redi I put a set on my 21" in a couple of afternoon hours. They are a bit fiddly the first time but not too bad if you have a decent jack, air compressor, and a heavy plastic coated or rubber hammer. PVC pipe cutters make trimming easy and clean. It is a set of 5 so you get a spare.
Within a week I had a puncture in a rear PS2 and had to dismount a tire. I suspect it is possible to save/reinstall one of these when putting on a new tire if you are very careful and have a cooperative shop. Mine was a bit scuffed by the time it came free so I just installed the spare alloy gator. At the rate the P+ goes through tires (10K-12K maybe), I might have to order another set before too long.
Flasher's point about rim wear from dirt that can get underneath with these looks to be quite a good point from my observation of the one I pulled off. It was only on for 2k miles. But they are very tough and look to be able to take a lot of damage. Sort of a pick your poison thing - these to avoid curb rash or nothing and pay a wheel refinisher if you have a momentary lapse.
When I change rear tires again in 6-8 months, I will get an opportunity to check and decide whether to replace them or go commando.
The local SC has a lot of experience with fixing rashed 21's with the local rim refinishers, so I'll have to ask them about costs - the ones I have seen refinished are very hard to detect where the rash was.�
Dec 28, 2013
missmelon Huge thanks to everyone and their photos. Was originally going to order black, but I think the silver will look great on my 21s. Does anyone know of a good shop in the Bay Area who can fix rim rash :/ I've only had my car for two weeks and have had two nasty encounters with the curb.
The code isn't working, but I will email to see if they can re-activate.�
Dec 28, 2013
SamGarber Just had to take the gators off mine to change to winter tires and after only 2 months crazy scratches on the rims under the gators from the dirt rubbing against plastic and rim. Not worth having definite scratches versus maybe rim rash. Have to fix both anyway.�
Dec 28, 2013
markb1 But the scratches are hidden by the AlloyGators, no?�
Dec 29, 2013
Jwarrenphd Went to my local shop yesterday (NC) and they weren't familiar, but after checking out my vehicle they're going to look into the gators further and let me know. FYI, they're an east coast version of Tire America.�
Dec 29, 2013
SamGarber Yes but I am very unhappy with the fact that to protect rims I need to scratch them up.�
Dec 29, 2013
markb1 I see. That's fair.�
Dec 29, 2013
SamGarber I have a black and silver brand new set if someone wants it cheaper than from website.�
Dec 29, 2013
dratifk
Sam I'm with you. No need to scratch the wheel with the Gators. I just sold my 21" Wheels and put on the Rial 19" with Blizzaks. In the Spring I may buy a second set of Rials. Since they are 19" much less prone to damage. If I do damage one so what I'll just buy a Rim from tirerack for $200.�
Dec 29, 2013
AlMc For those buying a winter wheel/tire package. My decision was to go with the 'gators' on the summer (3 season) tire/wheel combo and nothing to protect my less expensive tire rack wheel and tire winter set.
Sorry to hear that your gators caused some problems Sam.�
Dec 29, 2013
AnOutsider This is kinda my thinking too. Not eager to return to 21�
Dec 29, 2013
vfx There are at least 4 companies making a similar product.�
Jan 21, 2014
Chico Hi - I installed my Alloy Gators today. It was a straightforward installation and they look good.
But a question: There was no way I could get the car to stay in neutral without the emergency brake going on when I left the car. Although several people in this thread said to power off the car while in jack mode and neutral (i.e., "The rear wheels wanted to go back in to park from neutral when I left the car seat. Solution: place in neutral and power off the car.") This absolutely does not work on my car. No matter how I do it, the car always sets the emergency brake when the door is opened. I tried the trick of keeping the door sensor closed but the e-brake would always set when I powered off the car or left the driver's seat.
The only way I could get the rear wheels to free-wheel was to set a heavy object in the driver seat (a 5-gallon propane tank), reach in the open window with a broom handle to press the brake pedal, and press the "Place in Neutral" menu item on the screen. That worked, but it seems a bit silly to have to do it that way.
