rmorin49

I spend a lot of time on Corvette Form. There are lots of complaints about cracked wheels. Apparently most of the wheels are cast and prone to developing cracks.

So my questions:

1. Who and where are SL wheels made?
2. Are they cast or forged?
3. How many of you have experienced cracks or other failures?

Thanks.

Wolfman

1. Sl wheels are made in a variety of countries. The five spoke is typically made in Poland, Germany and Belgium
2. Any non AMG wheel is cast only, AMG wheels are forged.
3. Cast wheels can crack, especially if under inflated (inner edge). Forged are much stronger and will not crack (unless driving over a curb, etc.)

rmorin49

Thanks. I feel better as I have AMG wheels and do NOT overinflate.

BTW, I think the cast Corvette wheels are made in China and Mexico.

Wolfman

I need to clarify. My former reply appears unclear in hind sight.

Any non-AMG car (SL400, 450, 500, 550) has cast aluminum wheels, wether they are AMG wheels or not.
Any AMG car (SL63, SL65) has forged wheels.

So your car has cast aluminum wheels (made in Poland). Also, over inflating is actually OK and recommended on the rears to reduce inner tire wear.

The country of origin is of little relevance as the quality requirements are consistent across vendors. Even the more expensive forged S63/65 wheels are made in Taiwan. The SL ones are made in Germany.

rmorin49

Darn, now I don't feel good. Just kidding. I've never suffered a cracked wheel including on my C7 Corvette that I drove year round for 4 years.

TennesseeZ4

I too went through a wheel issue with my five spoke AMG's, cracking two of them. Doing my research, I found that there was a class action suit filed against MB over the cracks to the AMG wheels in 2009, and continued until 2015, a suit that was dismissed for lack of proof; but the issue is common across the multiple model forums related to ours. I also found in going to the Audi and BMW forums that there were also issues with wheels that were of cast construction on those cars as well, with the majority of the issues coming with wheels larger than 18". Our local MB dealer shared with me that some of the Ronal produced AMG wheels are cast as mine were, but the better wheels are forged and typically optional. While exploring this entire wheel issue, one option was to go with 18" wheels and tires, which some on this forum have done to their satisfaction, but I ended up going with an aftermarket set of 19" wheels that are a hybrid cast / forged construction. Had them for over two years now, hit several potholes, no issues at all with the wheels. We have been MB owners for almost 40 years, SL's, E's, 190's, and until the issue with the R231 SL wheels, we had zero issues in the past. Here is the brochure information from my 2013, note that two of the wheels shown in the brochure are specifically cited as being forged.

Wolfman

Thanks for the pic. Reminded me that in the early days, the SL63 was available with a cast 5 spoke AMG wheel as well. Later on it went to forged-only

andy-gts

I hit a pothole then had a slo lead that lead to discovery of cracked rim, Mercedes replaced for free, I think I paid for the wheel insurance...on my sl63 forged wheels