Aftermarket wheel Thread.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 3
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C63 2012 Coupe
Cracked Forgestar F14 wheels, three out of four!
3 out of 4 Forgestar F14 Wheels cracked. Wanted to document my experience with aftermarket Forgester F14 Wheels on a 2012 C63 P31. Car was leased in Dec 2011 and 18in Forgester F14 wheels purchased with Vredestine Tires in Jan 2012 from an aftermarket dealer in Las Vegas. A black powdercoat was applied before tires were mounted on the wheels by another vendor in Las Vegas. I assumed the lease in Jul 2012 and the car was transferred to San Antonio.
In Dec 2012, Inoticed a leak in the passenger front tire and had it inspected at a local Firestone dealer. They found a hairline crack on the inner lip, showed it to me and said they had someone who could weld the crack. I did not take a picture. After several weeks it was decided that it could not be repaired and a replacement was ordered from the Las Vegas dealer where the wheels were originally bought. The wheel plus the powder coating cost close to $800 and was delivered to me about 4 months later in May 2013. Things were fine until July 2013 when I noted a leak in the driver front tire. I took it to the Mercedes Dealer who found another crack on the inner lip of this wheel and sent it out for welding. The weld worked for several months but a slow leak was noted and the day I took it in for inspection, a leak was noted in the passenger rear tire. Both wheels were inspected and there was a new crack next to the welded area and the passenger rear wheel also had a crack on the inner lip. See attached pictures. Fortunately, I have the OEM wheels and tires so they are back on the car.
I have been driving the same 7 mile home to work path over“friendly roads” for 30 years with about 10 different cars. I have had my shareof flat tires but never a problem with a wheel cracking. Most of these cars didnot have low profile tires, but my last car was an E350 and the OEM wheels andtires never had problems. I did hit something hard enough to bend one of theE350 wheels and damage the sidewall of the tire. The tire was replaced, the wheel was beatback in shape but there wasn’t a crack.
In Dec 2012, Inoticed a leak in the passenger front tire and had it inspected at a local Firestone dealer. They found a hairline crack on the inner lip, showed it to me and said they had someone who could weld the crack. I did not take a picture. After several weeks it was decided that it could not be repaired and a replacement was ordered from the Las Vegas dealer where the wheels were originally bought. The wheel plus the powder coating cost close to $800 and was delivered to me about 4 months later in May 2013. Things were fine until July 2013 when I noted a leak in the driver front tire. I took it to the Mercedes Dealer who found another crack on the inner lip of this wheel and sent it out for welding. The weld worked for several months but a slow leak was noted and the day I took it in for inspection, a leak was noted in the passenger rear tire. Both wheels were inspected and there was a new crack next to the welded area and the passenger rear wheel also had a crack on the inner lip. See attached pictures. Fortunately, I have the OEM wheels and tires so they are back on the car.
I have been driving the same 7 mile home to work path over“friendly roads” for 30 years with about 10 different cars. I have had my shareof flat tires but never a problem with a wheel cracking. Most of these cars didnot have low profile tires, but my last car was an E350 and the OEM wheels andtires never had problems. I did hit something hard enough to bend one of theE350 wheels and damage the sidewall of the tire. The tire was replaced, the wheel was beatback in shape but there wasn’t a crack.
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Joined: May 2010
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From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
2010 C63 AMG, 2009 ISF , 2002 L-Tuned IS300, 2011 ML350
Sorry to hear about ur misfortune drcbc, Forgestar are overrated wheels made in China therefore the cheap cost. Some ppl had good luck with their wheels & customer service, some like u just had nightmare.
On the other hand, was ur wheels powder coated by a different source other than Forgestar? I'm asking cuz a bad powder coating process can definitely weaken the wheels structure.
On the other hand, was ur wheels powder coated by a different source other than Forgestar? I'm asking cuz a bad powder coating process can definitely weaken the wheels structure.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 390
Likes: 37
From: Melbourne, Australia
2010 C63 and 2018 GLC63s
Prior to ordering Forgestar CF10s I did a fair amount of internet searching. It seems that the F14 has either an inherent design issue or regularly undergoes a mnufacturing issue as the reports of failure are numerous. The reports of failure in respect to Forgestar wheels other than the F14 are rare. You would have thought that by now Forgestar would have fixed the issue (I note that drcbc's wheels date back to Jan 2012) given they have been around since 2008/2009.
There is a market out there for someone to produce mid range priced wheels out of China with quality and service.
There is a market out there for someone to produce mid range priced wheels out of China with quality and service.
Last edited by GRP; Nov 12, 2013 at 12:00 AM.
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C63 AMG
That's the thing…when you take an inexpensive non-forged wheel from offshore that weighs under 20lbs in 19x8.5 and then powder coat it again at anywhere between 400-1,000˚F…well that's asking for (structural) trouble IMO.
