Emergency Help Please!!! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ApeGeneral · #1 02-07-2003, 01:59 AM

hey all, as i was on my way home tonight, it was snowing like crazy, and this is my first time driving in such heavy snow.. so i am very inexperience.. as i was coming out from a stop sign, turning a 90 degree turn, i hit too much gas, and the car ended up spinning out, and hit the curb of the road.. it caused my rigt side rear rim to crack, or big piece of the rim chipped off... below are some pics of them.. i am wondering if u guys can take a sec and look at it, and tell me if i need to replace the rim tomorrow.. and would i be able to make it to the dealer if i do need to replace the rim.. the dealer is 15 miles away.. thanks.. sorry, i could only upload the pics to yahoo.. so plz take a sec to look at them.. thanks again

tabo · #2 02-07-2003, 03:50 AM

Put on your spare tire asap, they can't repair that, they can only replace the rim, if I were you I'd get it off ebay, lots of ml320 mags for sale there. is the tire damaged as well?

Gilly · #3 02-07-2003, 06:42 AM

I agree, not worth the risk driving it like that, it could fail and you may get into an accident, causing even more damage (or who knows, maybe even hurt yourself or someone else).
The EBay idea is good, but you may have to wait until the auction ends to have it shipped. If the dealer orders a new one today, they could possibly have it by Monday, so that's one advantage to buying a new one. Or maybe if it's a large dealer they may have one in stock. If the tire looks OK, that may be better than replacing just the one tire, as one new tire can cause faults in the ESP system, if the others are worn down too far.

Gilly

tabo · #4 02-07-2003, 10:05 AM

The uneven tread wear can affect the computer? Well, the best bet is to replace two tires with the same brand, size, type tire and speed rating, or you can find a used one at a used tire place but the odds of that is finding a needle in a haystack..

ApeGeneral · #5 02-08-2003, 01:23 AM

hey thanks all for da input, i ended up driving to da dealer today(mb of morristown) even tho it was still snowing this morning.. they had a new rim in stock, but then they were short of hand cuz alot of staff couldnt come in ta work becuz of da snow.. so they couldnt replace it for me. they had one of the mechanics checked for me ta see if its safe to drive around with that... and the mechanic said it shouldnt be a problem.. hes said since the cracked part is not affecting the tire... so its safe... he just reminded me not to drive too fast, and watch out for pot holes... so i m gettin it fixed for monday, since i got an appointment for 10k service.. and the rim will cost me $156, which i think its reasonable.. and doesnt seem like my tire has any problem.. so i m planning ta use back the old tire.. it still got alot of tread on it.. but anywayz, thanks for the advices guys! i really appreciated!

Gilly · #6 02-08-2003, 09:20 AM

That's great. Now, if anything happens you have this thread the lawyers can print out as evidence for the lawsuit that you were told by the dealer that it's safe to drive on that obviously unsafe rim.
You might want to just post here the name of the dealer and if possible the name of the tech who said that, it'd help the case a little bit. The name of the tech isn't too important as you'll be aiming to get the dealer to pay up, not the tech. Go for the deepest pockets you know.
Oh, and do it NOW before you drive anywhere

.
And make sure someone you may "leave behind" knows about this so the lawyers are aware, in case of your "untimely demise".

Gilly

ps, just to cover my own keester, put the SPARE on NOW!

ApeGeneral · #7 02-09-2003, 03:06 AM

Issue: Cracked rim
Date occurred: Feb 6th, 2003 around 1:00am

Date visited the dealer: Feb 7th, 2003 around 2:00pm
Dealer: Mercedes-Benz of Morristown
Technician: Max
Service Advisor: Mark Warchal(not in that day)

Thanks for the advice Gill

G-Man · #8 02-09-2003, 11:30 AM

LAWYERS

How about you just use some dang common sense? LOOK at the rim! It is OBVIOUSLY trashed. USE your noodle, get that rim off of the road. I don't care what any tech tells me about that one. How on earth could you doubt for even one second that this was an extremely unsafe condition?

This country does not need ANY more lawyers or lawsuits, can't you see it destroying the moral fabric we used to be made of??? GAWD, use your brain man! It is YOUR responsibility as the driver of that vehicle to keep it safe, not some idiot tech at the dealer.Granted, they gave you bum advice but sheeesh, wasn't it OBVIOUS?? If not, maybe you should hire a chauffer, operating a vehicle is appearantly beyond you capabilities. Take some responsibility for your actions.

Darkmann · #9 02-09-2003, 08:45 PM

now since he already took it to the dealer, in the first place - probably mistake #1. Gilly's advice is based on that - he first advices the General to not drive with the rim like that (and that's your point). Also, what may look terrible on a zoomed photo may not look as bad in reality, especiality given the white snowy background. Obviously ApeG isn't completely sure, nor does he completely believe the dealer, and that's why he posted the question in the first place.

G-Man · #10 02-10-2003, 08:14 AM

That wheel should have been taken off the vehicle right there and the spare been fitted. There is no question, or there should not be, that the wheel is badly damaged and not safe for road use. The pictures clearly show the rim lip is missing for 3-4 inches along the edge and it is likely worse yet as the remaining lip is probably fractured.

So yeah, lets cut him some slack. MAYBE, it won't be your children he slides into when that tire blows. How about a little personal responsibility?

ApeGeneral · #11 02-10-2003, 09:04 AM

i understand where u comin from g-man.. but i hope you understand that i came to this forum to ask for help and advice, not to have someone tryin ta teach me what my responsibilities are... i think u over-reacted a little bit.. chill out man.. btw, i just took my truck ta the dealer...

G-Man · #12 02-10-2003, 09:20 AM

Thats all fine and dandy but, wasn't it pretty obvious? If not, I have expressed my concerns.

tabo · #13 02-10-2003, 10:40 AM

The fatal accident can lead to death to the driver as well, Action must be taken immediately! Money cannot replace a life.