Alloy wheel disaster!

[Geoff W]

I bought a set of good alloys for my C180, and thought i would have them fully refurbed before having new tyres on.
Tha refurb was spot on, really good quality, i spoke to a few local tyre dealers, and this one in particular stood out from the rest explaining how they would protect the rims at all costs.
Took them today to have four new tyres fitted, and the dozy **** fitting them has managed to mangle all four rims.
I pointed out to the guy that they were immaculate ,and that was how i expected them to come out He put the first one in the maching stood upright to break the bead, and when he lifted it up and saw the mess, he declared "I didn't do that" I was steaming!
He and his boss was adamant they were not at fault, so i gave them another perfect rim and told them if they could fit a new tyre without the damage i would stand corrected. Guess what? all four rims damaged!
Now they say the paint is at fault, it has not dried properly etc etc.
( I purposly left them for 11 weeks to harden off)
I have told them to get them refurbed at their cost, and refused to pay for the tyres untill it is sorted out.
Luckily they are a spare set!
Regards Geoff.

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Mobile Tyrefitters

I bought a set of good alloys for my C180, and thought i would have them fully refurbed before having new tyres on.
Tha refurb was spot on, really good quality, i spoke to a few local tyre dealers, and this one in particular stood out from the rest explaining how they would protect the rims at all costs.
Took them today to have four new tyres fitted, and the dozy **** fitting them has managed to mangle all four rims.
I pointed out to the guy that they were immaculate ,and that was how i expected them to come out He put the first one in the maching stood upright to break the bead, and when he lifted it up and saw the mess, he declared "I didn't do that" I was steaming!
He and his boss was adamant they were not at fault, so i gave them another perfect rim and told them if they could fit a new tyre without the damage i would stand corrected. Guess what? all four rims damaged!
Now they say the paint is at fault, it has not dried properly etc etc.
( I purposly left them for 11 weeks to harden off)
I have told them to get them refurbed at their cost, and refused to pay for the tyres untill it is sorted out.
Luckily they are a spare set!
Regards Geoff.

I recently had all 4 tyres replaced on my immaculate 20" alloys. I can totally recommend a national company called www.etyres.co.uk who provided a fully-equiped mobile service.

The fitter took 2 hours to remove the old tyres and fit 4 new ones, as he didn't want to 'make a mess' of the alloys.

The guy was SO careful (I stayed and watched him - out of interest).

Sorry to hear about the problems you had. The information is purely to help anyone else avoid them in future.

Good Luck with your claim.

 

[Bam Bam]

.....I was told your regular tyre fitters are ok for run-of-the-mill tyre sizes but 18" rims and anything over that the tyres *should* to be fitted on a larger machine, this isn't always the case and could result in damaged rims, obviously you do have to take into account how careful your tyrefitter is also.

I've just treat myself to a set of 19" AMG's with 35 series (Front) and 30 series (Rear) profile tyres for my CLK and purposefully done a round trip of 45 miles to get them fitted. I know the place has the correct size fitting machine and the lads are a good bunch, they still struggled with the 30 series rears but after an hour !!!! they got them both on without any damage. It was only then that my heart rate dropped back to 70 bpm. ;-) I really do hate getting new tyres fitted on unmarked wheels.

Jim.

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Check your Cruise Control is working.!

.....I was told your regular tyre fitters are ok for run-of-the-mill tyre sizes but 18" rims and anything over that the tyres *should* to be fitted on a larger machine, this isn't always the case and could result in damaged rims, obviously you do have to take into account how careful your tyrefitter is also.

I've just treat myself to a set of 19" AMG's with 35 series (Front) and 30 series (Rear) profile tyres for my CLK and purposefully done a round trip of 45 miles to get them fitted. I know the place has the correct size fitting machine and the lads are a good bunch, they still struggled with the 30 series rears but after an hour !!!! they got them both on without any damage. It was only then that my heart rate dropped back to 70 bpm. ;-) I really do hate getting new tyres fitted on unmarked wheels.

