Who buys 5 wheels instead of 4?

Chedman13

Chedman13

iS VIP
iS VIP
Location
Illinois
Car
2014 Mercedes-Benz GL63 4Matic
I almost bought new wheels yesterday but it didn't work out. Anyway, the guy at the shop was trying to convince me to buy 5 wheels instead of 4.

Some reasons:
1) I live in Chicago (i.e. huge pot holes)
2) Wheels will be discontinued at the end of the year
3) He will provide a discount for the 5th wheel and sell it to me for $300

The set he ordered me, there was a mix up and came in the wrong offset so got a refund.

But this got me thinking, do I really need to buy 5 wheels for when I do buy another set?? OEM 20's, Axis Titan 22's, which never had an issue (also very strong wheels).

Buying 5 wheels sound like a good idea, but just curious to see who actual buys 5. My friend has 22" TIS wheels and he hit a huge pot hole and got a small bent rim which made him lose air slowly.

It cost him $200 to fix + another $20 to re mount and balance. Pretty similar to the original price of his wheels I'm sure -- but if the dent was big enough he probably wouldn't be able to fix it.

Completely over thinking this but thought the wheels salesman brought an interesting point to my attention.
 
The rides with visible spares tend to buy wheels 5 I guess.
(Hummers, FJ Cruisers, Jeeps, etc)

I had a situation where I damaged two wheels (and two tires.) Having a 5th would have been useless. Luckily, I found my wheels on eBay with a starting bid for $500 for the set... I was the only bidder. :biggrin:
 
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Yeah for that complete look having that 5th wheels spare is okay I guess. I have a tis and it cost about 500 to replace without getting in a package I have looked all over. I curbed one of mines and literally debated in either buying a new one or getting them painted.
 
For my other car (Jaguar) I bought a 5th wheel for the reason of not being able to find a replacement if one of the original 4 were damaged. The trunk will hold a full size wheel, which was another reason I did it. Finding wheels for Jaguars are a bitch anyway they're bolt pattern is 5X108 not a lot of options out there. Took one of my old tires (the least worn of the 4) and mounted it on the 5th.

As for the FX45 I ordered a new set of wheels a few weeks ago and just ordered 4 considering the wheel I bought just came out. I figured in a few years I should still be able to buy it. Also will the FX trunk even hold a full size wheel?

***I most have only used my FX for long trips, one of the reasons (among others) I went with OE 20's instead of 22's 'cause I knew if I'd blow one of the wheels, I wouldn't be able to put the donut on...
 
shailynn said:
...***I most have only used my FX for long trips, one of the reasons (among others) I went with OE 20's instead of 22's 'cause I knew if I'd blow one of the wheels, I wouldn't be able to put the donut on...
Click to expand...

why wouldnt you be able to put the spare (donut) on if you had 22"? My 22" is the same diameter as the 20" (with tires mounted... 285*35*22)(see tires size calculator on the members tab)
:)
 
theMerchant said:
why wouldnt you be able to put the spare (donut) on if you had 22"? My 22" is the same diameter as the 20" (with tires mounted... 285*35*22)(see tires size calculator on the members tab)
:)
Click to expand...

Opps I didn't realize they were the same diameter, oh well I'm probably better off sticking with the 20's need more meat with the roads where I live....I did go an inch wider on the width ;)

Was I right about the trunk not fitting a full size tire though? I never measured but assumed...
 
the full size tire will not fit under the floor.... will fit above it:wink:

make sure you get a tire that will be close to stock height ... ie 275*45*20 or 265*50*20

post up some pics of the new shoes when you have a chance.
:biggrin:
 
theMerchant said:
the full size tire will not fit under the floor.... will fit above it:wink:

make sure you get a tire that will be close to stock height ... ie 275*45*20 or 265*50*20

post up some pics of the new shoes when you have a chance.
:biggrin:
Click to expand...

Yeah I ordered 265*50*20's showed up Thursday, and the dumb***es shipped me silver rims instead of black rims, so more of a wait after waiting for the Yoko Parada's to get back in-stock....Oh well someday.
 
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