C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

Opinions invited, w204 OEM Wheels and the Chrome debate

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Old Dec 17, 2010 | 07:58 PM
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"annoyance" and "self-righteousness", amoung others...
Opinions invited, w204 OEM Wheels and the Chrome debate

My wife's 07 6-spokers are keeping my hankerin for wheels at bay for now, but something in me just can't stop looking for an alternate pair of shoes.

ATM I'm not willing to spend over 2gs for wheels alone. Wheel snobs... be gone with yee.

Ive decided on the multispoke, split-spoke design. I also like the idea of staying with an original MB wheel. OEM better yet.

My car is also still yet too functional to give up ride quality for 19s. My target has been 18s, but I stumbled upon these 7 split spoke design 17s from the 08-09 C300/C350 that look pretty good!

Just wanted some opinions.

They are offered in Chrome. which, btw, i think are just drop dead beautiful.
Why again are some here so against Chrome? Is it bc of some affiliation with "bling"? Chrome is downright pretty, easy to clean, and if they arent wrapped up in a gaudy wheel design, whats the problem?

Anywhere, heres a pic of the rims in chrome. Again, theyre also offered in silver.

I know they aren't something special considering their stock presence on early w204s, but I dont care.

Anyway, let me have some opinions.
Attached Thumbnails Opinions invited, w204 OEM Wheels and the Chrome debate-w204-seven-split-spoke-chrome-4-.jpg  
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Old Dec 17, 2010 | 08:07 PM
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STFF offset on those and your present wheels.
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Old Dec 17, 2010 | 08:09 PM
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"annoyance" and "self-righteousness", amoung others...
What does STFF mean?
EDIT: Oh search the forum first... um ya... I did that already, and I know what it is Im asking... so... I guess Id like opinions now


Not sure what you said but in regards to offset I thought they needed a 15mm spacer and all was good in the hood?
EDIT: What's your point? 15mm spacer and all is good...

Last edited by cpbeasley; Dec 17, 2010 at 08:12 PM.
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Old Dec 17, 2010 | 08:16 PM
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Originally Posted by cpbeasley
What does STFF mean?
EDIT: Oh search the forum first... um ya... I did that already, and I know what it is Im asking... so... I guess Id like opinions now


Not sure what you said but in regards to offset I thought they needed a 15mm spacer and all was good in the hood?
EDIT: What's your point? 15mm spacer and all is good...
Longer bolts in addition to spacers. Costs are adding up. Chroming also weakens the wheel. But you found that out as well I guess.
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Old Dec 17, 2010 | 08:33 PM
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If chrome floats your boat then go for it. I agree you should stay with an OEM look wheel. Nitrogen embrittlement caused by chroming is not really an issue on alloy wheels. It is an issue on steel wheels & spokes.

You need offsets between approx 30 & 35. Standard W204 wheels will need spacers.
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Old Dec 17, 2010 | 09:27 PM
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Not a fan of chrome wheels, although they look okay on a neighbor’s black Escalade.
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Old Dec 17, 2010 | 09:40 PM
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I'm not a fan of chrome rims either.. but the choice of rim is what caught my attention. Those are the ugliest rims this side of the 16"s used on the pre-facelift cars and face-lifted lux models. The Sport 07 rims are so much better looking!
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Old Dec 17, 2010 | 10:28 PM
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"annoyance" and "self-righteousness", amoung others...
Yes I knew about lugbolts... it wasnt a "will these fit" thread ahem.

Anyway.

Didnt know chrome "weakened" the wheel... sounds trivial though. but thanks for that tid-bit Glyn, good to know. And yes OEM is the path I will take. I like the idea of keeping it "in the family".

Splinter - maybe chrome is best left for SUVs. I guess Ive just hung around too many hot rod and muscle car shows in the late 90s early 00s when Chrome wheels were the cat's meow... before all these different finishes came into popularity and polished aluminum was the norm.

Matt - LoL. Im on a flat, straight, multispoke design kick! dont judge me for keeping my eyes and options wide and open. And yes, the 6 spoke's look awesome. Guess the grass is just sometimes greener on the other...

I saw a CLS63 at the dealership tonight on the AMG 5-spoke w/ rivets. it looked hot as lava. maybe i'll give up and just go that way, the more well traveled route so I dont get boo'ed off the stage.
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Old Dec 17, 2010 | 11:03 PM
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I'll not judge you for anything.. well, unless you go all Luke on us.. just wondering what attracted you to such plain looking rims. I had a C350 Sport loaner (204) once that was steel gray, had the pano roof, and had AMG 18s that were hot. Twas a very attractive car, that.

