"The Hits keep on coming" for Black Series vehicles
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,063
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From: Central New Jersey
CLK63 Black, E350 Wagon, Supercharged Denali, Lotus Elise, Tesla Model 3 Dual-Motor.
"The Hits keep on coming" for Black Series vehicles
With all that I'd heard about the CLK63 Black needing special 20" after market wheels for a second set of tires.
I bought a complete set of new factory original CLK63 Black Series wheels from Mercedes Benz Parts. (at least I thought so)
Today after installing them and while leaving the tire store I hear a slight grinding noise . I right away, turned the car around and went back. The best we could tell the noise was coming from the front of the car. At first we thought a lug nut was too long even though we reused the stock lug nuts. Still, we removed each lug nut and looked for any shiny marks on the tips, NOPE that's not it. Also while on the jacks we even spin both front wheels by hand and heard really nothing. OK lets try again to leave the tire shop, and as I do and turn a corner I hear the rubbing starting again.
This time we only jack the right side up as that seems to be where the noise is coming from. At last we now hear something when spinning it.
After taking the wheel off and looking inside the rim we notice something is rubbing it wrong. Next we look at the inside of the original wheel we took off and notice that the new wheel's inside is different. This one new rim has an additional small inside lip that the other CLK63 Black wheels don't have, front or back.
Result was: Inside of new wheel was rubbing on the lower control arm.
Next I checked the boxes the wheels came in from Mercedes Parts and found that both front wheel boxes have the same part number. (but had different wheels inside the boxes)
Sooo.. Mercedes again disappoints an AMG customer, Me.
Anybody want bet... I get to eat Mercedes' mistake, because the wheel is scraped inside now...?
I bought a complete set of new factory original CLK63 Black Series wheels from Mercedes Benz Parts. (at least I thought so)
Today after installing them and while leaving the tire store I hear a slight grinding noise . I right away, turned the car around and went back. The best we could tell the noise was coming from the front of the car. At first we thought a lug nut was too long even though we reused the stock lug nuts. Still, we removed each lug nut and looked for any shiny marks on the tips, NOPE that's not it. Also while on the jacks we even spin both front wheels by hand and heard really nothing. OK lets try again to leave the tire shop, and as I do and turn a corner I hear the rubbing starting again.
This time we only jack the right side up as that seems to be where the noise is coming from. At last we now hear something when spinning it.
After taking the wheel off and looking inside the rim we notice something is rubbing it wrong. Next we look at the inside of the original wheel we took off and notice that the new wheel's inside is different. This one new rim has an additional small inside lip that the other CLK63 Black wheels don't have, front or back.
Result was: Inside of new wheel was rubbing on the lower control arm.
Next I checked the boxes the wheels came in from Mercedes Parts and found that both front wheel boxes have the same part number. (but had different wheels inside the boxes)
Sooo.. Mercedes again disappoints an AMG customer, Me.
Anybody want bet... I get to eat Mercedes' mistake, because the wheel is scraped inside now...?
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 369
Likes: 3
From: CT
2008 CLK 63 Black Series, 2013 G63, 2014 RS5 Coupe, 2013 JKUR 10A
A guy posted last month on 6speedonline in the mercedes forum with a similar problem. He was having problems with the transmission defaulting into comfort mode when he was trying to track the car. When he took off the rear wheels he found they were different from each other on the inside with one having a noticeable lip inside the wheel. The wheels even weighed differently. One said it was made in the USA while the other said made in Italy. He posted pictures of the wheels if you want to compare. He bought the car new from a dealer and supposedly MB was replacing the wheel.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,065
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08 SL55
Man I hope not! That sucks! If it's a different wheel what do you suppose it belongs on? A C63 Euro? A SLK BS? I wouldn't eat that no matter what....... Good luck, keep us posted.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,566
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'14 ML BT
How about different wheels on the same car?
AMG mix 'n match
AMG mix 'n match
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 369
Likes: 3
From: CT
2008 CLK 63 Black Series, 2013 G63, 2014 RS5 Coupe, 2013 JKUR 10A
How about different wheels on the same car?
