BUYER BEWARE - RENNtech and Driving Emotions
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 33
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2011 S65
BUYER BEWARE - RENNtech and Driving Emotions
Guys, I seem to remember when I first purchased my S65 there was a pole asking thoughts about RENNtech and a few other tuners. While I had just purchased my car and gave positive comments.
Well, after a few months of ownership would like to update my thoughts.
The issues I'm having are not that big of a deal yet, but do have concerns if the car were to ever have any issues that may be a bit more significant.
First is the RENNtech wheels. When I received the car from Driving Emotions the steering wheel had a bit of shimmy between 55-70 mph. I took the car to the local dealer to have all 4 wheels balanced. This helped a bit, but still no where near as solid as other S65s I test drove before buying. Contacted both RENNtech and Driving Emotions, both were no help. Found a local shop that promotes RENNtech and had them do Road Force balance. This helped significantly, but the car still seems a bit jittery in the front.
Second is the RENNtech carbon fiber rear deck spoiler. The young man that details my car during the last cleaning pointed out a few air bubbles in the carbon fiber. I contacted RENNtech and sent them pictures. Was told the design is difficult, all parts in stock have similar bubbles, and should leave as is or risk damaging the car if I tried to replace.
Neither is going to keep me from enjoying what is otherwise an awesome car, just extremely disappointed in the lack of customer support from RENNtech or Driving Emotions.
I may even remove all the RENNtech equipment and take the car back to stock form.
Very sad state of affairs, given what I heard about both companies prior to purchasing the car.
Well, after a few months of ownership would like to update my thoughts.
The issues I'm having are not that big of a deal yet, but do have concerns if the car were to ever have any issues that may be a bit more significant.
First is the RENNtech wheels. When I received the car from Driving Emotions the steering wheel had a bit of shimmy between 55-70 mph. I took the car to the local dealer to have all 4 wheels balanced. This helped a bit, but still no where near as solid as other S65s I test drove before buying. Contacted both RENNtech and Driving Emotions, both were no help. Found a local shop that promotes RENNtech and had them do Road Force balance. This helped significantly, but the car still seems a bit jittery in the front.
Second is the RENNtech carbon fiber rear deck spoiler. The young man that details my car during the last cleaning pointed out a few air bubbles in the carbon fiber. I contacted RENNtech and sent them pictures. Was told the design is difficult, all parts in stock have similar bubbles, and should leave as is or risk damaging the car if I tried to replace.
Neither is going to keep me from enjoying what is otherwise an awesome car, just extremely disappointed in the lack of customer support from RENNtech or Driving Emotions.
I may even remove all the RENNtech equipment and take the car back to stock form.
Very sad state of affairs, given what I heard about both companies prior to purchasing the car.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 16
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bmw 550i
What a shame...
I was toying with the idea of the Renntech ECU flash and was sold on the Renntech rear spoiler...until now.
What a bummer. I figured the ECU came with some risk, but the spoiler would be a no risk great looking addition. It has a cool shape, but is still subtle.
Can you provide pics of the bubbles?
I was toying with the idea of the Renntech ECU flash and was sold on the Renntech rear spoiler...until now.
What a bummer. I figured the ECU came with some risk, but the spoiler would be a no risk great looking addition. It has a cool shape, but is still subtle.
Can you provide pics of the bubbles?
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
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bmw 550i
BTW...Did you purchase the granite grey S65 from Driving Emotions? If so, I found pics here: http://www.drivingemotions.com/2011-...c-3-mobile.htm
I don't see any bubbles, even in the close ups. Were the bubbles in the spoiler always there or did they come about later?
Thanks for sharing. You might be saving me a lot of headache!
I don't see any bubbles, even in the close ups. Were the bubbles in the spoiler always there or did they come about later?
Thanks for sharing. You might be saving me a lot of headache!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
2011 S65
Yes shame indeed.
I will post some pictures when I return home this weekend.
Yes that is the car.
There bubbles weren't there when the car was delivered, and appear to be increasing. The car was close to new as any used car I've ever seen.
Given the lack of customer service from RENNtech and the lack of Driving Emotions stepping up to pressure RENNtech, I won't do business with either again. Which is very sad.
I will post some pictures when I return home this weekend.
Yes that is the car.
There bubbles weren't there when the car was delivered, and appear to be increasing. The car was close to new as any used car I've ever seen.
Given the lack of customer service from RENNtech and the lack of Driving Emotions stepping up to pressure RENNtech, I won't do business with either again. Which is very sad.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
2011 S65
No problem.
No, live in Texas. The car is almost always parked in a garage.
When I spoke to the owner of RENNtech via email, he indicated how difficult the corners/edges of the piece is to fabricate. And, other pieces they have in stock have the same bubbles.
I say haha. I've been around carbon fiber for many years, and this is poor manufacturing.
No, live in Texas. The car is almost always parked in a garage.
