W123 wheels

[Jacob]

My 1983 300TD has 14" wheels. Is this same style wheel available in 15"? What is the designation for this wheel?

[Hatterasguy]

Yes they did make a 15in Bundt wheel but they are extremly rare so if you find a set snap them up. But be ready to pay.

[dieseldiehard]

Watch out for people selling Bundts as 15 inch wheels when they measured rim to rim, that is not the way tires (and wheels) are sized, its bead to bead. Real 15 in Bundts are extremely rare.
Anyhow, Jacob, be on the lookout for a good set of flat faced wheels, in the 15 inch size with the right offset, about 24 mm I believe. I have two sets on my 300TD's, they are MB p/n 126 400 4102 from 420SEL etc, and come chrome plated (not what I liked) and other models in the W126 family may have similar offset 15 in wheels but silver painted wheels (better than the chrome pimp-looking wheels IMHO) but either way, they sure improved the way the W123's handle! That is to say, the 123 will never handle like a sports car, it wasn't intend to, but they certainly handle better with 15 in wheels and the right tires than with stock wheels.
Email me if you want a tire recommendation, please. I don't want to keep recommending tires here that Luke doesn't sell!
Dieseldiehard
1971 220 (gas) 4-spd manual 106441
1979 300TD w/ ’85 turbo engine 295530
1983 300D 243280
1985 300TD 217300
1987 300D 258230

[Hatterasguy]

Stay away from chrome wheels. In my view only drug dealers and pimps should have chrome rims.

[Jacob]

My wife drives a '91 190e 2.6, dark blue with chrome wheels. They look good on that car. I'm not looking to 'pimp' my 300TD!!!
I would like to try 15s (painted Bundts would be nice) with 60 or 65 series tires, but I wonder about ride quality. The car already seems a bit harsh over 'tar strips', bridge joints and other minor road imperfections. (I'm running on Michlins) Lots of this bump noise gets transmitted into the inside of the car. Maybe because it's a wagon with the rear axle 'in' the car. Handling, as in quick cornering, is not high on my wish list - I just think it would look nice.
It's a beauty with 124k mi., so I don't think the suspension is worn.

[Hatterasguy]

I knew someone was going to get annoyed by that.

I have 55 sidewall's on my W126 and it rides fine, slightly stiffer then the 65's that it came with but hardly noticable.

[Jacob]

By the way - I have about 6k miles on a four speed manual conversion. Lovin' it!!