SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Bollows
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From: London, UK
sl55 2002
Bollows
Coming down the A13 tonight and it started to lightly rain...the A13 into London has heavy roadworks (lane widening) at the moment and is restricted to two narrow width lanes of poor surface quality each way.
Suddenly while doing about 40 the car in front of me veers to the inside lane....i've got someone inside of me and concrete temporary shielding on the outside of me and there 50ft in front of me is a breeze block (concrete block about 4-5 inches high used to support temporary fencing)....too late to brake hard (I was also concerned about heavy braking on a wet poor road surface with another guy right behind me)....hit the ruddy thing with the front right (drivers side) wheel...probably doing about 35. It must have thrown it clear when I hit it because the back wheel missed it.
I was sure the tyre would blow but nope, the roll bar came up and the car tracked in a straight line....pulled up about 200yds down the road and found the tyre distorted but intact and a bad dent in the wheel on the outer rim...maybe 1/8 inch. I'll have to get a new wheel and tyre and get the suspension/tracking checked.
The only thing I take confort from is that I suspect in most other cars it could have easily turned into a very serious accident probably involving 3 or 4 cars.
The thing that pi**es me off is it certain that the breeze block came off the roadworks...but I'll never be able to prove liability.
Pauld
Suddenly while doing about 40 the car in front of me veers to the inside lane....i've got someone inside of me and concrete temporary shielding on the outside of me and there 50ft in front of me is a breeze block (concrete block about 4-5 inches high used to support temporary fencing)....too late to brake hard (I was also concerned about heavy braking on a wet poor road surface with another guy right behind me)....hit the ruddy thing with the front right (drivers side) wheel...probably doing about 35. It must have thrown it clear when I hit it because the back wheel missed it.
I was sure the tyre would blow but nope, the roll bar came up and the car tracked in a straight line....pulled up about 200yds down the road and found the tyre distorted but intact and a bad dent in the wheel on the outer rim...maybe 1/8 inch. I'll have to get a new wheel and tyre and get the suspension/tracking checked.
The only thing I take confort from is that I suspect in most other cars it could have easily turned into a very serious accident probably involving 3 or 4 cars.
The thing that pi**es me off is it certain that the breeze block came off the roadworks...but I'll never be able to prove liability.
Pauld
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SL55 AMG
What awful luck - I think you were right not to brake hard, if the guy behind you had piled into the back of you, that would really have spoiled your day.
If it's any consolation, I once drove over a car battery which some kind person had left in the middle of the road which tore most of the front spoiler and bottom of the engine out of a Porsche 944...
If it's any consolation, I once drove over a car battery which some kind person had left in the middle of the road which tore most of the front spoiler and bottom of the engine out of a Porsche 944...
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sl55 2002
Having woken up this morning and thought about it frankly it's a bloody miracle I'm not seriously hurt....if the car hadn't tracked in a straight line or if the tyre had blown I could easily have ended up smacking into the concrete shilelding which tends to bring your forward momentful to a fairly abrupt halt.
Ho Hum....anyone know where I can get a deal on a standard AMG wheel and tyre.
Pauld
Ho Hum....anyone know where I can get a deal on a standard AMG wheel and tyre.
Pauld
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Sorry to hear about your experience pauld but relieved to hear you were unhurt and the only damage is a wheel and tyre. I think you should stand a good chance of getting compensation. I read an article (I think it was in the Sunday Times a couple of weeks ago) about the number of compensation claims being paid by local Councils in the UK for motorists suffering wheel and tyre damage due to driving over potholes in the road.
The gist of the article was that compensation is running at such a high level that some local authorities are reassessing and increasing their budgets for road repair. Not quite the same occurance as yours I know but I bet if you claim you wont be the first. As it was an A class road chances are the upgrade works are being done by the UK Highways Authority which is as government department should take a responsible attitude in this.
Following blueSL's experience with the battery, about ten years ago I was following a builders truck in South London when it offloaded a couple of white porcelain toilets in front of me. They shattered on impact and the scene rapidly assumed the characteristics of a James Bond movie with my car slewed across the road with three shredded tyres. Unfortunately no witnesses and I was too distracted to get the name and contact details of the builder.
