SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: A very very bad day.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 19
From: U.K.
SL 63 W/B AMG , S600,C220
A very very bad day.
I have been experiencing vibration, sounds like miss fire, so I took it in to
my tuning guys, are you sitting down they said, well he said all your wheels
are F**ked
. One rear is nearly flat and they all spin like wobbling jelly.
Now they are not the most expensive, but expensive enough. My guys
said all caused by potholes and very low profile tyres.
Now guys how about some clues, is it lowering , cheaper wheels, low
profiles, or maybe I should have got some ADV's instead, or just wear
and tear.
Luckily I didn't sell my stock wheels.
my tuning guys, are you sitting down they said, well he said all your wheels
are F**ked
. One rear is nearly flat and they all spin like wobbling jelly.Now they are not the most expensive, but expensive enough. My guys
said all caused by potholes and very low profile tyres.
Now guys how about some clues, is it lowering , cheaper wheels, low
profiles, or maybe I should have got some ADV's instead, or just wear
and tear.
Luckily I didn't sell my stock wheels.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 8,137
Likes: 26
From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
I've been lowered, on 20" wheels with 255/30/20 and 305/25/20 for damn near the car's entire life. Never bent a wheel.
But to answer your question, yes. It's a combo of everything. Low quality wheels, lowered (less suspension travel) and low profile tires are a recipe for bending. It's the price we pay...
But how did you misdiagnose that as a misfire? Any car running on less than all of it's cylinders would be painfully obvious. Not just a wobble in the steering wheel and seat...
But to answer your question, yes. It's a combo of everything. Low quality wheels, lowered (less suspension travel) and low profile tires are a recipe for bending. It's the price we pay...
But how did you misdiagnose that as a misfire? Any car running on less than all of it's cylinders would be painfully obvious. Not just a wobble in the steering wheel and seat...
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 487
Likes: 4
From: North Carolina, US
'06 E500, '99 ML430 and '07 SL65
Generally I believe that using non-OEM sizes and rims are a bad idea. I leads to excess wear and tear on components and can make the car handle in a way that it is not designed to.
Please read the attached article from MBUSA.
Please read the attached article from MBUSA.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 85
From: Central WI (BFE)
SL55, ML500 & Acura TL
Now you know why I still run the stock 18 inch wheels that my SL came with. Many don't like them, but that extra bit of side wall takes the ****t(y) roads of southern Wisconsin much better than 20s and the stock AMG wheels are tough and can be re-trued when bent.
By the way, you might be able to have your current 20s trued as well.
Sorry to hear about your troubles though and hope you get it sorted out soon.
By the way, you might be able to have your current 20s trued as well.
Sorry to hear about your troubles though and hope you get it sorted out soon.
Trending Topics
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 930
Likes: 24
06 SL65AMG, 13 Tesla Model S 60kwh, 02 Jaguar S-Type 3.0, 12 S550 4 Matic, 07 E320 Bluetec, 06 LX470
Around this season I try not to drive my car due to the pot holes that fill Wash. D.C but yeah it can happen, I hit 2 really deep potholes in DC and caused 1 of my wheels to bend and the other to crack, and these were Carlsson 1/16 ULs that are forged aluminum 1 piece (2000 USD per wheel), I didn't want to cough up 4 grand just on replacement wheels, but lucky enough I managed to get 1 wheel from the UK for 1,000 and another here in the US for 300 since the vendor was going out of business and it was his display wheel (talk about luck).
But I sold off those wheels and went with a nice pair of DPE 3 piece wheels, from someone who needed the cash (I paid 5 but the rims were about 7500) Now if I mess up a wheel all I have to do is change the barrel.
Idk how bad it gets in the UK with potholes but if there tends to be alot you might wanna look into 3 piece wheels, at least with those it's not a total loss if a wheel is damaged, and its better to replace a barrel then fixing the bend itself.
Only downside is when it rains and water gets trapped behind the wheels, it can make the car shake like crazy, but you can get water diverters that will push water that's trapped behind the wheels
But I sold off those wheels and went with a nice pair of DPE 3 piece wheels, from someone who needed the cash (I paid 5 but the rims were about 7500) Now if I mess up a wheel all I have to do is change the barrel.
Idk how bad it gets in the UK with potholes but if there tends to be alot you might wanna look into 3 piece wheels, at least with those it's not a total loss if a wheel is damaged, and its better to replace a barrel then fixing the bend itself.
Only downside is when it rains and water gets trapped behind the wheels, it can make the car shake like crazy, but you can get water diverters that will push water that's trapped behind the wheels
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 8,137
Likes: 26
From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
Now you know why I still run the stock 18 inch wheels that my SL came with. Many don't like them, but that extra bit of side wall takes the ****t(y) roads of southern Wisconsin much better than 20s and the stock AMG wheels are tough and can be re-trued when bent.
