Mercedes owners obsession with OEM+ Wheels?

[Flash]

why buy such a lovely car that already comes beatufily equipped and then spoil it buy putting some aftermarket alloy wheels on it

Thing is "after market" alloys wheels are also classed as "replicas" and look identical/similar to some OEM designs and do not necessarily spoil the car and have MB centre caps and do look like the OEMs. Only give away are the AMGs wheels as they are not stamped/imprinted with AMG on the finish.

In the example pic below the alloy wheel is a "after market" replica of the AMG IV design (2 piece) and looks almost identical to the OEM wheel.

 

[andy_cyp]

Im all in for a bit of subtle modding personally, as some already know ive spent a fortune modding my C32 but the thing is that you cant really tell what it is exactly what ive done.

To me thats the beauty of it.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Im all in for a bit of subtle modding personally, as some already know ive spent a fortune modding my C32 but the thing is that you cant really tell what it is exactly what ive done.

To me thats the beauty of it.

Andy's car is definitely subtle, and definitely beautiful!!

 

[andy_cyp]

Andy's car is definitely subtle, and definitely beautiful!!

Muchas gracias, and ditto.

 

[levi's pram]

I dont think this has anything to do with cars. Its all about culture. The British seem to be very cultured and find it hard to express themselves, especially in a brash loud (USA), individual artisitic (European) or plain different (rest of the world).

You would be surprised at the lack of variety in alloy wheels in high street UK car shops. Specialists will bring you catalogues from the USA and European stuff, well, good luck in actually finding those on a British owned car.

Shame really, coz there are some really wicked looking cars from Europe. flickr.com will confirm!

 

[Roger Jones]

I've rarely seen an MB that looks better on aftermarket wheels than on OEMs. Good car deisgners -- MB has had some of the best in the past, notably Bruno Sacco -- are passionate about the overall inetrgity of a design, and that includes the wheels. It's but one of the subtle details that make a car look right.

 

[trando]

imo - they all look horrendous. Stick with original MB wheels.

 

[verytalldave]

Mercedes are cars which do not need or benefit from extra embellishment unlike most other marques.
I have yet to see an owner modified Mercedes which looks better than original IMHO.
But thats just me and that is not to detract from those on this forum who do a spot of modding and tweaking.
Its all only a matter of personal taste.

 

[Mark300SL]

Did no-one else spot the 2006 thread revival ?

 

[tudu]

Not to put a dampner on this thread but i really don't like those blingy look wheels apart from the polished BBS.

As to forum members removing the 'rear star' i have done just that and the thumbnails below will testify on both my Kleemann C200k Sport and C55, just a matter of removing 2 bolts from inside the boot lid no bodywork involved.

As to wheels - they are a matter of personal choice, and i for one have probably changed the wheels on my cars more often than others going through Mandrus Millenium - Mandrus reganmeister etc all going from stock to being painted gloss black - my personal taste but respect that others people's opinions might be different.

I have now gone back to AMG because they just look right on MB's, having said that again they are not standard but been tastefully done in black chrome with a nice silver finish (thanks to stats), not to everyones taste but i like them. I suppose what i am trying to say is that you can have OEM wheels and change them to suit the style of your car without going OTT.

I am very satisfied with the mods done on my car - Bilstein coilovers (thanks to Ollie PCS), and CLK 63 AMG BS front brakes with SLK 55 brakes rear are major modifcations to my vehicle as might be the fitting of a Kleemann supercharger.

As many have said the subtle mods are sometimes the best, but having the shiniest and blingiest set of wheels is not my idea of modding as your car is more likely to come under attack from jealous yobs. However, what i do agree is that some split rim wheels are very nice BBS, H&R to name a few but they have to suit the particular vehicle they are going on.

Anyway's here's some pics of the mods (dare i call them so) that i have accomplished on my 2 MB's.

 

[cl55 amg]

I don't think there is anything wrong with aftermarket alloys etc.. as long as there not chrome and spin!!!

 

[glojo]

I like the AMG's the best

 

[unitfreebie]

"Its all about culture. The British seem to be very cultured and find it hard to express themselves, especially in a brash loud (USA), individual artisitic (European) or plain different (rest of the world). "...

Do you mean this is LOUD????

 

[stevesey]

Do you mean this is LOUD????

Certainly not cultured or artistic.

 

[lynall]

One word to describe all of the pictured chrome bling wheels ****e



Lynall

 

[Pringles]

I do admire some modified cars but I have to admit the ones that I never fail to stop and look at are the really well maintained factory standard cars. I have seen some of the most appalling after market wheels fitted to otherwise great Mercs in the US. They always look like a Hawaiian shirt worn with a dinner jacket to me!

 

[BlackC55]

Whats is the general verdict on my wheels on the 210?

It nees to be lowered though.(alot)

 

[BaldGuy]

i like it....needs a Bilstein kit though..... either that or a fat bloke!!! so you should be ok....

 

[BlackC55]

Cheeky git.

Grow some hair!

 

[lynall]

Need a bigger pic i have never seen a w210 in that colour, around here they are all silver, the odd purple/blue one and thats it, oh yes and a brown/red one i have seen in the medway towns a few times also a nice unusual colour.



Lynall