Jim.

If you have different sized wheels (profile) then you may find that your cruise control may not work at anything over 40mph, as the ESP/ABS sensors may register a mis-match with the rolling diameters, and simply dis-engage your cruise control.

It's worth checking - just to be on the safe side.

 

[television]

So sorry Geoff to hear that news, I have said before that I give the guy £5 to fit a new rim protector before he starts.

Maybe it was a very old machine

 

[Geoff W]

Hi Malcolm.
I did offer to pay for a new rim protector, but the guy was adamant that there was no need as they supply them as standard with decent alloys. Shows how wrong you can be?
Regards Geoff.

 

[Bam Bam]

...thanks for your advice Jez, I'll make a point of checking the cruise control as I'm not 100% sure I've used it since changing the wheels and tyres over.

The tyre sizes are 235/35/19 front and 265/30/19 rear, these sizes are a recommended upgrade and they do keep the rolling radii the same, well as close as you can get to within a few mm's.

Jim.

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Cruise control

...thanks for your advice Jez, I'll make a point of checking the cruise control as I'm not 100% sure I've used it since changing the wheels and tyres over.

The tyre sizes are 235/35/19 front and 265/30/19 rear, these sizes are a recommended upgrade and they do keep the rolling radii the same, well as close as you can get to within a few mm's.

Jim.

My originals were 275/40/20 (front) and 295/40/20 (rear) and this kicked out the cruise control. I notice that yours differ both in width AND profile - worth checking out your cruise control, for sure.

When you say 'a recommended upgrade' - recommended by whom?

 

[Rory]

My originals were 275/40/20 (front) and 295/40/20 (rear) and this kicked out the cruise control. I notice that yours differ both in width AND profile - worth checking out your cruise control, for sure.

When you say 'a recommended upgrade' - recommended by whom?

You can compate the circumference here: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Not sure what you can get away with before you upset the cars electronics, but my cars standard F: 205/55R16 & R: 225/50R16 are .1" different in the circumference.

 

[Bam Bam]

My originals were 275/40/20 (front) and 295/40/20 (rear) and this kicked out the cruise control. I notice that yours differ both in width AND profile - worth checking out your cruise control, for sure.

When you say 'a recommended upgrade' - recommended by whom?

Jez, please view this link to a previous thread, this will put you fully in the picture.

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=30021

The reason for the different sizes are the new wheels are a staggered fitment (8.5J x 19 with 235/35's for the front and 9.5J x 19 with 265/30's on the rear).
Every link within the above thread recommends these tyre sizes to keep things right, you will notice I was going for a slightly bigger profile until Chris (whom I can't thank enough) advised me against this and quoted me the correct sizes.

Just checked out the Cruise Control this morning and thankfully it's working fine.

Jim.

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Tyres vs Cruise Control

Jez, please view this link to a previous thread, this will put you fully in the picture.

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=30021

The reason for the different sizes are the new wheels are a staggered fitment (8.5J x 19 with 235/35's for the front and 9.5J x 19 with 265/30's on the rear).
Every link within the above thread recommends these tyre sizes to keep things right, you will notice I was going for a slightly bigger profile until Chris (whom I can't thank enough) advised me against this and quoted me the correct sizes.

Just checked out the Cruise Control this morning and thankfully it's working fine.



Jim.

Please don't think I'm harping on - but did you check your cruise control at 50mph+? The reason is that the sensors don't seem to easily pick up the difference in rolling diameters until higher speeds are reached.

My cruise control worked perfectly at under 50mph - kept dis-engaging at 50-65mph and wouldn't engage at all above 65mph.

 

[Bam Bam]

....Hmm, to be honest I was probably doing around 50mph when I tried it, I'll give it another try tomorrow and take it up to around 80-ish.

I was beginning to think "why all the questions" but you seem to have my interests at heart which I do appreciate, we'd better apologise for taking this thread well off topic, it's a big Sorry from me. ;-)

Jim.

