Brand new spare alloy wheel scratched badly, design fault?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 269
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Brand new spare alloy wheel scratched badly, design fault?
A couple of weeks ago I bought a spare 18" AMG alloy wheel to replace the dull 16" steel spare wheel in the boot compartment of my w203. However I have just noticed that my brand spanking new wheel is now completely ruined...! It has suffered bad scratches all over the area of contact with the spare wheel storage plastic flooring....
I am quite upset, I spent around 300 pounds for the spare wheel and never used it yet.
Did anyone else have the same experience?
Should I go back to mercedes and claim a new spare wheel since the damage occured during storage in the spare wheel designated area?
I mean spare wheel compartment should be designed in such way to protect the spare wheel during storage...
Your views ragarding this issue would be highly appreciated.
I am quite upset, I spent around 300 pounds for the spare wheel and never used it yet.
Did anyone else have the same experience?
Should I go back to mercedes and claim a new spare wheel since the damage occured during storage in the spare wheel designated area?
I mean spare wheel compartment should be designed in such way to protect the spare wheel during storage...
Your views ragarding this issue would be highly appreciated.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,278
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From: Fresno, CA
'09 A4 S Line
I had a similar situation, but purchased a 17" AMG IV as a spare. The one time I ended up having to use it I noticed the face of the wheel had scratches on it. I would think the dealership will be unwilling to give you a new wheel because it was your choice to place the wheel in the spare compartment. I didn't care that my spare got scratched up, just wanted to have a full size wheel that would clear my front brake kit. It's worth a try to see what you can get, but next time make sure to line the bottom of the compartment with something soft to avoid scratching.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 269
Likes: 1
The point is that the spare wheel compartment does not offer adequate scratch protection (the outer side of the alloy wheel sits down and rubs against the plastic florring of the spare wheel compartment). It should not sit upside down or at least it should be a padded flooring in the spare wheel compartment for added protection.... Still I belive that it is not designed well, taking into consideration spare wheel scratch risk.
Even if we assume that the spare wheel compartment is designed to accomodate the dull steel wheels that noone cares if they get scratched still it is design fault. What happens in case you get a flat tyre when you drive? You have to use the spare wheel and place your alloy wheel with the flat tyre in the spare wheel compartment... Then when you replace the tyre and you use your alloy wheel again you notice that it has been scratched badly...
Any more opinions?
Even if we assume that the spare wheel compartment is designed to accomodate the dull steel wheels that noone cares if they get scratched still it is design fault. What happens in case you get a flat tyre when you drive? You have to use the spare wheel and place your alloy wheel with the flat tyre in the spare wheel compartment... Then when you replace the tyre and you use your alloy wheel again you notice that it has been scratched badly...
Any more opinions?
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 176
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From: Dublin, CA
2003 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan/2008 M3 Coupe M-DCT/1996 328i (Gone)/1988 190E 2.3 (Gone)
My MBZ dealer told me that the storage space is designed for 16" & smaller wheel, that's why it only came with 16" steel spare wheel and not 17" spare. I always thought that they were just trying to
me, since I have 17" alloy spare in my BMW.
me, since I have 17" alloy spare in my BMW.
Originally Posted by perdikoula888
A couple of weeks ago I bought a spare 18" AMG alloy wheel to replace the dull 16" steel spare wheel in the boot compartment of my w203. However I have just noticed that my brand spanking new wheel is now completely ruined...! It has suffered bad scratches all over the area of contact with the spare wheel storage plastic flooring....
I am quite upset, I spent around 300 pounds for the spare wheel and never used it yet.
Did anyone else have the same experience?
Should I go back to mercedes and claim a new spare wheel since the damage occured during storage in the spare wheel designated area?
I mean spare wheel compartment should be designed in such way to protect the spare wheel during storage...
Your views ragarding this issue would be highly appreciated.
I am quite upset, I spent around 300 pounds for the spare wheel and never used it yet.
