When is an AMG wheel an AMG wheel?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Chicagoland, IL
09 C63
When is an AMG wheel an AMG wheel?
I am in the market to buy 4 AMG split spoke 17" wheels. The part# is 170-401-20-02. Simple right? This is where it all goes to hell in a handbasket!
I checked tirerack web site. $299 for the wheel. Ok so far so good. Then I called a west coast dealer and the same wheel was $264. Even better.
Then I started thinking (my mistake as usual
) ... if my local dealer can sell it for closer to $300 and I have no shipping - great. So I called them. But they tell me that wholesale on the wheel is $565! WHAT? How can this be?
Anyone care to comment? Keep in mind that the west coast dealer went from an MB part number. TireRack didn't specify replica wheel - so it should be the same wheel - Shoudln't it?
P
I checked tirerack web site. $299 for the wheel. Ok so far so good. Then I called a west coast dealer and the same wheel was $264. Even better.
Then I started thinking (my mistake as usual
) ... if my local dealer can sell it for closer to $300 and I have no shipping - great. So I called them. But they tell me that wholesale on the wheel is $565! WHAT? How can this be?Anyone care to comment? Keep in mind that the west coast dealer went from an MB part number. TireRack didn't specify replica wheel - so it should be the same wheel - Shoudln't it?
P
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This is more than normal! I guess you know what is meant by "mark up", do you? TireRack can afford to buy a container of wheels from Germany, of course, they can sell it at a very reasonable price. Do you know how many "levels" of cost are there at your local dealership? The have dealer's cost, wholesale cost, and retail cost. Everyone has to make some money somewhere. As long as you're getting genuine AMG/MB parts from a reputable shop, I think you should be fine!!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Chicagoland, IL
09 C63
That's correct. About the staggered sizes. It is for the 7.5's .. I will be going 7.5 all around.
And before anyone asks...
1) tire rotation
2) I don't have an oversteer problem to correct for (which the bigger tires would do)
3) I don't want to buy more expensive wheels or tires
So. Last chance before I order. Someone talk the 4 x 7.5 sizes out of me?
:P
And before anyone asks...
1) tire rotation
2) I don't have an oversteer problem to correct for (which the bigger tires would do)
3) I don't want to buy more expensive wheels or tires
So. Last chance before I order. Someone talk the 4 x 7.5 sizes out of me?
:P
Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 160
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2002 silver c32
i always think people should do what they like to their own car.
heck, i got lm5 replicas on my c32.
this is dumb, but just in case you haven't thought of it- you might consider non-directional tires. that way you could rotate any tire anywhere.
but i don't think z-rated comes in non-directionals(?).
good luck
heck, i got lm5 replicas on my c32.
this is dumb, but just in case you haven't thought of it- you might consider non-directional tires. that way you could rotate any tire anywhere.
but i don't think z-rated comes in non-directionals(?).
good luck
Last edited by irvinec32; Oct 2, 2002 at 11:51 PM.
Thread Starter
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From: Chicagoland, IL
09 C63
Nope. Replicas need not apply. The point of this exercise is to increase dish for large brake kit. This is a great price point for a nice wheel.
Plus I already have 4 Mich Pilot SPorts with only 800 miles on them. All are 7.5 so it just makes sense. Otherwise, I'd have to tack on another $500 for rear rubber right of the get go.
P
Plus I already have 4 Mich Pilot SPorts with only 800 miles on them. All are 7.5 so it just makes sense. Otherwise, I'd have to tack on another $500 for rear rubber right of the get go.
P
TR Moderator & Tire God
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: SouthBend, IN USA
depends on the weather
We offer only original AMG wheels and do not carry replicas. I believe you have thought out your selection very well and it will work fine with the 7.5's on all four corners
give me a call to place your order
give me a call to place your order
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Re: When is an AMG wheel an AMG wheel?
Originally posted by peet
... if my local dealer can sell it for closer to $300 and I have no shipping - great. So I called them. But they tell me that wholesale on the wheel is $565! WHAT? How can this be?
