Wheel Damage--Repair or Replace?
10-19-2015, 04:29 PM
#1
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Wheel Damage--Repair or Replace?
Does anyone have experience with the Alloy Wheel folks that repair "curb rash" type damage on the MB wheels?
Today I ran my ''16 S550 through my local car wash that I have used for 15 years without any problems. That 15 year positive track record was broken today as their equipment put about a three inch scratch into my 19" AMG wheels with 1200 miles on it. I ran my '14 S550 with the same wheels through the same car wash over the past two years without any problem.
I knew there was a problem as the car began moving through the car wash when I heard this metal to metal scrape. Not good.
Dealer quoted me $1100 for the new wheel. Of course I talked to the car wash to see what they are going to do about it. Don't know what they will do yet but I know the owner of the car wash (not well but more from discussing our MB cars) since he has also owned S Class cars. So hoping they will deal with this honorably.
Today I ran my ''16 S550 through my local car wash that I have used for 15 years without any problems. That 15 year positive track record was broken today as their equipment put about a three inch scratch into my 19" AMG wheels with 1200 miles on it. I ran my '14 S550 with the same wheels through the same car wash over the past two years without any problem.
I knew there was a problem as the car began moving through the car wash when I heard this metal to metal scrape. Not good.
Dealer quoted me $1100 for the new wheel. Of course I talked to the car wash to see what they are going to do about it. Don't know what they will do yet but I know the owner of the car wash (not well but more from discussing our MB cars) since he has also owned S Class cars. So hoping they will deal with this honorably.
10-19-2015, 04:49 PM
#2
Sorry to read that and no history with AW
Do you know what happened differently this time? Was the car not aligned for the track or something else?
I frequently a similar wash so hoping to avoid a similar outcome if possible
Do you know what happened differently this time? Was the car not aligned for the track or something else?
I frequently a similar wash so hoping to avoid a similar outcome if possible
10-19-2015, 08:29 PM
#3
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that stinks......I'd be on the fence....if the car wash will step up, that's cool, but 1100 for a new wheel is practically HRE territory 
there are some wheel repair guys that seem to do good work.......I've heard
there are some wheel repair guys that seem to do good work.......I've heard
10-19-2015, 08:44 PM
#4
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Not exactly sure what was different this time. I am guessing the guards they have on the track either came loose or simply did not work properly. Normally, even if the car gets a little side ways coming onto the track, the guards this car wash has in place has protected my wheels. When one hears metal to metal this is not a good sign like this time around.
10-19-2015, 08:50 PM
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My local dealer (the parts guy) suggested I talk to the alloy wheel repair guy that is at the dealership two days a week. Clearly the local MB dealer keeps this guy busy if he brings his large trailer to the dealership two days a week. I have seen him at the dealership before but thankfully have never needed his services.
10-19-2015, 09:01 PM
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My local dealer (the parts guy) suggested I talk to the alloy wheel repair guy that is at the dealership two days a week. Clearly the local MB dealer keeps this guy busy if he brings his large trailer to the dealership two days a week. I have seen him at the dealership before but thankfully have never needed his services.
There are quality refinishing shops that have the right equipment and will do a proper job refinishing the wheel.
Personally I would get a new wheel (paid the the car wash's insurance) and keep the other as a spare.
10-19-2015, 09:26 PM
#7
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I am not sure I would trust a guy with a trailer. Sounds like those dentless repair guys that do a horrible job.
There are quality refinishing shops that have the right equipment and will do a proper job refinishing the wheel.
Personally I would get a new wheel (paid the the car wash's insurance) and keep the other as a spare.
There are quality refinishing shops that have the right equipment and will do a proper job refinishing the wheel.
Personally I would get a new wheel (paid the the car wash's insurance) and keep the other as a spare.
Agree with you on the new wheel. That is my first option and will be pretty firm about it. It really is not an option but I would like to know my options if the car wash ends up being a pain in the a--. Since my office building is directly behind the MB dealer, I plan on driving over to the dealership to atleast talk to the guy that refinishes the wheels. The guys trailer is not just a "dinky" trailer. From my understanding he has a complete shop in this good sized trailer. Nonetheless, I am curious but in the end will really not accept less than a new wheel on my $137k S class.
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10-19-2015, 09:48 PM
#8
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I have had several wheels scratches repaired and painted on my old W221. If you have a good wheel guy, they can paint them perfectly, without you ever knowing. It would cost me $150.
