Are all new AMG Mercedes wheels diamond cut?

[CMJohn]

Went to get a quote for a single alloy refurbishment the other day, for it to be re-powder coated. Wheel is a 19" AMG from a 2016 CLS.

The guy said that these wheels must have already been refurbished, as they all come out of the factory diamond cut. It's perfectly possible, as the car was 4 years old when I bought it, so could have been done by the dealer I purchased from.

However is it true this true? I've looked in the brochures and it's hard to tell from the pictures if they're all painted or diamond cut. If it's true, when did this trend start?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Went to get a quote for a single alloy refurbishment the other day, for it to be re-powder coated. Wheel is a 19" AMG from a 2016 CLS.

The guy said that these wheels must have already been refurbished, as they all come out of the factory diamond cut. It's perfectly possible, as the car was 4 years old when I bought it, so could have been done by the dealer I purchased from.

However is it true this true? I've looked in the brochures and it's hard to tell from the pictures if they're all painted or diamond cut. If it's true, when did this trend start?

Without seeing the wheel I couldn’t say however powder coating diamond cut wheels is popular for a variety of reasons including:

• It’s much less expensive
• The finish is much more durable
• It’s the last resort if no more material can be cut due to deep damage and/or repeated diamond cut returns.

 

[CMJohn]

Without seeing the wheel I couldn’t say however powder coating diamond cut wheels is popular for a variety of reasons including:

• It’s much less expensive
• The finish is much more durable
• It’s the last resort if no more material can be cut due to deep damage and/or repeated diamond cut returns.

Yeah, that's partly why I'm asking. Diamond cut looks nice, but from what I hear they need refurbing after a couple years... Seems a strange decision if that's the default manufacturer option?

 

[CMJohn]

It's one of these wheels - 19 inch AMG Turbine - were these ever available from the factory painted, or were they all always diamond cut?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Yeah, that's partly why I'm asking. Diamond cut looks nice, but from what I hear they need refurbing after a couple years... Seems a strange decision if that's the default manufacturer option?

It really does depend upon how well you look after the wheels and how well finished they were. On average mine last much more than 5 years between refurbs.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

It's one of these wheels - 19 inch AMG Turbine - were these ever available from the factory painted, or were they all always diamond cut?

I don’t believe there was a painted or powder coated option from the factory, but I could be wrong. Looking online it seems you might pick up a new set for the ball park similar cost to a quality diamond cut refurb.

 

[CMJohn]

It really does depend upon how well you look after the wheels and how well finished they were. On average mine last much more than 5 years between refurbs.

What's the best way to ensure the finish lasts? I am running 18s now that I think are diamond cut.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

What's the best way to ensure the finish lasts? I am running 18s now that I think are diamond cut.

Avoid kerbs, roads with loose surfaces, and use a quality refurb specialist. Whereabouts are you?

 

[CMJohn]

Avoid kerbs, roads with loose surfaces, and use a quality refurb specialist. Whereabouts are you?

Wolverhampton. Just deciding whether to refurb the 19s or sell them as they are now.

Was wondering about selling them individually as 2 of the 4 have welds, but I guess that wouldn't work if they're painted and everyone else needs a single wheel to be diamond cut to match. I'll probably sell as a set then.

Was just generally interested to know about whether they all come diamond cut or not. I didn't know anything about diamond cut wheels until recently, my previous car had hub caps!

 

[ALFAitalia]

Diamond cut wheels a UK weather do not a good combo make. Some people get lucky and they last a few years.... especially if they are on fair weather cars..... but the fact of the matter is the the clear lacquer that they use over diamond cut wheels cannot bond to the metal as well as paint or powder coat....so the slightest chip in it (no kerbing required) mean that moisture can get between the clear and the metal and start corrosion..... interesting fact....the proper name for the white oxide worms of corrosion under the clear coat is filiform corrosion. Powder coat is better....but needs to be done by coaters that specialise in wheels... or it can be too hard and ne easily chipped by stones or when changing tyres. Personally I avoid D.C finished wheels if I can.... and when (not if) they start to corrode get them painted rather than powder coated.

 

[CMJohn]

Diamond cut wheels a UK weather do not a good combo make. Some people get lucky and they last a few years.... especially if they are on fair weather cars..... but the fact of the matter is the the clear lacquer that they use over diamond cut wheels cannot bond to the metal as well as paint or powder coat....so the slightest chip in it (no kerbing required) mean that moisture can get between the clear and the metal and start corrosion..... interesting fact....the proper name for the white oxide worms of corrosion under the clear coat is filiform corrosion. Powder coat is better....but needs to be done by coaters that specialise in wheels... or it can be too hard and ne easily chipped by stones or when changing tyres. Personally I avoid D.C finished wheels if I can.... and when (not if) they start to corrode get them painted rather than powder coated.

So there is no additional protective coat i can keep applying to the wheels to protect them? I guess if the damage is due to impact, probably not...

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

So there is no additional protective coat i can keep applying to the wheels to protect them? I guess if the damage is due to impact, probably not...

I have my wheels ceramic coated which helps to keep them easy to clean, but doesn’t offer any impact protection.

I believe that it would still be worthwhile though and the wheel refurbisher may offer this service whilst they’re fresh.

The cost/time associated with doing it any other time is in thoroughly cleaning the wheels before application of the coating.

If the wheels are freshly refurbished the applying the ceramic coating is quick and easy, and therefore not too expensive.

 

[Petrol Pete]

No . not all AMG cars come with diamond cut alloys . Is your car an AMG or AMG 'line' ?

 

[CMJohn]

No . not all AMG cars come with diamond cut alloys . Is your car an AMG or AMG 'line' ?

Just AMG Line.

When I got the car 2nd hand the wheels were painted, and the refurber says all wheels like this were originally diamond cut, whereas I was wondering if there was a point in time when this wasn't true - i.e. before 2018 they were all painted or something and diamond cut as standard only something that happened more recently?

 

[ALFAitalia]

Loads you see for sale on Ebay or Autotrader that were originally diamond cut or two colour end up blown over in silver....even main dealers....its buy far the cheapest option for them, especially if you are only getting it done to sell......and its the finish that will probably last longest. It will never be "right" for the "originality is everything" type buyer though.

 

[rf065]

Just AMG Line.

When I got the car 2nd hand the wheels were painted, and the refurber says all wheels like this were originally diamond cut, whereas I was wondering if there was a point in time when this wasn't true - i.e. before 2018 they were all painted or something and diamond cut as standard only something that happened more recently?

My 2016 C Class & 2017 SLC both have these same wheels, both were diamond cut from new and always have been as far as I'm aware.

 

[chyperie]

I think that they are definitely diamond cut!