Maybe not the first thing you dream about when getting a new Mercedes-Benz, but the rims you use on your car are an important part of the high-end classy look that Mercedes owners love. In saying that, keeping up with the various Mercedes rims styles can be difficult. As a company dedicated to constant innovation, Mercedes has released a number of different styles of rims throughout their storied history.
That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to key you in on the history of Mercedes-Benz rims and their evolution over the years as well as some maintenance tips for keeping your Mercedes rims in top shape.
Rims Through the Decades
Old Style Wheels
From 1969 to 1985, Mercedes released their Old Style rims. Utilizing advances in wheel technology, these wheels were lighter than past wheels without compromising their strength. Some people refer to their ornate design as “Baroque,” but you also might have heard them called “Bundt” wheels because of their passing resemblance to a classic Bundt cake.
New Look Wheels
The next era of wheels continued to use innovations in light metal alloys. Used on vehicles from 1984 to 1993, these New Look wheels had 15 holes around the edge, just like German manhole covers, giving them the colloquial name “Manhole Cover” rims.
92 Style Wheels
Released on models between 1992 and 2001 the 92 Style wheels brought the number of holes around the edge down to a symmetrical 8. These wheels are an iconic part of chassis like the R129 roadster and the W202, which was the first generation of the C-Class.
5-Spoke and Twin Spoke Wheels
The next big innovation was the 5-Spoke wheel, released in 2000. These rims are known as the “Style III” rims, and prefigured the similar “Style IV” or Twin Spoke rims which were released around the same time.
Since then, Mercedes has continued to make new styles of rims, and a variety of different types are available for drivers. Hopefully, this history of Mercedes rims will give you some new ideas about why you love your favorite cars so much.
Rim Maintenance
Maintaining the rims on your Mercedes is important for two reasons. The first is to keep your car looking immaculate and lavish. The other is to make them last as long as possible. Here are some of the best practices for keeping your Mercedes rims in top shape.
1. Clean off brake dust. Sometimes the brake pads leave dust on your rims. The first step is to spray this, and any other contaminants, off with a hose. As long as the brake dust isn’t too thick, you can probably use a sponge for this too.
2. Apply wheel cleaner. Make sure that the wheel cleaner you use fits the type of metal your rims are made of and won’t worsen corrosion.
3. Scrub off the cleaner. Many people use a soft-tipped brush to wipe off the cleaner. Be careful not to scratch your wheels during this step.
4. Rinse off and dry. Use a washcloth to wipe off any remaining residue.
5. Apply sealant. Many people use wax or another kind of sealant on their wheels so they can keep their clean look for as long as possible.
Rims From Adsitco
Regardless of which rims are your favorite or what type of Mercedes you drive, Adsitco has the rims you need to keep your car looking like you just drove it off the lot. All the rims mentioned above come in both alloy and chrome models so you can customize your car as much as you’d like.
With over 40 years of experience and a huge online parts catalog, Adsitco has the expertise and the inventory to help you with your Mercedes needs. Contact us today to find out how we can help you!