Oxygen

I had a slow leak in my driver's side front tire. When I took it to a tire shop to put on a new tire, they tech pointed out that the problem is not with the tire, but with a hairline fracture that is developing on the inside lip of the rim.

I have not had a chance to fix or replace the rim yet, but I check it the other day and it looks like the fracture is now extended beyond the lip of the rim and is making it's way across the flat area.

My question is - should I raise some kind of a complain with MBUSA? There is absolutely NO PHYSICAL damage on the rim where the fracture originated. There is no damage what so ever to the tire that was on the wheel.

I feel that this is more of a safety concern than anything... if that crack goes out of hand and that wheel shatters on me while doing 80MPH in a 5000lbs car...

I feel that the wheel is defective and should be replaced by the manufacturer. These are 2-piece 19" AMG wheels for the 65 models.

Fr33kn63

I would start at the dealer and see what they have to say. Either that or go ahead and call MBUSA and tell them what is going on. I agree seem like manufacturer should be responsible for it. Are you out of warranty? I am guessing yes, but thought I would ask.
If none of the above and you are responsible then time to start looking for a new one if you havent already!


PS.-thanks for the unlocking my tranny at MIR last November! Hope to see you at MIR next month.

Akademiks

Eh, I don't see MBUSA or your warranty covering this one. They can argue, driving style and such-- and if memory serves your vehicle is modded? The wheels aren't even stock for your model (S600), I highly doubt they'd be happy to oblige.

Those dealerships are sharks bro, best of luck.

Oxygen

Car is CPO'd and has a factory warranty, which I assume will be revoked as soon as you they pop open the hood and find all the funk.

The rims were NOT OEM equipment, but are from an S65 which is heavier than my car. Rims are original MB/AMG wheels.

V12Godspeed

Sorry to hear this Chris...you are the second person I hear this has happened to. A buddy of mines (TomCL65) had the same exact problem with one of his 2 Piece AMG wheel. He had a hairline crack and just eneded up replacing all of them with an Aftermarket wheel I had for sale. Good luck trying this fixed.

Vadim @ FD

I have seen those wheels crack as well.

Give dealer try, you never know.

Good Luck!

Oxygen

I heard about that also...

See I'm not sure which dealer to go to... The one where I bought my car or any MB dealer?

I was thinking of just going to MBUSA HQ in New Jersey... about an hour ride from here.

These are the wheels I'm talking about in case anyone doesn't know...

baldmike73

i have cracked 2 AMG III in the past on my 202. One had a hairline then the other happened a few months later.

Oxygen

These caused a slow leak?

Vic55

Since these are NOT the factory wheels- I dont see the new car or extended warranty covering them. Generally when one changes the factory wheels to aftermarket or upgraded versions, its the retailer where you bought the wheels that should pay or repair under coverage.

Oxygen

Yes that is correct but these are wheels designed for heavier cars and I can pick out at least 4 members on this forum that have had this same situation with these same rims.

This leads me to believe that it's not the roads we drive on, but defective wheels.

MBUSA should replace these, if not, the dealership that sold me these genuine wheels.

I will make phone calls tomorrow and see what happens, I do not have any hopes of getting these replaced to be honest, just want to voice my opinion to them.

Vic55

good luck but if not, go after the retailer like I said.

Oxygen

And if that fails I think I'm going to pickup a set of 360|Forged wheels with CF centers.

Vic55

So you dont want your wheels until 2010 then

j/k

mkonei

unfortunately i work at a stealership, have for ten years now. the person that you bought the car from is not the one that would help you, because you changed the wheels. you purchased them new from a MB dealer i assume? youll have to find out what the parts warranty is on them originally....and i hope you still have your receipt! if they are still under warranty, and you have paperwork from a dealer, any MB dealer should be able to help you. however, the original selling dealer might be more inclined to contact a rep for "policy" on them if they are no longer covered, especially if they have a history of failures. GL

bobgodd

You assume that he'll actually get them...

Oxygen

Maybe 2012 is better... goes along with the whole end of the world thing.

MJ50

i also had 2 hairline cracks on my stock wheel...
just got new one and repaired the crack one for spare use...
it seems certain factory AMG wheels are prone to cracks...

Oxygen

Okay, we need to get a list of people who have had this issue with these specific wheels and this must be addressed by Mercedes-Benz AMG.

It is simply unsafe to be driving around on these wheels.

Let's put a list together and we will need to write a letter, along with pictures.

MJ50

1. Oxygen
2. MJ50

though i don't have pictures as mine's already repaired but has scar marks..

Oxygen

I got some pictures...

MJ50

wow, that's worse than mine...

Dogshine

I the same exact thing happen on some stock cls55 wheels.z

Salerno713

try welding it.. I had a hairline crack like that before and after I weld it, it held up pretty good.

sprins

I dunno about welding. The whole integrety of the wheel is lost with a crack I suppose. You don't want the whole wheel to disintegrate at 100 MPH.