Wheel diameter upgrade on a w123: opinions?

[Zacharias]

I've got a set of CLK 320 style 16" rims sitting in storage and was thinking about using them on my 300d or 300td. I ran 15" aftermarket rims on my 300sd for years. I felt that the 15" improved the ride but not handling, overall.

I'd like to hear from others running larger diameters on a w123: any benefits noted? Or they just look better?

Thanks

[H-townbenzoboy]

I know a forum member here in Houston running some 16 inch CLK rims on his 300CD. The center caps on the front rims won't fit because of offset issues, namely the grease cap is protruding too much and he didn't want to put spacers on there. That's one problem you might run into. Oddly, some W123 owners haven't experienced such an issue with CLK rims on their cars so it may not be a problem for you.

[vstech]

the clk rims are better suited for 124 offset than the 123/126 offset. RIMcentric spacers will be required to use them on your car.

[MTUpower]

Originally Posted by vstech

the clk rims are better suited for 124 offset than the 123/126 offset. RIMcentric spacers will be required to use them on your car.

Untrue. I and many others have put CLK rims on w123 with no issues other than the front center cap not fitting exactly as it should. Spacers are NOT needed in many cases, and with the slight modification I have shown in previous thread about these rims ALL w123's can fit CLK and SLK rims with no spacers.

[280EZRider]

One of the reasons MBZ cars are more expensive than Jap and Motown cars is that their well-paid engineers spend a lot of time with design factors, such as wheel size.

If you want bigger wheels while keeping the outside diameter of the tires the same as stock, thus choosing not to be scraping them the fender well edges, it's really a very simple formula. The bigger the rims = the harder the ride = the more kidney damage.

[Zacharias]

Originally Posted by 280EZRider

One of the reasons MBZ cars are more expensive than Jap and Motown cars is that their well-paid engineers spend a lot of time with design factors, such as wheel size.

In 1972, when they were working on the w123, 14" was the norm.

This is 2011. Give us all a break.

If I want sermons I can attend a religious service, OK pal?

[280EZRider]

Originally Posted by Zacharias

In 1972, when they were working on the w123, 14" was the norm.

This is 2011. Give us all a break.

If I want sermons I can attend a religious service, OK pal?

This may be 2011, but your cars are from the 70s and 80s, when they were designed for 14" wheels. This isn't a matter of preaching, it simply a matter of choosing to follow in the footsteps of trendy morons or not, Pal.

[Zacharias]

Originally Posted by MTUpower

Untrue. I and many others have put CLK rims on w123 with no issues other than the front center cap not fitting exactly as it should. Spacers are NOT needed in many cases, and with the slight modification I have shown in previous thread about these rims ALL w123's can fit CLK and SLK rims with no spacers.

Ok, ok, sorry I should have noted that I plan to use the appropriate, German-sourced spacers to make the wheels fit properly.

Yes the CLK rims appear to fit some w123s okay. Depends on the design of the arm where the tie-rod bolts up. Mine are too long, hence the wheels won't fit.

I specified that I was looking for actual experience with larger-diameter wheels. Pious sermons on outdated 14" wheels were NOT requested. Thanks.

[vstech]

Originally Posted by MTUpower

Untrue. I and many others have put CLK rims on w123 with no issues other than the front center cap not fitting exactly as it should. Spacers are NOT needed in many cases, and with the slight modification I have shown in previous thread about these rims ALL w123's can fit CLK and SLK rims with no spacers.

what diameter clk rims are you talking about? the 16 that the op is asking about will not fit.

[MTUpower]

Originally Posted by vstech

what diameter clk rims are you talking about? the 16 that the op is asking about will not fit.

16's.
Note some w123's will fit the 16 CLK's and some will not- it's completely dependent on the individual car's tie rod position. Some tie rods will hit and some will not. The small amount of clearance does not permit inside tire weights- only outside or stick on. By adding a simple washer to this circled bolt (underneath) you (by angled geometry) move the tie rod out further away from the inner rim edge, and add about 3/32" to the clearance- effectively subtracting ET and making larger ET wheels such as the ET 37 CLK/SLK 16" rim be able to fit virtually all w123 chassis. The downside to this? 1) You push the bolt out which goes from about 15 threads to 14 threads deep; really a non issue.2) You will need a front end alignment after adding the washer.

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Originally Posted by 280EZRider

One of the reasons MBZ cars are more expensive than Jap and Motown cars is that their well-paid engineers spend a lot of time with design factors, such as wheel size.

If you want bigger wheels while keeping the outside diameter of the tires the same as stock, thus choosing not to be scraping them the fender well edges, it's really a very simple formula. The bigger the rims = the harder the ride = the more kidney damage.

Don't bother, he won't do any permanent damage, the next owner can always put the correct wheels back on the car.

[t walgamuth]

There are trade offs.

A wider tire will give more traction at the limit of cornering on dry pavement but will give less traction in rain or snow.

A heavier tire and wheel will give a harsher ride and the traction in cornering on bumpy pavement will be compromised.

A shorter sidewall will give quicker response to steering input but if maximized the feel can be disconcerting. The low profile tire will also follow irregularities in the pavement and make the car feel darty.

I am an amature autocrosser so when selecting tires for autocross I want the widest and stickiest I can run in my class. On my street vehicles I will more likely stick with stock or very near stock to preserve ride and traction when it rains or snows. I will buy a high quality tire, usually Michelin.

On my Formula Ford I have the stickiest widest Hoosier autocross designed slick.

[lutzTD]

I had 17" CLK wheels on my coupe. I used spacers in the front otherwise it would hit the tie bar ball joint. It would still rub in some situations. Also, when one of the rears got a little low on air in a turns it would rub the sidewall. it eventually cut a tire on my coupe. The ride on the 17" wheels was very harsh due to the low profile tires. I had 16" on for a while too and these are alos a harsh ride. I now have 15" ronals and the ride is considerably better. it still corners like a 300cd, the 17s cornered marginally better but the harsh ride negated this in my book for a DD. we have a lot of speed bumps here so its maybe something you could live with.

[MTUpower]

Originally Posted by Zacharias

I've got a set of CLK 320 style 16" rims sitting in storage and was thinking about using them on my 300d or 300td. I ran 15" aftermarket rims on my 300sd for years. I felt that the 15" improved the ride but not handling, overall.

I'd like to hear from others running larger diameters on a w123: any benefits noted? Or they just look better?

Thanks

On my w123 wagons I've run stock bundt 14", stock alloy 14" with hubcaps, w126 15" flat face rims, CLK 16" et 37 second gen (not the super lightweight but fuglies) and SLK et 37 staggered rims. Of course the harshest ride is with the larger rims/tiny sidewall tires. I found that in my urban driving I liked the 16's and 15 much better than the smaller rims. My wife prefers the hubbies- note they are the latest version: alloy. My car already has vogtland and HD shocks up front and I prefer the better handling/cornering of the larger rims. The worse/harsh ride was not enough to make me revert back to the smaller rims. At the moment I've using the flat face rims as they have the best tires mounted on them.