avandss

Hey Guys!

just about to pull the trigger on a c43 sedan with AMG perf!! unfortunately the car comes with 19'' wheel and can not be swapped out, no 19 / no performance exhaust..

however the sales guy (my friend) is telling me i would be absolutely crazy buying this car without the wheel insurance from mercedes (2000$cdn), apparently this car is notorious for blowing tires and destroying rims

this is almost becoming a deal breaker for me

(keep in mind i need to mount winters every year)

Mr. J

One winter and both my right wheels are bent and one tire was destroyed, all by potholes. The wheels still balanced and there is no vibration so I have not replaced them yet. The 19s are definitely made from a soft alloy. The roads are very poorly maintained around here. YMMV.

PrestonXavier

i got the 4 year MB tire and rim with key protection for $1500 cad, its a worthwhile investment considering you get new tires and rims no questions asked

MASSC450

Personally I wouldn't bother buying the wheel insurance, and put that money on a take off set of OEM 18" AMG wheel/tires on ebay cheap as your Winter wheels. You can also buy single 19" wheel replacements on ebay as well. Personally I run 18" wheels in the Winter.

ebay also sells knockoff Mercedes wheels for even less money.

alexasa

iTrader: (1)

I have bent and replaced every tire/rim on my car in 15k miles.

Then I bought after market wheels.

Just put the 1500 towards new wheels IMO.

munis

I am sorry, but I think it just might be your driving then. I am at 15k as well and not a single problem so far. Also it depends where you are driving. After you have crossed the 18" mark, you can't drive over potholes like a regular car anymore. You have to be a bit more careful and slow down. I mostly drive in downtown Toronto and I slow right down when I see one even if the cars before me are honking mad.

NYCSoiL

There's one more option - avoid potholes and don't drive straight into ��

alexasa

iTrader: (1)

I have never bent a wheel in my life until owning this car.

I have only owned sports sedans.

Not a single problem since switching to some quality wheels!

MASSC450

+1

I've owned two W205s, both with 19" AMG wheels...never bent a wheel or blew a tire. Maybe it's because I put on my second set of OEM 18" AMG wheels/tires in the Winter, that and I try my best to avoid potholes.

munis

I do that all the time as well. People who get into my car for the first time usually think I am drunk because I am swerving all the time trying to dodge potholes. Then I explain to them that I care for my rims, so deal with it.


Sometimes you cant avoid them, so you just slow down.

hiec43

I've had my car in NYC for a few months now and am having my second tire replaced as we speak. Thankfully I did get the insurance which now seems to be a worthwhile investment if you are driving in a city with bad roads. Potholes crush the 19" run flats unfortunately.

alexasa

iTrader: (1)

OE rims are garbage. Lawsuit against MB and their inferior quality wheels has been touch and go since ~2006?

Runflats are also garbage - if you get a nail in your tire (the only time a runflat is useful) it usually holds air regardless of being a runflat or conventional tire . If you get a blow out, you're in the same boat either way. I understand runflats from a soccer mom mentality where you are completely ignorant to what your vehicle health is, but otherwise it's rather pointless "technology".