Nevada Jack

A guy posted a pic on benzworld of a black GL with the 19" 5 double spoke wheels chromed. I was looking into chrome wheels a while ago and this looks like the way to go. I could drive to the location near LA in about 4 hours and do an exchange like he did for $857 including installation.

Now I know a lot of you think that may be too much bling but in the west chrome wheels are very popular and are almost considered standard in some circles. I really like the chrome/black combinations and think they look really great. I will entertain comments but am pretty well set on going this direction...

jpeardm

I think they work well but to some maybe they put the GL a bit into Escalade territory??? I would definitely consider them when it's time for new tires, the painted wheels will probably be a little beat up by then anyway.

boxboss

I would, but it's not my GL. You should get what you like - I think it will look good. That seems like a great price, too.

StevethePilot

I did chromes on mine. It didn't seem to help out the turbo hoses, but it's really sharp on the black GL. Kind of moves it to a different level, I think. Plus, chrome done properly is very durable and cleans up nicely (thinking brake dust here).

Nevada Jack

Thanks for the input guys. Chrome like colors are a personal preference thing and with the OB I think it is a good looking addition.

Location makes a big difference in whether chrome wheels are bling or not. Out west as I indicated they are as common as any other type of wheel. Saw a GL in the casino garage a week or so ago with 22's and chromed. You see S550's, SL's, CL's, Jags and Lexi with chromes...this would not be my preference with those cars but with the GL they look fine.

I have asked my SR if his parts dept does chrome exchanges and what kind of pricing. If I could work the deal through him all the better. I like to have everything at once at delivery...

oknish

To each his own, NJ. I am not a big chrome person but if done correctly they can make a vehicle look great. I guess we have so many chromed vehicles here in LA LA Land that I am a bit jaded by them. Who knows once I see NJ's wheels, I may change my mind. I do reserve that right, you know

NJ - if you do come out to this place let me know and we will meet up. It's only 15 miles for me and we can grab a bite to eat.

Nevada Jack

Okay ok...will keep you up to date if the dealer cannot accomodate me prior to delivery.

GLDriver

To be honest, if you like them, get them.
If you ask me, it looks like an easy recipe on " how to convert a Mercedes into an Escalade under 1000 dollars " . Again, that is just an opinion.

Nevada Jack

Hey...that's your opinion and its as good as mine.

Just because the Escalade has chrome wheels does not make every other car or SUV with chrome wheels one of them. You might say the same thing for the rear sill bumper strip since the Escalade had a rear end full of chrome, in fact all over it. But the GL has style and the Escalade looks like and is a converted GMC pickup truck. The GL may look like an Escalade in NJ because of the chrome wheels but out here it is one of many, many chrome wheeled vehicles and those wheels will not even be noticed that much. Then again someone may say..."look at that MB SUV, got to get me one of them. Look at those chromes..."

oknish

Darn it, NJ, some of us are at work and you keep posting our thoughts before we can

I see many Escalades where I live. In fact, the only SUVs around us are Escalades, RRs, and MLs. GL is beginning to show up more and more but it's still a minority. With that said, I don't think that wheels of chrome make a GL an Escalade. Put the two side by side and you will see that GL has true style with flowing lines and curves in proper places. It just appeals to visual sense. Of course, that is just my opinion, and others could see the exact opposite way. So, let's all just get along

GLDriver - not picking on your opinion in any way. Like our resident Saint NJ says, your opinion is as good as mine

boxboss

I had an SRX and the Escalade is just a bigger one. To paraphrase R. Regan, "I know the GL, and the Escalade is no GL."

StevethePilot

That was actually Lloyd Bentson, trying to berate Dan Quayle during a debate. Regan knew Joseph P. Kennedy, JFK's father and a big bootleg liquor guy.

boxboss

Right you are. Thanks for the correction.

Nevada Jack

Whatever...the words fit...:-)

Nevada Jack

That's one of the perks reserved for us old retired folks...

