[androdev]

One fine day I woke up with a very stupid idea planted in my head (Inception?) to upgrade the wheels. I read up a lot, realised that smaller rims I have are better for my purpose in every possible way. So is using Uber.







Details on my experence importing the stuff:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/tyre-a...ml#post4265996

Some intersting trivia:
1. Mercedes included a useless tire wrench that is 12" long 17mm hex socket. You don't get any leverage with 12" long handle. Lug bolts have flower shape and not hex shape so if you use the hex shape, you will ruin the bolts. So I bought proper tools for the job. I love the socket, doesn't scratch the alloys.


2. Finally when the wheels arrived, I took off the old wheel and put the new wheel and then I realised the new wheels need shorter lug bolts. Called the Mercedes dealer and the parts department guy tells me all Mercedes cars come with only long bolts and I should find my stuff on JC Road. I emailed him the pics from Internet, he still says no. I finally gave him the part number and then he says "Ohh.. yes we have in stock". Cool! He says each bolt is Rs 800. Wow. No discount even if you buy 100 pieces. I said this is the season of crazy, bring it on. Bought 20 pieces for 16K.


3. There is a reason why spare tires are not given these days. You need to be a gym instructor to change 19" wheels.

[Akshay1234]

The new wheels look stunning, and have changed the look completely! Multispokes like you've chosen really suit the S class. How is the ride after the upgrade?

[agambhandari]

OMG!! No offence, but seeing the car now, i can't imagine how you could live with the previous stock Rims

These look fantastic and single-handedly make the car look multiple times more elegant. Great choice and nice to see the heart rule over head

[v12]

The OE alloys on the S look pretty boring. I have seen these multi spoke onew on the W220 S Class - and what a transformation. Reminded me of the OE SL55 AMG wheels. These multi spoke wheels don't make the S look Sporty or Classic - they just look very elegant. Your jaws won't drop open when you see them - but they will just make you smile

[androdev]

Originally Posted by Akshay1234

The new wheels look stunning, and have changed the look completely! Multispokes like you've chosen really suit the S class. How is the ride after the upgrade?

The ride is harsh, the steering is heavy, I think rattles will develop now (I am not used slowing down on rough patches). I didn't even have a single puncture in all these years but now I should be ready for sidewall cracks, faster wear and tear of engine mounts/suspension bits etc. The dealer is telling me their machine won't be able to align these wheel as their database won't recognise,etc. I researched all this but decided to give it a shot when I saw this photo:



These Mercedes wheels are from SL catalogue (35mm offset). Not meant for S class (43 offset). The seller discouraged me but I was sold on the design. I did not buy staggered wheels though it was nearly at the same price.

Originally Posted by agambhandari

OMG!! No offence, but seeing the car now, i can't imagine how you could live with the previous stock Rims

These look fantastic and single-handedly make the car look multiple times more elegant. Great choice and nice to see the heart rule over head

Thanks. Some of the Mercedes alloys are mind-numbingly boring. I have no clue why they offer such alloys. I am yet to see any Mercedes sedan with impressive wheels these days. BWM I feel does a great job in this respect.

Originally Posted by v12

The OE alloys on the S look pretty boring. I have seen these multi spoke onew on the W220 S Class - and what a transformation. Reminded me of the OE SL55 AMG wheels. These multi spoke wheels don't make the S look Sporty or Classic - they just look very elegant. Your jaws won't drop open when you see them - but they will just make you smile

You absolutely nailed it. That is exactly the 'effect' I was after.

[Santoshbhat]

Originally Posted by androdev

One fine day I woke up with a very stupid idea planted in my head (Inception?) to upgrade the wheels. I read up a lot, realised that smaller rims I have are better for my purpose in every possible way. So is using Uber.

You bought 19s and are advocating me to downsize from 18 to 17?

The car looks absolutely stunning. The wheels have absolutely transformed the looks. I am a big wheels and tyres guy myself. I hate average looking wheels. When my 1st set of 18s wore out, I was seriously contemplating getting the staggered 19" MSport complete wheel set which were readily available at Navnit at a discounted price. They look absolutely gorgeous. At the last minute I dropped the idea as I did not want any further deterioration in ride quality and also felt 19s would be prone to damage on our roads. I have been pestering the BBS Alloys dealer in Chennai since past six months for a nice looking 18" forged matt black alloy set. No luck so far. Its been out of stock since Feb!