Never had it done on my W222, but unless the wheel finishing is a different process, I suppose the results should be the same.
On the other side of the coin, if somebody else did this to my car, a new wheel would be in order.
Never had it done on my W222, but unless the wheel finishing is a different process, I suppose the results should be the same.
On the other side of the coin, if somebody else did this to my car, a new wheel would be in order.
10-20-2015, 06:59 AM
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you said you have a good relationship with the wash, and been going there for years......they should accept responsibility, hope it works out
10-20-2015, 09:00 AM
#10
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My MB dealer also has a mobile wheel repair shop that comes to the dealership one day each week. They say that the work done is as good as the "brick and mortar" shops can do, but they don't do major wheel straightening at the mobile shop. They do minor scratch, scrape and dent repair.
Also, a good friend of mine sells Porsche autos for the local dealer. He also says that they have a mobile wheel guy that comes on site, and theirs can even do powder-coat repairs at the dealership.
Both dealers have examples of the repairs that can be done, and their work looks really good. I do wonder how durable it may be, but I am keeping this all in mind, as sooner or later I could be in need of such services. Given that I live in the city, there are lots of hazards out there.
Also, a good friend of mine sells Porsche autos for the local dealer. He also says that they have a mobile wheel guy that comes on site, and theirs can even do powder-coat repairs at the dealership.
Both dealers have examples of the repairs that can be done, and their work looks really good. I do wonder how durable it may be, but I am keeping this all in mind, as sooner or later I could be in need of such services. Given that I live in the city, there are lots of hazards out there.
10-20-2015, 10:48 AM
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My wife will hit the curb on occasion with her E350 and I have had a few wheels refinished with the tire still mounted and the wheel still on the car. In all cases, I have been truly amazed at the high quality of the repairs. If the damage is purely cosmetic, I would not hesitate to have the wheel refinished. And, for $100.00 to $150.00, I think the car wash would be much more willing to pick up the tab.
On a related subject, I was an absolute freak over the cosmetic condition of my cars for many decades. I would park blocks away to prevent damage, refuse to valet my car and would never even think of using a car wash. Then, when I started leasing instead of buying, I finally gave up. Why should I kill myself over something I am going to give back in 36 months or less? I still try to take care of my cars, but when it came down to letting my granddaughters ride in the car and step on the door sills and kick the backs of the seats, I just knew that life was too short to worry about something I was leasing.
On a related subject, I was an absolute freak over the cosmetic condition of my cars for many decades. I would park blocks away to prevent damage, refuse to valet my car and would never even think of using a car wash. Then, when I started leasing instead of buying, I finally gave up. Why should I kill myself over something I am going to give back in 36 months or less? I still try to take care of my cars, but when it came down to letting my granddaughters ride in the car and step on the door sills and kick the backs of the seats, I just knew that life was too short to worry about something I was leasing.
10-20-2015, 03:52 PM
#12
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^yes.......very, yes!
if I was planning on keeping this a long time.....I'd worry about the leather, nicked paint and other small things.......the dealer barely even looked at my E550 when I traded it in towards the S550 lol........
just this morning my wife asked me: you let her play with stickers in the backseat?
yeah, why not? lol!
if I was planning on keeping this a long time.....I'd worry about the leather, nicked paint and other small things.......the dealer barely even looked at my E550 when I traded it in towards the S550 lol........
just this morning my wife asked me: you let her play with stickers in the backseat?
yeah, why not? lol!
10-21-2015, 01:46 AM
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This was my wheel after losing to a parking garage concrete parking stop. It was repaired for about $90 including tip, by mobile guy coming to my home that was recommended by dealership.
It look about as good as new after sanding and spray paint, finished off with a coat of clear coat.
About 18 yrs ago my new BMW Z-3 wheel got damaged by a car wash. The owner refused to pay for a new wheel but instead paid for a perfect repair for about $50 back then.
10-21-2015, 08:14 AM
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This was my wheel after losing to a parking garage concrete parking stop. It was repaired for about $90 including tip, by mobile guy coming to my home that was recommended by dealership.
It look about as good as new after sanding and spray paint, finished off with a coat of clear coat.
About 18 yrs ago my new BMW Z-3 wheel got damaged by a car wash. The owner refused to pay for a new wheel but instead paid for a perfect repair for about $50 back then.
Well, as the OP that started this thread, I must say some people are simply not honorable business people--but I already knew that. That premise was verified with my car wash incident.
