opinions please
 

I was thinking of trading my cosmetically poor 15" 15 hole wheels with 3 good and 1 worn Toyo tires plus $200

for

4 good (not ultra smooth, perfect show quality, but good) chrome 15" 15 holes with Michelin Energy MVX 4 plus tires with even wear.

My questions are:

1.) How do I measure the amount of tread left?
2.) If there is say 40% tread left would this be a good deal.

I would pass. Chromed wheels are less strong than painted, and a LOT more expensive to refinish (some members have said the snow/salt in their area means about 1-2 year life span for chrome plating on new chrome wheels!). You can get DIY paint kits for wheels (search) for very little money, and scan the options at tire rack, (there are some nice tire bargains at $60-90 depending on what you want.)

I would never do chrome, just too many downsides. Polished now is something I really like, and doesn't have as many downsides.

However, I was never a fan of the 15 hole look. I think the 8-hole look added so much class to the w201 and w124. For that Much, I think you can find some nicer and cheaper wheels on Ebay with tires. I have a set of 16" wheels, but they are probably more expensive then you would like, and I wouldn't consider your trade.

CLK Wheels

Fredsegal:I have a set of 4 michelin energy 195/65/15 im selling it for $50 email me if you want to see the pic.%75 treadlife remaining.I dont need them cuz I upgrade to 16'.thanks

Ron

John,
Do you remember where you got your tread depth gauge? I looked all over town last year and never found one.

Thanks, John, will keep looking.
Love the Coolidge quote!

Actually, just ordered a gauge from autotoolexpress.com.

$3.95 (US).

I agree with John, this should be a must-have tool for all of us. I've seen too many folks riding around on too little rubber. Very dangerous.

this just to get things straight between chrome wheels and polished wheels polished wheels are just that polished meaning tghat the metal is all the way bare big cleaning head ache and constantly having to use something like never dull or other polishes chrome wheels on the other hand have been dipped much easily cleaned water a sponge done now you tell me which one is easier to clean

Polished aluminum wheels are usually (not always) clearcoated, just like most modern body paints. Care is similar to the care of the painted metal on your car body. The longer material is left on them, the more damage it can do, and the harder it is to clean.

Chrome wheels are heat and chemical treated during the triple layer plating process. This weakens the wheel. The surface is hard, but can be damaged by pin point penetrations and curb rash. These are routes for corrosion to enter behind the chrome, and it can not be removed save by stripping the chrome and re-treating and plating, further weakening the wheel.

MB will not make or sell chrome wheels, and specifically recommends against chroming. Local dealers supply them to meet customer demand from aftermarket plating shops.

A newly waxed, clear coated wheel is no more difficult to clean than a chrome wheel in my experience. Likewise a shabby painted wheel with missing clear coat is no more difficult to clean than a pitted, flaking chrome wheel. Neglected, built up brake dust will adhere to and pit either of these treatments. The painted wheel is a lot less money and time to refinish, and can be done at home.

From a Tech magazine I read that chrome wheels may be phased out, as the new ceramic brake rotors (according to this article) spread heat so rapidly that aluminum wheels matched perfectly to the hub become an essential heat radiator, and steel or chrome wheels won't dissapate heat fast enough!

Use what looks best to you on your car, and pay whatever price is worth the look - both in the extra cost up front, and in eventual and inevitable replating if that is your preference.

blah, blah, blah,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

When new
 

chrome wheels look really nice and cool ...

:)