StevethePilot

(My best attempt at being childish)

Yes, they do fit. I don't know how anyone could bother taking a US car-maker's car and compare it to a European or Japanese made car. Even if that car is actually made in the US. There is a reason GM has dropped to #2.

boxboss

One of my cousins has always been a huge GM fan - Yukons, Suburbans, and most recently an Escalade XT (or whatever - the longer one) for less than a year. He called me today and asked what I thought of the GL (good news travels fast.) I told him that while he will not have nearly as much space, he will love the vehicle. He has decided that space isn't everything as he is sick of dealing with the problems and issues with the 'Slade. For example, having to remove the 3rd row seats in a truck that costs more than my GL.

You can tell he is a younger cousin - wisdom comes with age (Damn, I'm really wise.)

BeanCounter

Jack,

Whoever did this work did a darn nice job chroming those wheels. That third picture is really cool. I think they look pretty good and black is definitely a good color with the chrome wheels. My personal opinion is that the Brabus Monoblock Wheels (E's or S's) are the way to go but for less than a $1,000 bucks your idea is a pretty solid one........

Nevada Jack

Thanks Jeff...the site they have is unbelievable http://www.calchrome.com/

Take a look at the Chroming Process tab...they outline with pics the entire process.

oknish

Jokes aside, in reality there is only so much space you need in a car. We fit me, wife, and two car seats, my mom and my sister in the GL along with my mom's two suitcases, purses, handbags etc (hey, these are women travelling you know). These suitcases are the international travel variety and apparently they have to be large and heavy, else airlines may refuse them or such. GL more than does the job of hauling all of that around. True, there is not much room for my clubs or for my son's gear. But then again, we rarely go golf or to little league after hitting the airport.

I guess my point is that I don't see the need for all the space that is available in Slades, etc.

oknish

Kar don

Jack, Don't chrome the OEM wheels. Chroming OE wheels is not good practice. Typically the rim is weakened, and the tire bead surface is chromed as well... not good. Not only that, but you are throwing away a perfectly powdercoated finish which is there for corrosion and durability. I don't think you should do it,

Nevada Jack

Kar don you always raise good points. When you posted this I remembered that MB last year sometime indicated that they did not recommend chroming their wheels. I forget the reasons but they were similar to those you mention as well as the possible problems with peeling, etc. I may have to reconsider my decision...thanks.

This is from the Calchrome site and they have a line called Reflection Chrome. They are not OEM but I do not like any of the selections. But they do indicate they are designed to be chromed. Here is the description indicating the OEM situation.

"Chrome Reflections are custom chrome plated wheels offered exclusively to our customers by California Chrome Wheel Inc. These premium custom wheels are available in many designs which are close in appearance to OEM designs and high-end luxury wheels. Chrome Reflection wheels are manufactured with the intent of being chrome plated. Our premium castings provide a superior surface to support chrome plating better than most OEM or low grade castings."

GLDriver

"Hey...that's your opinion and its as good as mine. "
Go for it.

Kar don

Jack,

That might sound great but that means they are casting the actual wheel... I don't buy it. To run a casting facility to make wheels of that many style is nearly impossible... if they do all OEM wheels. Casting involves having huge furnaces to keep the aluminum at 700 degrees C, you need dies (which are expensive and costly to maintain), casting machines, machine lines, it is a very involved process.

My guess is they take OEM wheels and knock it down to the substrate (remove all powdercoatings and paint). By doing this you will take off some of the substrate weakening the wheel. OEMs also have paint or powder on the tire bead surface, chrome is not a good surface for the tire bead.

Even if this company does infact cast the wheels (i doubt it) they probably are of inferior quality compared to the high pressure castings that MB uses. This means balance issues, runout (related to balance), possible deformation, etc. Especially if you plan on using this truck offroad which was your original intent of getting the GL, I would def not recommend aftermarket chrome. MB has some of the highest grade wheels in the industry.