By the way, you might be able to have your current 20s trued as well.
Sorry to hear about your troubles though and hope you get it sorted out soon.
By the way, you might be able to have your current 20s trued as well.
Sorry to hear about your troubles though and hope you get it sorted out soon.
I feel ya...
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 314
Likes: 1
From: Malibu, Ca
SL65, 427 COBRA (CSX-3127)73 911S, 246GTS (DINO SPYDER), CORNICHE,1962 PORSCHE TWIN GRILLE ROADSTER+
The Stock AMG 19 inch Two Piece Wheels Bend Very easily!!
I have had 3-4 sets of the factory 19 Inch AMG two piece wheels that have been bent!
On my own SL65 I had the rear wheels flat spot and I never hit any deep pot holes...
The wheels looked absolutely perfect not a mark on them anywhere, looked like brand new. BUT when you spin them they both had flat spots on the inner edge!!
I bought another set same issue... Looked perfect but bent when spun!
The wheels are $2,500 each new but they bend like they were made of Jello...
On my own SL65 I had the rear wheels flat spot and I never hit any deep pot holes...
The wheels looked absolutely perfect not a mark on them anywhere, looked like brand new. BUT when you spin them they both had flat spots on the inner edge!!
I bought another set same issue... Looked perfect but bent when spun!
The wheels are $2,500 each new but they bend like they were made of Jello...
Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 247
Likes: 23
Benz
I have had 3-4 sets of the factory 19 Inch AMG two piece wheels that have been bent!
On my own SL65 I had the rear wheels flat spot and I never hit any deep pot holes...
The wheels looked absolutely perfect not a mark on them anywhere, looked like brand new. BUT when you spin them they both had flat spots on the inner edge!!
I bought another set same issue... Looked perfect but bent when spun!
The wheels are $2,500 each new but they bend like they were made of Jello...
On my own SL65 I had the rear wheels flat spot and I never hit any deep pot holes...
The wheels looked absolutely perfect not a mark on them anywhere, looked like brand new. BUT when you spin them they both had flat spots on the inner edge!!
I bought another set same issue... Looked perfect but bent when spun!
The wheels are $2,500 each new but they bend like they were made of Jello...
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 19
From: U.K.
SL 63 W/B AMG , S600,C220
Thanks to all you guys..
for your comments.
I have put my stock 65 wheels on, and although they don't look too bad,
it drives crappy, loss of grip, barely any difference in ride.
I suppose it means new wheels 20" as before, repaired or new, and
very, very , very careful driving.
My wheels are 20" Mandrus Velo 9 at the front and 10.5" at the back.
Can anyone recommend a strong deep dish wheel for no more than 5K.
couldn't come at a worse time, money is tight.
for your comments.
I have put my stock 65 wheels on, and although they don't look too bad,
it drives crappy, loss of grip, barely any difference in ride.
I suppose it means new wheels 20" as before, repaired or new, and
very, very , very careful driving.
My wheels are 20" Mandrus Velo 9 at the front and 10.5" at the back.
Can anyone recommend a strong deep dish wheel for no more than 5K.
couldn't come at a worse time, money is tight.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 85
From: Central WI (BFE)
SL55, ML500 & Acura TL
Ahh yes, the constant battle between form and function. I figure I spend more time driving than looking at my car so I lean toward the function side of the equation. BTW, I always thought your R230 was one of the nicest looking out there.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 19
From: U.K.
SL 63 W/B AMG , S600,C220
looking superb, now, stock wheels and an engine fault, and I got no money
to spare, Life really can be a bi**h.
Mercedes are no help, all they want to do is put coil packs and other bits
on and charge a fortune without finding the real problem.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 48
From: North California
02 C32 AMG, 05 SL55 AMG, 09 SL63 AMG, 14 E350, '18 G550, 92 300ZX & 15' GL63 AMG
mine came with the 19" AMG wheels, I'm debating to just leaving them as they are or going with 20s....
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 376
Likes: 12
From: Atlanta, GA
SL550 Designo Crystal & Red Interior - SL55 Silver & Black Interior - E550
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 48
From: North California
02 C32 AMG, 05 SL55 AMG, 09 SL63 AMG, 14 E350, '18 G550, 92 300ZX & 15' GL63 AMG
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 19
From: U.K.
SL 63 W/B AMG , S600,C220
I am hoping that they can repair my wheels, It just inconceivable that
wheels can only last 6 months, wheel companies would be out of business.
I bent 1 stock wheel on my 65 last time I had one, but I did hit a pot hole
very hard. My 20" Mandrus only hit 1 pot hole so how 3 can be bent is
beyond me.
wheels can only last 6 months, wheel companies would be out of business.
I bent 1 stock wheel on my 65 last time I had one, but I did hit a pot hole
very hard. My 20" Mandrus only hit 1 pot hole so how 3 can be bent is
beyond me.
