Brand New Benz; What to do with wheels?
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2012 C250
Brand New Benz; What to do with wheels?
To all,
Yesterday I became a proud owner (for 33 months that is) of a 2012 C250 with 21 miles and drove it off the lot that day. Now I am a proud member of a what seems to be a solid community of mercedes owners.
They came with the 18inch AMG wheels that I liked a lot. I want to paint them black from a wheel painter the dealer had suggsted. Has anyone seen these wheels painted black or any other cool color combos? Maybe a matte black finish?
If not, I'm thinking they may not turn out all that nice in black. How can I find a decent set of black rims to put on these? What are the sizes and are they any caveats to going down this route rather than painting?
Also, has anyone done window tinting from Mercedes dealership? They charge $429 for the whole car but I'm not sure how dark it will be. I will probably take it to a window tint shop and get them as black as I can (I'm in AZ and it's legal).
Another cosmetic change I'm considering is blacking out the tailights, that orange corner reflector, and maybe the headlights. Thoughts and prices on that? Do the ealers care if you do this (void warranty, charge extra, etc)?
Thanks in advance for all of you who take the time to read the post and respond if you have any advice or feedback.
Now I'm on my way out the door to go drive my new Benz around!
Yesterday I became a proud owner (for 33 months that is) of a 2012 C250 with 21 miles and drove it off the lot that day. Now I am a proud member of a what seems to be a solid community of mercedes owners.
They came with the 18inch AMG wheels that I liked a lot. I want to paint them black from a wheel painter the dealer had suggsted. Has anyone seen these wheels painted black or any other cool color combos? Maybe a matte black finish?
If not, I'm thinking they may not turn out all that nice in black. How can I find a decent set of black rims to put on these? What are the sizes and are they any caveats to going down this route rather than painting?
Also, has anyone done window tinting from Mercedes dealership? They charge $429 for the whole car but I'm not sure how dark it will be. I will probably take it to a window tint shop and get them as black as I can (I'm in AZ and it's legal).
Another cosmetic change I'm considering is blacking out the tailights, that orange corner reflector, and maybe the headlights. Thoughts and prices on that? Do the ealers care if you do this (void warranty, charge extra, etc)?
Thanks in advance for all of you who take the time to read the post and respond if you have any advice or feedback.
Now I'm on my way out the door to go drive my new Benz around!
Last edited by THebert; Jul 1, 2012 at 12:52 PM.
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Nissan GT-R BE / '12 Ducati-1199 Panigale S / '12 C300-4M Loaded/GLK350-4M Loaded
Congrats and welcome to MBW! 
Well there are some that love the all black wheel look. Then there are others that do no not. Then there are a few that say a matte black wheel with a polished lip is the way to go. If I were to go w/black wheels, I would not go with a solid black, too common IMO. I happen to think the black (either gloss or matte) looks best with a polished lip! I would keep these wheels and tires and buy another set exactly the way you like them.
Well there are some that love the all black wheel look. Then there are others that do no not. Then there are a few that say a matte black wheel with a polished lip is the way to go. If I were to go w/black wheels, I would not go with a solid black, too common IMO. I happen to think the black (either gloss or matte) looks best with a polished lip! I would keep these wheels and tires and buy another set exactly the way you like them.
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From: Charlotte, NC
2015 BMW M235i 6MT
Is a black-painted grille an option at the dealership now? I was at the dealership, and I saw a new white C250 with a black grille.
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2012 C250
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2012
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2012 C250
JLee,
Those rims look great. I'm not sure if that color would go with the style of rims I have though. They probably would.
I don't think keeping them clean would be all as big of an issue for me as it is for you since I live in AZ with no snow or rain.
Those rims look great. I'm not sure if that color would go with the style of rims I have though. They probably would.
I don't think keeping them clean would be all as big of an issue for me as it is for you since I live in AZ with no snow or rain.
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Nissan GT-R BE / '12 Ducati-1199 Panigale S / '12 C300-4M Loaded/GLK350-4M Loaded
These guys will paint their wheels in any combo you wish, Full gloss or Matte, Black center with polished rim, black rim with polished center... etc etc. They make all kinds of designs, sizes and offsets.
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2012 C250
And what is the reputable aftermarket online shop that most people use? I.e. when I had my mustang we used americanmuscle, and when I had my BMW m3 we used bavarian auto.
I'll probably be able to find some smoked tailights, headlights, and reflectors there.
I'll probably be able to find some smoked tailights, headlights, and reflectors there.
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From: Dix Hills
2011 c300 4matic
@THebert yeah thats true!
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2009 C300
Also, has anyone done window tinting from Mercedes dealership? They charge $429 for the whole car but I'm not sure how dark it will be. I will probably take it to a window tint shop and get them as black as I can (I'm in AZ and it's legal).
Another cosmetic change I'm considering is blacking out the tailights, that orange corner reflector, and maybe the headlights. Thoughts and prices on that? Do the dealers care if you do this (void warranty, charge extra, etc)?
I would never get the aftermarket stuff done at the dealer, way overpriced. I got my windows tinted, 20% all around for $125 at a local tint shop, bought the smoked side markers on Ebay for about $50 and installed myself. Keep the originals and replace when your lease is up.
