Expensive small cattle - or: It's to hyperventilate ...
03/10/2025
As we all know, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. However, this does not mean that the devil is not in the detail. We are talking about a valve, or rather a set of valves, to be precise: a set of metal valves.
A superficial "googling" seems to reveal that it's only about €10 per set, which is not really worth mentioning. But it's not quite like that. A few years ago, I bought so-called baroque rims (1st series) for my car and had them refurbished by the wheel manufacturer. At the time, the metal valves, which were essential for the now handsome aluminum wheels, cost just over €20 each from the car manufacturer's classics department. I remember this well because I was a little naive and initially thought it was the price of a complete set. But unfortunately, that was the unit price at the time, which I thought was quite ambitious, as the metal valves seem to be somewhat more complicated than rubber valves.
Fortunately, my tire dealer at the time happened to have a set of new, matching valves in stock at a very reasonable price, so I didn't have to think about it for years.
Now the old but little-used tires need to be replaced and so I started looking for the right metal valves again. You could also say, punningly, that I have been ventilating their prices. The part number from the car manufacturer was easy to research (107 400 0013), but the result was sobering. Actually, these valves are probably no longer available from the car manufacturer's classic car department, but they are still available somewhere. They are currently available from around €80 each. In other words: the valves now cost as much or even more than the corresponding tires. It's enough to make you hyperventilate!
Now, the valves in question do not come from the car manufacturer, but from a manufacturer specializing in valves etc., whose name is reminiscent of a crocodile. They have the number 9-513003 and you can delve into the world of valves (not just for cars) on their homepage. You wouldn't think what a wide range of variants is available! Unfortunately, it is not possible to order from them as a private individual, as they only supply wholesalers. However, there are also replicas for €49 a piece, but I would first have to become a member of another classic car club...
I now have a second, more recent set of matching baroque rims. But the paintwork should perhaps be freshened up before fitting new tires. But that would cost something again, but then rubber valves would suffice. So let's pause for thought. Maybe I'll come up with a solution to the problem over the next few days...
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