2 cracked alloys and 6 damaged tyres in 15 months
Discussion
bobbo89 said:
HustleRussell said:
Specifying 20” wheels on a car which you are going to punt up and down the motorway for 40,000 miles a year is like buying a pair of Brogues and going out delivering mail in them.
Exactly what I was thinking, if I was doing that mileage for work i'd want 16's and balloon tyres! What you are all (I suspect deliberately) ignoring is that one set of wheels (OEM) can be a lot less robust than another set in exactly the same size (after market). This isn't hearsay, it's well documented time and time again and this is where the problem lies, not with the OP's choice of wheel size.
Quite aside from all that though the 'surprise' at the OP choosing these wheels assumes that they have a good knowledge of wheels and tyres etc. ... why should they? Mercedes have a duty of care to offer equipment that will function correctly and if there is a general acceptance that these wheels will buckle or crack in normal use (as many of you seem to be implying) they need to state that when they are specified.
cb1965 said:
Mercedes have a duty of care to offer equipment that will function correctly and if there is a general acceptance that these wheels will buckle or crack in normal use (as many of you seem to be implying) they need to state that when they are specified.
I wonder how many cars have been sold with these rims on - and how many rims have failed.cb1965 said:
No offence chaps, but what you want has no bearing on whether what the OP wants and bought should be fit for purpose. I am sure you are happy with your choice of wheels and tyres, but just because it is different to that of the OP does not mean it is the only choice.
What you are all (I suspect deliberately) ignoring is that one set of wheels (OEM) can be a lot less robust than another set in exactly the same size (after market). This isn't hearsay, it's well documented time and time again and this is where the problem lies, not with the OP's choice of wheel size.
Quite aside from all that though the 'surprise' at the OP choosing these wheels assumes that they have a good knowledge of wheels and tyres etc. ... why should they? Mercedes have a duty of care to offer equipment that will function correctly and if there is a general acceptance that these wheels will buckle or crack in normal use (as many of you seem to be implying) they need to state that when they are specified.
I own a Fiesta ST with pretty low profile tyres and wheels that are well known of being made of monkey metal (as all Ford wheels are). As I only have a 3 mile commute on roads i know like the back of my hand it doesnt cause me any issues but i woulndt want to be doing big miles in it on varied roads, especially through winter! What you are all (I suspect deliberately) ignoring is that one set of wheels (OEM) can be a lot less robust than another set in exactly the same size (after market). This isn't hearsay, it's well documented time and time again and this is where the problem lies, not with the OP's choice of wheel size.
Quite aside from all that though the 'surprise' at the OP choosing these wheels assumes that they have a good knowledge of wheels and tyres etc. ... why should they? Mercedes have a duty of care to offer equipment that will function correctly and if there is a general acceptance that these wheels will buckle or crack in normal use (as many of you seem to be implying) they need to state that when they are specified.
Is there not some responsibility on the customer to buy and specify a car that is fit for their purpose and for what they will be using it for?
TooMany2cvs said:
I wonder how many cars have been sold with these rims on - and how many rims have failed.
I was wandering that. £595 does seem a cheap optional extra for MB. Maybe they realise there's a good chance they'll be selling replacements and tyres in the future.like Ive stated previously, Im not really a car enthusiast and was honestly unaware there might be a problem with the mileage I do having previously had low profile tyres without a single problem.
In an ideal world the salesman might have mentioned the wheels could be problematic for the amount of mileage I do.
Edited by keelbyfish on Friday 20th July 08:18
bobbo89 said:
cb1965 said:
No offence chaps, but what you want has no bearing on whether what the OP wants and bought should be fit for purpose. I am sure you are happy with your choice of wheels and tyres, but just because it is different to that of the OP does not mean it is the only choice.
What you are all (I suspect deliberately) ignoring is that one set of wheels (OEM) can be a lot less robust than another set in exactly the same size (after market). This isn't hearsay, it's well documented time and time again and this is where the problem lies, not with the OP's choice of wheel size.
Quite aside from all that though the 'surprise' at the OP choosing these wheels assumes that they have a good knowledge of wheels and tyres etc. ... why should they? Mercedes have a duty of care to offer equipment that will function correctly and if there is a general acceptance that these wheels will buckle or crack in normal use (as many of you seem to be implying) they need to state that when they are specified.
I own a Fiesta ST with pretty low profile tyres and wheels that are well known of being made of monkey metal (as all Ford wheels are). As I only have a 3 mile commute on roads i know like the back of my hand it doesnt cause me any issues but i woulndt want to be doing big miles in it on varied roads, especially through winter! What you are all (I suspect deliberately) ignoring is that one set of wheels (OEM) can be a lot less robust than another set in exactly the same size (after market). This isn't hearsay, it's well documented time and time again and this is where the problem lies, not with the OP's choice of wheel size.
Quite aside from all that though the 'surprise' at the OP choosing these wheels assumes that they have a good knowledge of wheels and tyres etc. ... why should they? Mercedes have a duty of care to offer equipment that will function correctly and if there is a general acceptance that these wheels will buckle or crack in normal use (as many of you seem to be implying) they need to state that when they are specified.
Is there not some responsibility on the customer to buy and specify a car that is fit for their purpose and for what they will be using it for?
