First, let me start off by saying I've gone through and done the pre-requisite searches (I fully realize this topic has been discussed ad-nauseam). The problem is that I can't seem to find anything definitive. There are no shortage of comments or threads, but it's a lot of different opinions and "I think..." type comments. Even comments that sound authoritative...I can find others that seem to contradict them.
The best I could find was from BrianC (yes Brian, still have the car ) - "If it fits one W126........it fits them all."

Basically, what I'm wanting to know is (and if we can actually get this settled, we should put it into an FAQ or make it a sticky) what wheel choices do I have?

If I want to go with a 15" rim, what are the basic dimensional requirements for the rim (offset, width)....and the same for a 16" rim.

For these two sizes, if we're specifically talking original MBZ rims, what model cars would they have come stock on?

I don't even want to deal with having to use spacers, so any rims needing spacers to work is out.
I like the bundts...but want 15/16". I really like the 15 hole flat wheels. Not real crazy about the 8 hole wheels. Aftermarket wheels tend to look too modern/sporty for this type of car.

[EDIT]
http://www.wheelcollision.com/merc2.htm

How reasonable is $190/ea for a 'professionally' refinished 15 hole rim? (not just the service - the actual rim itself) (scroll down to bottom of list for W126 wheels)

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Chris
1985 300SD - 'Grace' (198K mi.)
2018 Honda Civic Sport
2018 Honda CRV LX
2010 Honda Fit Sport (RIP)
2013 Honda Accord Sport (Sold)
1996 Lexus LS400 (Retired)
1995 Ford Contour SE (Retired)
1976 Porsche 914 (Sold)
1972 Datsun 240Z (RIP)

Maybe now, at $190 each, I had a set of 14" bundts done for around $100 each.

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83 SD

84 CD

Realized the wording may have been a little ambiguous. The $190 is for the actual rim itself...that has been 'refinished'. $155/ea if you send them your old ones as a trade-in.

Bumping this to get some comments...

Hi Chris.

Glad to see you still have the SD..........and I convinced you not to sell it.

If you want a 15" wheel (and I suggest that you do), the basic dimensional requirements are an offset of about 23. I believe you can get away with anything up to 30. The issue comes in as to diameter. The SD came from the factory with 195-70-14 and I recommend 215-65-15's for it. This causes a decent increase in diameter of the tire and the speedometer will be about 3 mph off. The solution is a speedometer recalibration unit for about $80. which will return the speed to the precise amount.


You can get any of the 15", 15 hole wheels from the second generation W126 and they will fit. Or, if you want a more sporty look, you can purchase a set of eight hole wheels aftermarket for about $120. apiece last I checked.

If you go aftermarket, you can also get the same type of eight hole wheels in 16". But, the wheel is getting a bit large for the vehicle and the tire aspect ratio will need to come down to 60 to prevent the OD from getting too large. Hattie ran these wheels on the SDL and they were fine.............a bit too harsh a ride for my tastes.

It makes no sense to pay more than about $100. to powder coat any of the original M/B wheels. I had the SD wheels done for $75. with a very durable epoxy enamel that is on par with the powdercoat.

Good to hear from you again.

Brian,

When you say 2nd gen 15 hole wheel are you referring to the flatter surfaced wheel? Or is this also a bunt rim?

The second gen W126 all had the flat face wheel with 15 holes. No Bunts.......

keep in mind you will need the Lugs for the wheels if you get them from an 86+ 126. also beware the lugs are fragile! and removing them when they shatter due to stupidity on the tire shops' IMPACTITOUS will require a torch to get them off...

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

I gave up trying to make 25 year old lugs look good. A set of aftermarket chrome lugs is about $30.

Of course, I won't even suggest where anybody might purchase them.

Brian, you realise this thread is from 09? his last activity was 9-25-11.

Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

..........obviously not............

What fool resurrected the damn thing?

This is good it was resurrected, as it is just the info I was looking for. I have three sets of W126 15 hole flat faced rims. I assume they are all the same size and part numbers. I checked them randomly and they look like they will all have the same numbers, but am not positive.

The part number I am seeing is....1264004102
also has these numbers on them 65J x 15 ET215

I was wondering what these numbers mean?
Is the 65J indicating a 6.5 inch wide rim?
Is the ET215 the offset of 21.5 ?
I would think the 15 is a 15 inch rim?

I was using these on our 85 300TD wagon and they had 205/65-15 tires and they work well with no rubbing anywhere. The tie rods are close and look like they will hit until you set the car down on its own weight. With the car sitting there seems to be 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch from the tie rods on the front tires. They work on the back no problems, and as is the tie rods do not contact anything throughout the turning radius.

I would like to go up in size slightly and put 215/65-15 tires on these rims to replace the 205/65-15 on now and back onto the 85 300TD wagon.

How much additional width will these bigger 215 tires provide over what is on now? (205/65-15) ?

Will the additional treadwidth translate into the tie rods becoming an issue?

I figured the size increase from the 215 would be 10 mm over the 205. If that is divided in half per each side of the rim then I could say 5mm per side increase. It will even be a little closer to the tie rods than it is now but only by 5mm which tells me they would work.....but don't know for sure.

I heard that the 215 is a larger carcass tire so I wonder if that could play a factor in how the tire might bulge out. Will a 6.5 inch rim work well for a 215 tire? The load rating goes from 94 to 96 when increasing to the 215 tire.

I seem to remember that even the 14 inch factory bundts 195/70-14 are pretty close to the tie rods in the front on this car.

Tire shop would not put 215/70-15's on this for me saying that it was too much of a difference over factory specs and it would rub. The biggest tire they would agree to is 215/65-15 which seems to be within their allowable increase for this rim. I have to remember though that this was not the rim that came on this car.

What do they do if someone comes in with aftermarket rims and wants tires?

I have confirmation from one member that these larger 215/65-15 would most likely fit, but want to be sure and maybe someone that has this specific part# rim and tire combination on a w123 wagon could confirm.....

Does a w126 rim part number 1264004102 15" 15 hole flat faced disc rim with 215/65-15 tires fit
......a w123 wagon all the way around, no rubbing or contact with the tie rods?

Thanks.

I have no idea about it and just read your and other members posts and i think their answers are so good and helpful for you to solve your problem and you can find 15 hole tires.

On a similar side note, did they not make a 15 hole 16 inch rim? If so was it for the W126 or was it for one of the SLs?

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1974 450SL White/Navy Blue

1983 300SD White/Parchment, VDO Boost Guage, 215/60R15 Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Positions on 15X7 15 Hole Wheels, Straight Piped, 298K?

2004 Ford Excursion XLT 4X4, 5.4L V8, 285/65R16 BFG AT KO