... if my local dealer can sell it for closer to $300 and I have no shipping - great. So I called them. But they tell me that wholesale on the wheel is $565! WHAT? How can this be?
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Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Oro Valley, AZ
2001 C240 6spd
I agree....when I first got my AMG Split Spoke wheels....I went to the dealer and inquired there...nearly $500 per wheel - I did get the staggered set up. Then I went to another major chain and they got them for $300 fronts/$350 rears. This was about a year ago - I think prices have come down a bit since then. There are alot of places that carry original AMG wheels for alot less than the stealer..oh sorry...dealer......however.....one thing that I had to get from the dealer was wheel locks if you are thinking of getting them...could not go directly through McGard....Gorilla locks did not make them in that size at that time....I dont know if they make them now.
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From: Los Angelos
Re: When is an AMG wheel an AMG wheel?
Originally posted by peet
I am in the market to buy 4 AMG split spoke 17" wheels. The part# is 170-401-20-02. Simple right? This is where it all goes to hell in a handbasket!
I checked tirerack web site. $299 for the wheel. Ok so far so good. Then I called a west coast dealer and the same wheel was $264. Even better.
Then I started thinking (my mistake as usual ) ... if my local dealer can sell it for closer to $300 and I have no shipping - great. So I called them. But they tell me that wholesale on the wheel is $565! WHAT? How can this be?
Anyone care to comment? Keep in mind that the west coast dealer went from an MB part number. TireRack didn't specify replica wheel - so it should be the same wheel - Shoudln't it?
P
I am in the market to buy 4 AMG split spoke 17" wheels. The part# is 170-401-20-02. Simple right? This is where it all goes to hell in a handbasket!
I checked tirerack web site. $299 for the wheel. Ok so far so good. Then I called a west coast dealer and the same wheel was $264. Even better.
Then I started thinking (my mistake as usual
) ... if my local dealer can sell it for closer to $300 and I have no shipping - great. So I called them. But they tell me that wholesale on the wheel is $565! WHAT? How can this be?Anyone care to comment? Keep in mind that the west coast dealer went from an MB part number. TireRack didn't specify replica wheel - so it should be the same wheel - Shoudln't it?
P
Dont be surprised at dealer prices
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From: Texas
I am friends with a parts manager at a Mercedes Dealership, and he said that he can teven touch one of those wheels for the TIRE RACK price from MBUSA. He also reminded me that Tire Rack has had a long standing "back door" (direct from germany or some other country) deal with AMG, and in that deal is no MBUSA mark up. This is why he buys many of the wheels in his inventory from Tire Rack, despite it being frowned uppon by MBUSA, the official importer of AMG.
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From: Chicagoland, IL
09 C63
Ok, so I get that the general consesus is that the dealers gouge. BUT... this is the big BUT too...
the $264 price for the 7.5x17 wheel IS from a dealer. That's $25 less than Tirerack per wheel! That's why I have this crazy world feeling.
I would really rather buy from TireRack because, quite frankly, I like them. They've taken care of me in the past. But $25 a wheel that covers the install costs for me. HMMM...
P
the $264 price for the 7.5x17 wheel IS from a dealer. That's $25 less than Tirerack per wheel! That's why I have this crazy world feeling.
I would really rather buy from TireRack because, quite frankly, I like them. They've taken care of me in the past. But $25 a wheel that covers the install costs for me. HMMM...
P
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2024 GLE63s / 2016 GLE63s (traded) / 2016 E63s / 2002 E55
Originally posted by peet
the $264 price for the 7.5x17 wheel IS from a dealer. That's $25 less than Tirerack per wheel!
the $264 price for the 7.5x17 wheel IS from a dealer. That's $25 less than Tirerack per wheel!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Chicagoland, IL
09 C63
Nah, no such luck. This dealer is in CA... so for me no sales tax but shipping. It ended ok. Discount Tire got me the wheel for $281 and I don't have to deal with shipping hassles. A little more than that dealer but a little less then Tire Rack and A TON LESS than my dealer @$650/ea!
