newlyAMG

Bent both passenger-side wheels beyond repair last night. Thank you VDOT!

What have you guys done as far as replacement? Dealer is saying $2100+ for 2 new factory rims, and i'm having little luck finding ones for sale.

Don't really wanna go aftermarket, like the factory look.
--Anybody have any thoughts on aftermarket lookalikes???

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-New-Merced...6c4b9e&vxp=mtr

(I just realized after editing that these won't work, as they aren't staggered in width)

Or should I explore my insurance coverage? I think it'll fall under collission, so $800 deductible for anything...

bstudey01

There are a bunch of stock wheels in the classifieds section. You should be able to find some, may have to but a complete set but at least you would have spares.

justinwrock

Got a picture of the damage?

newlyAMG

First is the front (worst one), second is the rear. Was told by local shop they couldn't be repaired/straightened out. And they're not having any luck finding any from their "various vendors"

Voodoo Trucker

Those aren't that bad dude, I've bent quite a few over the years. Double up a blanket and lay the wheel on it's face (blanket protects the face). Use a 3-5 lb small sledge hammer and a good piece of solid 2x4 or 4x4 wood. Stand on the wheel and carefully but forcefully hammer that bend back. Air the tire back up and do a soapy water check for leaks. If it's cracked, find a reputable welder and have it tig welded.
If you send it out for repair, that's what they will do to fix it.

newlyAMG

The picture doesn't really capture it, but I also don't know what good or bad really looks like. Basically the guy oln the phone said if it was bent down to the barrel it's not fixable, and when i got there I could see that it was bent that deep, and they put em on whatever machine and said they werent able to be straightened.

Just their opinion i guess but I do like the shop, they were able to do some work for me before that multiple other shops couldn't.

I'd just think without some legit straightening it would be a nightmare of shakes and instabuility for the rest of the cars life...

bstudey01

Yes, I've done the old sledge hammer trick as well. Works great, so long as they dont crack. Like others said though they can be welded if they do.

Voodoo Trucker

^ It's a free shot a fixing them and done by many. Put some gloves on so you don't get a blister and for gosh sake don't do it with flip flops on! LOL.

Voodoo Trucker

If i werent 2500 miles away I'd say come by and stand on em' while I whack the daylights out of it!
BTW, my passsenger rear has been welded and straightend and when spun on the balancer it was not even noticable to the technician, aside from the weld bead.

E55Greasemonkey

Those don't really look too bad. Check around for some local wheel repair companies. In FL we have Turbax, and I have seen wheels worse than that get repaired. Google them, if you have the time and something else to drive maybe you can ship your wheels to them

newlyAMG

thanks guys! I guess the initial takeaway is that repair is still an option. I'll find out tomorrow if replacements will be covered under my collision ($800 ded.) or comprehensive ($300 ded.). for $300 i'll take new wheels, for $800 it may be worth it to dig a little deeper into repair for now at least.

Dpainter

Try contacting http://www.kwicksilversac.com. With out seeing the wheels closer, I can't make a full estimation. From what I see from the pictures it should be repairable.

pearlpower

Little secret. MOST shops would fix that with a lead hammer and you know what? It would look perfect afterwards. They just check and straighten if needed. Have even done it myself, never an issue. Those are easy fixes. MUST BE LEAD hammer tough to prevent any permanent damage being left on the wheel. Lead hammers are awesome and should be in everyone man's tool arsenal.

I find these to be the best plus they offer a recast program.

http://www.americanhammer.com/products_lead_6.0.html

djrabbi

Why not get it straightened? They don't look too bad though. I rather pay $100 a wheel to get those fixed rather than $2100.

Anyways, I have CLS550 Sport wheels that will be for sale and I am in NoVA. The offsets are low for the E-Class so they will sit flush

rchase

i would go with a heavy rubber mallet, its soft, wont create any marks. Let the air out of the tire, lay it face down, stand on the wheel and tire and smack the bend out. If you can gain access to a wheel balancer, throw it on there and spin it, hold a peice of chalk next to the barrel and where ever there is a bend the chalk will mark. Work it a little more if needed, air it up and throw it back on. Done it plenty of times, only 1 time it cracked and had it welded for 100.00

meinersk

Try hitting them as straight as you can...I have broken 15 rims at least...that was before i found continental extreme contact dw tires...Have not broken any since...As far as new rims $ 600 for all 4 at usa rims .com