triggca

I ordered the 19" wheel package with me GL. I knew from the moment I placed the order it wasn't the perfect wheel. I have since found a place not far from me in Santa Clarita where I can exchange my stock wheels for Chrome and at a very nice price. Has any one in the So Cal area purchased wheels from Calchrome?

http://www.calchrome.com/
http://www.calchrome.com/images/whee...0_dbl5_big.jpg

patsy1099

triggca, here is a great thread that I think might help: https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-x164/194883-chrome-wheels.html

This is also something I was thinking about (chroming) but I think I have leaned back toward keeping it standard. I have a OB black on black 550 on order and it already has alot of chrome. Adding more chrome to it might be overkill and take away from the classy look, IMO. I think MB already has pushed it to the edge. But this is certanily a matter of personal preference.

I don't think Nevada Jack decided on getting the chrome (from what I see in his pics anyway), maybe he can lend some of his professional wisdom here.

oknish

triggca - my $0.02 is to wait till you see the car with OEM wheels and then decide whether to get them chromed.

STP has chromed wheels on his 320 and they looked nice. Maybe he can shed some light on where he got his.

JDT1

There are a number of vendors around the U.S. that offer a "wheel exchange" program, but only on OEM wheels, as I understand it. I think if you do a google search on "wheel exchange", you should be able to find them. My dealer was going to work that out for me with one of these vendors until I decided to go with a different aftermarket chrome wheel, which the dealer also worked out with a local Dallas custom shop. They offer "dealer pricing" which is a little better than what consumers are charged.

Stumblefoot

I agree. Long story short... when we were all rolling through Red Rocks in Vegas I kept noticing Steve's wheels really stood out compared to the other GL's and just absolutely looked fantastic against that dark finish. I finally asked him what was different about them and that's when I learned he had them chromed. They truly looked awesome!!!

Nevada Jack

I remember that thread but that was when I thought my GL would be a diesel 320. Once the GL550 came out and I saw the AMG rims the chroming was history. The AMG 550 rims are perfect and are really classy looking...the setback is chrome (or polished alloy or SS?)and contrasts nicely with the alloy spokes.

My preference would be to take the OEM's...I would like to see a set in chrome but really would not be tempted.

BTW...CalChrome is used by many dealers also.

lkchris

Have you ever seen tires being mounted on wheels?

Do you really believe the machine isn't scraping the chrome off the bead surfaces?

This is my Mercedes and NASCAR (among others) forbid chrome wheels. They leak.

djdejavu

i think you can buy some through ebay as well ...believe they do exchanges as well

i was told by someone that converting alloy wheel to chrome is not best idea as they tend to chip & loose the chrome...just what i'be heard

although it would look good. did some reseach it would cost around $1900 to convert alloy to chrome

FireGuy

I am the original poster about Cal Chrome. I used them on my GL 450 19" wheels and am VERY happy with them and the results after 10,000 miles. By the way, I had them mounted there and met the crew, it is a good place to do business. However, the bottom line is that chrome is a "taste" thing and has to be right for you, not everyone here!

triggca

Fireguy, have you had any problems with leaking tires? I’m not metallurgist but work with a few and I had them look at their process. Both said it was one of the best they’d seen and wasn’t the cheapest way to chrome a wheel. I like the look, others many not. I’ll make an appointment the day after the GL arrives.

Nevada Jack

If I had gotten the 320, I would have chromed the wheels (19"). I think they look great (both the 18 or the 19). As I indicated the 21" AMG's are a fantastic wheel and would not do them.

Go for it and enjoy the sparkle...

triggca

The 19's are a nice size, but being a tire junkie I’ve already started looking for replacements. Unfortunately the 19” tires aren’t readily available, hopefully in a year when I need new tires a few more manufactures will have 19’s which will give me a few more option other than the 4 I’ve found.

oknish

Let us know when you are headed down. Maybe we can get together and grab a bite to eat.

AsianML

Machine polished is nicer.

triggca

New wheels and Clam Jumpers...life is good!

triggca

Forgot the Thank You

FireGuy

No leaks. They damaged one tire pressure sensor gasket on the re-install, but those are a bear to do the first time with no leaks and it was an easy fix.

oknish

There is a Claim Jumper in Santa Clarita where Cal Chrome is

Newbie_2_MB

I'll join in as well; Santa Clarita is very close to me.

tm4exc

All: Is this the same chrome wheel dealer that was talked about in another thread. That dealer appeared to have standard MB wheel sizes (not AMG) for exhange at $175 per wheel plus $200 for installation. See I remember the numbers but not the thread!

LASCAUX

Yes, $175.00 For Chroming, $100.00 For Installation Per Wheel.

Also Have Loaner Wheels/tires For 550 Owners Because Of Unavailable Cores. They Are Waiting To See What Kind Of Volume Before Investing In The Amg Cores.

Waiting-4-550

550 already screams look at me.. Chroming the 21" rims would make it even biggger pimpin... It might even make you the envy of other truck owners.. I don't think it would fair well for me driving around the Mrs. and kids...

tm4exc

Called CAlChrome and they are great to deal with, up front about the pressure sensor possibly breaking during the disassembly for the tire exchange to the new wheel(at a cost of $100 for the kit to fix that from MB) Don't know what others do when they go to other tire shops. Have the 18's and the 19's to exchange(although don't know if they have both model 19's in stock) Want a couple of days notice and will do the deed by appointment in about 90 minutes. My first visit out of town when my car comes in, date still not firm, but close!!!

triggca

So I get my new wheels and use my Tele Aid concierge service to make reservation at Clam Jumper for 6 that would be……… 3 GL450’s and 3 GL550’s

Newbie_2_MB

Just pick a date!