When I look at other SL's for sale and see the car fax on that car, the owners have had the wheels replaced. I have seen this on quite a few cars for sale. The dealer I bought mine from tried to sell me an ins. policy that would cover the wheels. He seemed pretty adamant about it. Now I'm getting concerned. Are these wheels defective from the factory? Why so many need to be replaced? I know they will cost a fortune if I need to replace them. Not sure if they are even available. Any one out there had to replace their wheels, and why?

 

Many newer cars have larger diameter wheels and the tires have shorter sidewalls so the edge of the wheels are closer to the street pavement. When you hit a rough spot or pot hole these newer design wheels tend to get damaged a lot easier. Does your car have 18”, 19”, 20” or 21” wheels?

 

I have 19 inch wheels. I realize the the smaller dia. wheel has more rubber between the wheel and road. I just hope that the wheels are not too fragile. I'm in northern CT and the roads are not to bad but when I go to Mass., especially on the back roads, they are TERRIBLE!! It's like I'm on a slalom course trying to avoid bad spots in the road. Quick steering is a must.

 

I have had 2 wheels replaced due to cracked rims..... Defect for sure!

 

Were these covered under standard warranty, an additional Wheel Warranty from MB or did you insurance pay for the wheel less any deductible? It would be helpful if you indicate your location.

 

I rarely purchase extended warranties on anything, including automobiles. I did purchase the tire and wheel coverage on both of our Mercedes, also after extensive pressure from the dealer. Perhaps it is the ridiculously thin sidewall of the run-flat tires but I have used the tire & wheel coverage on 7 separate occasions in the past 3 years; 2 replacement tires and 5 refinished wheels for curb rash. In my case, the wheel & tire coverage was a very positive experience. Like most people, my actual miles drive has been at least 50% less over the past 18 months.

 

I paid out of pocket.... First rim was thru Mercedes, 2nd rim was put on by a local mechanic who I trust and was 1/2 the price for Mercedes for the same rim....

 

Utopia is right...the only thing wrong with the current SL wheels is their diameter. There just isn't enough rubber in these idiotically short sidewalls to offer any buffer between the road and the rims. Everyone wanted these stupid wagon wheels on their cars, and now we all get to reap the "benefits". If you spend any money on different, "better" wheels for your SL, and you don't go with smaller wheels, you're just pushing your money into a pile and setting it on fire. JMO, but based on physical reality.

 

We replaced ours with Mandrus wheels. We had the MB AMG wheels. I hated to do it, but decided it was the most logical fix. We also got rid of the RF tires. Long story on the wheels, but I like the Mandrus at a little over the cost of one MB wheel. Have not had one problem and like the AS3+ tires...and the new wheels...
and we love the car.....better car with the new tires.

 

im in same boat and looking to replace my wheels……what is the model number for your rims and where did you get them?

 

Mandrus Millenium wheels made by TSW. Mine came from Discount Tire, although there are many outlets offering these. OEM center caps (not shown) and lug nuts fit perfectly.

https://www.mandruswheels.com/

 

You might check back in the forum, as well as the wheel and tire forum, as there are a few threads on wheel issues. There was a class action suit against MB for wheel issues several years ago, but the courts threw out the complaints and ruled in MB favor. In the AMG wheel world, there are cast wheels and forged wheels; same for aftermarket. When I cracked my second AMG wheel, I went with a hybrid forged wheel which I ran for two years prior to trading the car with no issues. Cast wheels are just not as tolerant to impact as their forged peers; and yes there is a cost differential between the two types.

Lawsuit article: https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2...ismissed.shtml :


Avant Garde wheels

 

What ZCARGUY said.... if you need more info. Just ask. I actually got mine through a local wheel and tire shop....but the same wheel. We wanted something refined, sturdier, and something not too flashey but appropriate for t h e car. We also like the blue color so much, we wanted something that did not take away from it.
We are very very happy with the new tires and wheels.