Does the latest firmware perhaps prohibit leaving the car while in neutral, or powering it off in neutral without automatically setting the e-brake? As I say, none of the tricks listed earlier in this thread worked on my car.�
Jan 30, 2014
FlasherZ In 5.8, there is "tow mode" which will keep the car in neutral until you place it back in park.�
Feb 7, 2014
doggshine
does anyone have pictures of the scratches that are left under the AlloyGators once they are removed?�
Mar 30, 2014
Harold-A1 sure they do...
picture i took
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Apr 20, 2014
3pod Thanks to this thread, I bought a set of Alloy Gators direct rom the UK. I even used the "tesla10" discount too. This is a set of their "gun metal grey" ones which seems to be a new color. I think they might have developed this color just for us Tesla owners!
Two pictures, one in the shade and one in the sun.
Installation was not hard but took longer than I expected and it was a decent amount of work. Took about 2 hours. Had to do my first one over again as I was not sure they were fully seated the first time and I was timid with the rubber mallet. I don't think it is necessary to rotate the rear tires while installing, you just have to take your time and make sure it's fully seated.�
Apr 21, 2014
SarahsDad Hmmm. They didn't have the gunmetal grey when I got mine and they do look good. Still not sure they look much better than the all black though. Maybe when mine wear out I'll go with the grey...
�
Apr 21, 2014
gnelson I don't have photos. I had new tires mounted last week. Firestone took off my old AlloyGators and replaced them with new ones. I did not notice any scratches.�
May 29, 2014
Bulletproof thanks for attaching pics I was curious to see how well they held up. Beats curb rash indeed!
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Jun 29, 2014
artsci I've had the ally gators on my 21" wheels for over a year. To be blunt I hate them. They look great when you first put them on but it's all downhill from there. Mine were installed by an expert so don't tell me it's the installation. They come loose from under the tires, they collect dirt, and over time they don't lie flat against the rim in places (what I call a ripple effect). And they're incredibly difficult to remove even when they seem to be falling off the rim. In short they're ugly, impratical spunks. Observant people notice and ask me what's wrong with my rims. That's exactly what they're supposed to prevent -- looking like your rims are damaged. After a year of wear and tear (and two replacements) these things make all of my rims look damaged to one degree or another.
I know people are going to say they look ugly because they protected my rims, but there's got to be a better product that serves that purpose. One that's easier to put on and remove when they're damaged. The alloy gators are a pia to install and remove.
So they're coming off this week, to be replaced by something else, yet to be determined. Regrettably I have to take them to a tire shop to have them removed. Being the DIY guy I am, I tried to do it myself today -- jacked up one wheel, let all of the air out of the tire, and still couldn't remove it.
I'm sorry I spent a dime on these things.
I'll post some pictures when they're removed so all can see how ugly they've become after a year.�
Jun 29, 2014
FLDarren Thanks artsci, I really want to see those pics. I've been considering alloy gators for awhile.�
Jun 29, 2014
artsci Here they are. Painful to see but you can easily determine why I said they were ugly.
I've ordered Scuffs Alloy Rim Protectors. They cover the side of the rim and the edge near the tire. Attach with 3M tape so when they're damaged they'll be easy to remove and replace. Not the case with the Alloy Gators.
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Jun 29, 2014
scaesare As another perspective, I've had mine on my 19" rims for a year as well, having put them on myself. I just scraped my right-rear wheel on a curb last week, so that one is scuffed up. The other 3 look practically the same as they were put on.
So, the one I've damaged is ugly (the tool they provide to "re-shape" the alloy gator helps only some), but that means they did their job. I'll spend a few bucks for a new one, and all 4 will look new.
Looking at your pictures, I'm not sure what has happened to yours, but I'd guess that whatever it is would have otherwise taken it's toll on your rims instead...�
Jun 30, 2014
artsci I'm sure they protected the rims but my gripe is the protection comes at a high cost in installation, removal, and replacement. There are equally good but much more convenient solutions for that protection.�
Jun 30, 2014
scaesare Fair enough... I'll be interested in your experience with the Scuffs...�
Jun 30, 2014
artsci This whole episode got me thinking about innovative solutions to rim protection. Everything available involves something that goes on the rim itself. Then I remembered that some tires (not any for 21" wheels) have a lip that extends over the rim edge so the tire itself protects the rim from abrasion (rubber is very good at this kind of protection) So I'm working on my own protection solution that will involve putting something on the tire that will protect the rim, not attached to the rim itself. I've ordered all of the parts and should have it set up next week. This will be an easy to do and much less expensive solution than all of the commercial rim protection kits.�
Jul 10, 2014
artsci Now that my new Michelin tires haves been installed on the 21" rims, I'm ready to install my rim protection solution for the 21" wheels. I'll do that on Saturday and post information and pictures.
