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Now experiencing my second AMG wheel cracking since my switch to Michelin Pilot SS. Gotta believe that the OEM AMG wheel design is set based on the stiffer sidewall of the runflats, which would provide additional support and protect the wheel. Looking at aftermarket wheels to keep the Michelins from further 'impacting' my sporting pleasure. Anyone have experience with the Avant Garde wheels? That is where my current direction is. Your input is appreciated.
Sounds to me like the OP's AMG Wheels have encountered a few too many potholes which is most likely the cause of the AMG wheel damage...
It is true that 19" wheels are more prone to wheel damage than smaller diameters simply because the 19" Low Profile Tires required have very little sidewall to protect the wheels.
For greater wheel protection, you may want to consider one of the Mercedes Benz 18-inch wheel options for the 231 along with 18-inch low profile tires. The 18-inch tires have more sidewall to help protect your wheels from road damage. In case you didn't know, when the 231 was first announced as a 2013 SL 550 model, the stock alloy wheel was the 18" twin spoke wheel which is still available.
There is also another reason to choose the smaller 18-inch wheels: If you have a non-ABC 231 like most of us do, you will find that the 18-inch wheel and tire combination really improves the ride comfort. The improvement to ride comfort is also enhanced by choosing a non-Run Flat tire for your SL.
Click on the link below to see all the genuine Mercedes-Benz 18-inch wheel options for the 231.
While I do recall hitting a rather intimidating pot hole with the right front for my first wheel crack, I do not recall any impact scenarios for the left rear. I am **** about maintaining the car to the exact specifications, and provide that diligence on the air pressures for the tires. I have owned numerous Benz autos, along with BMW, Acura, and others over the years, as well as maintaining and racing SCCA cars for twenty years. This is the first time I have ever had any issues with a rim / wheel (excluding the tire wall incident, drivers left, downhill esses at Road Atlanta).
Mine goes in the shop tomorrow, we shall see what they say. More to follow.
Read the article in the link posted and it’s clear these rims have issues. Unfortunately, the plaintiffs failed to prove a defect by their lack of an expert witness or an experts proof of a design defect, hence the case was never certified as a class action.
A pothole can explain some, but not all these cracks.
It it will be interesting to get to the bottom of this, I’m looking forward to your, and others updates.
Im curious if others have had wheel cracking issues on aftermarket 19 or 20” rims.
After getting the news from the dealer that it is indeed another cracked rim, I pulled the trigger on some Avant Garde M610's. Will post photos when they come in. The most intriguing aspect of this entire process was to research this MB World forum, the Bimmerquest forum, and the Audi forum, and see what issues others may be having with OEM / aftermarket wheels. Just do a search on wheel crack on MB World, it is quite common. There seems to be a recurring element in the failures, that being low profile tires. Not willing to give up the handling aspect of those low profiles for a set of more compliant, smaller diameter, wheels, I made the move to aftermarket to mitigate some of the future replacement cost. The failures that are reported on these forums are fairly consistent in the cracking occurring on the inner flange of the wheel; that is true with and without run-flat tires; true with high end three piece wheels, OEM wheels, or lower priced cast versions. I am resigned to the fact that with pot hole encounters, there is a cost associated. My logic is that the cost is lower with the AG wheels than with the AMG version (which I really like). Thanks for the input and feedback. BTW, the dealer said they are not aware of any lawsuit against MB with regard to wheels. Most interesting.
Last edited by TennesseeZ4; Jan 15, 2019 at 09:07 PM.
The M610s are beautiful wheels! Great choice and good luck with them.
Good research and makes sense, low profile tires play a role. I’m sure the AMG wheels have inherent faults.
Look forward to seeing an update soon after some road time on the new wheels!
