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I just noticed some unusual wear/staining at the borders of my wheel center caps, all four wheel caps, on my 13' E350, with the front driver side wheel having also a drop appearing stain in the center right over the emblem as well.. anyone have similar experiences and warranty replacement success with same issues?
My searches only came up with this thread here from the W204 forum, that I also revived and posted in:
I had the same- it's common. The guy at the parts counter also said it's common. I bought 4 new center caps. Had the same issue with the center caps on another car, not MB, as well. I view it as wear and tear. We replace wipers from time to time, so we also replace the center caps from time to time.
Center caps in this snow belt don't look good for long once the salt starts creeping into and under the face. The lugs rust due to environmental regulations in Germany that ban the use of chrome for parts like that.
rust and dirt combined with water after washing and not thoroughly dried off.
dirty water will sip through the gap of the center cap and the wheel and will...eventually dry off to a pesky stain. leave it there to cook under the sun...
i always "try" to blow compressed air on my wheels after i wash it. helps a lot.
The E550 I just bought has this same problem. All four wheel caps are corroded with a white residue which seems to be creeping out onto the wheel itself. Hopefully this will be covered under warranty.
The E550 I just bought has this same problem. All four wheel caps are corroded with a white residue which seems to be creeping out onto the wheel itself. Hopefully this will be covered under warranty.
Yes, it's warranty covered and the dealer ended up replacing all 4 on mine.
Unfortunately they replaced the $20ea wheel caps, but curb rashed my wheels while in their care and now for the last 3 weeks I'm going through hell dealing with them. -First they denied it was caused by them and after some butting head with the service manager, they agreed to fix it. Then I come back and the damaged wheel was fixed but they damaged another wheel additionally!
This is at Fletcher Jones, Mercedes in Fremont, CA..TOMORROW I'm back to see if they resolved this catastrophy, had I known I would have just purchased new wheel caps and replaced them myself..
I just replaced the OEM blue wreath style with aftermarket black wreath style, due to the discoloration and I thought the black looked better on my refinished rims. Unless MB has some super plastic, I think the aftermarket is as good or better, I liked the additional tension ring they had. I think they were about $20 total and 15 minutes worth of work. Did the duct tape trick to easily pop out the originals. I'm always big on OEM quality and will pay extra but in this case I just didn't see the need.
I just replaced the OEM blue wreath style with aftermarket black wreath style, due to the discoloration and I thought the black looked better on my refinished rims. Unless MB has some super plastic, I think the aftermarket is as good or better, I liked the additional tension ring they had. I think they were about $20 total and 15 minutes worth of work. Did the duct tape trick to easily pop out the originals. I'm always big on OEM quality and will pay extra but in this case I just didn't see the need.
Aftermarket on the left with the tension ring
Just a small detail cleaned up
They look great Mud,
Another point to mention in my disappointment with the dealer was they didn't even know how to use the duck tape trick or any caution when removing the wheel caps, as they left evident marks on my wheels where they pried them out with something like a small knife or screwdriver....
I'm sorry to hear that. It's a shame when the dealer cuts corners like that. Maybe a small thing but it would have taken no more time to duct tape them off.
Are there any size differences in the center caps? I have a 2014 E550 with the 18" AMG wheels and need to replace the center caps. The ones I've seen are 75mm but there appear to be other sizes as well. I just want to be sure I buy the right ones. I don't plan to buy the OEM's which are $20 each when there are aftermarket ones for $20 a set. And yes I understand you get what you pay for but you'd think for something as simple as a center cap MB would get that right. I want to try another source. If they don't work out I'm only out 20 bucks.
Are there any size differences in the center caps? I have a 2014 E550 with the 18" AMG wheels and need to replace the center caps. The ones I've seen are 75mm but there appear to be other sizes as well. I just want to be sure I buy the right ones. I don't plan to buy the OEM's which are $20 each when there are aftermarket ones for $20 a set. And yes I understand you get what you pay for but you'd think for something as simple as a center cap MB would get that right. I want to try another source. If they don't work out I'm only out 20 bucks.
Hi Joe, my understanding is it should be the same for our cars on the E series with same diameter wheels e.g. 18''.
Either try to confirm with the selling vendor or check for their return policy if you wan to be sure just in case.
Another point to mention in my disappointment with the dealer was they didn't even know how to use the duck tape trick or any caution when removing the wheel caps, as they left evident marks on my wheels where they pried them out with something like a small knife or screwdriver....
You didn't leave the tension ring on did you? I just replaced my center caps and I took them off.
Sorry this questions was for @Mud
Last edited by jahquan3; May 2, 2017 at 10:45 AM.
Reason: Wrong quote
I have factory warranty and bringing the vehicle in to a dealer for hairline crack, paint chips and the clearcoat peel off(white thing on the hub caps).
Does MB provides the black ones, by any chance? I want to paint my 17s black or close to black for my Diamond Silver body.
BTW, I do not have curb rashes, yet. I'll take lots of pics, before giving the vehicle to them. Thanks HK91308 for the caution.
Are there any size differences in the center caps? I have a 2014 E550 with the 18" AMG wheels and need to replace the center caps. The ones I've seen are 75mm but there appear to be other sizes as well. I just want to be sure I buy the right ones. I don't plan to buy the OEM's which are $20 each when there are aftermarket ones for $20 a set. And yes I understand you get what you pay for but you'd think for something as simple as a center cap MB would get that right. I want to try another source. If they don't work out I'm only out 20 bucks.
No, the guy said it'll fit any Mercedes of any size(OEM wheels, of course).
Yes I left the rings in place, I saw no reason to remove them.
Wow at first I tried to but it was given me to much resistance and I didn't want to break them. Since the ones that came off didn't have tension rings on them I assumed it was for packaging purposes to make them more sturdy during shipping.
Also I don't think the "Duct Tape Trick" will work to get them off if you try again. Unless you're going to take the whole wheel off next time. I'm surprised you got them to go on that way. Good stuff.
That's strange, mine installed fine with a firm push. I'm agree that duct tape may not pull the new ones off but I'm fine with that, I don't see a need to remove them without the wheels coming off, such as for tire balance.
That's strange, mine installed fine with a firm push. I'm agree that duct tape may not pull the new ones off but I'm fine with that, I don't see a need to remove them without the wheels coming off, such as for tire balance.
Agreed.
After doing some research this morning it appears people who don't use the tension rings have had their center caps fly off during driving. Also it makes it harder for someone to steal them. I actually saved them just in case. If I need anything done with the wheels in the future I'll make sure to have them put them on.
You can put a small dab of grease on the tabs maybe if they are really stiff installing.
Sad isn't it there are always crapholes out there that will do a few hundred bucks of damage with a screwdriver to steal $20 of plastic caps.
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