It provides five times the protection of the Alloy Gators and other commercial products and costs 1/5 the amount. It's also easier to apply and remove, blends in with the tires, won't show dirt or abrasions, and works with 21" and 19" wheels of any kind. It's readily available online and and it only needs to be applied whenever the tires are replaced or removed.
Anybody want to venture a guess what it is?�
Jul 10, 2014
dsm363 Duct tape? It does anything.:smile:�
Jul 10, 2014
artsci Just about anything but the color match might be an issue�
Jul 10, 2014
JPP Run a bead of silicone caulk on really clean tires?�
Jul 10, 2014
artsci Nope.�
Jul 10, 2014
HHHH Well, my interest is piqued. I have the Alloy Gators, but never installed them and I'm glad I didn't. I saw someone else's at the San Juan Capistrano super charger and they looked terrible. Stuck out way past the rim and very ugly. I'm interested to see your solution as I like your other mods, namely Lighted T, and Front Camera.�
Jul 10, 2014
AlMc Rubber door/window edge insulation?
Aside; I have had the Gators on for 1+ years. No issues...yet.�
Jul 10, 2014
artsci Closer but no cigar�
Jul 10, 2014
AlMc My last try: Screen window/door rubber.�
Jul 10, 2014
LineofSight Flex Seal Liquid Rubber Sealant. Works on submarines with screen doors.�
Jul 10, 2014
artsci You mean the stuff sold on TV that they put in the bottom of a boat? Nice try
Here's a new post on the method: Rubber Rim Bumpers�
Oct 8, 2015
m2140 Here is a before and after of my 85 D with Red gators. The red is a little brighter than I expected but I still like the look.
�
Dec 13, 2015
babyrocket I've had Alloy Gators on my S since taking delivery in January 2013, and they have always worked extremely well for me. The website I've ordered from several times, AlloyGator - Protect Your Wheels From Kerb Damage, now redirects to AlloyGator - Protect Your Wheels From Kerb Damage, and when it detects that I'm from the U.S. it no longer allows for direct sales. Instead, it directs me to find a distributor, of which I have yet to find one. Has anyone else tried ordering direct, and if so is there any way to do it now?
Thanks -�
Dec 13, 2015
m2140 See if you can set the country to UK and place the order.
Ordering direct 2 months ago I found it was cheaper than going thru the Canada distributor.�
Dec 14, 2015
goulash1971 Trying to decide between grey & back alloy gators to go on my 21" grey turbines ... the grey protectors look like a close colour match but is it close enough ?
I'd love to hear peoples opinions ... grey or black?�
Dec 14, 2015
babyrocket Gives me the error message: "We are unable to ship direct to this location - click here to find a local distributor"�
Dec 14, 2015
HFh I have the black for my grey wheels. I haven't put them on yet but they seem like they blend in to the tires. I'll have pictures and know for sure in a day or two.�
Dec 15, 2015
goulash1971 Thanks @HFh ... looking forward to seeing them�
Dec 15, 2015
artsci There have been many posts on Alloy Gators going back about three years. I don't mean to rain on the parade but if you're new to the topic please don't conclude that they're a panacea for rim rash. They're not. I gave them up after about six months -- they provided minimal protection for anything but the most gentle scrapes, they started to pull loose, and after about 6 months looked like hell.
Don't waste your money. Nothing in the line of rim rash protection products works -- I've tried them all. The best protection is careful driving around curbs. It comes down to that.�
Dec 15, 2015
FlasherZ ...and when you decide to finally scrap them, you'll need to repaint the edges of all your wheels. Fun!�
Dec 15, 2015
HFh Wait. Really?�
Dec 15, 2015
m2140 Are you saying that the installation of the Gators scratches the rims edges?
I could see potentially how the taped on rim protection could take some paint with it. But the alloy gators, If installed correctly, are right up again the rim. If something got in there I could see how they could scratch the rim. But in regular use and removal I just don't see how they can damage the rims if they are installed correctly.
