Curb Rash
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 16
Likes: 2
2019 AMG C63S Coupe
Curb Rash
As the title of the thread may indicate, this is about curb rash. Not speeding at high speeds curb rash, but parking curb rash. I had the major misfortune of having a terrible sales associate who indicated the driver assist package included parking sensors, which it does not. So my first time out attempting to parallel park I ended up curb rashing my rim. Keep in mind, these were the 19/20" AMG forged cross spoke (black) rims, running $2100 at purchase for the SET, and ~$2500 respectively PER RIM in an OEM after-market purchase.
The damage was done purely to the exterior of the rim, the machined edge where it is not actually black but aluminum and unpainted. I checked with every auto-body, wheel shop and dealership in the area (I live in the SF Bay Area) and no one will buck up to do the repair because they claim the AMG wheels have a "powder coated paint finish" that they can't replicate in any shop ANYWHERE.
Instead they are telling me the only option is to replace the entire rim, which literally costs what I mentioned, ~$2500 a pop. At this point I would love to know the sentiment of a prideful AMG owner and hear from you all on this painful topic. Obviously you take great pride in your vehicles and don't want any sort of blemish to stand out, especially one as awful as curb rash. People see it and think "damn this guy can't drive his car".
Looking forward to what options you would pursue.
The damage was done purely to the exterior of the rim, the machined edge where it is not actually black but aluminum and unpainted. I checked with every auto-body, wheel shop and dealership in the area (I live in the SF Bay Area) and no one will buck up to do the repair because they claim the AMG wheels have a "powder coated paint finish" that they can't replicate in any shop ANYWHERE.
Instead they are telling me the only option is to replace the entire rim, which literally costs what I mentioned, ~$2500 a pop. At this point I would love to know the sentiment of a prideful AMG owner and hear from you all on this painful topic. Obviously you take great pride in your vehicles and don't want any sort of blemish to stand out, especially one as awful as curb rash. People see it and think "damn this guy can't drive his car".
Looking forward to what options you would pursue.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 355
Likes: 44
MY17 C63s Sedan
Sorry for the issue and hope you get this sorted however I am not sure how the parking sensor would have saved you here even if you did have it because it doesn't pick up on curbs. At least mine doesn't.
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Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 178
Likes: 29
2019 Mercedes Benz E63S
I have similar damage from trying to avoid getting hit by another car. I decided to buy some BC Forged wheels for summer and use the stocks with rash for winter. That doesn't help you though however I would consider contacting these guys,
http://proformanceindustries.com
Check out this video. Seems like they got their s*!T together. On other side of country but might be best option.
http://proformanceindustries.com
Check out this video. Seems like they got their s*!T together. On other side of country but might be best option.
- Cosmetic wheel repair for eligible scrapes, scratches and other repairable cosmetic damage to an alloy wheel, limited to a total of four (4) individual wheel repairs during the Agreement term
Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 118
Likes: 9
2017 C63S Sedan
Nope, I brought my car in for cosmetic repair, declined by Mercedes Benz Canada, and I tried another dealership, same result
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,467
Likes: 5,356
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
What you found with the wheel repair shops declining to repair them is correct. These German wheels use a clear coat actually that is not available in the USA for whatever reason. I ran into the same issue after curb rashing my titanium wheels on my RS5. I eventually found a shop in San Rafael, CA who claimed that they mixed the clear themselves and are now able to repair these wheels. Long story short, the result was horrible. The wheel did not match the other factory wheels and I ended up buying a new wheel. This continues to be a problem, because a couple of years later I damaged another wheel and same story, so I bought a new wheel again. Luckily, the wheels cost "only" ~$900 and not $2500, but still. It was two expensive mistakes. I have minor curb rash on another wheel, but I just left it this time.
This is a major reason I got the parking assist package with the 360 camera and self parking. The system has much improved in the 2019s. Not sure I'll use the self parking much, but the 360 camera I'm guessing will be the key to avoiding future curb rash.
You can get the wheels refinished, but you essentially have to do all 4, so that they match. They won't exactly look like factory, but at least they match each other. I was considering that with my RS5 at one point. I was about to have them all powder coated in matte or glossy black, but eventually decided against it because I really like the original look.
This is a major reason I got the parking assist package with the 360 camera and self parking. The system has much improved in the 2019s. Not sure I'll use the self parking much, but the 360 camera I'm guessing will be the key to avoiding future curb rash.
You can get the wheels refinished, but you essentially have to do all 4, so that they match. They won't exactly look like factory, but at least they match each other. I was considering that with my RS5 at one point. I was about to have them all powder coated in matte or glossy black, but eventually decided against it because I really like the original look.
Last edited by superswiss; May 1, 2019 at 09:16 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 556
Likes: 4
From: Berlin
2018 C63s
Parking sensors wouldn't have helped much unless we're talking a 1 ft. tall curb. For what it's worth: My friend's CLA45 self parked his wheels right into the curb the other day, so I wouldn't trust that system 100% either.
If even that.
The parking assist package has saved me multiple times, yet I still managed to knick my front wheel on a garage exit the second day I had the car. Lesson learned.
For what it's worth: My friend's CLA45 self parked his wheels right into the curb the other day, so I wouldn't trust that system 100% either.
I paid $180 for a refinish on my old 750i, similar "polished", "diamond turned" or whatever you want to call the finish. Came out great! Rest assured it CAN be done!
If even that.
For what it's worth: My friend's CLA45 self parked his wheels right into the curb the other day, so I wouldn't trust that system 100% either.
I paid $180 for a refinish on my old 750i, similar "polished", "diamond turned" or whatever you want to call the finish. Came out great! Rest assured it CAN be done!
Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 153
Likes: 5
C63S AMG Coupe
I had mine polished some weeks ago and the machined areas had a dull luster that did not blend with the rest of the wheel. Cost me $250 per wheel to do at the dealership. I will have the car back on Monday to see how well they turned out.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 282
Likes: 70
2017 C63S Coupe
Hope everyone remembers most turn and burn wheel repair places will often lathe the wheel to get rid of the rash. This is not a good practice on a forged rim plus the thickness of the AMG Logo gets thinner. Ask to speak to the GM of the store if needed as i believe they have to approve the sale of the Mercedes wheel package in AMG wheels (possibly behind the scene). They can approve wheel replacement without question.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 743
Likes: 228
From: Santa Barbara, CA
S550C4, Porsche Cayenne
I just had my AMG wheels repaired for $125 per wheel. The job was done by a local shop that specializes in alloy wheel repair. Perhaps you could search out a similar shop in your area.
