"Lost" all 4 of my wheels
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 501
Likes: 102
From: Los Angeles
2014 E550, 2015 E63S, 2017 G63 - RIP
"Lost" all 4 of my wheels
Came back from lunch to find my car on blocks with all 4 wheels GONE!
Was parked in secured parking structure next to the office building in a good neighborhood in Southern Cali...
Will get the same (stock) rims but would like to get better then stock tires - any suggestions will be highly appreciated.
Was parked in secured parking structure next to the office building in a good neighborhood in Southern Cali...
Will get the same (stock) rims but would like to get better then stock tires - any suggestions will be highly appreciated.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 59
From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
Came back from lunch to find my car on blocks with all 4 wheels GONE!
Was parked in secured parking structure next to the office building in a good neighborhood in Southern Cali...
Will get the same (stock) rims but would like to get better then stock tires - any suggestions will be highly appreciated.
Was parked in secured parking structure next to the office building in a good neighborhood in Southern Cali...
Will get the same (stock) rims but would like to get better then stock tires - any suggestions will be highly appreciated.
bro, i'm sorry. that's horrible. hope everything works out. keep us posted.
ya, the 07-09 E's get hit with rim thieves. Idk why. My friends mom's 07 e350 with the 10 spoke wheels got jacked. Another member on here (Barry) had his wheels stolen right outside his house (07 e550).
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 59
From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
the capital of car thieves... LA
to answer vik's question, i once had 1 tire replaced because i tore the side of one of mine. while they were jacking the car up and i didn't realize the alarm was armed. eventually i heard a click noise and the alarm went off. however, by the time it was high enough to set off the tow sensor, there had already been a little bit of room to remove the wheel. also if they raise both sides up at the same time, it won't detect it. before digital tilt sensors, people used mechanical tow sensors and mercury switches to detect car being raised. however, they were more prone to false alarm and if you parked on an incline, they might go off. however, if they did end up raising both sides, the mechanical tow sensor would still go off cause it senses motion. the mechanism inside bounces and makes contact thus triggering the alarm.
digital is not always better i guess
to answer vik's question, i once had 1 tire replaced because i tore the side of one of mine. while they were jacking the car up and i didn't realize the alarm was armed. eventually i heard a click noise and the alarm went off. however, by the time it was high enough to set off the tow sensor, there had already been a little bit of room to remove the wheel. also if they raise both sides up at the same time, it won't detect it. before digital tilt sensors, people used mechanical tow sensors and mercury switches to detect car being raised. however, they were more prone to false alarm and if you parked on an incline, they might go off. however, if they did end up raising both sides, the mechanical tow sensor would still go off cause it senses motion. the mechanism inside bounces and makes contact thus triggering the alarm.
digital is not always better i guess
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 16
From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
First they place the 4 blocks at the jack points while the car is sitting high on its tires. Then they cut the 4 valve stems at the same time. The car lowers itself evenly (no tilt) and securely onto the blocks. Then they remove the wheels with X wrenches.
Fast as an indie pit stop, and pretty profitable for a scant few minutes work... No jacks, no muss, no fuss.
Fast as an indie pit stop, and pretty profitable for a scant few minutes work... No jacks, no muss, no fuss.
Last edited by Barry45RPM; Feb 11, 2010 at 01:41 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
03 Eclass, 03 BMW 06 Porsche Cayman S, 03 Harley Davidson "bored & stroked"
amazing what some people will steal and the amount of effort used to accomplish it. In most areas you could leave stock wheels off the car on the ground and nobody would bother them. What pisses me off is any damage they cause to the vehicle while doing this. hope things work out for the best for you....
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,690
Likes: 3
From: Irvine, CA
2008 E550, 2012 GL450, 2014 GLK350, 2015 S550, 2020 GLC350e
Well that would be fine if they were stock Camry wheels, but the 18" AMG Sport Wheels cost $800/ea new I think. I'm sure used but well maintained ones I can fetch $200/ea.
amazing what some people will steal and the amount of effort used to accomplish it. In most areas you could leave stock wheels off the car on the ground and nobody would bother them. What pisses me off is any damage they cause to the vehicle while doing this. hope things work out for the best for you....
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 297
Likes: 2
2009 E350 Sport
I live in LA as well near LAX. Can you be more specific on location?
The reason I ask is that there has been a huge increase in car part theft on the westside (SM down thru RB). People taking mirrors, xenon lights, etc.
I would suggest check out CL and the classifieds section here on site. The only good news is that LA has a lot of used OEM MB parts for sale.
You may even get to buy your old wheels back. *******
The reason I ask is that there has been a huge increase in car part theft on the westside (SM down thru RB). People taking mirrors, xenon lights, etc.
I would suggest check out CL and the classifieds section here on site. The only good news is that LA has a lot of used OEM MB parts for sale.
