NJBNZ

My car has been riding like sh*t lately. Took it into to the dealer to have them look at it and sure enough they said one of the rims is bent. I have the tire and rim protection insurance but the service rep said rims are only covered to be replaced if the damage causes one of the tires to leak air (which I think is BS).

So my options are to either get it straightened or buy a new one. Anybody have any idea of which would be cheaper? Where could I find a new/used rim for the cheapest price? My car is leased and going back in a year...so I'm looking for the least expensive fix

dcjwlee

Sorry to hear this. Another option is to go over a ridiculous "pothole" [read:curb]

But that could blow a shock or **** up a steering arm or something...

I had two rims replaced through the safeguard tire and wheel prot package as well as countless tires.

It is true they will not replace unless it is leaking air. ABSOLUTELY ridiculous and i am 99% sure that my sales guy pitched it as if it would even cover CURB RASH...

Maybe 1.5 years after purchase, I attempted to use the tire/wheel prot to replace a bent rim that was giving me a terrible shimmying at highwayspeeds and the SA at Huntington Mercedes (to no surprise he no longer works there) claimed I chose the lesser of the two insurance packages (i have no recollection of there being a standard or a premium package and at the cost of $800 extra dollars that he claims it would have cost I SURELY would have JUMPED on any insurance that covered visual defects to the rim...)

Eventually the rim began to leak air, VERY SLOWLY, I have a thread I started concerning it and the multiple visits I had to make until they FINALLY decided there was a fracture in the rim leaking air...

From my limited knowledge on the matter, alloy rims, unlike steel rims, do not bend back into shape as well because the material "stretches". This can cause weak spots and what not or something, but hey then maybe the next time you hit a mean pothole the rim will crack and leak air and you can get a new one!!!!

GHAZAN

replace just to be safe if it's bad otherwise it could be straightened and still 'wobble'

NJBNZ

Oh trust me that was the first thing I thought of...I'm going off-roading this weekend! lol But I don't want anything bad to happen...tire blow out and lose control and crash.

Anyone now a good place to look for just one replacement wheel...besides the dealer of course

navyjetmech

If you have a Carsmetics (national chain) in your area try them. They can fix your rim. At least the one here in JAX can. They were cheap $175ish and it looks great and holds air. I had it done 3 years ago. They guarantee 100% satisfaction. You don't pay till it's done to your liking.

Nola

[read:fraud]

ShoremNJ

I had one straightened and it still had a tick in it, so I bought a new one.

JimPap

NJBENZ

I've got what the dealer described as a slightly bent rim.

What did you wind up doing?

I can't decide if I should try getting it straightened out or spring for a new rim. It's the OEM standard wheel for the 08 C300.

Glyn M Ruck

Jim - I would replace it. Mag wheels don't like being straightened.

JimPap

Glyn,
Thanks for posting.
This is the one on my car. Is this considered a mag wheel?
http://www.roadwheels.us/170809mec3re.html

Glyn M Ruck

Yes, these are generically mag or alloy wheels. The trouble with straightening is that you really should heat the wheel to destress it in layman's terms. Then that means a re paint or powder coat or whatever.

jimmythegreek

many places sell remanufactured wheels, they are just straightened and painted OEM to match. Ebay has alot of wheels, just make sure they are takeoffs or new, not reman. Ive had wheels straightened w good results, but never OEM ones. Which wheels do u have? post pics or link to the wheel and I'll check for you

JimPap

Jimmy....look two post up.

Ironically, I'm also Greek and named Jimmy.

jimmythegreek

haha one of thousands LOL. Im gonna assume the pap is pap*************poulos. mine is 15 letters long from kalamata. sorry to hijack the thread my bad

jimmythegreek

that wheel linked is a takeoff, says guaranteed straight and true. I see alot of these takeoffs on ebay, sometimes cheaper. U can also get them for like 200ish new on parts.com, if the price isnt much cheaper Id go new

jimmythegreek

heres a cheaper reman on ebay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/08-09-MERCED...item41631fddbd

JimPap

Thanks Jimmy

by the way, the last name is Pappanastos.

JimPap

Rim came in today and took it to my local tire store to have it replace the one that's slightly bent.

First of all, the rim that came from the above ebay link spun true, but had some minor dents in it that the guy at the tire store showed me. He show me these before mounting the tire. Its obvious that the it was dented and then painted as the paint wasn't deformed. It wasn't major, but I wish these companies would do their jobs.

In any case, I got the refurb rim on and the car drives better than I can recall in quite a while. Although the original wasn't bent much (couldn't eyeball it, had to be on a machine spinning to see it) I can tell the difference in the ride.

Thanks everyone.

agedog2gt

I would just purchase a new one, they are very reasonable on ebay. less that $200 for one!

Here you go bro: http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-2008-200...sories&vxp=mtr

SORRY, I DIDNT READ YOUR FULL THREAD, LOOKS LIKE THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED! TAKE CARE!

jimmythegreek

They arent 200 new, the one you linked is used, they all are. Its almost impossible to find a new on on ebay, you gotta check keystone or find a takeoff. They are all used/remanufactured. He got one cheap tho and it worked out, car is riding nice again he states. thats whats important