CLS63AMGGUY

Driving home, took a different route then usual, hit a huge pothole, about 8 inches deep...my right-front rim split down the damn middle!!!!! Only traveling 40 MPH...I am still in shock...no injuries...just ticked-off beyond belief...

Tele Aid was absolutely HORRIBLE...I finally called my service mgr. and he arranged everything...got a flatbed tow truck out with in 25 mins and had a loaner ther for me...they did an awesome job! (S. Charlotte Mercedes, NC)

...I'll fill everyone in on the total damage tomorrow!

TeutonicCarFan

Get a pic if you can!

advans

wow that must suck! take some pics of the damage,

paul928

Were the wheels stock or aftermarket wheels?

Bilal

Make sure they repair it under warranty.

I don't know how American consumer laws operate but these (stock) rims and tyres are designed to carry 2+tons at 200mph+. If they break hitting a pothole (no matter how big it is wink wink) it is a sign of unsatisfactory quality.

NVR_L8

Wow that's crazy.

amgme

8" deep pothole? damn, that's a freakin crater!

CLS63AMGGUY

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/album?c=...278342&.src=ph

Thericker

Looks like you clearly drove off the road, yes it's a crapy road but if you showed this to Dealer/or Insurance Co. you better believe they'll cancel your claim since the hole/rut is clearly over the white line/off the paved road.

Good luck, & just stick to your story but leave local/pic's out...

BurnR8

wow....ditch the pictures (yes pun intended)....you should have been in an SUV....cuz you were not on the road.....sorry for the bad luck....but the white line has its purpose....

IanSL55

OUCH. Sorry about your rim... but I don't think you're going to be able to get anything from MB or even the city/county. That's not a pot hole (which is a hole with sides in the middle of the road), but the edge of the road itself. Dangerous for sure, but I'm hard pressed to think of anyone who's going to side with you driving off the shoulder. Maybe if you keep the pictures to yourself...

~ Ian

02S430

yea i agree with the above posters kinda offroading there but hope it turns out well

blazinginder

the "pothole" is on side of the road but from what i see, the white line would be going through a portion of the "pothole" if there was actually tar there...dont know if that makes sense but yeah....still shouldnt of caused THAT kind of damage

CLS63AMGGUY

Sorry to disagree with you guys...Although I do appreciate your comments...Maybe the pictures don't do the actual seen justice. When I met the off out there the following day he mentioned a few things:

1) The road doesn't have the proper banking, toward the center line as it should at the curve,
2) The width of the road demands a shoulder for the amount of traffic on the road, and there is none,
3) The pothole has been around for a while, it should have been fixed due to the previously reported incidents at that location and finally,
4) The pothole begins to the LEFT of the white line and yes, does continue into the shoulder, but as the laws state per the Officer, the white line is what you should follow as your guide.

Now, since I am an Insurance agent, I know what to do and not do...but the Officer feels that I'll be able to get back at least my deductible...(for those of you that don't know, it would fall under your Collision) and I agree...Negligence is the key...there were previous reports made and nothing was done about it. = City of Charlotte Negligent !

my E430 rocket

so did u fall of the edge of the road or were u already off road and drove back up?

CLS63AMGGUY

i was riding the white line due to a truck on the center line coming from the opposite direction...slid-off is fair way to describe what happened. thanks

MB Fanatic

Hmm I would take this up with Charlotte. HOw the **** do you get a 8" chunk of road missing, regardless of location on the highway. I figure a new rim should be around $500???

kip

That has to be a manufacturing/mold error!?

IanSL55

Maybe... but a 8" hole would be like running into a tall curb... at 40MPH I think it could have been much worse...

~ Ian

shadowgriffen

I have hit a MILLION potholes here in boston at multiple speeds and the R129's (though a bit trashed now) are still holding true.

that really sux though, nonetheless...

CLS63AMGGUY

Service Mgr. called, all parts will be in by 11/14...EXCEPT the Calipers...they are not available as of yet...As soon as it is manufactured, it will be shipped, maybe two to three weeks they say...I am going to call MB to see if I can get something to happen...

Dogshine

it blew out your brake caliper too?

Whoopsy

For hitting something that deep that hard, he'll be lucky if the car's frame is stil l square.

erikj

I know that in some states they have reimbursement programs for damage done to vehicles by road hazards, such as potholes. I would try that route first so you don't make your insurance rates go up. Also, another thing to mention is that I believe you only have 30 days to file a complaint and you must figure out if its a state road or a town road and you must file with the correct department. If you live in a state that has HUGE excize tax like here in Maine (24mils per thousand), you may want to get some of that money back since they aren't maintaining their roads that well.

I hope this helps and good luck.

-Erik

juicee63

I understand it was a small ditch a bit off the road...However the type of damage to me indicates a manufacturing defect. No way the rim should split, tire blow, run flat on the rin sure, maybe it bends, but the split to me is a reflection of substandard materials, I would have the metal tested. I betcha something is not right with your rims.