AMG mix 'n match
AMG mix 'n match
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,566
Likes: 7
'14 ML BT
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,063
Likes: 0
From: Central New Jersey
CLK63 Black, E350 Wagon, Supercharged Denali, Lotus Elise, Tesla Model 3 Dual-Motor.
How about different wheels on the same car?
AMG mix 'n match
AMG mix 'n match
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,318
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From: OC, SoCal
08 S65, 06 M3 CS(stick), 02 BMW X5 4.6iS, 07 R1 Raven, 08 F-450 4x4, 08 CooperS JCW
Mach5:
That sucks, but alas doesn't surprise me. Many dealers are clueless, not just MB ones. Have a "quiet word" wit the GM and the problem of cost should dissolve.
Good luck.
That sucks, but alas doesn't surprise me. Many dealers are clueless, not just MB ones. Have a "quiet word" wit the GM and the problem of cost should dissolve.
Good luck.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,309
Likes: 86
From: Cave Creek, AZ and Newport Beach
'22 G 63 AMG, '21 GLE 53 AMG, '20 NSX
In the next few months AMG will open their perfomance centers starting in California. I think this will be a major improvement from the enthusisest point of view. The fact that AMG is the ONLY major manufacturer that has a web site dedicated to the buyers and enthusiast of their product is a indication that they want to do a better job. We all have had purchases that didn't pan out. I had a set of Kneiss wheels that were guaranteed to be the right offset. I bolted them on at the track and they didn't clear the calipers. Sctatch one weekend. Their response was "I'm sorry but they have been used" My response was make my day, I'm a lawyer. I had the new wheels in 7 days.
The question is what was the non fitting wheel designed for? If they won't take it back, suggest you post on the amg chat. The fact that you have one that fits and one that fits doesn't is a slam dunk.
Jimmy
The question is what was the non fitting wheel designed for? If they won't take it back, suggest you post on the amg chat. The fact that you have one that fits and one that fits doesn't is a slam dunk.
Jimmy
Out Of Control!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 21,014
Likes: 2
From: CA, NV, CO
thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,309
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From: Cave Creek, AZ and Newport Beach
'22 G 63 AMG, '21 GLE 53 AMG, '20 NSX
Whether this solves Mach5 problem of getting the parts guy to put the right wheel in the box remains to be seen.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 369
Likes: 3
From: CT
2008 CLK 63 Black Series, 2013 G63, 2014 RS5 Coupe, 2013 JKUR 10A
How about different wheels on the same car?
AMG mix 'n match
AMG mix 'n match
Out Of Control!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 21,014
Likes: 2
From: CA, NV, CO
Certain dealers will have trained sales and techs that are more in tune and knowledgeable about the amg brand. Lets face it most sales guy/girls barely know enough about the regular benzes. I was at the factory last October they were quite excited about having seperate performance brand. I know the sales people that are AMG certified have been back to the factory for the training. AMG has not annnounced the dealers yet to the public. The one guy I do know that is going to the AMG "guy" is really an enthusiast with a sports car racing background.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,309
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From: Cave Creek, AZ and Newport Beach
'22 G 63 AMG, '21 GLE 53 AMG, '20 NSX
Mach5
Is the wheel with the lip away from the spokes an Alcoa wheel? I beleive that there was a post on another thread (Wheels made in USA) that stated AVUS made some wheels for the black series. Also, the SLK55 BS had similar wheels to the CLK 63BS but I don't believe they were made by Alcoa. The plot thickens.
Is the wheel with the lip away from the spokes an Alcoa wheel? I beleive that there was a post on another thread (Wheels made in USA) that stated AVUS made some wheels for the black series. Also, the SLK55 BS had similar wheels to the CLK 63BS but I don't believe they were made by Alcoa. The plot thickens.
Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
08 E63
Mercedes Benz of San Diego will be one of them. Check with the dealers in your area and ask if they have been selected. The all should know by now due to the training, setup that will be in place for sales and the "special" event that will be held at each of the locations.
Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 80
Likes: 24
From: N Cal/Maui
'08 CLK Black, '08 SL65, '17 SL65, '07 SL55, '20 E63S Wagon, '22 E450 All Terrain
The Alcoa wheels have the lip near the spokes. I bought the wheels from the ebay auction mentioned here - they and all 4 on my BS (Jul 07) are Alcoa.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Santa Barbara, California
2007 ML 63, 2008 CLK 63 Black Series
Mismatched Rims
My CLK63 BS has 3 rims with no lip near the spokes, with the one "odd" rim being my driver's side (left) front rim, which has the "step-off" lip close to the spokes. While I have not had any rubbing/clearance issues, I am curious as to the weight differences between the two types of rims (Avus vs Alcoa). The build date for my vehicle was 11/07.
I did notice early on, that the finish on the "odd" left front rim was much more highly polished and "chrome-like" than the other three rims...I didn't give it much more thought until I looked closer at the inner rim and observed the difference in design.
Based on previous posts, it sounds like there are very real issues affecting performance if the vehicle is run hard with mismatched rims, especially in the rear. Is this an issue we can claim as an "assembly defect" and have remedied through the factory warranty at the dealer? I am curious to know how others are addressing this issue.
I did notice early on, that the finish on the "odd" left front rim was much more highly polished and "chrome-like" than the other three rims...I didn't give it much more thought until I looked closer at the inner rim and observed the difference in design.
Based on previous posts, it sounds like there are very real issues affecting performance if the vehicle is run hard with mismatched rims, especially in the rear. Is this an issue we can claim as an "assembly defect" and have remedied through the factory warranty at the dealer? I am curious to know how others are addressing this issue.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 2
SL65, E55T, Pending S65
My CLK63 BS has 3 rims with no lip near the spokes, with the one "odd" rim being my driver's side (left) front rim, which has the "step-off" lip close to the spokes. While I have not had any rubbing/clearance issues, I am curious as to the weight differences between the two types of rims (Avus vs Alcoa). The build date for my vehicle was 11/07.
I did notice early on, that the finish on the "odd" left front rim was much more highly polished and "chrome-like" than the other three rims...I didn't give it much more thought until I looked closer at the inner rim and observed the difference in design.
Based on previous posts, it sounds like there are very real issues affecting performance if the vehicle is run hard with mismatched rims, especially in the rear. Is this an issue we can claim as an "assembly defect" and have remedied through the factory warranty at the dealer? I am curious to know how others are addressing this issue.
I did notice early on, that the finish on the "odd" left front rim was much more highly polished and "chrome-like" than the other three rims...I didn't give it much more thought until I looked closer at the inner rim and observed the difference in design.
Based on previous posts, it sounds like there are very real issues affecting performance if the vehicle is run hard with mismatched rims, especially in the rear. Is this an issue we can claim as an "assembly defect" and have remedied through the factory warranty at the dealer? I am curious to know how others are addressing this issue.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 369
Likes: 3
From: CT
2008 CLK 63 Black Series, 2013 G63, 2014 RS5 Coupe, 2013 JKUR 10A
Im not sure it is really that simple. The question i would have is whether one wheel is preferable to the other. If there really is a 2.5 lb difference between the two wheels, and the odd one is the lighter one, wouldn't I want them to change the other three?
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Santa Barbara, California
2007 ML 63, 2008 CLK 63 Black Series
Rim Weight Differences
Agreed. I personally would prefer to have a complete set of the lightest rims on all four wheels. Does anyone know which one of the two designs is the "2.5lb lighter" version?
Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 80
Likes: 24
From: N Cal/Maui
'08 CLK Black, '08 SL65, '17 SL65, '07 SL55, '20 E63S Wagon, '22 E450 All Terrain
Since the “lip” is a transition to a thinner part of the wheel, it would stand to reason that the Alcoa’s, with the lip near the spokes, would be the lighter version. It appears that the early cars, June – approx Aug., had the Alcoa wheels, and then they transitioned to Avus. Definitely not cool to mix them on the same car though. I guess the value of my spare set of Alcoa’s just went up. 
