schvamf

So the horrible NJ winter and roads have caused some issues with my car. I've unfortunately hit several large potholes (unavoidably) on rt 287 in NJ this winter and now my car has a vibration at around 65-75 mph.

Took it to the dealer and had an alignment and wheel balance done and that improved it but it's not at 100%.

They are telling me that 3 out of the 4 wheels are bent and feel that's the issue. They say they can be repaired for $150/each wheel.

Questions for people on this forum:
1. Is the $150/wheel reasonable?
2. Do you feel this will definitely fix the vibration issue? I'd hate to spend the money and still have the issue and then have to buy new wheels!

Thanks in advance for the replies!
Frank

jctevere

To be honest, I have no idea if they are really bent. Ask them to show you?

I had a friend who had a bent rim on the inside (so you couldn't see it) and he was constantly losing air. I find it hard to believe that 3/4 of your rims are bent... At $150/rim I think thats a bit high, but probably the going rate.

What would I do? List your rims on craigslist for around $500 and use the $450 you were going to put towards the repair to get new rims!

Sportstick

You can buy four new rims for approximately what repairing three cost. Browse here, among others, for example:

http://www.powerwheelspro.com/shop/index.php?cPath=23

You also asked if this would "definitely" solve the problem. It is impossible to know. Enough deflection to damage the rim could have damaged the tires...how closely have those been examined?

I am Jeff

You might want to slow down and try to avoid those potholes! That's really the best advice. I've seen lots of ppl in the NYC area just plow through those potholes going 50-60 without even slowing down. I hope you're not one of them.

tanktube67

Frank, you could save 50% if you find wheel repair shop on your own

jcash60

Well I tell ya........Two weeks ago I hit a pot hole and it blew out both tires on the passenger side......So I just bought 4 new tires because I didn`t want to have new tires on the passenger side only.....

One month before I almost purchased new 19 inch wheels and tires so it would have been a big disaster if I did....I`m staying with the 17`s

As a side note I had Michelin tires from the factory and decided to change to Continental Extreme Contact and the car drives far superior meaning much softer and quieter...I couldn`t believe it would feel that different...The reason I changed I read a report o Tire Rack comparing 4 ultra performance tires and the Continental E.C. was by far better...Jim

Speedriven1

$150 per wheel is pretty cheap.

sebydeleon

They are charging too much. The vibration is caused by the bent in the wheels. When you fix a wheel it does not adquired again the original shape and usually they have to apply heat to fix the bent. That causes that the place where the bent was debilitates. Buy new rims but buy OEM rims made by Mercedes. Replacement rims are weaker and will crack easily.

Sportstick

Perhaps some do, but others come from some of the same plants and have TUV, JWL, and ISO9002 certification. Mercedes does not make wheels. They source them from suppliers who can also sell production capacity to others. But, buyer beware! One has to do their homework to save the money and get the quality.

Spec_Davis

ouch sorry to hear that but your right Rt. 287 is such a bad highway there are potholes size of kids out there. Where in Jersey are you from? You need new rims and i would look into getting a new set of aftermarket anyways spring is here.

Scat01

Couple things - new high speed balancing machines pick up out of round or bent rims and display a message that basically reads "not able to balance" - Have them speed balanced and ask to watch, my Cadillac dealer just did this for me on my CTS. (I also live in NJ and bent a rim in a F'in pothole) - I could see the rim shake and they showed me the message.

That said - If they are bent, check out Compact Kars in Clarksville, NJ right down the road from 6 Flags (609.259.6373) - They are predominately a Autobody shop specializinig in Mercedes and VW, but he has started a rim repair division and they are excellent at everything they do (They repaired 2 of my previous cars, both BMW's, both hit by deer - and their workmanship is flawless). It is my understanding they do all the wheel repair for Mercedes of Freehold also.

Not affiliated at all, just know great work when I see....They can be a little pricey also, but I paid less than $150 for my CTS rim....

jcash60

Sorry I got wound up in my blown tires and didn`t offer you a opinion....

First were you there when you tires were balanced. I have 2 slightly out of round wheels they showed me on the wheel balance machine and they were able to zero them out and balance them.

If I were you I would go to another place and have them pull one of the wheels that are said to be out of round and put it on the balance machine and check if it`s out of round and if it is in balance. THEY DO NOT HAVE TO REMOVE THE TIRE FROM THE WHEEL TO DO IT. Should only cost a few bucks to see...

It`s easy to see if its out of round once they put it on the balance machine..... they will spin it by hand and you can watch the edge of the wheel and see perfectly if it is wobbling and out of round, I watched mine...then they were able to zero it out and balance it and I have no vibration....Before I spend $500 on out of round wheels I`d have it checked out by someone else for a few bucks...Jim

lamonsas

i freakin hate pop holes to man , i live in new york and its even worse than NJ. its a disaster man. when i drive i look at the floor lol to make sure i dont go into one

IllusionX

Yeah, I just got back from Freehold Benz with the same issue, wheel shake. They did the balance and it improved alot from the start but they said the same thing, 3 of 4 are bent. I'm with ya man.

Spec_Davis

Illusion your from the Freehold area?

IllusionX

From ny, live in toms river, work in Brick. Went to freehold cause it's the closest one. We need to have a get together or something around here real soon haha

GHAZAN

AMG factory wheels crack so it doesn't matter to the pothole....

You can see bends, so pull the wheels off and find them. If it's 1 wheel try to repair it if more consider new wheels with a larger tire aspect ratio and avoid potholes.

Scat01

I am from the area also - bought my car at Freehold...small world.

Spec_Davis

scat congrats

kwikblkmax

I'm in jersey too and had the same issue with the rims, I got mine fixed for -$65 each.

YourBoyFools

My story is a little different but I was basically having the same issue.
(Link: https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ml#post4584069)

There was a some useful responses on that thread, but the one that helped me out was the recommendation to have my dealer do Road Force Balancing using a Hunter GSP9700 opposed to regular balancing.

Check this link to find a local shop/dealership that has one: http://www.gsp9700.com/pub/search/findgsp9700.cfm

If your dealership is on that list, call them and ask which they did.

*Mad props to AF330i for all the above information*

I'm from Jersey so I feel your pain. Between 78, 287 and 22 my rims get eaten for breakfast every winter.

schvamf

Thanks all for the responses, I'll keep you updated on what I decide to do.

Where did you get them fixed for $65?

encoder

After reading the accusation on the popular MBWorld.org website, the deer shared a differing opinion.

supernsx

My 22" needs repair every year and I think $150 is just a tag on the high side. Btw, no matter how good the stop is, once the wheel is bent, it is never the same and will bent easily at the same spot again.

If your wheels are stock 17", you should able to pick up a perfect used set on ebay or here for less than paying for the repair.

kwikblkmax

A place in downtown Elizabeth. Not sure of the shop's name.