2 cracked alloys and 6 damaged tyres in 15 months
Discussion
Took delivery of an E class with 20" Amg alloys last April and after 30,000 mostly motorway miles i've had to replace 2 cracked alloys and 6 runflats at my own expense due to pot hole damage.
Unbelievably neither the dealership or Mercedes Complaints were willing to offer any help other than 10% discount for a new set of standard alloys. Ive tried to explain, because of the conditions of the British roads, the alloys simply aren't fit for purpose.
Can anyone suggest what my next step should be? In my moment of anger, I threatened to go to the press but now I've calmed down,would rather they contributed towards the £3500 I've had to fork out in the last 15 months.
Unbelievably neither the dealership or Mercedes Complaints were willing to offer any help other than 10% discount for a new set of standard alloys. Ive tried to explain, because of the conditions of the British roads, the alloys simply aren't fit for purpose.
Can anyone suggest what my next step should be? In my moment of anger, I threatened to go to the press but now I've calmed down,would rather they contributed towards the £3500 I've had to fork out in the last 15 months.
I had a BMW 330d M Sport a few years ago, and it had the same problem with cracking wheels and run flats.
There was quite a famous thread in some BMW forum with literally hundreds of owners with the same problem. Some people wrote to BMW and only got ridiculous replies from them, stating they had wrote their letters to the wrong subsidiary etc. Not helpful.
After attempting to weld my wheels and them eventually failing again, I bought the same wheels (non-cracked) off eBay, but ditched the run flats.
Didn’t have a problem since for 2 years and sold the car in 2016. Run flats are the Devil.
It’s amazing how much smoother the roads are when you have normal tyres fitted.
There was quite a famous thread in some BMW forum with literally hundreds of owners with the same problem. Some people wrote to BMW and only got ridiculous replies from them, stating they had wrote their letters to the wrong subsidiary etc. Not helpful.
After attempting to weld my wheels and them eventually failing again, I bought the same wheels (non-cracked) off eBay, but ditched the run flats.
Didn’t have a problem since for 2 years and sold the car in 2016. Run flats are the Devil.
It’s amazing how much smoother the roads are when you have normal tyres fitted.
KungFuPanda said:
It’s the roads that aren’t fit for purpose not the wheels.
The UK retail arm of the mfrs know full well what UK roads are like. But their marketing departments insist on pushing oversized alloys so as to make more money.I'd say the mfrs DO have a responsibility, quite frankly.
(And yes, the councils and HA have arguably greater responsibility)
I suggest the issues you're having are perhaps nothing to do with Mercedes. First of all, it's up to the driver to actively scan the road surface and avoid driving through potholes and oven sunken manhole covers, which not only knackers your own suspension and wheels but knackers the pothole even more for the next driver to hit it. Remember where potholes are and avoid them, if it's impossible to avoid then simply slow down to a speed that won't cause damage, in some cases this may be a fast jogging pace. Secondly when you inevitably hit a pothole because, well we're all human and new potholes open up, 20" wheels ain't doing you any favours. Drop the size a few inches, get something with a half decent sidewall. If the car is a heavy great SUV on rubber band tyres, my sympathy is severely limited.
Potholes are a pain but it's not Mercedes' fault, report the potholes to your local council instead.
Potholes are a pain but it's not Mercedes' fault, report the potholes to your local council instead.
Nickyboy said:
As said, why would Mercedes pay?
You've managed to hit the potholes and damage the wheels/tyres, i've managed 20 years driving without damaging either so how on earth have you managed 6 tyres and 2 wheels in barely a year?
The potholes are unavoidable especially when the roads are busy. I now find myself looking out for potholes instead of the road ahead its that much of a problem. Never had a problem before and am a steady driver. Like I said, I don't think the wheels are fit for purpose for the UK. They may be fine in GermanyYou've managed to hit the potholes and damage the wheels/tyres, i've managed 20 years driving without damaging either so how on earth have you managed 6 tyres and 2 wheels in barely a year?
Not sure what the technical term is, but the tyres bulge out at the sides and its not always obvious when the damage has happened.
Its a lease car so presumably I can't just change the alloys and why should I at my expense after paying extra for the privilege ?
Am really surprised Mercedes aren't offering any suggestions when clearly theres a problem
Its a lease car so presumably I can't just change the alloys and why should I at my expense after paying extra for the privilege ?
Am really surprised Mercedes aren't offering any suggestions when clearly theres a problem
Edited by keelbyfish on Wednesday 18th July 22:50
TooMany2cvs said:
Given the vast majority of cars and drivers manage to negotiate the exact same roads without problem...
Some wheels are simply not fit for purpose. The problem lies in proving this.I had an X-type that ate an entire set of 18" rims over just a couple of years. Never had a problem with any other car on exactly the same roads. I changed the rims to a different style, end of problem....
havoc said:
The UK retail arm of the mfrs know full well what UK roads are like. But their marketing departments insist on pushing oversized alloys so as to make more money.
I'd say the mfrs DO have a responsibility, quite frankly.
(And yes, the councils and HA have arguably greater responsibility)
Manufacturers sell what the public demand, and the public demand huge wheels that are totally impractical. I would not entertain low-profile tyres given the road quality where I live, but many do and inevitably you see their wheels mashed to buggery (if you can see past the encrusted brake dust). That said, if nobody complained about damaged wheels the council would be even less inclined to do anything!I'd say the mfrs DO have a responsibility, quite frankly.
(And yes, the councils and HA have arguably greater responsibility)
Edited by foxbody-87 on Wednesday 18th July 22:59
keelbyfish said:
Can anyone suggest what my next step should be? In my moment of anger, I threatened to go to the press but now I've calmed down,would rather they contributed towards the £3500 I've had to fork out in the last 15 months.
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