No wheel locking nuts?

[nickv8]

It only just dawned on me today, two weeks after the V8V came into the household, that I didn't have a wheel locking nut kit with the car. It came from AM Bristol (brilliant service and no quibbles there) but would have thought that every AM left the factory with them fitted. Nope - none on the car!

A little searching later and I only found this old thread on the AM section: locking wheel nuts

Are they really that rare to be fitted to an AM? Surely the tyres alone are worth the effort for some ne'er-do-well?

There was mention from mikey k on the old thread that McGard produce the AM locking kit but it was also said they weren't great quality. On this occasion, I don't really care if it's an AM-branded thing, but I would like to know they are the best possible deterrent. Any suggestions for a good set?

In the meantime, I've decided the best way to avoid finding bricks under the side skirts is to drive it. So if you don't mind, some deserted Welsh roads are beckoning...

[NAC63]

Waste of money. Too easy to remove.

[4Q]

I wouldn't have thought there was much of a market for 2nd hand std AM wheels. It's not like AMG or M wheels which will fit a stty base model.

[RobDown]

Just out of interest has anyone ever had their AM wheels nicked? I'm guessing it's a rare event given they're normally garage queens?

[AdamV12V]

RobDown said:

Just out of interest has anyone ever had their AM wheels nicked? I'm guessing it's a rare event given they're normally garage queens?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1281324/Wh...

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/crime/aston-ma...

[RobDown]

Ouch!

[nickv8]

Thanks all for the responses! And sobering news links...

As with all security measures, it'll never prevent a suitably determined crim. However, if it slows them down for a minute - or more importantly - deters the more casual idiot, it's worth the sub-£100 cost on a hassle basis.

I get the garage queen thought line, but I'm determined to use mine which will involve parking it up in places I'm unfamiliar with. [insert derisory city name here LOL!]

I also feel that there is potentially a very strong market for stolen new-model/look wheels. If I wanted to refresh the look of an older model, V8S "V" wheels are a likely starting point. And if browsing the world's favourite flea market, I wouldn't bother ask if they were legit. The seller would be unlikely to admit his raids in Mayfair or up North

Has anybody got suggestions of the best available that suit the 2012.25MY V8V?

Thanks!

[eybic]

If you do get some then I'd suggest 2 sets. Reason being if they remove all but the locking wheel nut then you'll be left with only 1 nut holding the wheel on whereas with 2 sets, you'll at least have 2.

[bogie]

Never bothered they were optional as standard. Originally the wheels didnt fit much else and are low volume niche car i.e. not much market for stolen AM wheels down the pub or ebay

A kit to remove them can usually be found cheaper than the locking nuts themselves......

[JohnnyFive]

Ever since my neighbour's wheels were stolen a couple of years ago I haven't bothered with locking wheel nuts. The thieves simply smashed his window to retrieve the removal tool from inside the car so not only did he need new wheels but he had a lot of glass to clear up. Car was parked on his driveway in a quiet cul-de-sac, alarm went off, everyone slept through it. Normal week night and everyone was home but nobody saw/heard anything. They made off with all four wheels.

[bomberh]

I have them, on mine.

I would rather have them as a deterrent, than find that my wheels had been nicked because I didn’t have them.

[nickv8]

bomberh said:

I have them, on mine.

I would rather have them as a deterrent, than find that my wheels had been nicked because I didn’t have them.

Did you go for the ones offered by AM?

[AdamV12V]

bomberh said:

I have them, on mine.

I would rather have them as a deterrent, than find that my wheels had been nicked because I didn’t have them.

Ditto, they may not be fool proof but they are better than nothing and slow down the thief if nothing else. If it makes my car 1% less attractive as a target compared to the car parked next to it without them, then I think it is money well spent. They are pretty cheap compared to the cost of a new set of wheels (and associated damage that may go with it).

[XLR Motorsport]

Funny, I've just logged on and was about to post the same topic. It dawned on me the other day but was one of the first things a friend pointed out when he saw my MY2010 V8V for the first time yesterday.

I'm keen to fit these even just as a deterrent (and may even opt for two sets). Question then: would they be a standard fit bolt or something different?

[Jon39]

RobDown said:

Just out of interest has anyone ever had their AM wheels nicked? I'm guessing it's a rare event given they're normally garage queens?

I doubt that my memory is better than yours Rob, but I do recall that the answer to your question is yes.
A forum member, and they were a spare set (seasonal perhaps) being stored in a private garage.

Not to do with this forum, but I have seen a photograph on the internet of an Aston without wheels, parked beside the kerb on bricks.
It might have been a DB9 in London.

[ruaricoles]

It wasn't an Aston but a friend in London had one wheel nicked off his car one night. It had a full size spare so he put that on, as you would. The next night he lost the remaining 4 wheels.....

[bogie]

The DB9 in London is posted every time someone asks about locking wheel nuts....since 2006

..they are an easy sell as relatively cheap, regardless of the minimal risk..... much like GAP insurance

[19RBB]

A set of the genuine AM locking nuts was the first thing I got for my Vantage. I think they were about £105 last year. Mine has the lightweight forged wheels which I thought might be a target for opportunist theives. I don't often park it outside overnight, but it's a deterrent. I priced the wheels the other week (for a different reason) and they're over £7k!

[nickv8]

19RBB said:

A set of the genuine AM locking nuts was the first thing I got for my Vantage. I think they were about £105 last year. Mine has the lightweight forged wheels which I thought might be a target for opportunist theives. I don't often park it outside overnight, but it's a deterrent. I priced the wheels the other week (for a different reason) and they're over £7k!

Thanks! I've emailed off for quotes

[jonby]

On the subject of wheel nuts, is there an option for black ones when fitting black wheels ? Assume if painted they would scratch easily when using a wrench ?