Not 2calm today

[2slow2calm]

I feel very cr*p today in fact TOTALLY P*ED OFF WITH IT ALL! curbed both driver side alloys as a large pick up type thing hurtling towards me in my lane! (cars were parked up on the left), naturally I felt the N/S wing mirror was in danger and I don't have electric folding option unfortunately so I manouvered the car to the right and my heart just sank as I felt the rims grind against the kerb, I thought it was just the d/s front but when I pulled over the d/s rear also fell victim to my driving AGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH! I am getting quotes for repairing this tomorrow.

Anyone reccomend any alloy wheel repair people in West Sussex? Also I've been told by friend's the going rate for alloy refurbishment is £50 approx...would others agree?

 

[anyweb]

bummer, but it happens,

you could save money and live with it and then when it's your birthday splash out on new wheels

cheers
anyweb

 

[A210AMG]

Hello,

Sorry to hear about your rims, but it could have been worse I guess so chin up

Yep, prices seem to be around £40 + depeding on size of wheel / finish.

Some are mobile and come to you.

I've seen some attemps at DIY on alloys and depending on your ability you could try it?

 

[2slow2calm]

Bummer indeed! As you say it could have been worse though!

My ability at applying paint is s**t I'm the type of person that used to assemble those little car models and you'd see the glue and the wheels would be wonky etc etc, mind you funnily enough the only one I assembled to a decent standard was a Mercedes and I havn't painted it! (the clk gtr dtm le mans - the one that 'took off' I think)...but I digress, DIY just isn't going to happen for me, I'll totally botch it at some stage. Could save up for new rims, but honestly I just want the same rims again, so I guess I should get these repaired ASAP!

Oh a friend told me the mobile one's he wouldn't expect to do a good job as they don't have all the paints or something...?

 

[2slow2calm]

Speaking of paint, is the alloy wheel paint code written anywhere, or is it just a standard colour for all w203 stock alloys?

 

[television]

So sorry to hear what happened, dont use the mobile ones its not worth it, and you will alway see it.

Some firms are now releasing the paint codes, but people like pristine wheels and some of the others do an exact match as they do them for MB

 

[2slow2calm]

Thanks for the sympathy people!

http://www.mercedes-benz.ru/wheels/eng/0003_0021_0014.html

I think these are my rims, it just says sterling silver when you highlight 'technical' info,must be a paint code somewhere, will definitely avoid mobile repairers then.

 

[philharve]

Yes, I too would like to commisurate with your predicament, 2slow2calm! I have suffered those moments of anquish when you see your pride and joy scarred. With me it's bodywork, not wheels.

But you have raised an interesting point about wheels and the ease with which some wheel+tyre combinations are more easily damaged than others.

I have run up onto the curb, sometimes by accident like when taking a corner too sharply, and sometimes when forced up onto the pavement by other cars travelling in the opposite direction who won't give way to oncoming traffic.

But despite these fairly frequent incidents I've never suffered damage to the alloys; the tyre walls have always managed to protect the edges of the alloys. However, one day my luck may run out. But have other members noticed how some alloy wheel designs are more prone than others to curbing damage? I sometimes wonder if non-MB wheels offer poorer protection than the standard stock items?

In a similar vein I'd like to comment upon the vulnerbility of wing mirrors. My W202's mirrors are of the non-folding variety and they stick out like elephant's ears. Both my wing mirrors have been hit at least a couple of times in the past and because they have a very strong spring they are quite capable of inflicting serious damage upon any vehicle that dares come too close. I certainly hope they cause some damage because it will educate other drivers not to get too close. In a sense having 'elephants ears' mirrors means other vehicles won't get so close as to damage my car's bodywork. If damage is sustained, it will likely be confined to the mirrors; they 'protect' my car.

Folding mirrors, IMO, allow other drivers to get closer still to the bodywork with the possible consequence that some really extensive and expensive damage could be sustained to the sides of my car.

So ... are folding mirrors a blessing ... or a curse?

From 2slow2calm's description of the incident, his own wing mirrors almost became scrap too in the accident. Fortunately, MB mirrors are tough and easily repaired and repainted. Repairing the alloys won't be cheap or simple.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[2slow2calm]

OK, feel much better now, I found a place where I'm happy with their work, in fact major luck...I got to see with my own eyes a set of my exact rims restored to perfection on a clk the shop had just finished. Chap said my rims aren't as in as bad condition as the ones on the clk were and he wants £55 a rim...one problem he wants them for 2-3 days,but he can do one at a time and put me on the spare, keeping me mobile, is this a good idea?

 

[philharve]

OK, feel much better now, I found a place where I'm happy with their work, in fact major luck...I got to see with my own eyes a set of my exact rims restored to perfection on a clk the shop had just finished. Chap said my rims aren't as in as bad condition as the ones on the clk were and he wants £55 a rim...one problem he wants them for 2-3 days,but he can do one at a time and put me on the spare, keeping me mobile, is this a good idea?

No chance of a courtesy car then?

REGARDS

Phil

 

[2slow2calm]

No courtesy car service, but to be honest, personally I don't really feel like leaving the car with them overnight, even though it's only 10 minutes away from my house if it can be helped I'd rather not (since I've never used them before)... I know other people feel perfectly ok doing this but it's just the way I am... it will be minimal use when it's on the spare (not more than 10 min a day at less than 50 mph)... should be ok no?

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
That sounds a very keen price, have your alloys got the polished rim?
Regards to the mirrors as Phil was saying. I personally would rather pay £110 for the wheels to be refurbed then £250+ for a new mirror (Genuine part) without the plastic colour coded mirror back (they are folding type) as mine got damaged by being forced toward the kerb edge by an oncoming car.

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
Is your spare a space saver then?

 

[2slow2calm]

Hi, yes it's an unused space saver.