msobota

My Autothority and HRE wheel nightmare is in full form tonight.

To recap, I spoke with Autothority about my 1996 993tt and decided on an upgrade to include H&R Porsche Supercup Suspension - HRE 545R wheels in the 11x18" size for the rear and Michelin Pilot Sport tires in the 315-30-18 size for rear tires.

Autothority had many problems because they don't seem to be doing much tuning work on Porsche Turbos anymore (I wonder why). The technician that worked on my car was new and had never worked on a Porsche Turbo before - had never worked on a Porsche before until a couple weeks before this sucker showed up.

Joel Cohen, the owner of Autothority explained to me that the R&D is already complete and therefore the upgrade is actually a very simple plug and play procedure. No master mechanic necessary.

The tires were rubbing badly and one side of the car was lower than the other and everyone (not a qualified technician in sight) was stumped.

A week later I was told the problems were solved and I picked up the car.

I have come to know that the main problem is that the wheels were ordered and built with the incorrect offset for the tire size. My 11x18 wheels have a 34mm offset and need a 45-50mm offset.

Viper Bob and Glen have been very helpful thus far. I have learned that a stock 996tt wheel in the 11x18" size has a 45mm offset and will fit this tire without a problem.

I called HRE today - Told them I need my 11x18 wheels with a 45-50mm offset. They gave me the runaround. They recommended that I call the Porsche Wheel - Tire Fittment specialist of the world - Wheel Enhancements in LA. 310-836-8908 and talk with Dave. I called Dave - he says that a 315-30-18 will not fit on a 993tt - period - never done it - never seen it done - Porshces is all we do...... Says put a 295-30-18 on the 11" wheel otherwise you'll have problems.

So - Is there somebody out there that HRE might believe and discuss this with because these people all think I'm an idiot.

I need a known Porsche god who HRE and Autothority might respect to weigh in on this issue.

I have had it. Tomorrow, I am going to reverse the charges on $12,000 paid to Autothority with the AMEX card. My guess is that they are going to be interested in making their customer happy now. I hate to play hardball but these guys leave me no choice.

My bill with Autothority was $26,000 and they seem to have no interest at all in dealing with this problem.



Mike Sobota

viperbob

Mike,

Autothority needs to just stick to ricers these days. They have lost touch with the Porsche market and clientel. I bought my 996TT wheels from Wheel Enhancements. They sold me 295 Sport Cups, and then a week later the 315s were released. I immediately put them on WITH NO RUBBING on these 11" wheels. Now my 315 Hoosiers fit, as well as my 315 Pilot Sports.

Did you tell Dave that you have Supercup coilovers? Those have 60mm springs, right? I could see an issue with the larger factory springs and 315s.

What else did Autothority do to your car? I would be afraid for any work they did on my car.

Good luck Mike...

vrus

Mike,

Do I understand this correctly... $26,000 paid to Authority for Sport Suspension (approx $4,500) and for HRE 545 wheels (approx $5,000) and tires (approx $2200). What did they do for the extra $14,000 they billed you?

I think you need to find yourself a better tuner for your turbo.

msobota

$26k was for Wheels - Tires - H&R Supercup suspension - K24 Turbos from Powerhuas with sport compressor wheel and clipped exhaust wheel - Bailey diverter valves, new ECU and chip - high flow air filter. Also a couple of maintenance items (spark plugs replaced - 4 new O2 sensors - 3 wiper blades).

They took $2k off the $28k bill because their wheel machine marred the centers on the new rear wheels.

I am not sure whether the springs are 60mm springs. They are the H&R Supercup - part # 95612 on the H&R website.

I think I have a deal from HRE to build new centers with a 48mm offset. John Wallace at HRE was delightful to deal with once Autothority stopped trying to wiggle out of the costly problem.

I'll keep you posted.

What's the ride height on your 993tt vrus? Once my wheels are correct, I will be able to lower the car a bit more. I'm thinking 24.5 rear and 25 front.

Mike Sobota

Glen

Mike, here are some links showing the 265 fronts and 315 rears on my car, again with no rolling. If they need me to I can mount the BBS on the car and send You pics of that also. If You really want to prove a point I will ship the wheels and tires to You, You can mount them and drive the car to Autothority and tell them to just blow it off and cut You a check! lol

http://groups.msn.com/porschenut/por...oto&PhotoID=35

http://groups.msn.com/porschenut/por...oto&PhotoID=36

http://groups.msn.com/porschenut/por...oto&PhotoID=46

http://groups.msn.com/porschenut/por...oto&PhotoID=44

http://groups.msn.com/porschenut/por...oto&PhotoID=47

http://groups.msn.com/porschenut/por...oto&PhotoID=51

http://groups.msn.com/porschenut/por...oto&PhotoID=52

http://groups.msn.com/porschenut/por...oto&PhotoID=74

http://groups.msn.com/porschenut/por...oto&PhotoID=76

http://groups.msn.com/porschenut/por...oto&PhotoID=77

http://groups.msn.com/porschenut/por...oto&PhotoID=78

http://groups.msn.com/porschenut/por...oto&PhotoID=79

I guess You should also not tell them that I have even had 335's in the rear mounted on the Forgelines that fit also...lol

Mark in Baltimore

Mike,

Sorry to hear of your continual problems. I always thought Autothority was a respected name. I guess the operative word is "was".

See you at the next run.

John H. in DC Area

Mark, you are generally correct about Autothority's reputation ... in the past. I've been doing a little snooping around with folks who have a closer knowledge of what's going on at Autothority, and unfortunately the Autothority business is very different than it was through the late '90s. The ownership has changed and the principal brains behind the successful tuning operation, Al Collins, has long since left. Autothority is presently unsuccessfully struggling to hire and retain top flight talent, and if they don't succeed in this regard very soon, I predict they will cease to exist equally soon. Sad, and I hope they turn it around.