I had a curbed rear OEM black cross linked wheel. I ordered a new replacement OEM wheel. First they charge you through the nose for a new wheel at the Dealer but they have the gall to add a refundable core deposit of $150. If I trash the wheel, I can return the crushed core for a return of my “deposit “.

So for us to buy a replacement wheel from MB, we need to pay some sort of security deposit now? Am I getting it wrong?

Cores are not unusual for a lot of rebuild-able things like gearboxes etc.
You are under no obligation to get a core.
I'm actually surprised they offered it as an option.

Think of it this way.
You pay full price for the new part.(including core deposit)
You ship your current damaged wheel back and you get money for it.

Actually they quoted me a price for the wheel and then said that it would be an additional $150 for core return . I didn’t plan on returning the old wheel. I’ll have that refurbed at some point and use it as a spare or for winter duty.

I think they want the damaged wheels back so that that they don’t get refurbished and end up flooding the market to appear on other cars other than the intended model.