LOVEMYBS

I'm not a big fan of my OEM rims and I'm thinking of replacing them. IMHO they are difficult to clean, I think they look "too busy", and I still like the standard 5-spoke OEM AMG rim. Has anyone swapped out their OEM rims for another style? Will standard 19" AMG rims fit the CLKBS? What's the down side of swapping the rims, and how much will good perhaps lighter rims cost?

AMG Dictator

The challenge that you have is finding a significantly lighter rim for the BS. Unless you are going to go with dymag at 10K a set, your options are very limited.

I don't know of another OEM set that will fit the BS. Then again I am sure that anything is possible.

While they are a pain to clean and not my favorite, they are light / strong and perform well on the car.

Jim Brady

H&R has offsets and sizes that fit. I've debated and with spacers I find the stock wheels to be hard to beat. If my track budget gets some stimulus $ Dymags for sure.

JLee

Most of the time, I just wipe clean the shiny outermost surface only and the wheels look decently clean due to the shine. Very quick and easy.

user z478747

Hopefully, you're not wiping them while the wheel is dry? If you are, you're putting very fine scratches in the surface and over time they'll just begin to dull the shiny finish. Because of the makeup of the pads/rotors you can spray on a good wheel cleaner and literally rinse them clean.

Back on topic:

Like most, one of the first things I always want to do to a new car is put new wheels and exhaust on. While I agree that it takes a long time to clean these wheels, I think the OE wheel fits the car's style better than in aftermarket wheel I've seen to date with the possible exception of the HRE M40. Problem with them is you're seeing them on lot's of other cars too......

LZH

I like the stock wheels and think they look great. When I wash my car I always start with the wheels. I hit them with the hose, then spray them down wih a wheel cleaner and then use a wheel brush to get into all the spokes. Takes about 3 mins per wheel. You are not going to find an aftermarket wheel that performs better except for the Dymags. Sure, there are wheels that might look better, but you will lose performance.

jenk12m

i think the M40's go very well with the BS, but im biased





before i put them on

alexander stemer

I do like the stock rims. I let the local hand wash people wash my car, so the degree of difficulty isn't an issue. They look fine, work well, and haven't bent easily. I don't see any reasonably-priced wheel adding any performance to the car.AS

Doctodd33

does anyone pressure wash the wheels down?......id rather not have to bend down and wipe the wheels over and over.

JLee

I spray on some windex first

JLee

Wow, you have some very serious wheel spacers! Are you not worried about altering the suspension geometry?

user z478747

Say it ain't so!

user z478747

The only way to really get them clean is to wipe them down..... I wouldn't use a pressure washer on them nor would I use a pressure washer on the car itself on a regular basis. Unless you let the car get really dirty there should be no reason ever to use a pressure washer on it.......

JamE55

You may want to look into HRE C series. IIRC a 19" size weighs around 15-16lbs plus the tires. And they don't cost as much as the Dymags. Although HRE also offers certain models that utilizes Dymag barrels on them. Neez is also another one but not sure how much they weigh.

SMP

The first time I saw the BS in person was at the LA car show on a Sunday in November of 2007. I went with my wife, she was all excited for me and said that I should get it. First thing out of my mouth: Love the car, but the wheels got to go. Bought the car on Monday, drove straight from there to my wheel dealer and ordered HRE's. The stock wheels, though good looking, are too narrow and a pain to clean. Three things that I always change on my cars: Wheels, suspension and exhaust. The most frustrating part about the BS for me is, that there are very few performance parts available. When I had my 993 and 996, it was much easier, because you can get everything for a Porsche.

DFW01E55

At a car event, a guy came over to me and said, "Those wheels are so beautiful, they could be hung on a wall and displayed as art".

I love them a little less than he does, because I have to clean them.

Eitan1

Nice set up,
What size wheels and tires did you get? I just ordered a set of 19's, Matte black with 275's on front and 305's in the rear. Just wondering what other set ups people have.

Thanks...

szvook

Unfortunately no 19" HRE wheels weigh 15-16lbs. The lightest wheel HRE has is 18x7.5 and weighs 16.5lbs

szvook

I swapped my 16x8 OEM 8-holes wheels from my 1992 500E with HRE’s model 546 in 17x8.5 and 17x10 sizes. My car needed a staggered set up and the widths in the front and rear were much appreciated once the HRE’s went on. Not too mention the weight savings in the process and the handling improvement.

kiamcoj

Not sure how that fits in with the Black Series wheels

Jim Brady

I loved my 500E, one of the best 4 doors ever. The visual effect of the HRE's are terrible even if the improve the handling which is really tire dependant.
Jimmy

szvook

I missed the Black Series Forum header...until now, my bad [

szvook

The HRE 546 selection was based on the original EVOII wheels found on the 1994 E500, so my choice was to be close to the period correct wheels and to have them from HRE and with a deeper lip. The handling away from the tires is in the wider footprint and less weight on the axles. To me the wheels are just right for the car and the year, cause going with a wheel style not meant for the car or the period of the car is done for all the wrong reasons. Why did you let your 500E go?