Well, you've damaged them anyway so they needed a full refurb regardless...depending an how deep the kerbing is the standard and expensive lathe recut and lacquering might not be possible, the kerb damage has caused more of a problem than the lacquer perforation and subsequent creeping of spider web corrosion that happens under the lacquer, to lathe cut through the kerb damage may well leave the wheel too thin at the bead area.
Many other makers now offer this type of alloy wheel finish, it looks lovely and sparkly but is not durable, if they were recut and lacquered the new finsh would be spidering again within 12 months, usually the few pro refinishers that can do this will only warrant the work for 6 or 12 months, whereas proper shot blasting and powder coating will last many years.
If MB are offering to split the cost of new wheels with you 50/50 and especially if you can negotiate more from them you might be worth taking them up on the offer, you did after all damage them, but the new wheels if clear lacquer over diamond cut will go the same way again after a couple of winters.
To get your existing wheels refurbed properly and oven baked with the latest chrome paints would be an answer (and some owners of cut and lacquer wheels do this after trying a futile standard original finish refurb) but may well cost you more out of your wallet than the offer by MB.
Edited by gordonbennet on 15/10/2012 at 13:51
|