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I recently noticed that my lug bolts were getting dull and rusty. Unlike my AMG rims, they were loosing their appeal. I replaced them with these titanium beauties. Not only are they permanently shinny and bright, but they will never corrode or fade and are almost half their weight. What's not to consider?
Weight doesn't really matter on a C300 considering odds are 0% you'll track this car so unsprung weight is a mute point.
How much did you pay for titanium lugs? I couldn't find a set under $250. I got anodized black lugs that have removable seats to support OEM or aftermarket wheels for under half of that, and they also have custom locking lugs that are unable to have a socket banged over them.
I bought a set of Mevius Blue Neon Lugs #40611UN
Couldn't stand the rust look of the OEM lugs. They aren't titanium but I haven't had any problems with them at all. In fact, I run them on all of my cars with no problems.
I could put the OEM Mercedes lock on, but it would look out of place.
They seem to be the right size to fit the W204 OEM wheels (M14x1.5, 27-28mm with an R14 ball seat). They don't specify the radius on the ball seat but looking up the other vehicles they're supposed to fit and a quick measurement from the photos seem to suggest they're R14s.
Considering how important a lugnut is on the C class (due to its design), I'm surprised people are using non OEM lugnuts. I would never ever be replacing my lugnuts with something other than OEM.
Lugs, wheels, curb rash, OEM... but then at 1 o'clock.
Sorry guys,
Daddy... Shop for a new tire!
Before there is nothing left of that Benz but the shiny lug bolts at the salvage yard.
I bought chrome OEM bolts to get rid of the rusty ones and even those are starting to corrode not even a year later. I would have bought the titanium ones if I had known about them.
Lugs, wheels, curb rash, OEM... but then at 1 o'clock.
Sorry guys,
Daddy... Shop for a new tire!
Before there is nothing left of that Benz but the shiny lug bolts at the salvage yard.
Can't believe it took this long for someone to notice the tire, it was the first thing I saw. That would be way more important than the lug bolts. Replace the tire immediately!
Can't believe it took this long for someone to notice the tire, it was the first thing I saw. That would be way more important than the lug bolts. Replace the tire immediately!
Yes, I hit a deep pothole which caused the tire damage. I had to wait for the replacement to arrive from special order. I'm impressed by the tire design being able to withstand such damage.
i just ordered new lug bolts from dealer, was around $127 for all 20. remember to specify silver or black they come both ways. OP never linked to site where he bought new lugs. not sure i would trust aftermarket stuff either, but those sure look nice. its a shame our lugs are such dog****.
center caps were also shot, those were about $60 for 4. I believe its the wheel cleaner that kills the center caps, will prob stop using that stuff on her 204 going forward.
W204 C200, BMW E30 M3, 1980Gt Mini, Toyota Corona, KTM 200 EXC.
Lug nut upgrade
Hi
One thing most people don’t know is you have to be vary careful with is titanium fasteners they can very easy develop stress cracking points at the route of the threads.
You have to buy from reputable firm with quality control not manufactured in third world and sold via some where else.
I dint know yours may be really good and top notch so all good if it is, but a warning for buy cheep from not so good place.
Considering how important a lugnut is on the C class (due to its design), I'm surprised people are using non OEM lugnuts. I would never ever be replacing my lugnuts with something other than OEM.
You do realize how stupid this sounds right? Yes we drive Mercedes, but just because it is a part made by Mercedes doesn't mean it's the highest quality form of that part ever made. These true titanium lugs for example are going to be lighter and stronger. The Mission Speed lugs I run have interchangable seats on them so you can use them for OEM or aftermarket wheels, and they come with locks that are going to be near impossible to bang a socket over.
Having worked with a bunch of aftermarket companies in my 9 years of modifying cars, I can definitely say some aftermarket parts are of higher quality.
Hi
One thing most people don’t know is you have to be vary careful with is titanium fasteners they can very easy develop stress cracking points at the route of the threads.
You have to buy from reputable firm with quality control not manufactured in third world and sold via some where else.
I dint know yours may be really good and top notch so all good if it is, but a warning for buy cheep from not so good place.
this is worth repeating... you cannot go whaling on Ti lugs with an impact gun, as Ti is prone to cracking.
