New Alloys! Any Aftermarket Recommendations?

[tommygunn212]

Hey people.. I’m looking to get rid of my cheap reps as they are prone to cracking and the tyres need replacing anyway..

Would you recommend getting genuine Mercedes (is the alloy much stronger?) or are some aftermarket wheels just as good? I’m thinking of going for 17” with thick tyres as the potholes in Sussex are horrendous! And they’re cheaper!

 

[NJSS]

Whatever you do you should advise your insurers who may impose an increased premium and excess.

If you don't tell your insurers they can, and may well, void your policy.

NJSS

 

[ALFAitalia]

Mine don't care if they are factory size and don't cost more than the original.....but still best to check.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

I put a set of calibre alloys onto my e350 in 18 inch , fitted with crossclimates all season tyres. 2 winters later and around 8 months of use , still going strong. The mb alloys in 19inch probably weigh a good twice the weight of the calibre wheels. If you do fit aftermarket make sure the tyre sizes match the fuel flap. Most insurance companies aren't too fussy if the wheels are around £1000 .

 

[ALFAitalia]

Would you recommend getting genuine Mercedes (is the alloy much stronger?)

Stronger than what? .........cheese? A quick search on here will soon show that Mercedes wheels (whichever brand they actually might be....they wont be made by Mercedes) seem to be very soft/weak and prone to distorting. I'd be sticking to aftermarket ones.

 

[SamW]

I’ve used alloywheelsdirect.net years ago and heard good things recently.

I tend to stick to OEM if possible. My days of Azevs or Momos on a Cossie are long gone

 

[tommygunn212]

Stronger than what? .........cheese? A quick search on here will soon show that Mercedes wheels (whichever brand they actually might be....they wont be made by Mercedes) seem to be very soft/weak and prone to distorting. I'd be sticking to aftermarket ones.

Well, I’d like to think that genuine Mercedes wheels made in Germany are made from a very strong alloy which some aftermarket manufacturers cannot match. But I don’t know. I’m less concerned with the strength of cheese! : ) I know that, for example, 3DSM alloys use 6061-T6 aerospace grade aluminium.

 

[ALFAitalia]

AMG wheels are made in Germany....lots of the standard Merc wheels are produced in China!