SL traditionally have more inner tire wear on the rears. Also partially due to the car lowering at speed which changes the camber just a bit. This also puts more risk to the inner lip/barrel. I have experienced bend rims (not cracked) until a Mercedes mechanic told me a long time ago to simply increase the tire pressure on the rears by 3-5psi over recommended TP. Since then I have hit many potholes and have never any rim damage or uneven wear on the tires Of course until I end up curbing it
My guess is that you're probably not going to want to endure the expense of switching to the more practical 18" wheels/tires, but in case you are considering it, here's a recent tread on that subject:
Got my Avant Garde M610's installed today, and I must say I am pleased so far. I realize others may not, but I do like the look and think that the brushed wheel is a compliment to the trim on the car. So now when I crack a rim it just won't cost as much! While I was picking up my car at the dealership, the Service Manager told me he got a call today from a customer who had trashed a wheel so badly, they called for a tow truck. The wheel in question is on a Maybach, cost? $3,500, and it will take two weeks to get in from Germany. Now I don't feel so bad. When I pick up my old wheels Monday, I will post a photo of the cracked wheel Liking the new look!
Got my Avant Garde M610's installed today, and I must say I am pleased so far. I realize others may not, but I do like the look and think that the brushed wheel is a compliment to the trim on the car. So now when I crack a rim it just won't cost as much! While I was picking up my car at the dealership, the Service Manager told me he got a call today from a customer who had trashed a wheel so badly, they called for a tow truck. The wheel in question is on a Maybach, cost? $3,500, and it will take two weeks to get in from Germany. Now I don't feel so bad. When I pick up my old wheels Monday, I will post a photo of the cracked wheel Liking the new look!
Those look smashing on that car! WAY better than any of the MB wheels that I've seen so far...and it's tough to depart from factory wheels on this car for some reason. Congratulations. I hope they hold up better for you, but I still suspect that the problem is the 19" diameter stock wheels. I have to go with Streamliner on this, that 18s would probably solve the problem...
Well, a dark blue car and Mercedes brake dust, just all part of the cleaning process. I have been cleaning MB brake dust off of wheels for about 40 years, so I am quite used to the process, with the proper tools. Willing to make that trade off. Would rather have had the BBS CRH wheels, but they do not make a fitment in the 19" for this car. Drive well!
Would rather have had the BBS CRH wheels, but they do not make a fitment in the 19" for this car. Drive well!
I'll assume the BBS wheels you are referring to are actually the BBS CH-R Wheels, and you simply transposed a few letters in the post that I quoted above!.
Well, a dark blue car and Mercedes brake dust, just all part of the cleaning process. I have been cleaning MB brake dust off of wheels for about 40 years, so I am quite used to the process, with the proper tools. Willing to make that trade off. Would rather have had the BBS CRH wheels, but they do not make a fitment in the 19" for this car. Drive well!
Did I touch a nerve? It was only a comment.......I did say they are nice
The new wheels look great, nearly identical to the BBS style that I really like. The brushed look is good, personally prefer it to the chromed out look.
It will be interesting to see if you continue to have cracked wheel issues with the new wheels; if so it will say a lot about the MBZ/ AMG factory wheels.
I'll assume the BBS wheels you are referring to are actually the BBS CH-R Wheels, and you simply transposed a few letters in the post that I quoted above!.
You are correct, I apologize for my wheel dyslexia.
FWIW, I didn't read TennesseeZ4's response as being "nerve touched" or "touchy, touchy".
TennesseeZ4, my car came the 19" Multispoke wheels and I had been considering whether to change them out. I like the wheels you chose as they are not as radical as some of the other ones out there. You have got me thinking about that again!
Sold 06 CLS500. SL550 09. SL550 2013. Own C6 Corvette heavily customized garage queen 2005.
Originally Posted by Wolfman
SL traditionally have more inner tire wear on the rears. Also partially due to the car lowering at speed which changes the camber just a bit. This also puts more risk to the inner lip/barrel. I have experienced bend rims (not cracked) until a Mercedes mechanic told me a long time ago to simply increase the tire pressure on the rears by 3-5psi over recommended TP. Since then I have hit many potholes and have never any rim damage or uneven wear on the tires Of course until I end up curbing it
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Of course until I end up curbing it 
