SL/R231: 19 inch AMG 5 Spoke Wheels
06-18-2023, 01:23 PM
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Nor-Cal
Posts: 958
Received 444 Likes
on
305 Posts
2020 GLC300 -2013 Sl550 - 1997 SL600
SL550 wheels are cast, except for some special edition cars such as the MM and Grand Edition.
This may help:
https://www.automotivist.com/cast-vs...forged-wheels/
I look at wheels as consumables. One of the reasons I also went with the newer style wheel is they are readily available and relatively inexpensive on the secondary markets. They come stock on CLS and SL's in the correct offsets, and much easier to source than the forged AMG wheels. They can be had for $400-$500 per wheel if you need one quickly.
I can tell you I have seen, and personally bent cast AND forged wheels. With these large diameter wheels (19" and up). If the pothole impact is just enough to bend/crack the cast wheel, there's an 76% chance the forged wheel will bend too. It goes up higher than 76% as the impact gets greater.
Run flats definitely have stiffer sidewalls and compound the issue. As they age, they also tend to get stiffer as the rubber hardens. Everyones roads are different, but I haven't bent a stock R231 wheels since I got rid of the run flats. Could be luck, could be the run flats playing a part .... I have no doubt that if I hit the right pothole or make a driving error they would bend, but so would the forged wheels.
I also run slightly higher pressures than stock minimum pressures. It varies during the year, as I shoot for 44-45psi HOT.
Crossing my fingers my luck holds out
This may help:
https://www.automotivist.com/cast-vs...forged-wheels/
I look at wheels as consumables. One of the reasons I also went with the newer style wheel is they are readily available and relatively inexpensive on the secondary markets. They come stock on CLS and SL's in the correct offsets, and much easier to source than the forged AMG wheels. They can be had for $400-$500 per wheel if you need one quickly.
I can tell you I have seen, and personally bent cast AND forged wheels. With these large diameter wheels (19" and up). If the pothole impact is just enough to bend/crack the cast wheel, there's an 76% chance the forged wheel will bend too. It goes up higher than 76% as the impact gets greater.
Run flats definitely have stiffer sidewalls and compound the issue. As they age, they also tend to get stiffer as the rubber hardens. Everyones roads are different, but I haven't bent a stock R231 wheels since I got rid of the run flats. Could be luck, could be the run flats playing a part .... I have no doubt that if I hit the right pothole or make a driving error they would bend, but so would the forged wheels.
I also run slightly higher pressures than stock minimum pressures. It varies during the year, as I shoot for 44-45psi HOT.
Crossing my fingers my luck holds out
Last edited by crconsulting; 06-18-2023 at 02:12 PM.
