Alloy wheel corrosion out of warranty offered Mercedes goodwill??

[b92753]

Hi my cars out of warranty 2009 4 years old and I have some corrosion on my alloy wheels around the centre caps on 3 wheels.

New wheels cost around £580.00 each inc vat!

Mercedes have offered to replace the 3 wheels for brand new ones and want me to contribute 25% towards both rear wheels so around £300 and 75% towards one of the front wheels due to it having kerb damage.

What do you guys suggest I should go for it? One of the rear wheels is pretty bad but the opposite side very minor and the front am not to bothered because they have some kerb marks on there and was going to get them refurbished any way ?

Checked ebay and you can no way purchase a brand new wheel for £150. Kerbed ones are more than 150.

The other option I have is not to take Mercedes offer and get them all painted in black chrome which is a diamond cut like finish but painted for 317.00 for all four wheels.

What do you guys suggest?

 

[LTD]

Get them fully refurbed from a specialist.

 

[Alps]

id take the offer, as a refurb diamond cut finish will not last as long as a new wheel!

 

[b92753]

id take the offer, as a refurb diamond cut finish will not last as long as a new wheel!

Thanks for your replies!

I considered powder coating but won't do it because if the risks associated i.e heating the alloy over certain temps which can potentially cause the wheel to crack when stressed or is it a myth?

 

[grober]

£580 per wheel seems a mite steep a price to me unless they are AMG's or something ? What's the wheel part no?

 

[b92753]

£580 per wheel seems a mite steep a price to me unless they are AMG's or something ? What's the wheel part no?

Hi it's the 5 spoke amg alloy wheel 18" part number A2044014202

 

[LTD]

Hi it's the 5 spoke amg alloy wheel 18" part number A2044014202

Just under £500 each from alloywheelsdirect

 

[grober]

OK AMG 18" probably the right price from MB then.

 

[b92753]

Just under £500 each from alloywheelsdirect

Rear alloy wheels on alloywheel direct are £516
Still significantly cheaper for me having to pay around 140+ for each wheel

 

[billywhiz]

for £160 can get your 4 wheels refurbed.

( corrected price )

 

[Ierton]

Not to any decent standard you can't. Proper OEM (wet not powder finish) is nearer £400.

 

[b92753]

Not to any decent standard you can't. Proper OEM (wet not powder finish) is nearer £400.

Is powder coating decent??

 

[billywhiz]

The price I gave was for blast strip and powder coating back to oem colour.

 

[markjay]

To be fair, corrosion round the centre cap (I have it on one wheel) is usually due to careless removal of the cap with a screwdriver by incompetent tyre-fitters (that's what to happened to mine). So probably not entirely MB's fault. I think their offer is fair but personally I would have just refurb the wheels.

 

[Simon_M]

I think it is more due to the lacquer cracking when the wheel is mounted.

Was an article in AuoExpress about this recently.

S

 

[LTD]

Mmm....

Wonder why I've just been offered a 3yr package for my new car for rim and tyre cover ?

£325 for 3yrs and covers 10 rim refurbs and 5 tyre claims for damage/punctures.

Mmm....

 

[b92753]

I think it is more due to the lacquer cracking when the wheel is mounted.

Was an article in AuoExpress about this recently.

S

I totally agree. It's probably a common problem hence Mercedes are willing to contribute 75% of the replacement cost.

 

[b92753]

Mmm....

Wonder why I've just been offered a 3yr package for my new car for rim and tyre cover ?

£325 for 3yrs and covers 10 rim refurbs and 5 tyre claims for damage.

Mmm....

Diamond cut alloys are notoriously know for lacquer peel and corrosion. Basically the alloy is machine polished and lacquered. And say if you get a small chip in the finish then over time water would seep in and eventually corode the whole face of the alloy. Diamond cut finishes are asthetically pleasing but not very durable in comparison to a painted finish or powder coated.

 

[Ierton]

Is powder coating decent??

It's a cheap and durable solution to repairing wheels. The finish isn't as good as the original wet paint finish.

 

[johnfromstaffs]

I would be quite concerned about using any process that involves heating alloy wheels that is not under control of someone with the appropriate knowledge. It would be possible that the wheel, while looking nicer for a while, would not meet its original specification after an incorrect heating and cooling cycle. Looks to me like a good reason for accepting the MB offer of new wheels at a slightly more advantageous price and trying to maintain them in as new condition.