Originally Posted by 97 GSX 97
You do realize how stupid this sounds right? Yes we drive Mercedes, but just because it is a part made by Mercedes doesn't mean it's the highest quality form of that part ever made. These true titanium lugs for example are going to be lighter and stronger. The Mission Speed lugs I run have interchangable seats on them so you can use them for OEM or aftermarket wheels, and they come with locks that are going to be near impossible to bang a socket over.
Having worked with a bunch of aftermarket companies in my 9 years of modifying cars, I can definitely say some aftermarket parts are of higher quality.
I would venture a part stamped from manufacture is prob better than MOST aftermarket crap. keep working on cars and you'll learn this, it takes a while, it did for me, im a slow learner.
I tried searching your lug nuts to learn more about them but could only find them on ebay coming straight from china...
do you know what galling is? because you could be in for a real surprise when a cheap, undisclosed spec'd lug bolt snaps off in a very expensive wheel carrier. Unless you know for sure what grade Ti is being used you are really just hoping for the best.
Ti and steel are far apart on the anodic scale, the Ti will actually corrode the steel if water is present.
Pure Ti is rather brittle and tends to fail (when it does) dramatically. The most common alloy of Ti is 3/2 - that is 3 percent Aluminum / 2 percent Vanadium, which is light and strong. There is also 6/4 Ti (6 percent aluminum, 4 percent Vanadium) which is a bit stronger but I think lacks the tensile strength of 3/2. The thing is, there are a number of grades of Titanium as well... sources of mined Ti; eastern European Ti used to be looked at as suspect with impurities but this was many years ago.
Considering how important a lugnut is on the C class (due to its design), I'm surprised people are using non OEM lugnuts. I would never ever be replacing my lugnuts with something other than OEM.
1) how is a lug nut more important or stressed on the C-Class compared to a different car?
2) Because nothing is stronger or better than OEM? Like my OEM headbolts that tend to fail and cost thousands to replace? This logic is very flawed. OEM stuff has what MB considered the best cost-benefit ratio. There are far better parts available in the aftermarket for many things.
Just as a warning, be certain to double check clearances! I some how smashed my front left 5 titanium lug bolts into the back of mount, but not my other 15 lug bolts.
I spent some time trying to diagnose the root cause and measure my parts but to no avail. All the bolts came out the same exact overall length, the wheel hole depths are the same, the rotor hat thickness was the same, and it was only rubbing on the lower section of the steering knuckle. There was no play in the hub either.
I can only guess the aftermarket bolts were just too long with the wheels I am using and maybe the steering knuckle was too long on the left casting. Still not 100% certain, but I will get to the bottom of this.
this is worth repeating... you cannot go whaling on Ti lugs with an impact gun, as Ti is prone to cracking.
I would venture a part stamped from manufacture is prob better than MOST aftermarket crap. keep working on cars and you'll learn this, it takes a while, it did for me, im a slow learner.
I tried searching your lug nuts to learn more about them but could only find them on ebay coming straight from china...
They are dispersed through China, but Mission Speed is actually an Australian company. They are also the first company to produce a wheel lock with a spinning body so even if you were to slam a socket over it good luck getting it to sit still so you can remove it.
You must not buy quality aftermarket parts, but coming from the Japanese side of modding most aftermarket parts are higher quality. OEM only meets DOT spec...it doesn't mean they are the highest quality.
Last edited by 97 GSX 97; Jul 25, 2017 at 01:48 AM.
W204 C200, BMW E30 M3, 1980Gt Mini, Toyota Corona, KTM 200 EXC.
The thing is, OEM weather you like them or not have a QA department and items are produced to a standard like ISO 9001 etc, if you are able to find out what company manufactures the lug bolts and do they have a QA department and manufacture to a recognised engineering standard then all good.
I am saying do some homework to make sure you keep safe and that applies down the road when you sell the car.
I work in the aeronautical industry on airframes and engines also qualified automotive engineer and work with large and small titanium bolts so I do have some knowledge about this subject. Titanium bolts have a very generous radius where it goes from the shank to the head and the threads are carefully formed.
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