That said, I am extremely biased for the rims you already have. Those are my favorite bar none. I'm getting some next week, actually... I think.
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Old Dec 17, 2010 | 11:13 PM
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I'm not really sure if kansas gets alot of now or not but here in colorado my chrome wheels get heavily damaged due to the chemicals placed on the streets. It gets into the little cracks and just eats it away and starts to chip off. Also, both sets of chrome wheels I have (not by choice i should say) are heavily corroding on the inside and the wheel specialists i brought it to says that it happens often on chrome wheels in denver.

edit: i should also add that both sets were oem factory chromed, so they were high quality
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Old Dec 17, 2010 | 11:20 PM
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"annoyance" and "self-righteousness", amoung others...
Originally Posted by LILBENZ230
I'll not judge you for anything.. well, unless you go all Luke on us.. just wondering what attracted you to such plain looking rims. I had a C350 Sport loaner (204) once that was steel gray, had the pano roof, and had AMG 18s that were hot. Twas a very attractive car, that.

That said, I am extremely biased for the rims you already have. Those are my favorite bar none. I'm getting some next week, actually... I think.


It's bad when your name is officially a synonym for tasteless.

I don't know what my problem is! The 07s are perfect. Simple, sharp lines, not too busy, they've got depth, found only on U.S. 07 models, and are masculine (compared to the 5 spoke offering).

I think I look just because I know it's something that could never easily come to a decision on, nor afford atm, so it keeps me preoccupied.

They'll look better yet on your silver vs my pewter IMO; your silver is a bit sportier in nature.

When the time comes, an AMG wheel it will be. In the meantime, I need to enjoy what I've got. Congrats on the upgrade, btw. Hope you get the road rash out of the bad one. Does Drew have an explanation for that btw?
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Old Dec 17, 2010 | 11:23 PM
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Originally Posted by fookoo303
I'm not really sure if kansas gets alot of now or not but here in colorado my chrome wheels get heavily damaged due to the chemicals placed on the streets. It gets into the little cracks and just eats it away and starts to chip off. Also, both sets of chrome wheels I have (not by choice i should say) are heavily corroding on the inside and the wheel specialists i brought it to says that it happens often on chrome wheels in denver.

edit: i should also add that both sets were oem factory chromed, so they were high quality
We get our fair share of rock salt and bad weather. Nothing like you all though. But good point. My wife is wearing the chrome 5-spoke sport wheels that came with mine. Guess we'll see how hers hold up.

I did once have a 2-piece wheel I had chromed that ended up completely flaking off. I since then have heard only 1-piece wheels can be chromed as ever so slight movement occurs between the 2 piece wheel, causing an early demise to the finish.
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Old Dec 18, 2010 | 12:07 AM
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Originally Posted by cpbeasley


It's bad when your name is officially a synonym for tasteless.

I don't know what my problem is! The 07s are perfect. Simple, sharp lines, not too busy, they've got depth, found only on U.S. 07 models, and are masculine (compared to the 5 spoke offering).

I think I look just because I know it's something that could never easily come to a decision on, nor afford atm, so it keeps me preoccupied.

They'll look better yet on your silver vs my pewter IMO; your silver is a bit sportier in nature.

When the time comes, an AMG wheel it will be. In the meantime, I need to enjoy what I've got. Congrats on the upgrade, btw. Hope you get the road rash out of the bad one. Does Drew have an explanation for that btw?
You're well versed in happenings for such a newcomer. What have you, read all my posts?!

The rim was damaged by Drew's grandfather, who bought the car new. When he passed away, Drew inherited the 07 C230 and it replaced his 99 CLK320. Drew can't come up with a scenario that makes sense for the wheel damage or busted tail light the car had when he inherited it at very low mileage.
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Old Dec 19, 2010 | 12:52 AM
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THE C350
Originally Posted by LILBENZ230
You're well versed in happenings for such a newcomer. What have you, read all my posts?!

