C55 Wheel Crack Options
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 66
Likes: 9
2006 C55, 2008 CLK63 Black
C55 Wheel Crack Options
I have the OEM 18 inch wheels for my 2006 C55. Just recently, I noticed that one of the tires was leaking air. Since I needed to put new tires on anyway, I took it to my usual mercedes benz specialist, who told me that one of the rear wheels (18 x 8.5) is cracked.
The hairline crack is on the inner portion of the rear wheel, and he told me that he can give it to a welder this Monday to fix the crack for $100. The shop owner has been working on mercedes benz vehicles for 15 years or so, and he told me that there would be no loss in performance whatsoever. That being said, I went online and did my research, and I'm not so sure that this is true. For instance, http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/s...ad.php?t=11639 was highly against this approach since the extent of the damage to the entire wheel is unknown.
So, I feel that I have four options, outlined below:
- 1) Weld for $100
- 2) Purchase new OEM wheel for $800
- 3) Purchase refinished OEM wheel for $179
website: http://www.transwheel.com
OEM re-finishing description: http://www.transwheel.com/about/TWAb...px?Event=About
- 4) Purchase an OER? wheel for $138 ($118 + $20 SH)
wheels: http://www.wheelsandcaps.com/catalog..._203&Year=2006
In this option, I would need to purchase new wheels for all the tires since they are not the "same" OEM wheel. The total would come out to $553 ($473 + $80). Their ebay rating is very good: http://myworld.ebay.com/wheelsandcaps
Any advice or guidance is appreciated. I'm thinking the most logical option would be number 3).
Thanks!
The hairline crack is on the inner portion of the rear wheel, and he told me that he can give it to a welder this Monday to fix the crack for $100. The shop owner has been working on mercedes benz vehicles for 15 years or so, and he told me that there would be no loss in performance whatsoever. That being said, I went online and did my research, and I'm not so sure that this is true. For instance, http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/s...ad.php?t=11639 was highly against this approach since the extent of the damage to the entire wheel is unknown.
So, I feel that I have four options, outlined below:
- 1) Weld for $100
- 2) Purchase new OEM wheel for $800
- 3) Purchase refinished OEM wheel for $179
website: http://www.transwheel.com
OEM re-finishing description: http://www.transwheel.com/about/TWAb...px?Event=About
- 4) Purchase an OER? wheel for $138 ($118 + $20 SH)
wheels: http://www.wheelsandcaps.com/catalog..._203&Year=2006
In this option, I would need to purchase new wheels for all the tires since they are not the "same" OEM wheel. The total would come out to $553 ($473 + $80). Their ebay rating is very good: http://myworld.ebay.com/wheelsandcaps
Any advice or guidance is appreciated. I'm thinking the most logical option would be number 3).
Thanks!
Last edited by souljas_1; Feb 20, 2010 at 02:26 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,948
Likes: 3
From: Houston, TX
C32/C55 AMG
The oem 18" rims seem to be fragile. I had a brand new replacement put on my car and about a year later the rim had developed a hairline crack. One day every thing was fine and the next I had a leaky rim. I'm sure that I hadn't hit any pot holes around the time the rim developed the leak, but I'm sure I had hit quite a few through normal driving.
I had a place repair the crack and it's been working well ever since, even hit a few pot holes with out a problem. I would say go for the fix, just make sure that the place does a good job. Some places just don't do great work and you definitely do not want any problems with your wheels.
I had a place repair the crack and it's been working well ever since, even hit a few pot holes with out a problem. I would say go for the fix, just make sure that the place does a good job. Some places just don't do great work and you definitely do not want any problems with your wheels.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 66
Likes: 9
2006 C55, 2008 CLK63 Black
The oem 18" rims seem to be fragile. I had a brand new replacement put on my car and about a year later the rim had developed a hairline crack. One day every thing was fine and the next I had a leaky rim. I'm sure that I hadn't hit any pot holes around the time the rim developed the leak, but I'm sure I had hit quite a few through normal driving.
I had a place repair the crack and it's been working well ever since, even hit a few pot holes with out a problem. I would say go for the fix, just make sure that the place does a good job. Some places just don't do great work and you definitely do not want any problems with your wheels.
I had a place repair the crack and it's been working well ever since, even hit a few pot holes with out a problem. I would say go for the fix, just make sure that the place does a good job. Some places just don't do great work and you definitely do not want any problems with your wheels.
links: http://www.wheelsandcaps.com/w_selec...&_MODEL=MB_209
http://www.wheelsandcaps.com/w_selec...&_MODEL=MB_209
I don't think I would have problems with my rear tires (255/35) fitting these rims. If a time comes that I trade in my car to the dealership, would they have issues with buying a car with aftermarket wheels?
