Alloys Bubbling

[peterneill]

Hello Everybody

I have a 54 Plate E Class. The alloys bubbled up when the car was only 2 years old and MB replaced them under warranty. Eighteen months on and the replacements are bubbling up just the same. They are offering me 50% of parts and 75% of labour as a goodwill gesture. I say they should replace them again. Does anyone know what the official MB warranty is on alloy wheels? Any views on whether the goodwill gesture is a decent offer or should I fight on?

 

[Ellsy Tanners]

The goodwill gesture that you have been offered will be from mercedes.

You get 3 years warranty with the car, which you are well out off, and a 1 year parts warranty on the wheels you had changed.

So anything you get is a bonus really.

 

[Xtractorfan]

Get them to replace two of your wheels and then go to another dealer and complain about the other two wheels..alloy wheels have a lesser warranty and there is a post on here about the time scale .. have a search around ..I would think that your new wheels would qualify fo a full warranty.

 

[peterneill]

Thanks for the replies. Some people on the site say there is a two year parts warranty, in which case my replacement wheels should qualify. Just on a point of principle though, if the originals were covered for three years why shouldn't the same apply to the replacements? Cheers!

 

[peterneill]

I've just fired off another couple of letters to MB so we'll see what happens.
I've had E class saloons for over 20 years now and my brand loyalty is under strain - just like a lot of other people on the site I guess.

 

[Xtractorfan]

I can see where you are coming from on the warranty issue, but if you have already had two years and the items were replaced then one years warranty would seem to be reasonable...otherwise you could have new wheels for life .. ..

 

[peterneill]

I think it's reasonable though to expect alloys not to corrode after 18 months. My wife has a Ford Focus and has done for as long as I've had Mercs. Never known this to happen to her wheels. On my last E Class (E320 CDI Avant Guarde), I had to heve the wheels re-furbed after five years. I know they don't last for ever but 18 months.......?

 

[The Rock]

My wife's first SLK had to have the wheels replaced. We bought it as a 1 year old and within 2 years the wheels were awful. The Dealership swapped them out for a refurbished set free of charge.

I've just had my E-class 18" AMGs refurbed at 9 years old, at my own cost. They had been tatty for the last 3 years and I believe had been done at 4 years old just before I bought it.

£580 all in. And do they shine? Oh Yes.

Rock

 

[Rory]

My personal view is that the wheels on a quality car like a Mercedes should last a decent amount of time.

The big question is; what is a decent amount of time? I'd be thinking at least 5yrs. So for you to be needing your 3rd set of wheels in under 4yrs is ridiculous.

I would write to MB in non-agressive terms saying how disappointed you are, spoils the enjoyment of your car etc etc and see what they say. Probably buqqer off.

 

[harp1963]

My CLK had a refurbished set under warranty. The car was 2 years old. MB, said thats all they would do. Those refurbished wheels are now in a awful state, now that they are 6 years old.
I now own a new C220 CDI Sport and guess what, corrosion on the AMG 18"alloys. The car is 6 months old. I will not expect anything other than replacement alloys. The dealer has taken pictures and are waiting for MB to respond. By the way the corrosion affects the rear wheels only. No curbing, no harsh chemicals for washing. I await thier response and will let you guys know the outcome.

 

[peterneill]

Alloys Bubbling Up

Hello Everybody

It took a couple of letters but the good news is that Mercedes Benz replaced all four alloys. Restored my faith in the firm. Rang me personally to see if I was completely satisfied which of course I was as that is all I was asking for in the first place

 

[janza]

Same problem

I have the same problem in my 04 E-class estate which I just bought.Can anyone recommend anywhere where this can be fixed with a reasonable cost?I live in Kent.

 

[stumpy]

Lepsons or Spit n Polish seem to be very popular and local-ish to you. I had mine done at Micheldever and the quality was superb. But the diamand cut finish didn't last long before going milky again.

 

[harp1963]

Alloys replaced.

 

[television]

I have the same problem in my 04 E-class estate which I just bought.Can anyone recommend anywhere where this can be fixed with a reasonable cost?I live in Kent.

Its often worth getting the wheels finished in the Chrome paint ,and most wheels look good in this. All new MB wheels are finished with this

 

[doversole]

I have the same problem in my 04 E-class estate which I just bought.Can anyone recommend anywhere where this can be fixed with a reasonable cost?I live in Kent.

Sent several sets to this place over the years, no hesitation in recommending.

http://www.jppolishing.co.uk/

John knows what he's doing, and he's very reasonable.

DoverSole