what can be done to avoid bending wheels?
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
00 W210 E430 Sport, 04 W211 E500 4matic Sport
Absolutely nothing, unfortunately. I had oem E55 wheels that got completely demolished. Tons of cracks and bends, and you really should only fix them a couple of times so to ensure safety. The majority of my front suspension was replaced, yes it was expensive, thankfully about a third of the cost was covered under my extended warranty (right before it expired) and the rest by my insurance company. Gotta love NYC potholes! Anyway, I put new wheels on, AMG E/CL63 reps, and they were fine for almost 6 months (looked amazing). I'm not sure if it has anything with the temperature dropping, but all of a sudden the cracks and bends are happening almost as bad as with the oem wheels. After reading about the w212's having the same problems, I'm done! Taking a break from MB for while, getting rid of the car tomorrow, I can't go through another winter of getting stuck everywhere...especially the highway. I love my car, but I need something dependable, probably going to do a short term lease for now. Hope you have better luck!
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
00 W210 E430 Sport, 04 W211 E500 4matic Sport
Btw, keep an eye out, I will be listing some of the accessories I took off the car in the next week or so. Roof spoiler, oem three piece trunk spoiler, oem Bluetooth puck, oem flat hood badge, clear marker lights, black grille (have 2, one I never even opened the box), Oem stainless and rubber pedal set (like the E55).
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,139
Likes: 41
Tesla Model S P100D
Stay away from the low profile tires unless you live in an area with impeccably maintained roads. I had three tire failures with low profile tires until I ditched those pieces of garbage for normal tires and *knock on wood* no tire issues since. After wasting all that time and money on tire failures I'll never accept delivery of a car with low profile tires.
Last edited by WEBSRFR; Dec 24, 2011 at 07:25 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,139
Likes: 41
Tesla Model S P100D
You'll probably do just fine with regular 17 inch tires. I think look great and most importantly they are more durable.
Fragile low profile tires must be an invention of the auto industry to sell more wheels for all the wheels that get damaged
Fragile low profile tires must be an invention of the auto industry to sell more wheels for all the wheels that get damaged
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
Its a steady income for the Dept of Highway crews and wheel and tire manufacturers. They're currently working on a better solution to the problem which would benefit suspension parts manufacturers also.
People in the NE are used to being mistreated, so they roll with the punches. My Long island NY salesman on my '04 was adamant about staying away from 18 inch low profile tires. Since my '07 was going to live in FL anyway, I went for them.
I think MBUSA should let people ordering a car specify 18s or 17s as well as staggered set up or square, no matter what packages are on the car.
Last edited by Barry45RPM; Dec 25, 2011 at 01:05 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 783
Likes: 1
From: Murrieta, Southern California
Late Built 2005 W-211 E-320 CDI
I Respectfully Disagree
Stock 16 inch wheels such as mine will not only last longer than most 17s, but the tires
have more sidewall area to take the pounding from deep potholes better.
I'm speaking of 225/55-16s, and wondering if some nearly new 215/65-16s might be even better?
Gear it up just a little and raise the wheel from the ground even more.
Anyone know if a 27 inch combination will clear everything okay?
Is there any way to correct the speedometer/odometer like VW provides?
So many questions I know.
Merry Christmas.
D
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,139
Likes: 41
Tesla Model S P100D
NE States roads are subject to water seepage, freezing and heaving. The repair to the roadway never exceeds a truck being dispatched with a load of "Cold Patch" Blacktop patch. It is poured in the hole after closing 2 lanes of a 3 lane major artery during rush hour, and then tamped down with the flat side of a cement rake. The passing cars further tamp it down leaving a depression which collects water, which seeps into the hole and freezes. The left over gravel surrounding the patch gets kicked up into windshields and hoods.
Its a steady income for the Dept of Highway crews and wheel and tire manufacturers. They're currently working on a better solution to the problem which would benefit suspension parts manufacturers also.
People in the NE are used to being mistreated, so they roll with the punches. My Long island NY salesman on my '04 was adamant about staying away from 18 inch low profile tires. Since my '07 was going to live in FL anyway, I went for them.
I think MBUSA should let people ordering a car specify 18s or 17s as well as staggered set up or square, no matter what packages are on the car.
Its a steady income for the Dept of Highway crews and wheel and tire manufacturers. They're currently working on a better solution to the problem which would benefit suspension parts manufacturers also.
People in the NE are used to being mistreated, so they roll with the punches. My Long island NY salesman on my '04 was adamant about staying away from 18 inch low profile tires. Since my '07 was going to live in FL anyway, I went for them.
I think MBUSA should let people ordering a car specify 18s or 17s as well as staggered set up or square, no matter what packages are on the car.
Actually I think even with the "free sport package" you can specify on your order that you want regular profile 17" tires.
Why do you think lately they've been offering "free" sport packages to everyone? It's probably because they can expect to sell extra wheels at an exorbitant price to replace the ones that get damaged. If you live on the East Coat, never accept a car with low profile tires if you don't enjoy the time, hassle, and expense of replacing your wheels. I think if more "average" MB customers knew what is in store for them, they'd never accept the "free upgrade" to low profile tires.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 783
Likes: 1
From: Murrieta, Southern California
Late Built 2005 W-211 E-320 CDI
Agreed
A well thought and understandable post. To the point!
Everyone seems to be leaning towards wider, larger and taller wheels with lower profile tires which
don't give as good and comfortable a ride, wear out sooner and cost much more to replace.
And of course, with our bad roads, it is somewhat easier to bend and/or ruin an expensive wheel.
No sir, the 16s are on mine to stay.
They give me a better ride, cost much less when it comes time to replace the tires,
and as far as handling is concerned, they provide all of that I can stand.
After all, I grew up driving a '37 Plymouth that had 600-16s with tubes and a straight front axle!
So what I'm driving now is really light-years away from those days.
Now I read where the new diesels have 17s and a 'free' I guess Sports Pkg with 18s.
And run flats also. No spare. I guess my old diesel will just have to keep on trucking.
D
