Cracked rear AMG wheel, what to do?

[callahan]

Afternoon Gents

I've had a (actually quite quick) slow puncture on my offside rear wheel for a few months now that I just keep pumping up, but we'll be doing a few miles over Christmas and I thought I'd better get it re-fitted - the tyres were done in the Autumn and it's been a problem since then.

Anyway, tyre place today found a crack on the inside of the wheel and MB have quoted me £317 for the part alone

So, does anyone have any idea where I can get hold of one in time for fitting before Christmas, or should I just bite the bullet and shell out for a new one?

Thanks for any help, it's a C36 on 17s.

 

[d w124]

MERCEDES AMG Alloy Wheel on eBay (end time 18-Dec-09 15:52:08 GMT)

 

[Alps]

if you miss that one they come up often on ebay.

 

[d w124]

if you miss that one they come up often on ebay.

Why would he miss it,he can buy now.He can also tell mercedes that can buy a set for that money

 

[callahan]

MERCEDES AMG Alloy Wheel on eBay (end time 18-Dec-09 15:52:08 GMT)

That's a front wheel, isn't it? Aren't the rears 8.5j?

 

[callahan]

Full set here of more modern ones, would they work?

MERCEDES BENZ AMG 17" ALLOYS WHEELS X 4 GENUINE on eBay (end time 20-Dec-09 17:55:00 GMT)

 

[Howard]

Yep , should do ..... doubt you'll get them for less than £250 though , they are quite sought after.

Single wheels turn up on Ebay all the time .

As you say though , the rears are staggered , that one linked is a front wheel.

 

[khimani_mohiki]

get it welded, local welders do alloys all the time. not huge money either, it will probably cost you more to get the tyre removed and re-mounted than the welding. Have a look on yellow pages.

 

[callahan]

There's a full set at Dronsfields too: MERCEDES C-CLASS W202 "17" AMG flat face alloy wheels on eBay (end time 16-Dec-09 13:50:44 GMT)

Welding, is that a good idea?

 

[d w124]

Did the c36 come with staggered?!!I though was only the e55 that had them alloys wider at the rear

 

[callahan]

No, mine are staggered and pretty cool they look too.

Until they crack, that is.

 

[d w124]

There's a full set at Dronsfields too: MERCEDES C-CLASS W202 "17" AMG flat face alloy wheels on eBay (end time 16-Dec-09 13:50:44 GMT)

Welding, is that a good idea?

This ones don`t look staggered

 

[Gridlock]

C43 is 20mm wider at the rear too.

 

[callahan]

This ones don`t look staggered

Good point, I'll ask the question.

 

[Shude]

Did the c36 come with staggered?!!I though was only the e55 that had them alloys wider at the rear

Most models had at least wider rear tyres as an option, a lot had wider rear wheels (and tyres) as an option too.

One of my previous W202s had wider rear tyres from the factory but also the 16" sport rim is available in two widths for this very reason.

 

[callahan]

Any thoughts on welding the broken one? It could save me a lot of cash that I've already spent on Christmas presents!!

 

[Howard]

Speak to these guys.

BJV Engineering - Alloy Wheel Refurbishing

 

[lxi]

Any thoughts on welding the broken one? It could save me a lot of cash that I've already spent on Christmas presents!!

Personally, I wouldn't go within 100 miles of that option - if it's cracked, it's weakened, so weld the bit you can see then the next bit cracks - the only way to tell would be to x-ray & that won't happen. Also, welding would probably make it very difficult to balance.

Fully sympathetic re cost but it is literally your life at stake

 

[Shude]

It was suggested that a weakness in the wheel contributed towards my recent incident, here's a pic of the suspect wheel:

You don't want the rim to detach itself from the hub and spokes while driving I can assure you. If it were me I'd buy a replacement wheel although there is little to guarantee that it would be free from fractures or weakenesses unless bought new from MB or another supplier.

 

[Howard]

Personally, I wouldn't go within 100 miles of that option - if it's cracked, it's weakened, so weld the bit you can see then the next bit cracks - the only way to tell would be to x-ray & that won't happen. Also, welding would probably make it very difficult to balance.

Been lots of discussions on this before , welding would effectively just fill the crack ( as the blurb on the companies website says ) , you are filling it with metal , it'll be no different to balance than before as any excess will be ground away.

I guess if it was that dangerous , then companies wouldn't do it ?