emailharold

Just bought a 2004 S430. I would like to put on some 19's or 20's but after speaking to Customer Relations at Mercedes I am a bit leary. I was told that the car was not designed for anything larger than 18's and if I develope problems with certain parts that my warranty could be void for those issues. Does anyone have any experience with larger wheels and warranty problems?

E55 KEV

Yes, the dealer can deny warranty work for repairs on anything that is broken using aftermarket parts, abuse or racing. However, since we are talking about rims - if you get the right setup what do you expect to go wrong?

I stripped a lug bolt seat on the brake disc hub while installing 18" aftermarket rims. The dealer did not want to repair under warranty because of the rims. They thought another company did the install and stripped the bolt hole and were responsible. After I told them that I installed them myself and the bolt was stripped while I was using that damn 'Mercedes wheel install tool' from the trunk tools they agreed to fix it under warranty as a "courtesy".

So the Moral of story is - Any problems that can be associated with aftermarket parts - remove then and put the OEM stuff back on if warranty work is needed.

emailharold

Thanks for the sound advice.

PS: You did a nice job on your web site.

deuce zer0

I want those eyes in my grill!

E55 KEV

thanks for the compliments.

Luke@tirerack

providing you maintain the proper overall diameter you will not experience any warranty related problems

as far as the car design is for 18's why do they offer 19's for the S55 as a dealerinstalled option

emailharold

Good point! I'll have to investigate this somemore before I decide.

SoCalCLK

In addition, the dealers in Orange County (Fletcher Jones, Star and Caliber Motors) offer after market 19-20" wheels from Lorinser and Brabus (non OEM MBZ wheels) as options, with a huge mark up!