Sean76NYC

This is a weird one, my new 2012 ML that I took delivery on yesterday came with cheaper looking black lug nuts instead of the really nice chrome ones that were on my previous ML that I picked up in Dec 2011. The newer one also came with Dunlop tires instead of the Continentals that were on thr preveous one, which is no big deal, but the lug nuts are gross. Especially when I put my silver colored Mercedes wheel locks on. Now I have 4 black lugs, and a silver lug lock on each wheel. Why not just leave em chrome Mercedes, cheapin out.

rayuelo

I would ask the dealer to swap them out.

Black lug nuts with silver alloys ... is that a trend I'm not aware of? Cheaping out or not, that's just gross unless you have black wheels.

Sean76NYC

Yea I'm heading back in there tomorrow and changing them off another ML from the dealership. I didn't really notice how bad it looks until I put my wheel locks on. Took one look and said nooooooo way! The excuse I has givin was that people were complaining about the chrome ones pitting. That's interesting, I had the stock chrome ones on both my GLK and my original ML and they looked pretty much brand new after a great deal of washes, all season weather, and wear and tear. Sounds like a BS cheap out to me. Either way they are getting swapped tomorrow, dont care if I have to tire iron them off myself...lol

airunner

Canadian models also comes with the black lug nuts as standard. The wheel locks are factory-installed I think since it is already on when I check the vehicle after it arrived at the dealership. But the best part is I don't have to pay extra for the locks.

shortspark

I did not have to pay extra for the locks either and they came on the truck from the factory. I think they are around $140 option. I don't care what color the lugs are but I can see where some people might not like them with the chrome locks.

Sean76NYC

I paid for my locks when I got my original ML in Dec 2011, think they were about $125. I never cared for putting them on any of my cars, always better to be safe then sorry. However, like my original ML I've always had chrome or grey steel colored lug nuts from benz, so it all aways blended in. But now with the lug nuts being black the lock sticks out like a sore thumb. Which honestly is a pretty good flashing warning sign that locks are on the wheels. Oh well, going to change em out Monday to the chrome ones because I'm a lunitic..lol

iankayem

I agree the black looks s**t! However the corroded silver ones on the W164 don.t lokk much better.

shortspark

Now you guys have me thinking. I probably will live with the black ones even though the locks are chrome. However, if I get tired of it I'll probably paint the black ones to match. Here is a process I found that seems simple enough:

1: Take the lug nuts you want to spray.
2:Place it somewhere you don't really mind getting dirty for example, your garage with a sheet of newspaper to put your lug nuts on because you don't want your garage floor red or blue - or whatever color you want.
3:Make sure you brought spray paint, dupli color spray paint is good.
4:Spray paint one side and wait 10 minutes.
5:Spray paint the other side and wait 10 minutes.
6:Repeat step 4 and 5 for a extra 3 or more coats.
7:Repeat step 4,5 and 6 but with clear coat.

If you change tires often this process won't keeping them from chipping. I've heard putting them in the oven (when your wife is gone of course) at 175 degrees will help "bake" in the paint. I would also add that prepping the lugs with sandpaper and using a primer won't hurt. I don't know if it is all worth it but if the color bothers someone that much it might be worth a try.

xxGenericSNxx

If you're going to put that much effort to paint the lug nuts, might as well just buy a new set.
They're not terribly expensive: http://www.ebay.com/itm/20-MERCEDES-...#ht_762wt_1392

hubert

The dealer changed my corroded lug nuts for free...

iankayem

Good suggestion Hubert, will try that on Tuesday.

Next step if that fails, lift the car onto stands, take off all the nuts, take them to a local electroplater who will then Chrome or Zinc plate. Usual cost about $20.

GregW / Oregon

http://www.radusadirect.com/category...__lock_covers/

dougiebear

Anyone think of hand painting the locks BLACK?
I kind of like the shadow effect. VW has black caps for their lugnuts

GregW / Oregon

Better to drill holes in a sheet of heavy cardboard or thin plywood and insert the lugs so you can paint all sides at once. Hand painted ones are not going to stand up to a lug wrench well, though.

Sean76NYC

I will not drive myself nuts, for me the easiest thing to do is either get the Chrome ones that I had on my previous ML, or just live with the locks being grey metal, and the lugs being black....Which honestly...lol, I was outside looking at it before, I don't even notice anymore, it was only the 1st day that really sticker shocked me, now it's not even a real Biggie.

But I do honestly have to say, Benz I am disappointed a little bit...BMW uses Black lug nuts these days, and also has the Black locks available, my friends M5 came like that when he picked it up last month. Why the change Benz, chrome has always been your thing. Please don't start following others, Benz is good just the way it is, errr...way it was.

Shifter

OP. In your first post you said you now have 3 black and one silver lock?? Weird then you are missing a lug bolt, not nut.

rayuelo

I have a Canadian BT and have chrome lug nuts. I wonder when they changed ...

Sean76NYC

Typo wise guy... Lol! Fixed

Sean76NYC

The black ones are a great deal cheaper!

GregW / Oregon

My '06 ML came with silver painted, not chrome.

iankayem

The dealer advised me they know of the corrosion problem, but Mercedes Australia Pacific deny warranty as it is due to "harsh chemical cleaners".

Poor answer but its not worth fighting because even if you won, they would only give you more of the same and they would still rust in a few months. And we do not have salt put on our roads!

So I think I will give them to the electroplater. Its not much dearer than a can of paint but would look better and certainly last longer especially after the application of an occasional air wrench.

Only question is should I get Chrome, silver Zinc, or black Zinc?

Sean76NYC

Yea my 1st 2012 ML came with the chrome ones, and they were really nice, but the only way I'm going from these Black ones to the chrome ones is if my dealer swaps em out for me when I go there tomorrow. Otherwise I'll live with the black ones. Just an FYI to everyone, to buy the chrome ones from MB they are about $8.50 a piece. So about $170 for 20 pieces...

iankayem

As I said, electroplaters would only charge in the region of $20.00 for the lot. But the catch is, they would have to throw them in with a batch with something else, so you may have to wait a day or two.

Cyber GS

I too have the silver painted lugs on my 2011 ML, as Greg W mentioned above.

Hearing about all of the corrosion issues over the years I make sure that I put a coat of sealer / wax on them whenever I wax the rims which I have been doing since the day of delivery.. If they're painted, they need to be protected.

It has been 18 months and there is no corrosion on them.