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Thank you for starting the thread, and for still being here 4+ years later! I'm losing air in my front right wheel again, seems one of the three welds has failed. It was down about 5 lbs. on Wednesday and I filled it about 5pm and parked it for the night, assuming I'd be headed to the tire shop first thing but the next morning all was well, and I drove 50+ miles, parked on grass all day and then 50+ miles home, no issues. Friday afternoon in 90 degree heat it was down 10 lbs.
EDIT: took it to tire guy and one weld has definitely failed, losing air there.
Now my choices are (a) see if the wheel can be re-welded, (b) see if I can find a replacement wheel, new or used, or (c) buy new wheels and tires. Maybe (d) all of the above is the best choice!
Last edited by eddieo45; Jun 29, 2019 at 11:01 AM.
The wheels that I ended up with Avant Garde M610 Advance Rim Technology, which is a hybrid forged wheel.
TennesseeZ4, did you buy them locally or have them shipped? Have you hit anything with them, testing their strength? As my edit above clarifies, I cracked my wheel again, right next to one of the 3 welds I just got done. It only makes sense as a temporary measure to try to repair it again, and I don't think there's much sense in buying a replacement, about $300-$400 assuming I can find the correct width. Smartest move seems to be the most expensive: 4 new 18" wheels and 4 new tires to fit them. I don't know how much I might recoup selling the current wheels but I'd try....
TennesseeZ4, did you buy them locally or have them shipped? Have you hit anything with them, testing their strength? As my edit above clarifies, I cracked my wheel again, right next to one of the 3 welds I just got done. It only makes sense as a temporary measure to try to repair it again, and I don't think there's much sense in buying a replacement, about $300-$400 assuming I can find the correct width. Smartest move seems to be the most expensive: 4 new 18" wheels and 4 new tires to fit them. I don't know how much I might recoup selling the current wheels but I'd try....
Well, I have made it a point to minimize any 'forced' errors of contact with potholes, grade differentials, road bumps, so I have had zero issues to date. That being said, I have hit a couple of severe bumps where the asphalt was milled away for repaving, but no damage. When I purchased, I went to the the Avant Garde website, and dealt with them directly. Their engineer and I agreed on specs, and they shipped the wheels, then the local MB dealer mounted / balanced and I did an alignment to ensure all was right. The communication from AG was solid. So far, so good. The 18" will be more compliant providing additional stress mitigation, but my decision to stay with the 19" was based on the look of the wheel / tire combination and handling. Many of our crowd have elected to move to the 18" with good success. It's a balance between performance and real world livability that we each have to ultimately decide. So far I am fine with my aftermarket wheels, and the look of the car with them on it.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by TennesseeZ4
Well, I have made it a point to minimize any 'forced' errors of contact with potholes, grade differentials, road bumps, so I have had zero issues to date. That being said, I have hit a couple of severe bumps where the asphalt was milled away for repaving, but no damage. When I purchased, I went to the the Avant Garde website, and dealt with them directly. Their engineer and I agreed on specs, and they shipped the wheels, then the local MB dealer mounted / balanced and I did an alignment to ensure all was right. The communication from AG was solid. So far, so good. The 18" will be more compliant providing additional stress mitigation, but my decision to stay with the 19" was based on the look of the wheel / tire combination and handling. Many of our crowd have elected to move to the 18" with good success. It's a balance between performance and real world livability that we each have to ultimately decide. So far I am fine with my aftermarket wheels, and the look of the car with them on it.
What brand, model & size(s) of tires are you running?
255/35-19 front: 285/30-19 rear; Michelin Pilot Super Sports. Love the tires, track straight, corner well, and wear decently.
Originally Posted by Streamliner
Well, I did it! I just got off the phone with Tony from AlloyWheelsDirect.com and finalized my purchase of four 19” x 9” AMG forged wheels
I find it noteworthy that the member who has talked most about the ride comfort advantage of 18" wheels and the member who was pushed to the aftermarket for wheels that can withstand our roads by two broken rims have both opted for 19" wheels. After multiple cracked 18" wheels on both my CLKs I feel dumb for not anticipating issues with 19"s. Now, while I wait for my spare to arrive from eBay, I'm limited to short trips with a compressor on board, and even after it arrives I'll be staying off the highway while I try to get the re-cracked wheel repaired or replaced so I can drive normally till new wheels and tires arrive.
Originally Posted by TennesseeZ4
Well, I have made it a point to minimize any 'forced' errors of contact with potholes, grade differentials, road bumps, so I have had zero issues to date. That being said, I have hit a couple of severe bumps where the asphalt was milled away for repaving, but no damage.
Yeah, I'm already doing that. I've never gone back to the street where I first cracked the wheel, and "eyes on the road" has a very literal meaning for me. I have a rant that goes through my head about the "genius" engineers that decide where on the roadway all the manholes and handholes should go, as they seem to be arranged to perfectly line up with wheel position and are often staggered such that if you can avoid one on the left you hit the next one on the right. I'm no engineer but I'd put them all on the sidewalk or shoulder if I could.