Can you clarify what you mean and is it based on personal experience? If so do you have pics?
I've only had alloy gators on mine for 2 months and there already paid for themselves with the damage they prevented from my wife and the service center driving my S.�
Dec 15, 2015
FlasherZ Dirt gets between the plastic and the rim. As you drive, the tire & plastic flexes slightly and grinds the dirt into the paint, and takes the paint off. Last time I replaced my tires, I pulled all of them off, all four wheels had finish damage around the edges.
I made sure I had them installed correctly and that they were seated all the way up against the rim.
Here's an example of the type of paint damage you see:
If I were to pull that AG off, you would see that peeling paint around the entire rim.�
Dec 15, 2015
f-stop I think this is valuable feedback to hear - I was starting to consider these for my new MS but I've always wondered about the longer term value of this kind of product.
I am still getting use to the size of the car (it's WIDE) so I'm having to train myself to park further from the curb than I'm used to. But Autopark works so well I'm just trusting it to do the job, it parks it perfectly first try and keeps a nice distance from the curb.�
Dec 15, 2015
artsci Here are a few photos of what my Alloy Gators looked like after about 6 months. Even though they were properly mounted they separated from the rims in a number of places. Not a pretty picture. And removing them required dismounting the wheels and deflating the tires. These things are a total PIA.
�
Dec 15, 2015
goulash1971
I'm going through the same learning experience - I also know that no matter how careful I am, I will eventually scuff the alloys (either because I haven't noticed a curb or because the car-park exit is too tight or some such thing) ... so I am looking at Alloygators too.
I'm glad artsci posted his experience (I know from reading the forums he's been living with his Model S for a while and looked at lots of things) ... I might go with rim blades to start with (they appear to be more easily mounted and have less potential to damage the alloy via abrasion ... but they seem to offer less protection) and then consider a switch to Alloygators if they turn out to be duds.
If you go with Alloygators then let us know how they work out for you.�
Dec 15, 2015
Earthdog I have over 50k on my Gators and they are awesome. I have had one incident where I hit a curb and was sever enough to have the Gator replaced. Perhaps my experience is so difference because I had a dealer install mine that install a bunch of sets. Every time they rotate my tires they are checked. I think they are worth EVERY dollar.�
Dec 16, 2015
FlasherZ I can tell you that mine are installed correctly, too... I'd challenge anyone to tell me that they're not - they were also installed (several times, through tire changes) by the tire dealers who have dealt with them extensively.
And don't get me wrong... they've saved the wheels against a few deep gouges that would have been created by curbs. The question you have to ask yourself is whether you want to save yourself from a chance of a few deep gouges, or an even higher percentage chance of grinding the clear coat & paint off the edge if/when dirt gets between them - and the dirt will get in there.�
Dec 16, 2015
Joseph Torbati Hi I own OCDetail in N.Cal SF Bay and I stock and install gators on regular basis. Ive seen them save rims many times. The issue with dirt and scratching the surface of the rim i've never seen. But I always coat rims with Cquartz so maybe thats why.�
Dec 16, 2015
FlasherZ Mine were untreated, that could be a variable.�
Dec 17, 2015
artsci A good wheel repair shop can fix curb rash for something near the cost of the Gators. That's the path I took after dreadful experiences with the Gators.�
Dec 17, 2015
Joseph Torbati I know that was annoying but in the Bay repairing one wheel the right way(tire off powder coat back to spec) is 275$ per after mount and balance. So gator alternative is much cheaper. And I'm yet to see any of this excess scratching when I've removed them.�
Dec 17, 2015
m2140 Even just a repair for small damage without mounting is about $75 per wheel. Still cheaper in my mind to go with gators�
Dec 17, 2015
FlasherZ Like I said earlier, I don't recommend against them, it's just that I had that experience. All 4 wheels ended up with the paint ground off in my case, and it was distributed thoroughly under each of the alloygators (so it wasn't a curb hit or something that created a one-time crack).
