P40.00-2027-71
A plastic wheel, size 8Jx17H2 ET35, is available from BTE Felgentechnik GmbH for various versions of the 124, 170, 201, 202, 208 and 210 vehicle series; according to the sales company, F&F Hybridrad-Rad GmbH, Wedel, this is supposed to be lighter, quieter, more durable than conventional wheels, and corrosion-free.
Within the framework of our product observation, the wheel has been examined by our development division according to DaimlerChrysler AG test procedures.
In various test disciplines, the wheel was unable to fulfill our requirements in this version and fabrication:
The service life of the fastening technology and the wheel structure is inadequate as a result of material and processing defects (release, loss of air); the operating behavior of the wheel under thermal strain is unpredictable.
As, due to our negative test results, a safety hazard cannot be ruled out on use of this wheel, we refuse to install it in our vehicles, despite the existence of an expert report from the Pfalz German Technical Supervisory Association.
Please inform your customers of this.