Originally Posted by TennesseeZ4
my decision to stay with the 19" was based on the look of the wheel / tire combination and handling. Many of our crowd have elected to move to the 18" with good success. It's a balance between performance and real world livability that we each have to ultimately decide. So far I am fine with my aftermarket wheels, and the look of the car with them on it.
I want to do this ONCE, and I'm not fussy about the size of my "gap". I assume forged 19" wheels will be tougher than my cast 19" wheels but my hope is that 18" forged wheels will be even tougher than that.
There are no 16 or 17-inch wheels or tires that will fit so you'd have to go with an 18 or 18.
.
Attention 1309w....Please Note!
There actually is a 17-inch,genuine MB Wheel option for the 231, (10-Spoke in Titanium Silver), along with various, (run flat or non-run flat),17" tires to choose from. This smaller wheel diameter, along with appropriate 17" inch tires offers MAXIMUM PROTECTION FROM ROAD HAZARDS..
This option may also be of interest to other members as well who live and drive in areas that have lots of road hazards, (such as the 'potholes' that are apparently a huge problem in the Northeastern States). I consider myself very fortunate to live in South Florida where most all out roads are smooth and well-maintained!
You can view the 17" 10-Spoke Wheel and various tire options by clicking on the link to the site below.. (The site linked below also shows on-the-car pics of the 17" wheel option). Just click below to view!
17" is an extreme option (assuming it even fits massive NA SL550s front brakes). Much more practical option (which I've used for the last 16 years on both R230 and R231 SLs) is to go +1 in tire diameter (26.8") on the same wheels - 245/40-19 & 275/35-19(or 285/35-19) or for even more "protection" 245/45-18 and 275/40-18(or 285/40-18). I had/have no issues running these diameters on SLs. The only "issue" is when one is on border line of being over by 1mph or 2mph regarding being pulled over for speeding: say speed limit is 70mph and "they allow" you 75 before pulling you over, well with 1" taller diameter even though speedo shows 75 you actual speed might be 78 or so, hence a ticket.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Well, all I can say is that I feel badly for you folks who live in areas strewn with pot holes. I don’t want to get into anything political here—and absolutely detest members who do—but it is a pathetic shame that the government, to whom we pay huge income taxes, not to mention outrageous gasoline taxes--ours just went up again today--can’t provide their citizens with decent roads to drive upon. I will say that here in Southern California, with the exception of parts of L.A. and a few other areas, the roads are excellent. Even when we drive up north to Napa, for the most part, the roads are pretty decent, but we make that drive in our sedan.
As ride quality is so important to me, I fully intended to put 18” wheels on my SL. But, after driving it for about 300 miles, with the run flats it came with, the ride is so amazing, that I was able to make the decision to stay with 19’s, for aesthetic purposes only. If the SL was my only car, I would have definitely gone with 18” wheels.
Last edited by Streamliner; Jul 1, 2019 at 03:29 PM.
17" is an extreme option (assuming it even fits massive NA SL550s front brakes). .
The 17-inch wheel I mentioned is made specifically for non-AMG 231's,, so there shouldn't be any kind of 'fitting issue' for any of the non-AMG SL Class 231 models.
The 17" wheels are clearly NOT for either of the AMG models however, (i.e. the SL63 or SL65).
NOTE: If you've incurred severe wheel and tire damage from 'road hazards' where you drive your 231, then you should consider this 17-inch 231 MB wheel. (Be sure to note the 'on the car pics' shown on the site linked below).
Should be no fitting issues for any 'non-AMG 231 Model', (i.e. SL400, SL450, or SL550).
This is a 17-inch wheel that is made specifically for the non-AMG 231's, so there shouldn't be any kind of 'fitting issue' for current non-AMG SL Class models.
The 17" wheels are clearly not designed for AMG models, (i.e. the SL63 or SL65).
Should be no issues for any of the 'non-AMG Models', (i.e. SL400, SL450 or SL550).
I would not be so sure. Some/many Euro SL(and CLS) cars (and probably those destined to Far East and down under as well) are "equipped" with much less powerful V6 (SL/CLS 350, and even I4 in CLS250), so no doubt in my mind those cars use (much?) smaller brakes than SL/CLS 550, hence 17". I do not know of any aftermarket 17" wheel in the US, regardless of how low the offset is, to fit 14.2" front rotors and massive front calipers of SL/CLS 550.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by threeMBs
I would not be so sure. Some/many Euro SL(and CLS) cars (and probably those destined to Far East and down under as well) are "equipped" with much less powerful V6 (SL/CLS 350, and even I4 in CLS250), so no doubt in my mind those cars use (much?) smaller brakes than SL/CLS 550, hence 17". I do not know of any aftermarket 17" wheel in the US, regardless of how low the offset is, to fit 14.2" front rotors and massive front calipers of SL/CLS 550.
It's easy enough to check, just give Tony at Alloy Wheels Direct your VIN and he will let you know if they will fit or not.