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Cruise/Tyre sizes

....Hmm, to be honest I was probably doing around 50mph when I tried it, I'll give it another try tomorrow and take it up to around 80-ish.

I was beginning to think "why all the questions" but you seem to have my interests at heart which I do appreciate, we'd better apologise for taking this thread well off topic, it's a big Sorry from me. ;-)

Jim.

No problem - apologies from me to others on here too.

I am simply passing on MY experiences to others. If it is appropriate, then that's OK - if not, then it is not malicious, just good intent on my part.

Please let the forum know the outcome - either way.

Fingers crossed.

 

[jibcl500]

I bought a set of good alloys for my C180, and thought i would have them fully refurbed before having new tyres on.
Tha refurb was spot on, really good quality, i spoke to a few local tyre dealers, and this one in particular stood out from the rest explaining how they would protect the rims at all costs.
Took them today to have four new tyres fitted, and the dozy **** fitting them has managed to mangle all four rims.
I pointed out to the guy that they were immaculate ,and that was how i expected them to come out He put the first one in the maching stood upright to break the bead, and when he lifted it up and saw the mess, he declared "I didn't do that" I was steaming!
He and his boss was adamant they were not at fault, so i gave them another perfect rim and told them if they could fit a new tyre without the damage i would stand corrected. Guess what? all four rims damaged!
Now they say the paint is at fault, it has not dried properly etc etc.
( I purposly left them for 11 weeks to harden off)
I have told them to get them refurbed at their cost, and refused to pay for the tyres untill it is sorted out.
Luckily they are a spare set!
Regards Geoff.

I use ATS in Ely, I arrive and the chaps there drop everything and deal with my car, I was there only two days ago have a puncture repair done, 18 inch polished rim, tyre removed and replaced and I couldnt see that the tyre had been removed from the wheel!!! gave the guy a £5.00 for being careful.

The chaps that have trashed your alloys dont know how to use the equipment, send them a letter recorded requesting they accept that the damage was the fault of the fitter or you will sue.
Im sueing someone at the moment its great fun.

jib

 

[Bam Bam]

....Just to let you all know the Cruise Control works fine, tried it 3 or 4 times at varying speeds, the maximum being around 80mph and all is well.

Jim.

 

[JEZ.S320L]

....Just to let you all know the Cruise Control works fine, tried it 3 or 4 times at varying speeds, the maximum being around 80mph and all is well.

Jim.

Good, good, good..!

Glad all is OK. :lol:

 

[Geoff W]

Got my wheels back from the tyre dealers yesterday, fully refurbed with new Mitchellin primacy HP's all round, took the opportunity to fit new discs and pads on the front at the same time, much easier than i expected too!
Wheels look great on, give the car a total different look as well, but a lesson learned in future with tyre sellers.
Regards Geoff

 

[television]

Got my wheels back from the tyre dealers yesterday, fully refurbed with new Mitchellin primacy HP's all round, took the opportunity to fit new discs and pads on the front at the same time, much easier than i expected too!
Wheels look great on, give the car a total different look as well, but a lesson learned in future with tyre sellers.
Regards Geoff

Good one Jeoff, so pleased :grin::grin::grin:

 

[David Nock]

.....I was told your regular tyre fitters are ok for run-of-the-mill tyre sizes but 18" rims and anything over that the tyres *should* to be fitted on a larger machine, this isn't always the case and could result in damaged rims, obviously you do have to take into account how careful your tyrefitter is also.

I've just treat myself to a set of 19" AMG's with 35 series (Front) and 30 series (Rear) profile tyres for my CLK and purposefully done a round trip of 45 miles to get them fitted. I know the place has the correct size fitting machine and the lads are a good bunch, they still struggled with the 30 series rears but after an hour !!!! they got them both on without any damage. It was only then that my heart rate dropped back to 70 bpm. ;-) I really do hate getting new tyres fitted on unmarked wheels.

Jim.

Where was it you went to Jim?