Did anyone else have the same experience?
Should I go back to mercedes and claim a new spare wheel since the damage occured during storage in the spare wheel designated area?
I mean spare wheel compartment should be designed in such way to protect the spare wheel during storage...
Your views ragarding this issue would be highly appreciated.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 269
Likes: 1
It does not matter the size of the alloy wheel. Even if it was 16" alloy, it would still get scratched as the spare compartment does not offer adequate scratch protection (the outer side of the alloy wheel sits down and rubs against the plastic florring of the spare wheel compartment). Trust me it does not have to do with the size of the wheel but with the inadequate protection of the spare wheel in the spare wheel compartment.
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: May 2006
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From: Southern Cal
a C32 AMG & S-Works Tarmac
Originally Posted by perdikoula888
It does not matter the size of the alloy wheel. Even if it was 16" alloy, it would still get scratched as the spare compartment does not offer adequate scratch protection (the outer side of the alloy wheel sits down and rubs against the plastic florring of the spare wheel compartment). Trust me it does not have to do with the size of the wheel but with the inadequate protection of the spare wheel in the spare wheel compartment.
I realize it is after the fact now, but you might want to try this next go around.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 629
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From: PHILIPPINES
07' ML350
i have a 16" alloy spare wheel since new and it fits perfectly, no scratches.
i also put in an 18x8 alloy spare wheel (Carlsson) and it fits fine, no scratches.f
maybe its the design of AMG front wheels where the center is flush with the wheel lips, causing it to rub.
i also put in an 18x8 alloy spare wheel (Carlsson) and it fits fine, no scratches.f
maybe its the design of AMG front wheels where the center is flush with the wheel lips, causing it to rub.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,005
Likes: 106
From: Houston, TX
2015 E250D
I have 16" spare and no scratches. It has a clear plastic soft thing on the face to prevent scratches. Either way, you're not going to get any money out of the dealer as you decided to put that 18" wheel in there and should have seen if it made contact to begin with. No one else has ever had this complaint on the 203 or c32 forums.
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Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 182
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From: St. Louis, MO
02' C240 Luxury Model
Originally Posted by c230 sport
My MBZ dealer told me that the storage space is designed for 16" & smaller wheel, that's why it only came with 16" steel spare wheel and not 17" spare. I always thought that they were just trying to me, since I have 17" alloy spare in my BMW.
me, since I have 17" alloy spare in my BMW.
Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Surrey, UK
2002 C320 (full AMG styling) - Brilliant Silver / Ash Leather (Orion Grey)
Originally Posted by perdikoula888
Thank you for your views guys. my car did not come with a towel / soft cloth.
I should complain to them since it is their mistake not to supply with the car the appropriate protection.
I should complain to them since it is their mistake not to supply with the car the appropriate protection.
In my view it WOULD BE a design fault IF:
the car was shipped from the factory with an 18" Alloy rim in an inadequatle protected space
OR
IF you asked the dealer to supply you and fit an 18" spare rim.
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From: global traveller
some slow@$$diesels
there is a reason why mercedes doesn't offer 17 or 18 inch alloy spares...there is also a reason why some cars come with a padded spare wheel well area.
There are several (spare "wheel") options that a car can come with...a full spare, a minispare or tirefit and whatever the spare wheel well looks like depends on the spare "wheel" option the car came with.
If you change that option you should change it all the way...with that being said: my 17inch AMG spare is not scratched and it has been in the spare wheel well for quite a while (my car came with the tirefit AND I added the soft padding from MB).
greetingz,
There are several (spare "wheel") options that a car can come with...a full spare, a minispare or tirefit and whatever the spare wheel well looks like depends on the spare "wheel" option the car came with.
If you change that option you should change it all the way...with that being said: my 17inch AMG spare is not scratched and it has been in the spare wheel well for quite a while (my car came with the tirefit AND I added the soft padding from MB).
greetingz,