The gist of the article was that compensation is running at such a high level that some local authorities are reassessing and increasing their budgets for road repair. Not quite the same occurance as yours I know but I bet if you claim you wont be the first. As it was an A class road chances are the upgrade works are being done by the UK Highways Authority which is as government department should take a responsible attitude in this.
Following blueSL's experience with the battery, about ten years ago I was following a builders truck in South London when it offloaded a couple of white porcelain toilets in front of me. They shattered on impact and the scene rapidly assumed the characteristics of a James Bond movie with my car slewed across the road with three shredded tyres. Unfortunately no witnesses and I was too distracted to get the name and contact details of the builder.
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SL55 AMG
Best place I know of for specialist tyres is Micheldever Tyres (www.micheldever.co.uk). I believe a P-Zero Rosso for the front wheel is about £160 + VAT.
As for the rim, you have 5 spokes, don't you? Mercedes list them as an option on the SL500 for £1550 + VAT, including upgraded tyres, so my guess is that a new rim could be £400 - £600 + VAT. Ouch.
Maybe Micheldever could help with an AMG rim or else see what your MB salesman can do for you. Having only bought the car a couple of weeks ago, he should at least be able to get something off the rim for you as a goodwill gesture.
As for the rim, you have 5 spokes, don't you? Mercedes list them as an option on the SL500 for £1550 + VAT, including upgraded tyres, so my guess is that a new rim could be £400 - £600 + VAT. Ouch.
Maybe Micheldever could help with an AMG rim or else see what your MB salesman can do for you. Having only bought the car a couple of weeks ago, he should at least be able to get something off the rim for you as a goodwill gesture.
Last edited by blueSL; Nov 10, 2002 at 07:17 AM.
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sl55 2002
Thanks for the ideas guys....looked at the rear wheel properly today and there's a slight scratch on it...looks like the front wheel hit the block and the rear wheel grazed it...i'll get the garage to check suspension and tracking on both.
If anyone's interested I'll take a couple of photo's.
Pauld
If anyone's interested I'll take a couple of photo's.
Pauld
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SL55 AMG
I'd be interested in seeing pictures if you have the time.
Do you think the wheels can be refurbished, even if only to keep as spares? I've often had wheels refurbished in the past after a couple of years of stone chips, lifting laquer and corrosion underneath and I've been impressed by the quality of what has come back.
It may be the front one has had it, but I'm sure the rear can be refurbished.
I've just had a spare for my 355 done and it came back looking like new. This one, a couple of years ago was judged beyond redemption, however. Notice the rust on the wheel bolts too.
Do you think the wheels can be refurbished, even if only to keep as spares? I've often had wheels refurbished in the past after a couple of years of stone chips, lifting laquer and corrosion underneath and I've been impressed by the quality of what has come back.
It may be the front one has had it, but I'm sure the rear can be refurbished.
I've just had a spare for my 355 done and it came back looking like new. This one, a couple of years ago was judged beyond redemption, however. Notice the rust on the wheel bolts too.
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BMW 535d Touring
Refurbishing Wheels
Bummer hitting a breeze block - hit a pothole in the BMW and destroyed two wheels and tyres. Local council's insurers rejected claim but relented after threat to sue and got two new ones.
But still have two other 5-spoke alloys, one curbed by wife, one apparently out of true. Seems you have a font of knowledge re refurbishers etc Blue SL (and an empathetic attitude which is good). Who do you suggest?
But still have two other 5-spoke alloys, one curbed by wife, one apparently out of true. Seems you have a font of knowledge re refurbishers etc Blue SL (and an empathetic attitude which is good). Who do you suggest?
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SL55 AMG
I use Pristine Alloy Wheels (http://www.nbizz.com/alloywheelrefurbishers.co.uk/). They do a great job, typical wheel costs £60, with more expensive mag-allows costing double that. But then a new one is £550.
Image below is of the refurbished Ferrari wheel....you may recognise the one in the left of the picture
Image below is of the refurbished Ferrari wheel....you may recognise the one in the left of the picture
Until there will be SL 100.