It could be the fact I didn't put special protectant on the rim. It could be the fact that we have winters and small cinders get spread on the road and they have a better chance of ending up between the gators and the wheel where they get to experience the grind. There are probably some factors we aren't even thinking of.�
Dec 17, 2015
gpetti I've been using the rim blades for a while and really liking them. I've installed them a few times as I traded in my car (two sets) and I have them on winter wheels too. When I had the TPMS replaced on the winters the garage managed to ruin the rimblades in the process so I had to install them again. Also I've had them damaged from a couple of kerbs and replaced them accordingly. I bought an extra kit (kit does 4 wheels) so I can replace individual wheels if I need to. I have found if I hit something hard enough it is still possible to damage the wheels but they have definitely saved me a couple of times. On my winters, I just replaced the rimblades on one wheel which hid the damage anyway. I'll eventually fix it but for now the wheels still look great. As I've never tried the alloygators I can't say if they offer more protection in harder impacts or not. I"m interested to hear comparisons.�
Dec 17, 2015
Chico I've had the Alloygators since January 2014 -- a pack comes with 5 of them and I just replaced one of the four with the fifth after I "touched" a curb...real easy to do with these cars...and the gator took the gash, not the rim.
Took me maybe 30 minutes to replace it (I put them on myself two years back). Just jacked the car up, deflated the tire, pulled out the old one and installed the new one. So much less hassle than having the whole wheel refurbished, not to mention less costly. The wheel looked fine, no paint damage. Mine have stayed perfectly in place over the two years and actually make the wheels look better from a distance...a bit more wheel and less tire (silver wheels and silver gators).
Definitely happy with mine. I'll have to order another set of 5 if I gash another one....�
Jan 19, 2016
m2140 I've had my gators for about 3 months now. About 2 weeks ago I hit a big pothole and it was a big enough hit that it actually pushed out the gator slightly.
So this past weekend I had to take the wheel off, deflate the tire and adjust it back in.
Upon inspecting all the other wheels I found gravel in between the gators and the wheels.
I went in and cleaned all the gravel out as much as I can with compressed air and a plastic spatula. Being careful not to cause any damage without removing them. But it has me a little worried.
I still think the gators are worth it. My wife steals the car for her commute all the time and the gators have protected the rims multiple times already. Also last time she was at the service center they put a couple of nicks in them.
I would much rather deal with a little gravel over large gouges being taken off the rims. I also only have to worry about fixing the wheels when I turn it in at the end of the lease rather than after every single damage.�
Jan 20, 2016
ggr A cautionary tale: I've had Alloygators on the BGC for over three years now, and they have saved me a time or two. But apparently at some point one of them had taken enough abuse. This morning on the freeway, I suddenly heard a very loud sound just like a machine gun. After a few seconds it got a little better, but still really bad. I pulled off (and the banging slowed as the car did, so I knew it was something about my car) and found that there was about 16 inches of gator left, half in the wheel, the other half just hanging out. Looking back, I could see the rest of the gator at the side of the freeway a way back. The machine gun noise was the hanging out bit banging on the rear bumper and rear fender wheel well. I wasn't in a safe place on the freeway, so after trying, and failing, to remove what was left I was forced to drive further. The damage to the fender is actually pretty severe. I will almost certainly have to claim insurance to get it fixed. So keep an eye on those Alloygators; if they look at all damaged, replace them or just take them off. Now that the reversing camera has lines, I haven't done much curb rash any more, so maybe I won't replace it. The recent damage was a tight turn near a curb, not parking.�
Jan 20, 2016
m2140 Can you post a pic?�
Jan 20, 2016
Tony Lin look like its better than rim blade, rim blade didn't do the job at all, except covering the curb rush after..�
May 19, 2016
Pug Nuts Does anyone have pics of a Red Model S with red Alloy Gators?
I saw user 'Alpha' had ordered them (page 2 of comments) but his/her account is deleted now. My red Model S arrives next month (refreshed 70) and I can't decide if the red Gators would look amazing or terrible on a red car.�
May 19, 2016
Pug Nuts This red Audi with red alloy gators is as close as I can find on google, http://www.awsmartrepairs.co.uk/_wp_generated/wp57c8f597_05_06.jpg
Would appreciate any Model S pics still.�
May 19, 2016
UnpluggedP These are a great idea for the width of the Model S. We're big fans of wheel protectors so we actually include them with our own line of BBS wheels to avoid unnecessary damage.
![[?IMG]](https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/12250068_963908183682054_4485240863057761942_n.jpg?oh=b1fab1fc6cf2e63d92b5f8f8767cb40a&oe=57D5A1E6)
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