It's easy enough to check, just give Tony at Alloy Wheels Direct your VIN and he will let you know if they will fit or not.
https://www.wheel-size.com/size/mercedes/sl-class/2013/. Clearly 17" not applicable to EU (and US) 550, only to EU 350/400 due to smaller front brakes. Enough said.
All US 400/450 (with wheels package for sure and I think even without) get identical sized front brakes as 550 and I do not see how any 17" can fit on front of my SL550.
There actually is a 17-inch,genuine MB Wheel option for the 231, (10-Spoke in Titanium Silver)....
Originally Posted by threeMBs
https://www.wheel-size.com/size/mercedes/sl-class/2013/. Clearly 17" not applicable to EU (and US) 550, only to EU 350/400 due to smaller front brakes. Enough said.
All US 400/450 (with wheels package for sure and I think even without) get identical sized front brakes as 550 and I do not see how any 17" can fit on front of my SL550.
Taste is subjective but that is an ugly wheel IMHO...
Originally Posted by Streamliner
Well, all I can say is that I feel badly for you folks who live in areas strewn with pot holes. I don’t want to get into anything political here—and absolutely detest members who do—but it is a pathetic shame that the government, to whom we pay huge income taxes, not to mention outrageous gasoline taxes--ours just went up again today--can’t provide their citizens with decent roads to drive upon. I will say that here in Southern California, with the exception of parts of L.A. and a few other areas, the roads are excellent. Even when we drive up north to Napa, for the most part, the roads are pretty decent, but we make that drive in our sedan.
As ride quality is so important to me, I fully intended to put 18” wheels on my SL. But, after driving it for about 300 miles, with the run flats it came with, the ride is so amazing, that I was able to make the decision to stay with 19’s, for aesthetic purposes only. If the SL was my only car, I would have definitely gone with 18” wheels.
Here in Massachusetts, our gas tax is slightly more than half yours, and it hasn't been increased since 1991! In 2013 the legislature increased it to 24 cents per gallon and automatically tied the tax rate to inflation for future years (the governor vetoed it, wanting it even higher, but they overrode the veto). A group called "Tank the Gas Tax" sponsored a ballot question to overturn it and 53% of the cheapskates here carried the day.
https://www.wheel-size.com/size/mercedes/sl-class/2013/. Clearly 17" not applicable to EU (and US) 550, only to EU 350/400 due to smaller front brakes. Enough said.
All US 400/450 (with wheels package for sure and I think even without) get identical sized front brakes as 550 and I do not see how any 17" can fit on front of my SL550.
As previously mentioned, if you 'STILL' have some doubt about the genuine MB 17" wheel for the 231 fitting your particular car, then by all means call Tony at Alloy Wheels Direct! (He can verify the fit using your car's VIN number).
The 'standard', (stock) MB wheel in the USA for the 2013 SL550 was the 18" Twin Spoke Wheel, but that doesn't mean the smaller 17" MB wheel designed for the 231 won't fit. Tony, (see above), is the best source for MB Wheel fitting information.
From outside the UK Call this number: +44 1865 959 0000
Like yours, they're 9" wide F&R; 35mm offset a problem??
If you are interested in the Tire Rack (18-inch) Wheel that is referenced in Eddieo45's post above, below is a link to that particular wheel on the Tire Rack website!
(It looks to me like an MB Center Cap would likely fit these particular Tire Rack wheels, but it would be best to verify that with Tire Rack).
For another very good looking 18-inch wheel option, (15-Spoke Silver), click on the link below! (This one is a genuine MB 231 18-inch Wheel Option and a very popular 231 Wheel in Europe, though rarely seen here in the USA. (The stock 18" Wheel the USA got for model years 2014-2016 was the Twin Spoke Wheel, rather than this one).
Note there are also some 'on the car pics' you can click on which are shown just beneath the large 15-Spoke wheel pic once you click to load the web page below.
As previously mentioned, if you 'STILL' have some doubt about the genuine MB 17" wheel for the 231 fitting your particular car, then by all means call Tony at Alloy Wheels Direct! (He can verify the fit using your car's VIN number).
The 'standard', (stock) MB wheel in the USA for the 2013 SL550 was the 18" Twin Spoke Wheel, but that doesn't mean the smaller 17" MB wheel designed for the 231 won't fit. Tony, (see above), is the best source for MB Wheel fitting information.
From outside the UK Call this number: +44 1865 959 0000
Thanks but was never interested in any stock SL wheel, much less 17". I use alternatively 2 stunning (IMHO) 20" aftermarket sets perfectly complementing my White Arrow Edition SL with 26.8 diameter tires. No issues down south with 20s.
Thanks but was never interested in any stock SL wheel, much less 17". I use alternatively 2 stunning (IMHO) 20" aftermarket sets perfectly complementing my White Arrow Edition SL with 26.8 diameter tires. No issues down south with 20s.
Well your question/concern about whether or not the 17" would actually fit sure had me fooled about your interest in that smaller size!...:
Sure hope you have the ABC option for those 20" rims and tires of yours!...
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
