RickP330

Hello All,
I noticed that my center caps are starting to "craze". Anyone else experience this, any aftermarket options, or am I being **** in bringing this back to the dealer to fix?

Regards,
Rick

Ron Jr

What are you using to clean the wheels?

Azn_C300

yeah, I'd look to what you're using as a cleaning agent. That's really bad. You can just purchase new centercaps from the dealership or check ebay if you get lucky.

Ron Jr

When I had the stock wheels on I used Mothers Wheel cleaner did a great job. I think formymercedes stocks center caps.

chilledbenz

Thats crazy...looks like someone hit them with a wire brush. They are plastic after all, doesn't take much to really lay into them. I'd see what the service department has to say about replacing them for free, because these things aren't cheap at $19 bucks a piece through Benz. Good news is they are the same size on all models so you can get a set through www.formymercedes.com for about $70 for all four.

http://www.formymercedes.com/mb_resu...el+Center+Caps

RickP330

Oh Cr@p, I've been going to the car wash, no idea what they are using, I bet that's it...

RickP

Ron Jr

Car wash is a No-No. They abuse our poor cars, I know sometimes there is no time to do it by hand. Maybe I'll wash mine tonight after Darth cools down. I picked up a set of star center caps off E-bay for 30.00. I would check there.

Ron Jr

Quick check of the bay using Mercedes wheel cap as the search turned up plenty.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/4-x-M...mZ280259094479

These seem good at 24.99 + 7.50 shipping. I can't vouch for the seller and I would measure your OEM ones before bidding.

lx Raven xl

Its not the soap/detergent they are using at car wash,. Its the brush that spins around the wheel to clean it. That is faulty or worn out causing the scratches to the wheel cap. I bet you were going to same car wash more often?
try to use car wash where you can just rinse the dust off with high pressure water and soap. this will help hand washing the car less frequently like every 4 weeks or so which IMO should be acceptable.

RickP330

I know guys, the car wash is a no-no but I pay $50 bucks out here and it looks really good when its done - and I expect a better job then a normal car wash, I just don't have the time to do it myself anymore.

Ron, thanks for those links, how can it be the OEM caps are 70 bucks and those are 24? are they the same quality?

When are we going to get a chance to meet up?

Rick

PS LX Raven, the "crazing" looks like it is coming from underneath the plastic so I really don't think it can be the brush....

Ron Jr

The ones I picked up were OEM (at least all the markings looked good) all I was after were the stars for my aftermarket wheels. When would be a good time for a meet? I work in Melville.

angeloxnet

u could just go to the dealer
i got caps for $10/each + tax
saves u from shipping/waiting

nyca

You pay $50 for a car wash?