SD and HRE
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,026
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From: Walnut Creek, CA
Vivid Racing '09 C63 AMG
SD and HRE
Hey folks,
I'm down in SD for a couple of conferences if anyone would like to connect. I flew down so my car isn't with me and even worse...Hertz stuck me in a Prius!
Anyway, I'm heading over to HRE for a tour. Come join!
--D
I'm down in SD for a couple of conferences if anyone would like to connect. I flew down so my car isn't with me and even worse...Hertz stuck me in a Prius!
Anyway, I'm heading over to HRE for a tour. Come join!
--D
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2012
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2012 C63 AMG Sedan
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,026
Likes: 7
From: Walnut Creek, CA
Vivid Racing '09 C63 AMG
Yeah, I was on a roll upward from a Yaris, to an Altima, to a GLK. I guess being Gold Club doesn't mean squat even though I've rented maybe 6 cars in the last 2 months.
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,026
Likes: 7
From: Walnut Creek, CA
Vivid Racing '09 C63 AMG
Quick detour to ACG...
Look who stopped by
Shop car - on race fuel, it's cranking about 800hp to the wheel, 0-60 in 2.3
Shop car again, but in the shop, they were working on 3 other GTRs. They'd just moved a month ago so it's still being fully setup
Look who stopped by
Shop car - on race fuel, it's cranking about 800hp to the wheel, 0-60 in 2.3
Shop car again, but in the shop, they were working on 3 other GTRs. They'd just moved a month ago so it's still being fully setup
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,026
Likes: 7
From: Walnut Creek, CA
Vivid Racing '09 C63 AMG
Manufacturing Process:
All monobloc wheels start as about 100lb blanks that get machined down to the basic design which ends up being between 17 and 22lbs; the tech has to hand mount every blank for each wheel and program in the design into the machine
The blanks then come out like this - 3-piece or 1-piece
Since the raw metal is still sharp after being machined, techs must sand it down by hand; if you have a mixed polished and brushed rim, they do this process twice - before and after the wash
After the sanding stage, each wheel is washed; for brushed wheels, they are washed by hand to make sure the chemicals and process do not ruin the finish
Then comes the powder coat, which I learned is an electrically charged rim being blasted with actual powder; after each wheel is finished, one of the engineers inspects every single wheel before he approves it to be shipped
The selection palate - my finish/color is missing...must be working on it
All monobloc wheels start as about 100lb blanks that get machined down to the basic design which ends up being between 17 and 22lbs; the tech has to hand mount every blank for each wheel and program in the design into the machine
The blanks then come out like this - 3-piece or 1-piece
Since the raw metal is still sharp after being machined, techs must sand it down by hand; if you have a mixed polished and brushed rim, they do this process twice - before and after the wash
After the sanding stage, each wheel is washed; for brushed wheels, they are washed by hand to make sure the chemicals and process do not ruin the finish
Then comes the powder coat, which I learned is an electrically charged rim being blasted with actual powder; after each wheel is finished, one of the engineers inspects every single wheel before he approves it to be shipped
The selection palate - my finish/color is missing...must be working on it
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,026
Likes: 7
From: Walnut Creek, CA
Vivid Racing '09 C63 AMG
More samples to go out to dealers
Look closely...you'll see CF in there
Showroom being rearranged
New rim style! I was told that all HREs are forged rims, not cast. When you cast a rim, the barrel is strong, but the face (spokes) isn't. To overcome, this dilemma, HRE collaborated with a Japanese company to design more affordable wheels that are still strong and top quality. These wheels are cast in a special way so that structural integrity is not compromised with affordability. I was told these new "Flowform" wheels can go for $2900/set.
Look closely...you'll see CF in there
Showroom being rearranged
New rim style! I was told that all HREs are forged rims, not cast. When you cast a rim, the barrel is strong, but the face (spokes) isn't. To overcome, this dilemma, HRE collaborated with a Japanese company to design more affordable wheels that are still strong and top quality. These wheels are cast in a special way so that structural integrity is not compromised with affordability. I was told these new "Flowform" wheels can go for $2900/set.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Walnut Creek, CA
Vivid Racing '09 C63 AMG
A customer's car about to be outfitted with new shoes, then a photoshoot, then back to its owner overseas
The president's car - well, his family car; I actually bumped into him (Alan) during the tour and got to shake his hand; I also finally put a face to Vince's name
The president's car - well, his family car; I actually bumped into him (Alan) during the tour and got to shake his hand; I also finally put a face to Vince's name
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From: THE Orange County, California
2024 C8 Z06- 2025 BMW CS- 2022 Porsche 992 GTS
Thanks for the virtual tour!!! I have been there many many times--- just got off the phone with the National Sales Director and ordered set #15 
Class Act Organization and Product.
Class Act Organization and Product.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Toronto
my wife bananas! :D
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,026
Likes: 7
From: Walnut Creek, CA
Vivid Racing '09 C63 AMG
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Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Derby, KS
2005 MB C230K Sport Sedan & 2011 MB C300
Great pictures! I plan to do this tour while visiting family in Escondido. I just dont know when.
CoolBDPhenom03, Is there a fee associated with the tour and how did you go about it? Was this a random "might as well stop by since I'm in the area" trip or was it scheduled in advance?
CoolBDPhenom03, Is there a fee associated with the tour and how did you go about it? Was this a random "might as well stop by since I'm in the area" trip or was it scheduled in advance?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 7,860
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From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
2010 C63 AMG, 2009 ISF , 2002 L-Tuned IS300, 2011 ML350
Awesome pics, thx for sharing CoolBD! It must have been a great experience to see the "behind the scene" of such a good company.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,026
Likes: 7
From: Walnut Creek, CA
Vivid Racing '09 C63 AMG
It really was. I always wanted to visit, but after seeing that video, I was even more impressed. However, the video pales in comparison to how painstaking every step is monitored and QC'd in real life. Very impressive - considering the quality and design, you really appreciate how good of a value HREs are.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 3,704
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From: Denham Springs,LA
'12 C63 Black Series, '12 ML350 BlueTech
Man that is really cool to be able to visit their factory. If i was around i would have done it as well. 
Did they say anything about the release date for the new low cost
models?
Did they say anything about the release date for the new low cost
models?
