Wife calls to tell me that she just heard a loud pop and looked into the mirror to see all of the air shoot out of the rear tire. I get there and find that she ran over a large allen wrench that put about a 1/4 - 3/8" hole in both the tire and rim. Didn't find the hole in the rim until I had taken the time to put a plug in the tire and it still wouldn't hold any air.

I figure that now is probably a prime time to upgrade to wider rear rims and 295's. If I remember correctly, the AMG Style IV 18" from the SL550 are 9.5 inches wide and the correct wheels for 295's. Is this correct, and if so, where is the most reasonable place to get them from that can get them here in a few days? Thanks as always.

 

Did you ask her what color the air was?

Sorry, but I couldn't resist.

(j/k)

 

Be careful on the 295s do a search on waggle, wiggle or rubbing of tire. 285 is safest size.

 

Tough break, new meaning to road hazard.
Looks like no arguement from the little lady over new rims
BTW amdeutsch wants his allen wrench back.

 

ouch~~ i've never seen that happening~it hurts just by lookin at it....hope you could get it repaired or get a good deal on new wheel

 

Sounds like a classic passive-aggressive gesture. Do not buy that this was an "accident." I would bet that in some way you've made your wife feel like a subordinate and she is likely acting out against your authoritative domination.

My wife has done the same thing to our cars. I use to think that she was just a bad driver............................. but the Internet has taught me different.

 

I wondered the same thing myself, but have learned over the years to not ask her too many questions of this nature. I just kinda figured that there was some moisture in the pressurized air that became visible at that velocity.

AMG Rider, I'm not sure if that's something that can be repaired, but since she feels bad and won't give me hell for spending $$$ on wider replacements, its not something that I'm even going to look into.

Rock, she's referred to the beast as "The Mistress" before, so you might be onto something. I tried to tell her that the boat really is my mistress and the E is just some meaningless side action, but she won't buy it.

 

2nd that... never wouldve thought an allen wrench can do that to rim/tire.

 

New rim.................new wife.................get both!

 

Just a menaningless little ****

:r olf:

 

VERY VERY expensive on the second count. Both may give you immediate satisfaction both the second option may/will stay with you for years to come and will have severe monetary consequences! Just get the rim and pay once, not every month.

 

There are some things in life that you need to try once before you die. I can assure you without hesitation that there will NEVER, NEVER be a new wife. If this one is ever gone, the job will then be outsourced through various temp agencies, but never again a permanent replacement.


So does anyone have any good leads on reasonably priced OEM replacements.

 

If you want to stay with the AMG Style IV look, then yes 9.5 is the best bet.

A few months back when I did mine, closest fit was from the '07 SL550. It is an 18X9.5et33. I took them to my machine shop and had 4mm shaved off the face of each, making them a final et of 37. Then, popped on 295s and have been raging ever since.

In the mean-time, I saw some AMG Style IV 18X9.5et40. This would be IDEAL, but I'm not sure on where to get it.

I'll do some digging and post here if I find it. Also, ask away if you have any questions on the SL rims.

 

Was She Text Messaging In Capitals When The Wheel Blew Out?

 

Now that's some funny ****. I saw a few of your future posts without all the caps. Did you find it easier to type, or is the other way too much of a habit?

BTW, she was on the phone with her girlfriend and didn't see the 6" allen wrench lying in the road. Not certain that I'd have seen it either, but I would like to think so.


Thanks Jangy, I was trying to remember where you had discussed this before and came up empty with my searches. What is a reasonable amount to pay for the 18 x 9.5 wheels? I found a few places online for as low as $350 +/- per wheel, but not sure if they are inferior knockoffs or the real thing.

 

Make sure to get the real deal. I paid $550 each for them (delivered), $75 each to machine, and $80 each to powdercoat.

 

Well you sure took your sweet time to get back to me on that. Thanks for the info. Where did you get them from, if you don't mind?

 

HAHA!! Part Number: A230 401 29 02

I'll post the shop I got them from when I find it.

 

Aren't the wheels at Tire Rack OEM? Also, there are wheel repair places that can fix the wheel for about $150 and you won't be able to tell it was damaged.

 

Tire rack does carry OEM rims, but they did not have any off of the '07 models at the time. They may now.
I know it can be repaired, and i even suggest doing so. But, that is only so he can run the 9" ones in the front and put the SL rims in the rear!!

 

Not a bad idea.

 

[QUOTE=Hazy1;2325150]Wife calls to tell me that she just heard a loud pop and looked into the mirror to see all of the air shoot out of the rear tire. I get there and find that she ran over a large allen wrench that put about a 1/4 - 3/8" hole in both the tire and rim. Didn't find the hole in the rim until I had taken the time to put a plug in the tire and it still wouldn't hold any air.
[QUOTE]


damn!!

maybe it's time to trade her in and get a new younger one... the car i mean.

 

Find a welding shop in your area and have the hole heliarc welded shut. The cost should not be excessive.

 

really? You can see your rear tires in your mirrors? I have mine angled so that i can see traffic behind me...

im not sure, but i dont think i can see my rears even if i angle the mirrors all the way down...



edit: Jangy: you dont get the 295 wiggle on the SL550 rims machined to et 37?

 

I've been running 295s on the rear for almost 2 years now and have never had the same wiggle as described by some that run the CCW rims. IMHO, there are two types of "wiggle". One is when your drivetrain flexes under power and literally rubs the inside front section (of the rears) onto the subframe. Clearly, that can cause a violent back and forth motion. I have never had that happen, but I think the CCW offset along with PS2s may be the culprit there. Then, there is the differential wiggle that many cars get as they increase traction. The diff basically bounces back and forth between the two sides and there is a very slight wiggle under max acceleration. My M3 did it heavily. It is nothing that will affect anything but smoothness in the twisties. That wiggle I have noted on the E once or twice. They happened to be on some nice rolling launches where it just bit and launched.
I'm sure it has been debated here before, but why would a 295 wiggle and a 285 not? There are two basic differences: size and contact patch. So, does added traction cause the wiggle? I say no, because running 275/35 DRs on the rear gives me GREAT traction and I only get the diff wiggle. Then, there is the size. If the arms are flexing, which I think they do, then you may be rubbing. I've seen signs of that internal rubbing on other cars, but not mine. I try to set the car up with the thought that it will toe in just a bit under load.
The only cure I know of is to make stiffer arms under the car. Obviously, that wil help translate even more power to the ground and at some point, we would find the next weak link, which I suspect may be the diff.