welding AMG alloys - safe or.....?

[Del01]

At recent service of my C63, Mercedes pointed out a crack in front off side wheel (on the inside where I would never have noticed). They quoted me £502 plus VAT for a replacement. I understand the 19" diamond cut alloys can be reburbished for eg minor kerb damage etc but not sure about welding cracks? Would such a repair be considered safe if done by specialists. Obviously Mercedes do not think so.....

 

[LostKiwi]

If done properly by an experienced welder then yes.

 

[ioweddie]

I personally would not risk it...you only live once

 

[sl500amgsport]

I personally would not risk it...you only live once

Unless you believe in re-incarnation.

Mercedes SL500 R231

 

[JBell]

If done properly by an experienced welder then yes.

Agree, if it is done properly then no problems at all, try Pristine or "Spit and Polish" or a local welder that does alloys

 

[peterws1957]

I guess it would depend on the extent of the damage as to whether I would get a weld repair or not. I shudder at some East European YouTubes showing virtually destroyed wheels being "repaired"!

 

[EmilysDad]

Depending on how easily come by, it'd probably be as cheap to find a second hand rim by the time you've paid someone to weld it & then paint it

 

[Del01]

Many thanks to all for your helpful views. The crack appears to be quite small, with no loss of pressure on the tyre. On balance, my preference would be to find a good second hand rim. There are "replicas" on the market, but thus far no success finding a genuine AMG alloy to match....

 

[Del01]

Update- Pristine Wheels (Steve) in Milton Keynes were very helpful in supplying a wheel from stock- with no welds! Just needed a refurb / colour change and matches others perfectly; much cheaper than buying new.

 

[vtaylor78]

Update- Pristine Wheels (Steve) in Milton Keynes were very helpful in supplying a wheel from stock- with no welds! Just needed a refurb / colour change and matches others perfectly; much cheaper than buying new.

Is that the place on the way to Woburn Sands ?
I’ve been pasted a few times and seen some nice cars there.

 

[ajlsl600]

At recent service of my C63, Mercedes pointed out a crack in front off side wheel (on the inside where I would never have noticed). They quoted me £502 plus VAT for a replacement. I understand the 19" diamond cut alloys can be reburbished for eg minor kerb damage etc but not sure about welding cracks? Would such a repair be considered safe if done by specialists. Obviously Mercedes do not think so.....[/QU

personally i would not, i might as a spare,and never on the front. not sure how yr insurance would pan out in a claim ,if it was found a wheel had been welded.

 

[V6Matty]

All depends on the level of competence of the welder, most adjusters will not quibble if an alloy has been welded unless the accident was due to the weld failing, but at that point it goes back to the liability insurance of the person that did the alloy weld, these things get long winded very quickly.

 

[ajlsl600]

would insurers not scream,"modification"?

 

[LostKiwi]

would insurers not scream,"modification"?

No it's maintenance.

 

[V6Matty]

as above, no, its a repair of a serviceable part and as long as it meets safe structural standards there is no issue, if however it wasn't and just a bodge to stop air leaking or for a sale then I think that starts to go down the route of gross negligence, don't quote me on that last part though.

 

[Flyinspanner]

Welding by a competent welder would be fine.

It’s the parlous state of our roads which is the real problem.

 

[moj91]

We've had a couple of our AMG wheels welded, Precision Welding in Northampton, both longitudinal and lateral cracks (potholes, always potholes) and they have not failed. I highly rate and trust their work.

They also used to do my Astra 'Penta' alloys, they cracked so easily/often that i had a couple of alloys 'in stock' at all times to swap over. But they were weak alloys... i could bend them out of true just from hard cornering on a rough road.

 

[LostKiwi]

We've had a couple of our AMG wheels welded, Precision Welding in Northampton, both longitudinal and lateral cracks (potholes, always potholes) and they have not failed. I highly rate and trust their work.

They also used to do my Astra 'Penta' alloys, they cracked so easily/often that i had a couple of alloys 'in stock' at all times to swap over. But they were weak alloys... i could bend them out of true just from hard cornering on a rough road.

I've used Northampton Welding - scruffy dirty workshop but my god he knows what he's doing.
MrsLK had one of her Mini alloys done by Precision Welding and they did a great job.