Got a new set of 18" alloys/tires from The Tire Rack recently. Time to have them rotated and balanced. The Benz was ready for her 1st service, so I thought I would have this all done at the same time. The dealer has a history of damaging wheels (either with an air wrench or balancing machine). Took the service guy out and showed him that there was not a scratch on any of the wheels. He just about freaked out and said "their machine didn't do a very good job on 18" wheels." I asked him how they did all the AMG cars with 18's. He said it did OK on factory wheels.

He suggested that I go to a custom wheel shop to have them balanced. Isn't that pitiful? That a "state of the art" Mercedes-Benz dealer cannot/will not properly balance your wheels without damaging them.

Where does one go to get a proper balance job without damage? How is it that Tire Rack can mount and balance tires and wheels without a speck of damage?

Any thoughts?

__________________
2000 E430 Sport (European Delivery)
Brilliant Silver/Ash Leather
Brabus Leather/Wood Sport Steering Wheel
PowerChip
Euro Front Bumper Strips, Debadged
E55 "Carbon Fiber" Door Pillar Trim
E55 Tail lights
E55 AMG/Bilstein Shocks
Eibach Springs, #1 Pads
H & R Sway Bars
Speed Yellow Calipers
18" x 8" SSR Integral Wheels
245/40ZR 18 Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Tires

1986 Porsche 944 Turbo
88K miles

sounds like you may be hunting for a high end wheel retailer to service your 18's


...also, doesn't tirerack have some type of approved installers listing?

-fad

Mikey- contact your local MB Club in TN, or your local Porsche club, and I'll bet you'll get some good recommendations.

Also contact Nokian Tires:
339 Mason Rd.
La Vergne, TN 37086
Toll free: 1-800-565-2525 / (615) 287-0600

They should know as well.

Good luck,

:-) neil

Any pics of your new set of wheels on your ride?