[androdev]

Originally Posted by Santoshbhat

You bought 19s and are advocating me to downsize from 18 to 17?

I have so much to talk about this topic

I had a totally carefree run with 17s. They saved me when I didn't notice the speed humps on highways till it's too late, got an unexpected road diversion or when Google maps sent me through the moon terrain.

I consider 17s as running shoes and 19s as high heels. My season-1 of running is over (age and responsibilities catching up), so taking a break with 19s planning to just potter around town. I am keeping the 17s for future use. It's like the street vs off road thing, just takes 30 minutes to swap.

[androdev]

Convinced my family to go with me on a road trip I let them eat Lays chips in the car in bargain.

[Nikhilb2008]

Originally Posted by androdev

The dealer is telling me their machine won't be able to align these wheel as their database won't recognise,etc. I researched all this but decided to give it a shot when I saw this photo:

That is just wrong. It can be aligned.

The wheels look nice but I'm not sure if it's worth spoiling the magic carpet ride of the S Class!

[androdev]

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

That is just wrong. It can be aligned.

The wheels look nice but I'm not sure if it's worth spoiling the magic carpet ride of the S Class!

You definitely have a point and that is why it took me so long to consider an upsize. After spending sometime with the new wheels, this is how I would sum up my experience:

1. City broken roads (which are plenty): The ride has gone for a toss. I don't have much city commute so not a big deal. But for a regular city user, this can be a deal breaker.

2. Highways below 90kmph: The ride is a bit firm but marginally. The road noise is noticeably high compared to stock tires on old tarmac.

3. Highways above 90kmph: The road noise difference becomes negligible. The ride and handling become superior to stock. Compared to the stock tires, I find myself cruising at much higher speeds without noticing it.

4. My biggest concern is not ride quality because S class ensures a certain minimum that is adequate for me. I am worried about the tire/rim damage and the resulting breakdown, etc.

[androdev]

Minor update:

One of the tires (19" wheels) had a puncture so switched to the old 17"s till I got the puncture repaired. I will be sticking to 17" for a long time to come. I apologised to the 17" wheels and promised them I would not go after hot wheels in future

[n.devdath]

Originally Posted by androdev

I apologised to the 17" wheels and promised them I would not go after hot wheels in future

Very apt decision. Our roads aren't meant for low profile tires and wheels and even if one can afford to replace an alloy/tire now and then, the ride quality compromise is too significant to ignore, even in the magic carpet like "S".

[Lobogris]

Originally Posted by androdev

Convinced my family to go with me on a road trip I let them eat Lays chips in the car in bargain.

]

What is the location of your road trip?
How long was your drive? Did you chnage your tyres for the long drive?

[androdev]

Originally Posted by Lobogris

What is the location of your road trip?
How long was your drive? Did you chnage your tyres for the long drive?

It's a place called Dhanushkodi, takes you very close to Sri Lanka. I think we covered 1400km during that trip. I didn't change the tires for the trip, just happened to be running on 19" wheels. Got the low tire pressure warning just 300km before Bangalore while returning. I had to refill air once so it was a minor glitch. It turned out to be a small nail. The 19" wheels are fine for highways but lousy for the Bangalore city roads and hence switched back to 17"s currently.

[androdev]

Customary annual check-in

Completed 6 years and nearing 50K km. Annual service bill was Rs 55K. Approximate break up:
Parts:
1. Engine Oil: 7K
2. Air Filter: 3K
3. Oil Filter: 7K
4. Brake fluid: 3K
5. A/C Filter: 15K

Labour:
Service-B: 15K
Alignment: 2K
Wax/Polish: 2K

I could have said no to A/C filter, alignment, polish, etc. to limit the damage to 35K.

Comments on the service: What used to be a next-day delivery has become 3-day affair. Service culture and infrastructure is still old school while the sales have gone through the roof. My expectations from service department are very low (a secret to enjoying German cars) so this delay doesn't bother me much as long as the servicing is getting done properly.

Insurance: Continuing with Mercedes/BajajAllianz coverage for Rs 98K (no longer an option next year when the car completes 7 years).