When I spoke to the owner of RENNtech via email, he indicated how difficult the corners/edges of the piece is to fabricate. And, other pieces they have in stock have the same bubbles.
I say haha. I've been around carbon fiber for many years, and this is poor manufacturing.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 16
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bmw 550i
Thanks again for sharing. I'm on the fence on whether or not I should buy the Renntech spoiler now (before I was certain I was getting it). I guess I'll decide when I see the pics of your bubbles.
I found a much cheaper option, but it's only a carbon fiber veneer with a plastic core and I don't like the look as much: http://www.ebay.com/itm/151740832501
Are you planning on replacing it with another manufacturer's spoiler? If so, let me know what you found. I haven't found many carbon fiber rear spoiler options for the w221 models.
I found a much cheaper option, but it's only a carbon fiber veneer with a plastic core and I don't like the look as much: http://www.ebay.com/itm/151740832501
Are you planning on replacing it with another manufacturer's spoiler? If so, let me know what you found. I haven't found many carbon fiber rear spoiler options for the w221 models.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 33
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2011 S65
"Thanks again for sharing. I'm on the fence on whether or not I should buy the Renntech spoiler now (before I was certain I was getting it). I guess I'll decide when I see the pics of your bubbles."
No problem. Given the reputation of RENNtech I'm quite surprised at their lack of standing behind their products. Please find pictures below. One is the leading and the other is the trailing edge of the deck lid spoiler.
"Are you planning on replacing it with another manufacturer's spoiler? If so, let me know what you found. I haven't found many carbon fiber rear spoiler options for the w221 models."
No. If I do anything, it will be to remove all the RENNtech kit and put the car back to stock form. I would have never put aftermarket parts on the car. I was looking for a low mileage example that is silver/black. This is the best example I could find and Driving Emotions had installed the RENNtech kit. Funny thing is, the price Driving Emotions were wanting to recoup their investment of the RENNtech almost killed the deal.
No problem. Given the reputation of RENNtech I'm quite surprised at their lack of standing behind their products. Please find pictures below. One is the leading and the other is the trailing edge of the deck lid spoiler.
"Are you planning on replacing it with another manufacturer's spoiler? If so, let me know what you found. I haven't found many carbon fiber rear spoiler options for the w221 models."
No. If I do anything, it will be to remove all the RENNtech kit and put the car back to stock form. I would have never put aftermarket parts on the car. I was looking for a low mileage example that is silver/black. This is the best example I could find and Driving Emotions had installed the RENNtech kit. Funny thing is, the price Driving Emotions were wanting to recoup their investment of the RENNtech almost killed the deal.
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Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Sep 2015
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From: Santa Clara, CA
MBZ
"Thanks again for sharing. I'm on the fence on whether or not I should buy the Renntech spoiler now (before I was certain I was getting it). I guess I'll decide when I see the pics of your bubbles."
No problem. Given the reputation of RENNtech I'm quite surprised at their lack of standing behind their products. Please find pictures below. One is the leading and the other is the trailing edge of the deck lid spoiler.
"Are you planning on replacing it with another manufacturer's spoiler? If so, let me know what you found. I haven't found many carbon fiber rear spoiler options for the w221 models."
No. If I do anything, it will be to remove all the RENNtech kit and put the car back to stock form. I would have never put aftermarket parts on the car. I was looking for a low mileage example that is silver/black. This is the best example I could find and Driving Emotions had installed the RENNtech kit. Funny thing is, the price Driving Emotions were wanting to recoup their investment of the RENNtech almost killed the deal.
No problem. Given the reputation of RENNtech I'm quite surprised at their lack of standing behind their products. Please find pictures below. One is the leading and the other is the trailing edge of the deck lid spoiler.
"Are you planning on replacing it with another manufacturer's spoiler? If so, let me know what you found. I haven't found many carbon fiber rear spoiler options for the w221 models."
No. If I do anything, it will be to remove all the RENNtech kit and put the car back to stock form. I would have never put aftermarket parts on the car. I was looking for a low mileage example that is silver/black. This is the best example I could find and Driving Emotions had installed the RENNtech kit. Funny thing is, the price Driving Emotions were wanting to recoup their investment of the RENNtech almost killed the deal.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
2011 S65
"Sorry to hear. If it is any help, we could repair the spoiler for you."
Hi Julie, thanks for your kind words and offer to help.
RENNtech advised as part of their response, to not remove the spoiler as it may damage the rear deck lid. Thoughts?
Thanks.
Hi Julie, thanks for your kind words and offer to help.
RENNtech advised as part of their response, to not remove the spoiler as it may damage the rear deck lid. Thoughts?
Thanks.
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 190
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From: Santa Clara, CA
MBZ
No worries, I completely understand how it is to be a consumer that is looking for a solution from the manufacturer. If the spoiler is mounted with high bonding double sided tape, then a professional body or repair shop should be able to remove it without any damage. Good luck!
