2003 18" AMG 5 Spoke Wheels for a 1998 SL500?

Hi,

I'm about to buy the 18" 5 spoke AMG rims from a 2003 SL (rear 18x9.5 ET30, front 18x8.5 ET33) for my 1998 SL500 (has stock 16s on it).

I was told that they will fit, but I will need to buy different lug bolts for it (I forget...shorter or longer or thinner or something....).

Before I buy them, is this correct, and if so, do you know what size lug bolts I need and what size I currently would have if I have the stock 16s?

Thanks a million,

Doug

Nobody here put wheels from a new style SL (2003+) onto their older model?

Any ideas? Are all I need are different length lugs or do I need spacers or what...?

Also, does anyone know what tire size I need to maintain the proper relationship for the speedo, so I don't set off the ABS light, etc.?

Thanks,

Doug

[jjrodger]

Somebody has definitely put the stock 17" wheels from the 230 onto his 129, so it must be possible. My MB wheel guide offers 18" wheels for the 129 in the following sizes:

8.5J x 18 ET 25
9.5J x 18 ET 23

Modification of bodywork required in both cases. MB used the same wheel bolts for all stock wheel sizes, however.

[elau]

My dealer told me the wheels from R230 will not fit R129. I am not sure if that is the absolute answer. I would imagine there has to be some mod that you can do to make it work.

That's just it... everything is the same with the wheels except the offset. That is why the ?shorter? lug bolts are needed I think.

The offset for the regular R129 wheels is +25 and +23 while the offset for the R230 wheels is +33 and +30.

Well, I'll let everyone here know what I find out and if/how I get them to work out.

Doug

[HitParader]

Modification of bodywork required in both cases.

Does anyone know what this involves?

Here's the info I got, but first, the main problem:

R230 Wheels/Hubs take 14mm lug bolts.
R129 Wheels/Hubs take 12mm lug bolts.

The offsets are a little different too, but not enough to make them unusable. Basically, the R230 wheels would sit IN a little too far, but technically, they should not rub anything.

The way that people are using the R230 wheels on the R129 is simply by using 12mm lug bolts that are also shorter than the 12mm lugs that you have. If you tried to use your longer 12mm lugs they would protrude too far and tear up your parking brake mechanism, etc.

I decided against using 12mm lug bolts through the 14mm designed R230 wheels because it just seems like an un-necessary risk to take when there are wheels available for the R129 (and this was AFTER I purchased R230 wheels!).

I also already purchased the shorter 12mm lug bolts for the transition, so if there is anyone here that wants them, they are chrome, brand new and I paid $5 each ($100 total).

I'll probably just send them back to the place I got them.

I'm thinking that the best solution to use the R230 wheels on an R129 would be (if they exist) to get some spacers, maybe around 10mm all around, that are hubcentric? and are bolted to your hub with 12mm bolts. The spacers should then have 5 14mm holes for you to use 14mm lug bolts through the R230 wheels.

I don't know if that is an option, but there probably is such a thing.

Otherwise, I wouldn't trust having that extra 2mm diameter around each of the lugs. Wheels are too important and I don't want any 'play' around what holds them to my vehicle!

Doug