OEM Tires & Wheels --- Massachusetts!
04-14-2009, 03:01 PM
#1
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Location: New Bedford, MA, USA
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2006 CLK350 Cabriolet
OEM Tires & Wheels --- Massachusetts!
Winter road damage here is terrible. I purchased my 06 Cab in September and have put 20,000mi on it over the winter here, between Boston and Cape Cod. I have already replaced both front tires (Conti Sports) due to damage and have slight bends in 3 of the 4 wheels. I have yet to replace the wheels but am in already for $400 in tires and wheel alignments.
I find myself a bit disappointed in the fact that my $55000 German vehicle is as fragile as a chicken egg, while my wife's Accord has cost me $0, other than oil changes, in 2 years.......
Obviously, there's no comparison between the two, when it comes to luxury, power, or the "wow" factor, but for the money and the reputation of MB, I would have expected more to date........
Can anyone offer up some wheel/tire combinations that might prove a little more robust, without totally giving up their performance characteristics?
I find myself a bit disappointed in the fact that my $55000 German vehicle is as fragile as a chicken egg, while my wife's Accord has cost me $0, other than oil changes, in 2 years.......
Obviously, there's no comparison between the two, when it comes to luxury, power, or the "wow" factor, but for the money and the reputation of MB, I would have expected more to date........
Can anyone offer up some wheel/tire combinations that might prove a little more robust, without totally giving up their performance characteristics?
04-16-2009, 08:29 PM
#2
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CLK63, CLK550, SL500 Silver Arrow,Corvette LT1,ZR1
I live in Hopkinton which gets hammered with snow in addition to driving to Albany all the time. I run ASA rims with Michelin Artic Alpins, never get stuck and the rims are really robust.
I may be selling the set as I just picked up an AWD vehicle so I can store the CLK
I may be selling the set as I just picked up an AWD vehicle so I can store the CLK
04-17-2009, 02:41 PM
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2014 GL450
In 40,000 miles I have bent rims on three occasions with the stock 17" wheels. After buying my first brand-new wheel from the dealer I found a place to refinish and straighten wheels for a lot less. I also switched to Sumitomo HPZ III tires to make it cheaper for the inevitable tire replacements.
Your wife's Honda probably has 15" or 16" wheels: the smaller wheels have more tire sidewall to protect the rims. You might think of switching to 16" wheels (like on the older CLK's) in order to be able to drive without having to tiptoe around to protect the wheels.
Your wife's Honda probably has 15" or 16" wheels: the smaller wheels have more tire sidewall to protect the rims. You might think of switching to 16" wheels (like on the older CLK's) in order to be able to drive without having to tiptoe around to protect the wheels.
04-17-2009, 04:31 PM
#4
Senior Member
I had the same problem with my old C230 with 16's. Thats why I purchased a whole second set of wheels on ebay and ended up using 2 out of the four of them. I'm now on 17's and hope I'm able to avoid the holes next winter.
Oh ya, thankfully one of the best wheel repair company's in the country is right here in MA (Tewksbury). Costs $100 to have a wheel repaired www.rimpro.com I've used them before.
Oh ya, thankfully one of the best wheel repair company's in the country is right here in MA (Tewksbury). Costs $100 to have a wheel repaired www.rimpro.com I've used them before.
