Strange Wheel Issue
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Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 29
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2010 E350 Sedan, 2010 Prius II
Strange Wheel Issue
So I hit a bump in my shiny new 2010 E350. The front right rim had a slight bend on the outer edge and my tire had an impact bubble.
I took it to Discount Tire. They sent the rim off to have it fixed (as Mercedes dealers do.) I go back the next day. My tire and rim are ready. Only the fixed rim is a shiny silver unlike my 3 matt silver wheels. A huge mis-match.
Here's the weird part. I took the car to the dealership and was informed that my wheels are factory OEM and there is only one paint color for my wheels. He brings out a $700 wheel and it matched exactly to the wheel Discount tire fixed. The part numbers for my wheels and the dealers are the same. The dealership was stumped. He said the difference is so great there is no way it could be brake dust or time-wear.
Discount is going to make it right as they originally told me they were just going to fix the bend and not paint the wheel. Will probably have to have the other 3 wheels repainted.
But where the heck did my wheels come from?
I took it to Discount Tire. They sent the rim off to have it fixed (as Mercedes dealers do.) I go back the next day. My tire and rim are ready. Only the fixed rim is a shiny silver unlike my 3 matt silver wheels. A huge mis-match.
Here's the weird part. I took the car to the dealership and was informed that my wheels are factory OEM and there is only one paint color for my wheels. He brings out a $700 wheel and it matched exactly to the wheel Discount tire fixed. The part numbers for my wheels and the dealers are the same. The dealership was stumped. He said the difference is so great there is no way it could be brake dust or time-wear.
Discount is going to make it right as they originally told me they were just going to fix the bend and not paint the wheel. Will probably have to have the other 3 wheels repainted.
But where the heck did my wheels come from?
Last edited by extremetm; Nov 9, 2014 at 06:05 PM.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,629
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
EPC shows 9765 titanium silver USA w/ABD (?) coat, remaining markets w/o ABD coat. I understand you purchased vehicle used about a month ago, was it purchased from MB dealer.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
2010 E350 Sedan, 2010 Prius II
I purchased it from an Audi dealer. Couldn't pass it up. $23,300 + TTL. Sport package with premium 1 and 2. 45k miles.
Sorry, don't know what ABD is. I've done some further research and it appears there were two versions of the same color. One gloss and one matt. That's the only explanation that makes sense. But how did the MB dealership not know this.
Perhaps the matt was discontinued in 2010 or beyond.
Sorry, don't know what ABD is. I've done some further research and it appears there were two versions of the same color. One gloss and one matt. That's the only explanation that makes sense. But how did the MB dealership not know this.
Perhaps the matt was discontinued in 2010 or beyond.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,629
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Research from where? EPC mention in my post is MB electronic parts catalog which is why dealer said only 1 finish is available. Not certain what ABD stands for most likely gloss finish – USA/gloss finish, other countries matt. Check your PM.