Search the Merc forums if you wish, this is a recurring issue. I damaged two AMG IVs without hitting any, what I would call, major potholes.... my car is mollycoddled beyond belief and yet I still bent two wheels. BBS wheels on and 4 years later still as good as new.
I cant emphasise enough, I don't deliberately drive over pot holes and I don't tailgate. The tyre damage just appears and is not obvious where the pot hole was.
The latest cracked alloy happened on a roundabout coming off a motorway slip road, on an 'expansion joint'. It was impossible to avoid because there was an articulated lorry in the other lane and if I swerved I would have had an accident. There was an almighty crash as I went over. I pulled over to check for damage but there was nothing obvious until the next morning when I had a flat tyre. the garaged described my alloy as like being a 50p coin. I have notified the council and am attempting to claim.
The latest cracked alloy happened on a roundabout coming off a motorway slip road, on an 'expansion joint'. It was impossible to avoid because there was an articulated lorry in the other lane and if I swerved I would have had an accident. There was an almighty crash as I went over. I pulled over to check for damage but there was nothing obvious until the next morning when I had a flat tyre. the garaged described my alloy as like being a 50p coin. I have notified the council and am attempting to claim.
swerni said:
E36Ross said:
Don't get the obsession with big wheels/rubber band tyres.
My car is on 195/45R16 and that's a pain to drive but I can't change size so I live with it, You do feel every bump though and do p
s off some people when you drive that bit slower on a stty road. Can't image driving a 30 or 35 profile.
My daily is on 195/70R15 and is a joy to drive, barely feel any little bumps.
Is the Merc really an AMG, Why not fit on a set of 18" with bigger tyres to match?
My daily has 265/45/R21 and it’s a joy to drive, My car is on 195/45R16 and that's a pain to drive but I can't change size so I live with it, You do feel every bump though and do p
s off some people when you drive that bit slower on a stty road. Can't image driving a 30 or 35 profile.My daily is on 195/70R15 and is a joy to drive, barely feel any little bumps.
Is the Merc really an AMG, Why not fit on a set of 18" with bigger tyres to match?
Admittedly, I do try and drive round potholes and not over them.
My Mercedes needs a wash and doesn't look its best. Im going to go to the dealership and complain. Id expect a premium brand car to look like a premium brand car and for it to collect dirt and grime in the fashion that it does to me is unacceptable.
I demand satisfaction, compensation and free valeting for life. The car isnt fit for purpose and obviously has design flaws.
I demand satisfaction, compensation and free valeting for life. The car isnt fit for purpose and obviously has design flaws.
cb1965 said:
No offence chaps, but what you want has no bearing on whether what the OP wants and bought should be fit for purpose.
With respect, you mentioning repeatedly 'fit for purpose' doesn't have any bearing on things either. Nothing you mention - US drivers on forums changing to aftermarket wheels, asking refurbishers what they repair, that, presumably forged, BBSs are stronger than OEM cast wheels - points to something being not fit for purpose. Fit for purpose doesn't mean there will never be any failure, ever.
keelbyfish said:
I was wandering that. £595 does seem a cheap optional extra for MB.
Well, hold on. They're £595 in place of the standard-for-AMG-or-AMG-line 19".And they'll be a big step up from vanilla 17" if you order them as an option on non-AMG-line, and monumentally expensive if you order them over the counter as a new set of rims+rubber...
But, of course, 2 x rims + 6 x tyres for £3,500 over a year and a snidge means you know that already...
Not much help but you may be interested in this...
https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2017/mercedes-b...
...and https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/more-cracked-w...
https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/anyone-had-gen...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
...in fact just google 20" AMG cracked rim.
https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2017/mercedes-b...
...and https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/more-cracked-w...
https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/anyone-had-gen...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
...in fact just google 20" AMG cracked rim.
silentbrown said:
Not much help but you may be interested in this...
https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2017/mercedes-b...
...and https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/more-cracked-w...
https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/anyone-had-gen...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
...in fact just google 20" AMG cracked rim.
No. it's all a conspiracy I tell you. They're fit for purpose, someone with 12" alloys on a Fiesta on PH said so https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2017/mercedes-b...
...and https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/more-cracked-w...
https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/anyone-had-gen...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
...in fact just google 20" AMG cracked rim.
silentbrown said:
Not much help but you may be interested in this...
https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2017/mercedes-b...
...and https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/more-cracked-w...
https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/anyone-had-gen...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
...in fact just google 20" AMG cracked rim.
Seems I’m not the only one driving with my eyes shut!! Thanks for that, but I’m resigned to the fact I’ve been stitched uphttps://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2017/mercedes-b...
...and https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/more-cracked-w...
https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/anyone-had-gen...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
...in fact just google 20" AMG cracked rim.
swerni said:
cb1965 said:
silentbrown said:
Not much help but you may be interested in this...
https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2017/mercedes-b...
...and https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/more-cracked-w...
https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/anyone-had-gen...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
...in fact just google 20" AMG cracked rim.
No. it's all a conspiracy I tell you. They're fit for purpose, someone with 12" alloys on a Fiesta on PH said so https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2017/mercedes-b...
...and https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/more-cracked-w...
https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/anyone-had-gen...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
...in fact just google 20" AMG cracked rim.
I suspect I may have upset a few MB fanboys by daring to suggest their beloved brand might not be quite what they they like to think.
Edited by keelbyfish on Saturday 21st July 08:09
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff