Mercedes owners obsession with OEM+ Wheels?

[N/B]

Interesting thread.
I think there is definitely something refreshing about seeing a Mercedes rolling the right set of BBS or OZ wheels, and tbh most original Mercedes rims are waaaay too heavy for track/race usage, so it's logical to look elsewhere if you're doing trackdays.

I too have only ever had 'OEM+' wheels on my 190E, but David I'd like to know if you think I'm following the herd here;

Mercedes-Benz 'Toliman' 16x7J ET37
Forged 1-piece construction
Manufactured by FUCHS
Weight (without tyre) : 6.27kg

The previous 16x8J R129 / Evo-1 rims, which I absolutely adored and know actually look better, weighed in at an astonishing 9.5kg each and were totally killing the steering feel.

For the record, some of my favourite wheel designs of all time are original Mercedes-Benz;
AMG Aero-1
Evo-II (manufactured by Speedlne)
Though at some point, I would really like to put a set of Compomotive TH Monos onto a W201.

Tbh I think the original post on this site was more representative of Scottsdale than Southall.
If you want to look like a spoilt American College Kid, buy some 'designer' 19s.
I see the same looks trawling Edgware Road of a Friday night, 25-year-old kids in highly polished (but scuffed and dented) W220s with the 'S280' badges removed.
Not my thing, I'm not looking to start my own nightclub.

If I'm gonna divert from OE, it's motorsport all the way, baby!

 

[V12]

"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????

I think i just threw up...

I like seeing other peoples individuality, makes me feel better about myself

 

[NuisanceValue]

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.

I agree with this, hence why there are so few marques that I think after market wheels look right on. Generally, the higher end auto maker, i.e. Mercedes, Ferrari, Aston, Maserati, Porsche etc, all produce or commision wheels that suit the vehicles they're going on and are designed to work cohesively. Note Campagnola alloys on a Muira or Espada, or Aston's DB7 Vantage wheels (still my all time favourites) and think of any other wheel that would suit it better? Likewise many Mercedes designs, and indeed most manufacturers. I think this can also be applied to trackday, race and rally wheels, which are designed to do a more specific task, as is the whole car.

I prefer either originality or the opposite extreme of full on customised and hot rodded cars, which due to their outlandishness share more in common with after market wheels which I feel are more appropriate. Putting bling wheels on a 'standard' car seems a bit 'cheap suit, big medallion'

It's all personal taste of course, which is why the manufacturers offer different styles within a cars range, though the design integrity is still upheld, even with official tuners such as AMG or Alpina, but I think that's why Mercedes owners do seem more likely to keep them original or certainly in the UK at least.

 

[wxmclk]

All of those wheels are hideous IMO. Some people just prefer to be subtle I suppose.

I agree with you.Would say they look cheap and nasty, but suppose this rubbish isn't really that cheap.
Merc wheels (including AMG rims) say taste- those just say brash and tacky!

 

[N/B]

There are some pretty bland and/or horrid MB rims out there, it has to be said.
Ruchas for example, and those god-awful 5-slot rims they put on the R129 near the end of production. Looked like they weighed more than the car, which is some feat.

Not to mention these horrors;

Now for something a bit more adventurous;

 

[timskemp]

I quite like the ones on mnie, but they're corroding like mad so need to replace I think... Will consider it when I next need tyres! Is the consensus that those of us with comfort suspension should stick with 16s or would a staggered 18 setup look OK...

 

[Jukie]

Now for something a bit more adventurous;

Nice

 

[Jukie]

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

It nees to be lowered though.(alot)

Looks good though I agree a bigger photo would be good. Great colour - what is it?

 

[A170 Blue]

Interesting thread.
I think there is definitely something refreshing about seeing a Mercedes rolling the right set of BBS or OZ wheels, and tbh most original Mercedes rims are waaaay too heavy for track/race usage, so it's logical to look elsewhere if you're doing trackdays.

I too have only ever had 'OEM+' wheels on my 190E, but David I'd like to know if you think I'm following the herd here;

Mercedes-Benz 'Toliman' 16x7J ET37
Forged 1-piece construction
Manufactured by FUCHS
Weight (without tyre) : 6.27kg

The previous 16x8J R129 / Evo-1 rims, which I absolutely adored and know actually look better, weighed in at an astonishing 9.5kg each and were totally killing the steering feel.

For the record, some of my favourite wheel designs of all time are original Mercedes-Benz;
AMG Aero-1
Evo-II (manufactured by Speedlne)
Though at some point, I would really like to put a set of Compomotive TH Monos onto a W201.

Tbh I think the original post on this site was more representative of Scottsdale than Southall.
If you want to look like a spoilt American College Kid, buy some 'designer' 19s.
I see the same looks trawling Edgware Road of a Friday night, 25-year-old kids in highly polished (but scuffed and dented) W220s with the 'S280' badges removed.
Not my thing, I'm not looking to start my own nightclub.

If I'm gonna divert from OE, it's motorsport all the way, baby!

You took the trouble to pixelate your plate on all but the last photo

 

[V12]

I do like the CLS in the back of that photo!

 

[Mactech]

I do like the CLS in the back of that photo!

Wheels are a bit 'shouty' don't you think?

 

[bpsorrel]

I quite like the ones on mnie, but they're corroding like mad so need to replace I think... Will consider it when I next need tyres! Is the consensus that those of us with comfort suspension should stick with 16s or would a staggered 18 setup look OK...

My dilemna exactly! I have 16" Ruchas on mine, but am debating 17 or 18 replacements - Mandrus or CLS 18s! Still can't decide!

16s definately look a little underwheeled for the size of the car, but not TOO bad... 17s don't look much different really (and probably not worth spending loads of dosh on) and 18s seem to look a bit blingy because to keep the rolling radius the same the tyre profile has to be so low....what to do!! ugh!!

 

[BaldGuy]

Go the CLS 18 route... they really fatten the 211 E shape up with a wider stance....

 

[crockers]

The phrase "Pimp my ride" springs to mind..........................

 

[stats007]

There are some pretty bland and/or horrid MB rims out there, it has to be said.
Ruchas for example, and those god-awful 5-slot rims they put on the R129 near the end of production. Looked like they weighed more than the car, which is some feat.

They are associated with the 1999MY facelift, are actually lighter than some of the other designs and look better with the original diamond polished lip. I had them on my first SL500 and really like them .

 

[V12]

Wheels are a bit 'shouty' don't you think?

Quite!

 

[vibesg]

Been on this forum for a little while now and I must say I didn't realise that Merc drivers here were such a conservative lot (this is an observation not a criticism as I think I also fit the mould).
Privately I've always thought "Nice alloys maketh a car".
I've had Celica GTs, Honda Preludes and Mr2 Turbos in the past and some of these wheels would look nice on them..only the cross spoke ones though. Perhaps its the wide boy look or chest on the floor stance but I wouldn't put any of those alloys on my car. Three pointed stars rarely look good with non Mercedes alloys. Still I have no criticism of those who fit these wheels to their Mercs. They bought their cars with their hard earned cash and clearly feel happier with pimp my ride wheels.

 

[N/B]

You took the trouble to pixelate your plate on all but the last photo

Went a bit further on PS in that last shot, as it goes.
Not my plate.

V12, I really like the Kahn rims on that CLS too, really nice.
The only nice thing Kahn have ever done, in fact. They spend a lot of time generally ruining flash cars.

 

[bdabdabeav]

what rims would you recommend for a facelift 202 minus amg monoblocks as its been done a million times over

 

[C43AMG]

what rims would you recommend for a facelift 202 minus amg monoblocks as its been done a million times over

Only AMG Monoblocks work