Still looking at wheels, but will probably end up going with chrome.
Nice car! you're going to love it.
Another cosmetic change I'm considering is blacking out the tailights, that orange corner reflector, and maybe the headlights. Thoughts and prices on that? Do the dealers care if you do this (void warranty, charge extra, etc)?
I would never get the aftermarket stuff done at the dealer, way overpriced. I got my windows tinted, 20% all around for $125 at a local tint shop, bought the smoked side markers on Ebay for about $50 and installed myself. Keep the originals and replace when your lease is up.
Still looking at wheels, but will probably end up going with chrome.
Nice car!
you're going to love it.
Super Member
Joined: May 2010
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2008 W204
Interesting, the dealer was recommending you wheel painters when my guess would be that somewhere in your lease it penalizes you for modifying the wheel color. I would read your lease over before painting them, It would be very surprising if the dealer didn't charge you after 33 months for giving the car back with painted OEM rims. Plasti-dip is always an option as it has a nice black finish and is removable when you want it. You can also paint over the plasti-dip which i thought was a cool idea.
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Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Long Island, NY
2013 GL450
Nice grille 
Also, has anyone done window tinting from Mercedes dealership? They charge $429 for the whole car but I'm not sure how dark it will be. I will probably take it to a window tint shop and get them as black as I can (I'm in AZ and it's legal).
Another cosmetic change I'm considering is blacking out the tailights, that orange corner reflector, and maybe the headlights. Thoughts and prices on that? Do the dealers care if you do this (void warranty, charge extra, etc)?
I would never get the aftermarket stuff done at the dealer, way overpriced. I got my windows tinted, 20% all around for $125 at a local tint shop, bought the smoked side markers on Ebay for about $50 and installed myself. Keep the originals and replace when your lease is up.
Still looking at wheels, but will probably end up going with chrome.
Nice car! you're going to love it.
Another cosmetic change I'm considering is blacking out the tailights, that orange corner reflector, and maybe the headlights. Thoughts and prices on that? Do the dealers care if you do this (void warranty, charge extra, etc)?
I would never get the aftermarket stuff done at the dealer, way overpriced. I got my windows tinted, 20% all around for $125 at a local tint shop, bought the smoked side markers on Ebay for about $50 and installed myself. Keep the originals and replace when your lease is up.
Still looking at wheels, but will probably end up going with chrome.
Nice car!
you're going to love it.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: San Francisco
'08 Mercedes C300
I wish we didn't have a legal tint limit for the front windows here in California, though 45% and 15% doesn't look too bad. I just wanted it to be a bit darker to avoid those awkward moments at a traffic light where your eyes wander and you wind up making eye contact with the wrong person.
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From: Tampa, FL
Mercedes and more
We are a MOZ Wheels dealer for that wheel above that was posted. We just did a newer C class on some 19" Rohana RC5's that turned out real nice. Black/Machined with a Chrome Lip, concave wheel. I need to get the photos posted up.
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From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
I'm just so impressed with the bravery of anyone in Arizona who takes on a black car ("It's a dry heat!" Yes, we know!
),
Welcome and I also like the body color grille treatment...for your consideration.
),Welcome and I also like the body color grille treatment...for your consideration.
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From: Arizona
Lexus; BMW; WTB AMG CLS or SL
Don't do the after market mods at the dealer. Way too expensive.
You'll want the tint for AZ. Go for 20%.
Wheels are really a personal preference. I personally like black or charcoal wheels on a black car, although nice chromed rims can look very good, too. Check out tirerack.com for wheels.
As far as smoking the various lights, you can either buy after-market (I'd try google and ebay, I don't have a place to recommend) or have someone smoke (tint) them for you.
You'll want the tint for AZ. Go for 20%.
Wheels are really a personal preference. I personally like black or charcoal wheels on a black car, although nice chromed rims can look very good, too. Check out tirerack.com for wheels.
As far as smoking the various lights, you can either buy after-market (I'd try google and ebay, I don't have a place to recommend) or have someone smoke (tint) them for you.
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From: on my way
2012 CLS63
the stock wheels on my 550 are powder coated black, and a a breeze to keep clean....you have to REALLY look to see the dirt or dust or whatever, and when they are clean...
they look amazing...
plastic dip seems like the ultra cheap way to go.....
good luck
they look amazing...
plastic dip seems like the ultra cheap way to go.....
good luck
Member
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From: Chicago
C
Welcome to MBW. One thing you don't want to do is buy cheap wheels. So search the forum and look around to see what you like. I personally never liked black wheels until I came across a really nice set of volks. Bought them and haven't looked back.
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2012 C250
I just started a thread with pics u can see. I went with TSW brooklands. They look similar to ur stock wheels as I had the same. Just did 19s instead. Also they come in matte black which I think would look sick on ur ride. Talk to Ty at discount tire on flw and 101. He will give u a good price. Also wise guys off Scottsdale rd across from kierland had an excellent tint shop. I did huper optic for first layer and is deff worth the money I. Az. Barley any heat comes through. Second layer I did limo for the darkness 
they did my full clear bra, head lights and mirrors. Excellent job. Hope this helps.
they did my full clear bra, head lights and mirrors. Excellent job. Hope this helps.
