Corroding Alloys?

[sportedition]

While washing my 06 C220 CDi I've noticed small areas of bubbling on the alloys. The spots vary in size between just a few mm to about the size of a small finger nail. So far there are only about half a dozen across the two rear wheels. It only seems to be affecting the rear wheels at the moment.

I've mentioned it to the dealer who said the warranty guy will have to take some photos and speak to MB.

The warranty on the car runs out in the next few months. What do you guys reckon are the chances of getting the rear wheels replaced?

I must admit that I'm surprised to see them in this state when the car isn't yet 3 years old

I've attached some pics

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Most likely will be replaced as a gesture of goodwill - certainly plenty have been in the past - may not be quite so generous though these days.

 

[stats007]

The paint doesn't look original to me.

 

[sportedition]

Do you mean they look like they've been refurbished? They don't look like they have to me as they have the odd mark or scratch so I'd be surprised if the previous owner had done that.

What makes you think it doesn't look original?

 

[stats007]

The texture of the paint doesn't look OEM to me. Obviously hard to tell in just a photo.

No harm in putting in a claim though I wouldn't expect anything to come of it.

 

[sportedition]

Well I suppose time will tell. As you say it is hard to tell from the photo and they are VERY close up. I have no reason to believe that it isn't the original paint on the wheels.

 

[redspecial2000]

Funnily enough,

Ive just been down to the local MB dealer with exactly the same issue on my slightly older SLK.

My bubbling is occuring around one of the valves, and I pointed it out to the dealer while I was making a claim for some rust bubbles staring to appear on the inside wells of the boot.

I did say that wear and tear on alloys I can accept, but this is clearly a coating/paint issue at the valve. He took a picture and will submit it with the claim for the boot.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Lennie

 

[crockers]

I had bubbling on my fronts - dealer took photos - had a call back within hours - wheels replaced under warranty.

If those wheels are OEM and you car is in warranty - am amazed it hasn't been ok'd

 

[sportedition]

I've read that some people have had trouble if the wheels have been kerbed at all. One of my rears has slight kerbing and the other has none. Both are affected. Is this likely to complicate the issue?

 

[Steve_B]

I've read that some people have had trouble if the wheels have been kerbed at all. One of my rears has slight kerbing and the other has none. Both are affected. Is this likely to complicate the issue?

I agree, it helps if the wheels are otherwise unmarked. Picking up 4 new warranty replacements next Monday due to corrosion on all four originals around the badge. They all look like this and the dealer said, when I first raised it, that it was a 'given' that they'd be replaced under warranty.

 

[travelininstyle]

Funnily enough,

Ive just been down to the local MB dealer with exactly the same issue on my slightly older SLK.

My bubbling is occuring around one of the valves, and I pointed it out to the dealer while I was making a claim for some rust bubbles staring to appear on the inside wells of the boot.

I did say that wear and tear on alloys I can accept, but this is clearly a coating/paint issue at the valve. He took a picture and will submit it with the claim for the boot.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Lennie

Hi Lennie,

Ive submitted exactly the same complain on a 55 plate c class sports coupe - exactly the same place,on one wheel at the moment,but just around the valve - it will be interested to see the continuity of MB's response to this.

Travelininstyle

 

[crockers]

Hi Lennie,

Ive submitted exactly the same complain on a 55 plate c class sports coupe - exactly the same place,on one wheel at the moment,but just around the valve - it will be interested to see the continuity of MB's response to this.

Travelininstyle

My claim was for one wheel too -- but dealer had a look around and spotted the minutest bubble that I had missed on the second wheel so claim put in for that too...... MB Swindon are (IMHO) a good dealership...

 

[redspecial2000]

Well I phoned the dealer back today to try and chase this up- he said it's the MB bodyshop in Perth that has a look at the pictures and decides on the outcome. Ive asked him to chase it up again for me.

If nothing comes of it, Ive got a great bodyshop that Ive used before that did a stunning job on my ex's SLK and alloys.

I wish Id had my camera today- I saw the most faded yellow SLK Ive ever seen.This poor thing was in dire need of TLC, and I was sorely tempted to write, "Shame on you!" on a note and leave it under the wiper...

Lennie

 

[benzbender]

I wish Id had my camera today- I saw the most faded yellow SLK Ive ever seen.This poor thing was in dire need of TLC, and I was sorely tempted to write, "Shame on you!" on a note and leave it under the wiper...

Lennie[/quote]


Steady on sir!! you could be talking about my pride and joy here

Do any of you think that the application of that yuk Wonder Wheels has any influence on wheel deterioration?

 

[redspecial2000]

Not unless you have a long commute in the morning to Stirlingshire!

 

[sportedition]

Well, the car was at the dealers yesterday for a new check strap on the drivers door and they also replaced the bonnet badge as the blue had started fading down the left side.

The service chap there took some photos of the wheels as he said they'd have to seek MB approval before replacing them. He also used the photos that I've taken above so all being well I should hear something next week. He said he'd be in touch.

I'm hoping if they decide to replace them that they'll do all four (I doubt it though to be honest as its only affecting the rears at the moment). I'm a bit dubious about having three years old wheels on the front and new ones on the back. I suppose I can always pay for the fronts if they agree to replace the rears.

Anyway - I'll see what happens and let you know.

Have any of you had replies yet?

@ Crockers: Did they replace all four wheels or just the fronts?

 

[sportedition]

Heard back from the dealer today and Mercedes have authorised the replacement of the rear wheels. Luckily Euromerc have the fronts so I should have a complete new set by the end of next week (if all goes well)!

I've bought some of the official valve caps but the valves on the rear wheels seem very long as the caps don't reach the alloy once fitted like they do on the fronts. I thought valves would've been a fairly standard thing.

 

[redspecial2000]

Im still waiting for word back from MB... Ive chased them up already, but I think I will be doing the same again on Monday....

Well done on your result though!

Lennie:bannana:

 

[sportedition]

It was exactly a week between them taking the photos and the service guy calling me in my case.

 

[redspecial2000]

After losing patience again, I phoned the dealer back about the Alloy and the other rust spots. Dealer said that he had heard nothing back, so I asked for the number of the other dealership that needed to approve the repair. After a quick chat on the phone (resulting in me finding out that the dealer had passed on rubbish photos and the wrong licence plate and VIN number of the car), I decided it would be better taking the car the 1hr drive to the approval dealership....

Well, looks like I wont get the alloys done as the previous owner had some kind of magnetic attraction to kerbs...

However, he is going to check with MB about the rust spots in the boot, so new pics taken and off they went for approval. He did also notice a slight blemish in the paintwork that I had missed. Out came the paint depth gauge, which did indicate a slightly higher depth than expected, but he did say that if the car was re-sprayed then its the best re-spray he'd ever seen in his life...

We'll see what happens...