You may even get to buy your old wheels back. *******
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Redondo Beach CA
2006 E350 Sport- Black on Black
That is terrible! And the process for lowering the car onto blocks is also amazing! MBZ is hot on the West side and we got to look out. If you are remotly interested in OEM wheels, I have just gone through the gammet of Ebay dealers and chose the AMG set you see in my sig. So you can pay 3 digits for Polish aluminum, or you can pay a little less for Chinese. I found the best prices on ContiProContact original sport size 18" tires too at "Americas Tire" here in the So Bay recently for $180 for the fronts. All together, you should be able to replace the set for as little as $1500 incl tax. Get in touch if you want help.
Last edited by Badfish; Feb 11, 2010 at 10:55 PM.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 501
Likes: 102
From: Los Angeles
2014 E550, 2015 E63S, 2017 G63 - RIP
Thank you all for your support and valuable suggestions!
Insurance took care of my loss and I already have a set of new OEM wheels with Micheline tires.
There's still some insignificant amount of work to be done on the car, I expect to get it back tomorrow (rental Camry is NOT fun!)
I will get wheel locks ASAP! Maybe even two for each wheel
werewolf34: Car was parked in Glendale right of 134 on Brand.
Insurance took care of my loss and I already have a set of new OEM wheels with Micheline tires.
There's still some insignificant amount of work to be done on the car, I expect to get it back tomorrow (rental Camry is NOT fun!)
I will get wheel locks ASAP! Maybe even two for each wheel
werewolf34: Car was parked in Glendale right of 134 on Brand.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 297
Likes: 2
2009 E350 Sport
Thank you all for your support and valuable suggestions!
Insurance took care of my loss and I already have a set of new OEM wheels with Micheline tires.
There's still some insignificant amount of work to be done on the car, I expect to get it back tomorrow (rental Camry is NOT fun!)
I will get wheel locks ASAP! Maybe even two for each wheel
werewolf34: Car was parked in Glendale right of 134 on Brand.
Insurance took care of my loss and I already have a set of new OEM wheels with Micheline tires.
There's still some insignificant amount of work to be done on the car, I expect to get it back tomorrow (rental Camry is NOT fun!)
I will get wheel locks ASAP! Maybe even two for each wheel
werewolf34: Car was parked in Glendale right of 134 on Brand.
He told me to get them but the thieves work around them pretty easily. Apparently they take a slightly oversize socket and hammer it onto the wheel locking lug and wrench it free that way.
I might get a trunk monkey for the benz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK_mb...eature=related
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 59
From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: los angeles
2007 E350 sport p1
yeah this is also what mechanics/auto store employees tell you when you break the key to your wheel locks. personally I've had a key break on me and it was just a pain I'd pass on the wheel locks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,063
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte, NC
2002 S430, 2004 Cobra, 2004 Tahoe
LA is tough on cars. I spoke with a buddy of mine in the auto biz re: wheel locks.
He told me to get them but the thieves work around them pretty easily. Apparently they take a slightly oversize socket and hammer it onto the wheel locking lug and wrench it free that way.
He told me to get them but the thieves work around them pretty easily. Apparently they take a slightly oversize socket and hammer it onto the wheel locking lug and wrench it free that way.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,182
Likes: 15
From: Northern VA
W211
Came back from lunch to find my car on blocks with all 4 wheels GONE!
Was parked in secured parking structure next to the office building in a good neighborhood in Southern Cali...
Will get the same (stock) rims but would like to get better then stock tires - any suggestions will be highly appreciated.
Was parked in secured parking structure next to the office building in a good neighborhood in Southern Cali...
Will get the same (stock) rims but would like to get better then stock tires - any suggestions will be highly appreciated.
Sorry to see this happened to you. I saw this posted on another forum i belong to (clubsi) where the guy worked with you or in the same building.
http://forums.clubsi.com/ubbthreads....Number/4502378
"Holy ****, so apparently the security guard saw the guy and talked to him, the thief (only one) said they were a mechanic and were "changing the tires
" and the security guard asked if he needed any help. 
"_________________________
glad insurance took care of you...
Last edited by novae500; Feb 12, 2010 at 11:00 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 470
Likes: 3
From: McLean, VA
2003 E500 Benz & 2015 BMW M235ix
Thank you all for your support and valuable suggestions!
Insurance took care of my loss and I already have a set of new OEM wheels with Micheline tires.
There's still some insignificant amount of work to be done on the car, I expect to get it back tomorrow (rental Camry is NOT fun!)
I will get wheel locks ASAP! Maybe even two for each wheel
werewolf34: Car was parked in Glendale right of 134 on Brand.
Insurance took care of my loss and I already have a set of new OEM wheels with Micheline tires.
There's still some insignificant amount of work to be done on the car, I expect to get it back tomorrow (rental Camry is NOT fun!)
I will get wheel locks ASAP! Maybe even two for each wheel
werewolf34: Car was parked in Glendale right of 134 on Brand.