Cheers.
Cheers.
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From: San Francisco, CA
1996 C36 AMG, 1995 Volvo 850 Turbowagon
there r some z-rated tires that aren't directional...probably not that many...grand touring michelin pilot hx mxm are, so are "slicks with grooves" michelin pilot sx mxx3...pzero assymetricos are too....
Thread Starter
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From: Chicagoland, IL
09 C63
The absolute worst thing in fact was that not only were they directional, but staggered. So there was absolutely nothing you could do with them!
Tire wear? too bad. Pitch one. Oh, but you can't pitch just one... gotta be in pairs - at least. Then you get into that "while I'm at it" mode and you walk out of the tire store $1200 poorer!
This time around I learned my lesson. 17x7.5 all around! This way I can at least rotate front to back.
Cheers.
P
Tire wear? too bad. Pitch one. Oh, but you can't pitch just one... gotta be in pairs - at least. Then you get into that "while I'm at it" mode and you walk out of the tire store $1200 poorer!
This time around I learned my lesson. 17x7.5 all around! This way I can at least rotate front to back.
Cheers.
P
Thread Starter
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From: Chicagoland, IL
09 C63
In my case I didn't get the 18" because I have brand new 17" tires ... if I wanted 18's it would cost me an additional $1100 in rubber - this on top of the more expensive wheel.
Don't get me worng, I'd rather have them. But the $1100 saved on tires will get me new big brakes and I'll still have $450 for whatever.
Also from everything I've seen in researching the AMG wheels, I don't think the 18's are selling yet.
P
Don't get me worng, I'd rather have them. But the $1100 saved on tires will get me new big brakes and I'll still have $450 for whatever.
Also from everything I've seen in researching the AMG wheels, I don't think the 18's are selling yet.
P
Senior Member
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From: Florida
2012 CLS63
In researching non-dealer sources for AMG wheels everything looks the same except the center caps are plain, instead of having a Mercedes Star emblem. Can the center caps be replaced? Where can you get a Mercedes Star emblem for a replacement?
Thread Starter
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From: Chicagoland, IL
09 C63
Update...
Went in with pricing from Rack and Dealer to Discount Tire. They split the difference between the dealer and the rack for a total cost of $280 per wheel.
The wheels that came, came in MB boxes, AMG logos on product ID stickers etc. Inside the package was the rim, a valve stem (go figure) and the nice center cap - the blue and silver one that I got on my C7 wheels.
So no swapping of caps is necessary! From reading other sites and catalogs.. it seems that the star is the issue. So if it is not included - worry - because that likely means clone. Seems that this is the design item that most counterfitters won't touch. Probably because MB has a team of bulldogs to go after them!
I'll post pix soon. But the wheels look awesome and I can't wait to cram the insides full of big brakes!!
P
Went in with pricing from Rack and Dealer to Discount Tire. They split the difference between the dealer and the rack for a total cost of $280 per wheel.
The wheels that came, came in MB boxes, AMG logos on product ID stickers etc. Inside the package was the rim, a valve stem (go figure) and the nice center cap - the blue and silver one that I got on my C7 wheels.
So no swapping of caps is necessary! From reading other sites and catalogs.. it seems that the star is the issue. So if it is not included - worry - because that likely means clone. Seems that this is the design item that most counterfitters won't touch. Probably because MB has a team of bulldogs to go after them!
I'll post pix soon. But the wheels look awesome and I can't wait to cram the insides full of big brakes!!
P
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From: Washington D.C.
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Replica wheels are not 'fakes'
Originally posted by peet
.. it seems that the star is the issue. So if it is not included - worry - because that likely means clone. Seems that this is the design item that most counterfitters won't touch. Probably because MB has a team of bulldogs to go after them!
.. it seems that the star is the issue. So if it is not included - worry - because that likely means clone. Seems that this is the design item that most counterfitters won't touch. Probably because MB has a team of bulldogs to go after them!
Some AMG replicas are made by www.-intra-wheel.de
