107 and 113 rim and tire compatability

[zakkkk]

My 1967 250 sl 113 has 14 inch steel wheels with hubcaps and 207/70/14 tires.
My 1983 280 sl 107 has 14 inch bundt wheels and the same sized 205/70/14 tires.
I was wondering if the wheels and lug nuts are interchangeable between the 2 cars?
I would like to see how the 113 looks with the bundts and if the lesser unspring weight of the bundts improves handling in any way.
I just took both out of their winter hibernation and I am raring to drive them.
thanks
jz

[Frank Reiner]

1) Take both cars to a person who has the tools and knowledge to remove wheels.
2) Have one wheel removed from each car.
3) If possible, have a bundt attached to the 113.
4) Observe result.

[rowdie]

The 107 wheel spec is 6 1/2J x 14H ET30 bolt pattern 5x112. Specs of the 113 should be stamped on the wheel somewhere. I think 6J x 14H ET?? bolt pattern 5x112. 107 steel wheels wheels use a slightly shorter lug bolt than the aluminum bundts.

[zakkkk]

Simple as 1,2,3,4...
Thanks. Will do.
Re the unsprung weight vs handling, I recall reading that each bundt is approx 25 lbs lighter then the steelies. I could be wrong - is that possible a hundred pound weight savings? Seems too much.
I know, I know - after step 2 weigh each wheel!
But would the lighter wheels bounce less and thus handle better?
jz

[JimFreeh]

My 84 280SL had 6" wide alloys on it, you can verify by looking at the back of the alloy, the specs will be cast in the metal.

The 6" bundt will fit fine on the W113.
Need the alloy lug bolts, of course.
Lug bolts are interchangable. edit: not between wheel styles, but between series...

I would expect the 6.5" wide wheel to work as well, the width difference is pretty minor. My experience with swapping MB wheels is that the tire sidewall is the first place for interference and selecting an appropriate tire can minimize clearance issues. Of course, this assumes you are using a wheel that has a similar backspacing.....

Jim

[DieselPaul]

Originally Posted by zakkkk

Simple as 1,2,3,4...
Thanks. Will do.
Re the unsprung weight vs handling, I recall reading that each bundt is approx 25 lbs lighter then the steelies. I could be wrong - is that possible a hundred pound weight savings? Seems too much.
I know, I know - after step 2 weigh each wheel!
But would the lighter wheels bounce less and thus handle better?
jz

Bundts were optional on late 280SLs weren't they? You shouldn't have at fitment issues.

25lbs is enormous, I wish it were true, I'd remove the steelies off everything I own.

I've got a few sets of each, I will throw them on a scale this weekend out of curiosity. I don't have any data to say its not true, but 25 lbs per wheel really is a lot. I know bundts outweigh CLK wheels by a decent margin, so that means steelies would have to weigh around 50lbs per wheel.

They do not look stock, but if you want weight savings and a "factory" wheel, the 1997ish CLK320 forged aluminum wheels weigh 13.5lbs each. I noticed a difference at autocross running those versus other factory wheels on my W124s.

[rowdie]

Originally Posted by JimFreeh

My 84 280SL had 6" wide alloys on it, you can verify by looking at the back of the alloy, the specs will be cast in the metal.

The 6" bundt will fit fine on the W113.
Need the alloy lug bolts, of course.
Lug bolts are interchangable. edit: not between wheel styles, but between series...

I would expect the 6.5" wide wheel to work as well, the width difference is pretty minor. My experience with swapping MB wheels is that the tire sidewall is the first place for interference and selecting an appropriate tire can minimize clearance issues. Of course, this assumes you are using a wheel that has a similar backspacing.....

Jim

EPC states 6 1/2J 14H on every 107 I check. Maybe yours are not original or could be the part numbers were superseded in the EPC.

[DieselPaul]

Originally Posted by zakkkk

Simple as 1,2,3,4...
Thanks. Will do.
Re the unsprung weight vs handling, I recall reading that each bundt is approx 25 lbs lighter then the steelies. I could be wrong - is that possible a hundred pound weight savings? Seems too much.
I know, I know - after step 2 weigh each wheel!
But would the lighter wheels bounce less and thus handle better?
jz

6x14 Bundt with 205/70/14 tires - 33lbs

5.5x14 steelie off a 1975 230 sedan with 185/75/14 tires - 35lbs

5.5x14 alloy stamped wheel off a later 240D with 195/70/14 - 27.5lbs

6.5x15 steelie off a euro 200TD W124 with 195/65/15 - 38.5 lbs

7x16 clk forged aluminum wheel with 205/55/16 tires - 32lbs

I realize the tires aren't consistent but this is what I had laying around and I tossed them on our freight scale.

definitely some savings going to a bundt, and unsprung weight makes a much bigger difference than spring weight. On a car that gets tracked a pound or two in unsprung weight can pay huge dividends. Personally I like the hubcap look, so the way to go is probably alloy stamped wheels off a late 123 240D, though they are narrower.