CBR Dude

My right rear wheel looks like it's got some crazing on the finish. Symptoms look like an old plate when the finish gets old. Was over at my brothers this weekend and he said I don't remember that wheel looking that bad when you bought it. I agreed.


It's still under warranty. I wonder if the dealer will replace it? There is no damage to the wheel. It's all over the wheel not just in one place. You can't feel anything just looks like it has an old an ole plate look.

CBR Dude

Short answer is no. Servicing dealer called the dealer who did the work. Original owner had the wheel fixed, selling dealer very vague as to what was done. Claims if any problem now I did a curb check. No damage to the wheel what so ever. New wheel is 1600 plus install. I passed on it and will seek out a remaned wheel.

CBR Dude

Here is a few pics of the wheel in question. When I bought it there were no cracks on the finish. Today there are more than what these pics show. You can't feel the cracks at all.


The dealer that did the work is being real aloof to what was done when the original owner brought the wheel in.


I suspect the wheel was given a down and dirty job to get it through lease end inspection.


My servicing dealer refuses to touch it saying the wheel is damaged. There is no physical damage to the wheel. All that you can see are the cracks.


A new wheel is 1600 bucks plus tear down and mounting of the tire.


I've located the guy that repairs them for the local shop. He will refinish the wheel for 320 bucks through his shop. This would not involve going through the MB service who just wants to mark up the job. The fix will take about 5 days.


I've located several remanufactured wheels in the 500 range. The only warranty these places provide is the wheel being straight and true. No warranty that the finish will degrade.


Thoughts?

bha

My guess is the dealer isn't telling you everything.


Wheel may have been damaged so they sanded it down or blasted it, then started painting it all over again (primer, paint, clear)


The issue was with the paint or technique the wheel shop used, and the paint failed. MB dealer is remaining quiet so they don't have to pay for it.


Find a used wheel on eBay.. can' tbe that hard or expensive to find. Or try car-part.com

CBR Dude

The guy that does the wheels at the MB shop now said it was the method used to fix the wheel.


Told me he would have to send it out and have it stripped down completely and repowdercoated. Cost: $320 bucks 5 day turn around time required.


His explanation was real simple said it's because the wheel heats up and it expands and contracts and the paint used was not correct for the application.


He said I can sand it off but it will do the same. Better to have the wheel completely stripped down and start over.

2010GL550

Wheels America had some in stock for $233. I've purchased from them before and was satisfied with their product.


http://www.wheelsamerica.com/Buy-OEM-Wheels.php

CBR Dude

Great prices, but none in stock. I've emailed them to see when they expect more.


From these prices, I wonder of others are buying them and reselling @ twice that?


Thanks for the help.

N_Jay

Depending where you are there are lots of wheel refinishing places.


I have found a strip and refinish runs $100 to $200 a wheel here in Chicago.

CBR Dude

Wheels America did not have any in stick. So I emailed them for an estimated date when they thought they might get some in. Interesting response. They told me not to buy any of the wheels that were refurbished. They were already plagued with issues from the factory with rim cracks (inside bead). Yikes! His advise was to buy it new or look for one that comes with a warranty. Most places wont warranty that wheel because of the fact they crack.

CBR Dude

I've talked to two places here. I did a Yelp search on both. Both are bad news! In both cases they would send the wheel out as they don't have the equipment to handle the refinish job. The finish has to be completely removed vs. sanded down and repainted.