Model 3 hub caps stolen *ugh*

[ebmcs03]

I stumbled on this thread after all 4 of my covers were stolen last week. Glad to hear that the OP probably wasn't a theft victim, but I just wanted to post so that people know that they do in fact get stolen on occasion.

The guy in the part department at the local service center who sold me the replacements ($100+tax for a set of 4 for the "old" covers) said that while it doesn't happen a lot, someone like me does come in every once in a while looking for replacements. And I'm guessing another chunk of people just decide to go without the covers after theirs are stolen.

Side note... and I would have laughed at this suggestion just a week ago, but now I'm considering using a tie strap to secure the covers to the rims to deter any future theft attempt. I found a way to do it in which the tie strap is pretty well hidden visually, and posted about it in this thread: Cable tying aero wheel covers

New York all over again. I know people in NY who get a new car. Would steal someone else’s hub caps first in anticipation of theirs being stolen.

 

[autnagrag]

My aero wheel covers were stolen all four at once in 2019, and again last week, March 2024. I am very aware of them because of the first theft. Replacement ones from Tesla now cost $25 each. Please do not buy them used. The only market for this item is owners of this car. If you buy used ones or ones not from Tesla, you are keeping the thieves prosperous, in my view.

 

[MikeRTX]

New York all over again. I know people in NY who get a new car. Would steal someone else’s hub caps first in anticipation of theirs being stolen.

Oh, that's brilliant. Why don't they just steal a whole car, in case their car gets stolen?

 

[MikeRTX]

My aero wheel covers were stolen all four at once in 2019, and again last week, March 2024. I am very aware of them because of the first theft. Replacement ones from Tesla now cost $25 each. Please do not buy them used. The only market for this item is owners of this car. If you buy used ones or ones not from Tesla, you are keeping the thieves prosperous, in my view.

That's certainly a possibility, but many of us don't like the look of the aeros, and take them off Day 1. I did. Rather than have them clutter up the garage, lots of people just sell them to get rid of them.

There are good-looking black alloys under those plastic covers, and it irks me that the aeros scratched them up.

 

[autnagrag]

There are good-looking black alloys under those plastic covers, and it irks me that the aeros scratched them up.

My M3 is from 2020. What is underneath the aero wheel covers looks to me like grayish enamel. It is certainly not black, and is not exposed metal. Still, my point is that victims of theft are the only market for (the only ones with a reason to buy) the wheel covers. If those buyers only buy replacements from Tesla, the sellers of stolen ones will not find buyers. The wheel covers only fit the 18 inch wheels that are standard for the Model 3.

 

[pikeman]

Why would anyone wants hub caps? Can we shoot a person if we see them breaking into or stealing hub caps from your own car?

In Texas some guy shot and killed a hubcap thief. I believe it was in Houston. He was not charged.

 

[rpiotro]

Thanks, will check into that. Just what you said, wondering worth to file insurance, but I am idiot, so nvm.

Sure. File an insurance claim. Then your car will show up on CarFax as totaled.

I'd be surprised if the cost would exceed your deductible. Not a smart way to go.

 

[rpiotro]

In Texas some guy shot and killed a hubcap thief. I believe it was in Houston. He was not charged.

I love these feel good stories!

 

[autnagrag]

Ha people can’t read threads. Occam’s Razor here. Water, Aero wheel covers lost. Not stolen.

I can read threads. My car was in a dry parking lot when the wheel covers were stolen.