The rim was damaged by Drew's grandfather, who bought the car new. When he passed away, Drew inherited the 07 C230 and it replaced his 99 CLK320. Drew can't come up with a scenario that makes sense for the wheel damage or busted tail light the car had when he inherited it at very low mileage.
+1
stalker alert
stop talking about the 07 rims I am starting to like them more
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Old Dec 19, 2010 | 01:57 AM
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Oh well unless you are coming before Monday evening you can forget it, boy. My 05 rims will look better on your non-sport sedan anyway.
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Old Dec 19, 2010 | 02:00 AM
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Originally Posted by LILBENZ230
Oh well unless you are coming before Monday evening you can forget it, boy. My 05 rims will look better on your non-sport sedan anyway.
you made me cry
at least my car is still faster then yours so there
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Old Dec 19, 2010 | 03:51 AM
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I actually like the 07 wheels but they are fitted unstaggered to the base model Classic in SA so have developed a cheap connotation here.

We have a collection of 11 different wheel styles to select from for the W204 in SA - This includes the AMG non split rim. The split rim will only be sold to AMG owners.

Most of our 2010 W204's now come with this wheel standard.



This is a popular wheel



This is the wheel you are looking at in Titanium Silver



I don't think that the W204 AMG wheel suits the W203. The C55 style AMG wheel both split or solid looks best

Attached Thumbnails Opinions invited, w204 OEM Wheels and the Chrome debate-amg-20style-20iv-20wheel-201.jpg  
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Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Dec 19, 2010 at 03:54 AM.
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Old Dec 19, 2010 | 11:50 AM
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"annoyance" and "self-righteousness", amoung others...
Despite my newest thread with a variant of the w204 AMG wheel as an option, Im thinking I agree with you on the sentiment that the c55 style suits the w203 best. I saw a set of these with rivets on a CL63 at the dealership yesterday and was pretty impressed with them, noting the difference bw the lines on the c55 style vs w204 amg... now agreeing with what you have just said.

& the non-staggered fit 07 wheel you speak of, could you show a pic? I think I know what you're talking about, and Im pretty sure it is a ever so slightly different wheel. My mother-in-law has these on her 05 c240 wagon. the design is verryy similar to the 07 sport front rim, but subtlely flatter.
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Old Dec 19, 2010 | 05:55 PM
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Originally Posted by cpbeasley
Despite my newest thread with a variant of the w204 AMG wheel as an option, Im thinking I agree with you on the sentiment that the c55 style suits the w203 best. I saw a set of these with rivets on a CL63 at the dealership yesterday and was pretty impressed with them, noting the difference bw the lines on the c55 style vs w204 amg... now agreeing with what you have just said.

& the non-staggered fit 07 wheel you speak of, could you show a pic? I think I know what you're talking about, and Im pretty sure it is a ever so slightly different wheel. My mother-in-law has these on her 05 c240 wagon. the design is verryy similar to the 07 sport front rim, but subtlely flatter.

It is ever so slightly different to the O7 - I don't have a pic.

I have the AMG style split rim on my car in hyper silver.


Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Dec 19, 2010 at 06:17 PM.
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Old Dec 19, 2010 | 08:11 PM
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"annoyance" and "self-righteousness", amoung others...
Do you have a pic of them on your car Sir Ruck?
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Old Dec 19, 2010 | 08:17 PM
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I don't - will take as soon as my sister gives me my camera back & the car is clean. I'm running 17 X 8" Offset ET 32 all round with 235/45/17 Michelin PS2's on stock suspension. Lowering is hopeless in South Africa.
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Old Dec 20, 2010 | 12:13 AM
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"annoyance" and "self-righteousness", amoung others...
Sweet, thank you, I anxiously await to see them in 17s.

Why is it hopeless? Road conditions?
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Old Dec 20, 2010 | 08:49 AM
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Our good roads are better than the US - our bad roads are worse. We have a lot of speed "calming" bumps in built up areas. You spend too much time scraping. All our Lambo's etc make good use of their nose lift feature. I also value comfort over looks.
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Old Dec 20, 2010 | 12:44 PM
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I had put those wheels on my ride but in the silver OEM version, you are looking at spending close to $350 in good quality spacers and the correct size logs, it is not as simple as a Plug and play. The rear wheel botls are super sensitive to length. What a night mare. I eventually sold the set up cause of teh weight. These wheels are super heavy not the least let me dig up my thread with pictues to give you an idea of what they look in silver on our rides........

hope this helps.........and BTW both rear and front you have to use different thickness spacers.....a big PIA to make this work..........

javvy
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Old Dec 20, 2010 | 12:56 PM
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back from the grave...here is a link

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...n-my-ride.html
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