New CPO owner nightmare: all wheels bent. Suggestions?
Long-time lurker, first-time poster. MBWorld was instrumental in helping me make my
purchase decision and the vast knowledge that's already been spread on this forum helped me a great deal through the purchase and early ownership process.
That said, I've had bad luck with the CPO 2013 C300 that I bought from a dealer in a nearby state last month, and would really appreciate all your suggestions about the following two things:
Here's the most onerous issue: the car was vibrating from the moment I test drove it. A quick conversation with the sales rep led me to believe that it was just a matter of tire pressures. Drove the car home and the vibrations were still there. Cut to three weeks later and I finally have the chance to take the car for a proper drive. Realized that it definitely wasn't the tire pressures and brought the car to my local dealer. The dealer diagnosed three bent rims. They had a guy come in to repair those rims. The vibrations got better, but didn't go away. And just to kick my car when it's down, when I took it car to the best independent in town for a Road Force balance, they found that not only were the three worked-on rims still out of round, but the 4th is as out of round well. The independent said that the damage is so bad that there's no way to fix the wheels any further and refused to do the balance because it'd be a waste of money.
So, I'm stuck with a lot of wobbling and vibrating, and the new tires that were put on as part of the CPO process will soon start to wear unevenly. Because it seems like I'll have to pay more the longer I wait, I've decided to purchase a complete set of replacement rims. The cost from the local dealer is $1,850 (including mounting with the existing tires, balancing and a 10% discount), and that's for refurbished rims (they couldn't find any new ones in their system).
Does anyone have any alternative suggestions? I'm extremely wary of buying refurbished rims from a non-dealer. Other dealers have quoted even higher costs. I've looked at aftermarket wheels, but I haven't been able to nail down which specific 17" or 18" ones would be highly durable, and I don't want to risk pouring more money down the drain.
All in all, I'm looking at almost $2,500 for repairing/replacing all 4 rims within six weeks of purchase. I'd definitely appreciate any suggestions on how to find a cheaper solution without risking that I'll end up with equally substandard replacement wheels. Do any of you think I should just stick with the wobbly wheels? Anyone recommend any aftermarket brands over OEM for durability?
Sorry to hear about your wheel issues. You mentioned this is a cpo vehicle? Why on earth did you not call your salesman and complain to him or her? They should have made good on that at no charge to you.
I bought a 2013 glk250 last year. This was not a cpo suv, but instead an executive dealer demo with 7300 miles. After I got it home I noticed the brakes were pulsing when applied. I called the salesman and he arranged my appointment. Upon the tech test driving and examining the brakes, they determined it needed new rotors and brake shoes on all 4 wheels. That was free to me.
. Made my day. If I were you, I would still call that salesman and raise hell.
Good luck.
But as far as that original car goes it must have hit something really hard on the road to do that damage. No telling what else would have been off.
Mercedes in West Chester always offers something to keep you coming back.
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When I do a CPO inspection I have a process I follow. First a quick short initial test drive, I check for vibrations/noises/pulling. I then bring it in and go through all the electrical features, seat controls/sun roof/etc. I do a full interior inspection, seats/carpet/etc for stains/tears/rips/odors/etc. I put the car up in the air while its in drive to check for bent rims (probably the #1 reason my CPO inspections are declined because bent rim=new rim=money sales don't want to spend). I inspect the vehicle frame/structure for accident damage (don't get me started on "it's got a clean "car fax"" BS). If it was damaged, instant fail no CPO non-negotiable. I inspect all of the suspension, check for ANY leaks, check the brakes, check tires(most get new tires). I check for any body damage and signs of the car being painted by a body shop. I then do a full diagnostic scan to check for fault codes (DTC's). The cars maintenance history also has to pass. I then give my report with the estimate cost to make it a CPO including all recommendations and findings, then I do any work I find on it covered by factory warranty. It is then up to the used car sales manager as to wether he wants the car or sends it to auction. If approved, I do all the work needed, and a final test drive to confirm the car is good. I also include an inspection check list report of the vehicle "pre-CPO" that is 4 pages that you are supposed to see. I have done a lot of cars in the span of my employment at the dealer I work at, and not once was there a "comeback" that involved my certification. Not every person in the shop can do this properly, it's not cut-and-dry to do it properly. ask what level/kind of techs do their CPO's, do they have a specific "team or group" and what are their qualifications/experience. we pay a premium for a CPO, it should be a cream puff if you understand what I mean
I said that dealer who sold the OP is shady and this is why. it's the management. trust me, the tech that looked at the car knew about the problems. But sales didn't want to pay the cost to fix it and "forced it's CPO approval", and it would happen because they pay the guy/girl and if he/she didn't do it sales won't give him work. Of course there is also a big factor on the quality of work but that is dependent on the Technician. The thing is, a legit dealership will not do that, and they will not have someone who does bad work do their CPO's.
That "MB wheels are soft so its normal email" is a BS excuse if I ever heard one,unacceptanble. If a wheel is damaged structurally (even if repairable) you at the very least fix it, if it can't be fixed you replace it (repair vs. replace depends on mfg and dealer, some repair but it's 100% new where I am for damaged wheels).
the Cracked windshield should not be there on a car that "is CPO'ed".
brake pulsations happen on CPO'ed cars, dealer should just have fixed it upon his complaint.
The local dealer stood up for the OP, VERY good sign they will give him the proper service he deserves and hopefully will restore his faith as he does sound like an upstanding person.
I see all over youtube the "CPO is a gimmick videos", that labels a hard working honest person like me as a crook and I really hate that! for a legit dealer it is the "real deal". If you want a true CPO for your money go to an upstanding/professional dealership.
I just thought an inside opinion on this post was needed.






