IW-RS4

In October, I noticed an ad for a RS4 Euro wheel and airbag from a vendor advertising on this board. After exchanging several e-mails about the steering wheel and airbag, I decided to order. I requested that the vendor send me a PayPal invoice specifying the exact part numbers for both the RS4 steering wheel and the RS4 airbag. They are 8EO 419 091 CT8UD and 8E0 880 201CT 6PS respectively and are both listed as such on my invoice.

Last week, I finally received my package from Germany. Unfortunately, the box was badly crushed and torn. After taking some pictures, I opened the box to find that the steering wheel was damaged/dented near the left buttons. Knowing that I would need to return the steering wheel, I removed the airbag. I could then see that the airbag had the wrong part number and also that it was manufactured in July of 2004 (see pictures below).

I immediately wrote the vendor to tell him about the problems and that I would be sending everything back. He responded that nothing was his fault and that I'd have to file a claim with the post office. He also accused me of fraud. When I reminded him that he has my money and that all I have is a damaged steering wheel with the wrong airbag, this is the response I received:

<font color="red"> If it is not fraud, why do you constantly say it's the wrong airbag when it is not??? It's the right airbag. Do I have to wright that a thousand times...how meany times more ...how often.... Every Audi airbag A2, A3,A4,A5,A6,Q7,A8 airbag costs the same: 505 Euros which converts to 646$. So whats the damn problem? You didn't get less for your money or anything. The airbag you have costs 505 Euros at Audi and the other Part number costs 505 Euros!!

Why is the airbag in the RS4 steering wheel if it is the wrong one, why will it plug into the RS4 car and work pro perly if it is the wrong one???? What makes it wrong if everything fits???? TELL ME???? HOW CAN IT BE THE WRONG ONE????HOW CAN IT BE THE WRONG ONE IF IT'S IDENTICAL??? TELL ME!!

If the people at the postal service are such scumbags and treat other peoples belongings so reckless it's not my fault. Why do you still insist that it's my fault then. With you stubbornly focusing on both of those factors instead of considering the true factors it seems like a setup. Sorry to say. </font>

Then I received this gem after telling him that the part # and date were not correct for a B7 RS4 airbag:

<font color="red"> 1.) You have two removable stickers on the airbag and thats all you go by. Oh man !!

2.) What if the stickers were removed, what would you be saying then??? It's the wrong airbag ??

How could you tell then? By fitting exactly into the RS4 steering wheel ?? By it's plug plugging into the RS4 without a problem?? IT's the correct airbag !!!!

It is the B7 RS4 8E0 880 201 CT 6PS airbag. Final end of statement.

You go buy a sticker that anybody could have put on there. A removable sticker!! If anything would count it's not the sticker it's etched, carved or stamped numbers on the metal pieces of the airbag itself. It's the dimensions, mounting spots of the screws the design. Anyone can stick a sticker on an airbag and say it's wrong, including you. Not claiming you did it but again: It's the exact same airbag. Same color. same design, same internals, same technology same manufacturer. Audi built that airbag for the RS4 steering wheel!!!! It came from an Audi dealership!!! IT'S NOT THE WRONG AIRBAG !!! DAMNIT!!! Boy this is really something. I cannot beleive it. Should we post this into an Audi Forum and ask the people??? Take a picture of the airbag front and back not of the silly false sticker and ask anyone who knows about the RS4 and it's airbags. They will tell you it's the correct one. Call Audi in Germany, man fly to Audi in Germany and ask their engineers and techs...... They will tell you it's20the correct one!!! </font>

I also found out later that besides the part # and date being wrong, the connector on the airbag doesn't fit the connector in the steering wheel...

So at this point, I can only hope to recover some of my losses from the post office since this vendor has refused to take any accountability for the problems or take any action to resolve them.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/101660/eurowheel_package_damage_001.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/101660/eurowheel_package_damage_002.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/101660/eurowheel_damage_006.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/101660/eurowheel_damage_007.jpg"> <img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/101660/eurowheel_damage_008.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/101660/eurowheel_wrong_airbag_003.jpg"><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/101660/eurowheel_wrong_airbag_005.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/101660/eurowheel_wrong_airbag_009.jpg">


Apologize for the long post, but just wanted to give everyone a heads-up about this guy. Think twice before ordering anything from GermantuningDE or VAGtuningDE, GolftuningDE or B5RS4Driver or Ralf or Lance (all the same guy). He's got an e-bay store and occasionally posts here on AW classifieds.

RS4POWER

Thanks for posting, I will never do business with such people. I hope nobody else does here either.

JeffAhn

12 year-old?

MrBucket

Are you talking about how it appears to be a slightly shade of silver in 2 spots? That could just be the way it came out of the mold. But yeah he is being completely wrong about the model of the airbag. There are two airbags that look the same, one for the B7 RS4 and one for the A8. they may look the same but they aren't the same internally.

Fluffhead

stock harness when I got my A8 airbag.

Spurian

I wish Audi had put in the right wheel in the US models to begin with. Then people wouldn't have to go through this.

Reggie

I thouoght there are some legit places in the US to get that wheel

sparkhill

You need to post the vendor name

airbus9

and used a credit card.

bruised rs4

wheel. It looks like it's being pulled a little too hard from the backside.

Anyways sorry to hear about your transaction. I would threaten him with a mail fraud charge and see what he says. He can't rip you off and involve the USPS in his scheme.