AMG3.2

+1. Had a set of RE30's and those things were strong...

Volk

lcx7010

you are not fitst person happend this situations!

glennhl

I really like the look of a number of aftermarket wheels, but this thread has convince me to stick with the factory wheels.

chrisridebike8

Factory wheels are made by the same companies that make aftermarket. The same as any component on the car unless you buy a Koeniggsegg. The stock 18 inch 5 spokes are made by Borbet. My dad has a W211 E550 and the stock wheels kept bending. They were made by Ronal I think. Aftermarket wheels are fine. Just do research first.

glennhl

Thanks for the info. But what concerns me the most is that the wheel in this thread was forged and should have never broken. The hit required to break this wheel should have been great enough to bend the rim. Maybe Forgestar is bending the truth a little when they say these are forged wheels. For example, the term flow forged means that they start with a casting and just flow form the rim part, the spokes are still just a casting. In the end I'm just sticking with the factory rim, it's a little heavy, but it's plenty strong. And heck it's a nice looking rim.

AMG3.2

Like you said, these wheels aren't forged. They're flow formed which is like a hybrid form of casting and forging, closer to casting in my opinion.

Chrisridebike is right. Factory wheels are often made by companies like BBS, Ronal, Borbet, and will bend/crack just like aftermarket ones will. OE wheels are heavy because being cast, they lack the strength which means they need more metal to equal the strength of a lighter weight forged wheel.

The real danger in terms of aftermarket wheels is light and cheap wheels.

Forging, as a process, costs more than casting. Having a light cast wheel that's cheap is just a recipe for disaster.

If you want a somewhat sturdy yet cheaper wheel, stay with an OE wheel or heavy aftermarket wheel which'll provide the strength that their lightweight counterparts cannot.

Stolen from M3Forum: "The Golden Rule of Wheels: Light, Cheap, Strong. Pick two."

glennhl

Outstanding information and recommendations. I came to the same conclusion that you did. Thanks.

chrisridebike8

I'm sure you all have seen this.

c63er

What do you expect from a company called "FORGEstar" that sells wheels that are not forged?
As it is very obvious in this and other threads, the company's name manages to mislead a lot of people into thinking these wheels are forged. That is one of the reasons I would never buy wheels from a company like that that uses such a dirty misleading approach to selling their crappy cheap wheels.

bhamg

Looks like two people each cracked two OE wheels here. Time to tar and feather the factory.

https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...ck-18-rim.html

chrisridebike8

Yeah. The stock 19 inch multispokes are known to be weaker than most. Like I said before, just research what wheels you are running, stock or aftermarket. We are all on the forums to be educated about the cars we love and make informed decisions on maintenance and modifications. We can blame companies left and right but ultimately it's the responsibility of the owner to decide what goes on his or her car and what does not. And if you are the first with a problem or a failure, it's almost your reaponsibility (in my opinion) to get that info out there to help others make their decisions. Enjoy your cars, people! No one's telling you to put forgestars on your car if you don't want to.

tpliquid

My dad cracked his OE wheel on his 07 E550 after 4 years of owning it. Cracked on the inside barrel.

chrisridebike8

Yeah. My dad's 08 E550 did the same. He had these wheels. Now he has TSW Nurburgrings and loves them.