After talking to the people at the car wash (the owner of the car wash I know but he has turned the car wash over to his son so my influence is greatly diminished) the people at the car wash completely denied their equipment damaged my wheel even though the guy pulling my car through also heard a metal to metal grinding. After one of the employees simply pissed me off I threatened to sue them but in reality I just gave up (I have a law degree so I know the ropes but I simply do not want to waste my time--and I am sure they know that so they resist these types of claims). I will pay for getting the wheel fixed myself even though with a 110% certainty they damaged the wheel. So I scheduled my car to go to the MB dealer next Tuesday to have their alloy wheel guy fix the wheel. I drove the car to the alloy wheel guy yesterday and they guarantee their work for my wheel after he looked at it and he said it would look brand new. So I have nothing to lose to have him fix it for about $200 with a guarantee.
Last edited by MTrauman; 10-21-2015 at 08:24 AM.
10-21-2015, 09:16 AM
#16
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I'm so bad with wheels I have a spare front and rear on hand so I can swap the damaged one(s) out and send them for repair. I drop them off at my local MB Certified body shop and they get picked up by Turbax, fixed and returned to the shop. Cost is $175, but they also clean, true and refinish the entire wheel. They look brand new when they come back.
I'll usually live with the small stuff for awhile and then catch it all at once.
Wheel damage caused by collision (which is what happened to your wheel in the car wash) is covered by your insurance less your deductible. They can chase down the car wash owner if they feel like it.
I'll usually live with the small stuff for awhile and then catch it all at once.
Wheel damage caused by collision (which is what happened to your wheel in the car wash) is covered by your insurance less your deductible. They can chase down the car wash owner if they feel like it.
Last edited by Mike5215; 10-21-2015 at 09:21 AM.
10-21-2015, 10:04 AM
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Appreciate the thought on the insurance. My deductible is $1000--so no go here. Additionally, since my '14 S550 4matic was totaled when another driver ran me off the road in June with me slamming into a tree at about 55mph, I am hesitant to worry about any insurance issue at this point. Since the state police did not determine fault at the scene (although my insurance company and I believe based on the evidence the other person is at fault) of the accident my insurance company is taking the other company to binding intercompany arbitration (scheduled for March 2016) to recover the large outlay for my '14 S class. This year has been one hell of a year in damage issues with cars so I just want to get the wheel fixed and move on.
10-21-2015, 02:38 PM
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sorry to read it, hope you don't go to that car wash anymore either as they obviously don't need your business anymore
back when I got my BRAND new HRE's installed the guy scuffed one of them......day of install lol, but I didn't want to deal with the hassle.......so I live with it.....it's only on the finish and could easily be fixed I think, but still.....
back when I got my BRAND new HRE's installed the guy scuffed one of them......day of install lol, but I didn't want to deal with the hassle.......so I live with it.....it's only on the finish and could easily be fixed I think, but still.....
10-21-2015, 04:05 PM
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10-21-2015, 07:53 PM
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10-21-2015, 09:29 PM
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Well, it must be the season for wheel damage. Rubbed the curb today with my 20" front wheel. Talked to my service rep at the dealership and he assured me their wheel repair service would refinish like new. Figure I have nothing to lose for less than $200. Have an appointment to have it done next week. They also use a traveling service that comes to the dealership one day a week. I'll report on the results. I was told a new wheel would cost between $1,500 and $1,800. Hope the refinishing works!!
10-27-2015, 07:07 PM
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As the OP that started this thread, I wanted to report back on the results of the repair of the allow wheel instead of purchasing a new wheel.
Wow! The repair of the Alloy Wheel was repaired to new status. One cannot even tell there were scratches on the rim. For $150 it was well worth it vs. the purchase of a new wheel for $1100. I dropped the car off at my local MB dealer since the dealer has the Alloy Wheel repair guy at the dealership 2 days per week. They gave me an E Class loaner car for the day and the total bill was just under $150.
Wow! The repair of the Alloy Wheel was repaired to new status. One cannot even tell there were scratches on the rim. For $150 it was well worth it vs. the purchase of a new wheel for $1100. I dropped the car off at my local MB dealer since the dealer has the Alloy Wheel repair guy at the dealership 2 days per week. They gave me an E Class loaner car for the day and the total bill was just under $150.
10-28-2015, 08:13 PM
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Just got the car back from the dealer today. Wheel repair performed and the results are amazing. No sign of damage or repair. Absolutely looks new. All for $130!! Very pleased with the results.
10-28-2015, 08:58 PM
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