Last edited by bhamg; Nov 11, 2013 at 07:26 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2010
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From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
2010 C63 AMG, 2009 ISF , 2002 L-Tuned IS300, 2011 ML350
That "might" be the cause of ur cracking drcbc. I'm not taking the blame away from Forgestar, but the powder coating process might have something to do with this.
I would say those wheels are good for recycling, they are a ticking bomb. Buy a nice set of forged wheels & don't look back. Good luck!
I would say those wheels are good for recycling, they are a ticking bomb. Buy a nice set of forged wheels & don't look back. Good luck!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Kitchener, ON
2010 C63 AMG
I'm going to chance the 275 AD08 R (10.7" section width) on a 9.5" +50
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From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
2010 C63 AMG, 2009 ISF , 2002 L-Tuned IS300, 2011 ML350
Good infos jasonoff. I don't rub with the 265/30 V12 (10.7" as u stated), so if ur math is good u should be fine with the 275/30 AD08 R.. Are those Bridgestone?
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Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Kitchener, ON
2010 C63 AMG
I run a 14mm spacer on the OE rear which makes it a 9" +40 that rubs with people in the back or on the track. That translates to +52.7mm on a 10" wheel.
I think, err hope the extra 2.3mm will make it clear.
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From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
2010 C63 AMG, 2009 ISF , 2002 L-Tuned IS300, 2011 ML350
Definitely 19x10 +55mm w/275/30/19 will clear. I think with that offset, u can go 285/30/19.
Yokos Advan sport is what I'm running on my oem multispokes, and they look bulgy (19x9 w/255/30/19) and seems to run wider than my V12. Maybe the AD08 R are different.
What wheels are u getting? Sounds like custom made wheels since u can chose the size & offset.
Yokos Advan sport is what I'm running on my oem multispokes, and they look bulgy (19x9 w/255/30/19) and seems to run wider than my V12. Maybe the AD08 R are different.
What wheels are u getting? Sounds like custom made wheels since u can chose the size & offset.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
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Mercedes c63 amg
Thats funny cause m'y car i have the amg king of avs f15 gunmetal on 19 inch andd 3 of 4 are been crack, for sure I did track but this is not the case, the suspension is so tight that was the cause, don't blame on a particular brand this is the car effect by is weight plus suspension setup
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2010
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From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
2010 C63 AMG, 2009 ISF , 2002 L-Tuned IS300, 2011 ML350
Thats funny cause m'y car i have the amg king of avs f15 gunmetal on 19 inch andd 3 of 4 are been crack, for sure I did track but this is not the case, the suspension is so tight that was the cause, don't blame on a particular brand this is the car effect by is weight plus suspension setup
But I think he meant his AMG multispokes (looks like the ADVAN F15) cracked as well, so no matter what brand wheels (reference to the Forgestar post above) the set-up of our cars made it more prone to cracking wheels.
In my opinion, not really true cuz the multispokes are also known for cracking issues. Not normal & AMG should honor this defect like the headbolts but they prefer to ignore the problems.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: North Carolina
C63 AMG
Just to add to the topic of Forgestar wheels, and their manufacturing quality, I have had 3 bent wheels this summer alone. In June I bent 3 wheels, didn't see that the rears were bent and only got one front wheel fixed. I hit an unpaved transition so hard that it had knocked out the alignment. The rear tires wore off the inner walls and further bent the wheels on the inside lip. When I got the rear tires replaced at the dealer, they saw the bends, and I now I have two more wheels on order from Eric at getyourwheels.com. Good thing I have USAA insurance and they picked up the tab and are suing the paving company.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
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Mercedes c63 amg
I definitively write with my phone, sorry for this. I just decide to stop buyer expansive wheel for a cheaper but still forge wheel, Mandrus... someone have a issue with Mandrus ??
Last edited by Stefj; Nov 25, 2013 at 09:24 AM.
Member
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Nashville, TN/Charlotte, NC
'11 BMW E90 M3
After some searching, this seems like the best place to post fitment related questions. Can anyone confirm if this setup would fit a '12 C63 sedan? As a note, I plan on going pretty low with coils.
Front - 20x9 ET35
Rear - 20x10 ET40
From what I've been able to gather, my offsets may be a little too low and I'm about .5" wider F&R than most of the fitment in this thread, just looking for a confirmation or second opinion. Thanks in advance guys!
Front - 20x9 ET35
Rear - 20x10 ET40
From what I've been able to gather, my offsets may be a little too low and I'm about .5" wider F&R than most of the fitment in this thread, just looking for a confirmation or second opinion. Thanks in advance guys!
Last edited by b7bydesign; Jan 15, 2014 at 11:59 AM.
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From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
2010 C63 AMG, 2009 ISF , 2002 L-Tuned IS300, 2011 ML350
The front can fit with stretched tires (235/35 or 225/35), but the rear will be a pain. U need at least +50 to clear the 20x10.
Member
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Nashville, TN/Charlotte, NC
'11 BMW E90 M3
