topsider

So, dropped off my car at the dealer last night because I have a massive pulsation through the steering wheel and brake pedal when braking from higher speeds, highway etc. Figured warped rotors, had the fronts replaced under warranty last summer. Just got a call from my SA, it's 4 bent rims, allegedly.

Mind you, I had 3 bent rims fixed last summer under warranty because it was a new car, had 3 fixed AGAIN this past April for $125 a pop AND switched to non-runflat tires to mitigate this (I also NEVER hit potholes, and am very careful and have had no big impacts to speak of). So basically it'll cost me $500 to get this fixed.. Which I am not going to do since it is a lease. I drove a GTI for 3 years in college in upstate NY on the worst roads possible and NEVER has the slightest vibration or bent rim. WTF Mercedes? Do you use the softest alloy known to man? This is absurd, now I have to live with the car shaking while braking or in traffic for the next 65% of the lease. I have BABIED this car in regarded to bumps, pot holes, etc. If this wasn't a lease I would probably try to get into something else within the next year because I wouldn't be able to deal with it for longer than that. Idk how guys with the 19's must be fairing in the Northeast. /endrant

MASSC450

That sucks...

I put about 5,000 miles on my 19" AMG wheels (on my old 2015 C300 Sport 4Matic)...hit a few good pot holes...but never experienced any vibrations transmitted to the steering wheel, braking or not.

I also put about that same mileage on a set of 18" AMG wheels (Winter driving)...again, no issues.

Mike5215

I'd pull those OEM rims and set them aside for lease turn in, then grab a set of reps on Ebay. I've run reps on my 220s and 221, much heavier cars, never had a problem aside from the usual curb rash.

I actually just picked up these staggered 18" 204 C63 reps $650 shipped (with bolts and caps).



Sort of like the OEM 18's but with a little more dimension. Offsets are 45mm all around, so perfect up front (OEM is 44mm) and 11mm more toward the fender lip on the rears, which is not a bad thing. Widths are 1" wider than OEM (8.5/9.5 vs 7.5/8.5).

Since our Palladium Sport 205s are virtually twins anyway, why not.

topsider

Good idea, I actually thought about that, I just don't want to spend a dime on the car, unfortunately I'm in the money accumulation stage of my life and mentally won't spend money on a leased car. I just texted my SA because the vibration only happens under braking, and if it were bent rims I would feel the vibration even cruising which was the case last time.

Mike5215

Hard not to spend money on a car, leased or otherwise. Looks like you're about to take a $500 hit on the OEM wheels either way. Might as well spend a little more and have some fun in the process is my thought.

I leased my 300 and it was in the shop getting new audio the second week I had it. I figure the whole point of splurging on a new Mercedes is to enjoy it, and anything that makes it more enjoyable is money well spent. At the end it'll probably cost $500 to put it back to stock, but I'll have 36 months of killer tunes.

topsider

I'm not going to spend the money to get the wheels fixed, I'm just going to let it be, I spent $375 on it back in April/May haha I'll live with it. The vibrations when cruising were really bad before I got them fixed this past spring, now I only have a SLIGHT vibration while cruisng at 65, 71, and 81mph. So I just avoid those exact speeds and I'll put up with the braking vibrations I suppose! Thanks for the advice though, I like the wheels you chose

Mike5215

Aw man. That would drive me bonkers. I admire your mental toughness! My 300 got rear ended a couple of weeks ago so it's in for an extended stay at the shop, but when it comes back it'll have to be perfect in terms of driveability, vibrations etc.

Smoothie

Oh I hear you. This is my first German car as I've only had Japanese previously. Bought a new to me 2015 c300 with all but a few bells. Picked it u 2 weeks ago and the pano roof won't open during my delivery. Gave the SA crap and the manager. Bought CPO for a reason from the dealer. It took them 10 business days the deliver and no one opened the roof?

So need to go in two weeks from now when the parts arrive. And tonight just noticed the rear pass door panel ambient lights no doesn't work. Only blue works, amber is barely visible and neutral displays blue.
Oh, and I noticed a slight oil drip right under the middle of the engine. Piece of work...

hans007

i know from my BMW, that low profile tires, with run flats its much easier to bend the inner edge of your rim.

those stiff side walls always come back to haunt you. normal tires, less likely to bend a rim

topsider

I have normal tires, and they claim that there are 4 bent rims since installing the tires..not buying it

Mike5215

Yeah that's odd. Have they road force balanced all four and checked for run out?

topsider

yeah they said they checked that today, oh well. It's still at the dealer because they had to order some window switches that are broken. I also called this afternoon and mentioned my bleeding MB-Tex, maybe they will address that too. I'm in no rush, love driving the new E loaner around!

Mike5215

Uh oh. Last time I fell in love with a loaner I ended up buying one. Is the E feel that much different than the C? Is it a quieter, more relaxed and insulated cruiser?

topsider

It's exactly those three things, it doesnt have airmatic, but it feels like it. It feels more like an S than my dad's 14 E350 feels. Back seat in the 17 is not much bigger than the C, in my driving position I can hardly fit behind the front seat and I'm only 6'2". 2014 backseat feels larger to me. The burmester sucks in the E, doesnt sound as good as the C. The 9 speed keeps the engine on boil constantly so it feels peppier than the C, but overall slower. And I tried out the Parking Pilot last night, one word: amazing. It parallel parked itself PERFECTLY between two cars. Also the interior is great. Definitely a step up from the last gen E. If they offered the 400 in the sedan like they do in the wagon it would be the perfect car - but it would also cost a small fortune since the car I'm in has a 67k sticker.

Mike5215

Price is a concern on the E. If I configure one the way I'd want it, with P3, I'm over $70k. I'm ok leasing a $70k car but when I think about what else $70k might buy from BMW, Jaguar, possibly Audi, the E becomes a tougher sell. It's in the lower end range of a 6 Series coupe, which is one of my favorite cars.

topsider

yeah 70k for a 2.0T hurts, would love to be in a 6 coupe instead, or a gently used 6 GC