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From: Lugano, Switzerland
2007 CL 550
deal on SL 55 wheels
Pauld,
my dealer has a set of 4 multispokes AMG SL 55 wheels, with P Zero Rosso tyres, that a customer who upgraded to 19" left over to be sold. The tyres have les than 1000 Kilometers on them.
They are asking 4'000 Swiss Francs for the set of four. That includes tyres.
Maybe they are worth a look. If you are interesed, post something!
I am happy nothing happended to you. I was in London last week, and I certainly would not want to drive my SL 55 in those wet/splippery/crowded traffic conditions. Furthemore, you drive on the wrong side of the road.....
my dealer has a set of 4 multispokes AMG SL 55 wheels, with P Zero Rosso tyres, that a customer who upgraded to 19" left over to be sold. The tyres have les than 1000 Kilometers on them.
They are asking 4'000 Swiss Francs for the set of four. That includes tyres.
Maybe they are worth a look. If you are interesed, post something!
I am happy nothing happended to you. I was in London last week, and I certainly would not want to drive my SL 55 in those wet/splippery/crowded traffic conditions. Furthemore, you drive on the wrong side of the road.....
Last edited by davidegai; Nov 11, 2002 at 07:07 AM.
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Sorry to hear that, just about a month ago I hit a tire thread left in the middle of a construction area, it broke the bumper cover and moved my radiator a couple of inches. I hope this helps you feel better.
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sl55 2002
David
Thanks for the info....I think the dealer is being optimistic on the pricing though....having done some research I suspect I can get a Rim and tyre for about £800 fiited and the car recalibrated.
pauld
Thanks for the info....I think the dealer is being optimistic on the pricing though....having done some research I suspect I can get a Rim and tyre for about £800 fiited and the car recalibrated.
pauld
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SL55 AMG
£350? You did well, mine is £1000 though I had trouble finding an insurer who would give me a decent introductory discount since mine was an additional car and all my existing no-claims discounts were in use. I eventually got 65% but had to settle for a higher excess.
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Quoted £950 wife & me, £150 excess, no Tracker. Its Cornwall, tho. Full no claims.
Quoted cheaper fleet rate but troubled by thought of one fleet claim for any of our seven vehicles influencing all fleet excesses & premium for following year.
Quoted cheaper fleet rate but troubled by thought of one fleet claim for any of our seven vehicles influencing all fleet excesses & premium for following year.
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SL55 AMG
I ended up with Royal and Sun as well, much more amenable than either NU Direct or Privilege.
Mustard - no Tracker for an SL55? I'm amazed, I had to have the full Tracker Horizon, does give you peace of mind though and 950 is a good price. Who's that with?
Mustard - no Tracker for an SL55? I'm amazed, I had to have the full Tracker Horizon, does give you peace of mind though and 950 is a good price. Who's that with?
Last edited by blueSL; Nov 11, 2002 at 01:45 PM.
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SL55 AMG
I'm surprised as well. It makes you wonder how Mercedes can charge £1550 for an upgrade to the same wheels and tyres from the standard ones on the SL500.
Last edited by blueSL; Nov 12, 2002 at 07:45 AM.
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To be honest I now have an early option on an SL350 and will probably go with that. Got 4.4% discount from my usual dealer abroad plus some extras. The car is more for the wife - she just sold her SLK (too small & too red).
The insurance quote was for the SL350 from my broker, will find out who. The SL500 was slightly more (£1100) - had it in case I changed my mind and wanted to wait longer. Still no tracker required - but garaged.
Probably a mistaken choice of car, its 0.9 sec slower 0-60 than an SL500, not the grunt either. I'm a cruiser these days, more into boating, but await your response, guessing what it'll be......
The insurance quote was for the SL350 from my broker, will find out who. The SL500 was slightly more (£1100) - had it in case I changed my mind and wanted to wait longer. Still no tracker required - but garaged.
Probably a mistaken choice of car, its 0.9 sec slower 0-60 than an SL500, not the grunt either. I'm a cruiser these days, more into boating, but await your response, guessing what it'll be......
