Wheel Hodgepodge
 

I have a set of aftermarket wheels that came from a W116 car. In the process of trying to identify them to locate center caps, I've learned that I have two different MB wheels here, all of which have come from W126 cars. Could someone help clear up some confusion?

Wheel 1, 6J X 14, part no 1084000902
Wheel 2, 6 1/2J X 14, part no 1264002102

Both are Bundt style wheels, and internet pages say they are both for the '83 W126 car. Were both wheels available for the same car? Any noticeable difference when they're installed? The 2102 wheel shows ET30 but the 902 doesn't show an offset.

As far as the aftermarket wheels, they are 14X6 and have castings indicating they passed Japan's light wheel standards and testing. The center portion which retains the cap has a smaller ID than the MB cap so the cap cannot be used. Nothing else while the tire's on.

Thanks in Advance

Have a look in the W123 FSM chapter 40 has a survey of rims and tyres - there might be enough information there to help. Failing that try and find the same chapter number in other FSMs...

...if you get really stuck I'll wade in - but I'm just back from holiday and have another 13 pages of posts to go through first!!!!

In the US, the lighter cars such as the 300SD came with the 6" wide bundts, later cars and v8's came with the 6.5". They are interchangable but the 6" rims are lighter and the car will ride better running them.

Thanks for the replies. I don't have a service manual yet although I do have the engine manual. I've been using the shop's repair software but it's definitely lacking.

I've only got one of the 6.5" wheels so maybe it's a candidate for resale. I have no problem using the 6" version.

I'll post a picture of the aftermarket wheel to see if it jogs someone's memory. I keep looking at pictures but no luck yet.

Here's the wheel I'm trying to identify. At 10:00 it says VIA. 180 degrees opposite is a cursive JWL. At 7:00 is the size, 14 X 6. Stock center caps won't fit because the ID is smaller. Can anyone help with a manufacturer?

Thanks

Banging JWL Mercedes bundt into google produced this

Different styles of the "bundt" rims

Thanks. I've seen that thread and a couple more as well. Few of the wheels I've seen are void of small holes in the center like mine. And almost all look like they'll accept a stock Mercedes center cap. I'll probably end up dismounting a wheel and pressure cleaning the backside to try and find more identifying marks.

"bundt center cap sizes site:peachparts.com" in google comes up with some good hits.

This seems to be a well known problem

This might be the answer

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/wheels-tires/331480-help-sizing-bundt-center-caps.html

Sometimes finding the answer is just a matter of finding the right search terms. I hadn't thought of searching by center cap size. Last night I was searching images using "Mercedes Barok center" or "14 Barok Mercedes" among others. I searched until I fell alseep in the chair which didn't take much time at all.

I was considering trying to locate a list of manufacturer's wheels that had passed the Japanese test standards and try to match something up from there but that's probably reserved for a time when all else has failed.

I really appreciate all the help. I'm going to measure the diameter of the center hole and search the center cap based on that. Thanks for the suggestion. I'd thought the wheels would be a quick ID but I guess not.

This has been a bit more productive although the result is not positive. The center cap opening is 68mm, a common size for aftermarket wheels. OEM wheels take a 75-76mm cap depending on the web page. I have only found a couple of sets of center caps with Mercedes logo that fit 68mm opening, both are older "wreath" designs. Although it appears several Chinese companies are willing to manufacture caps which appear similar to OEM with a minimum order for 300 pcs, I think the more sane (and more legal) approach will be to modify a set of OEM caps.

There are some 68mm caps for sale here =>

Mercedes C Class Centre Caps | eBay

(scroll down)

I see both the blue and black "wreath" designs. I probably shouldn't be picky but I don't think they'd look right. I suppose I could order a set and try to paint them silver but then I'd have to order a second set to fit the one OE wheel I'm running.

I'm just going to use the bottoms of soup cans with smiley faces attached.

This is probably what I'll start with:
4 Alloy Wheel Centre Caps 65mm 68mm Universal Plain Grey Audi VW Ford BMW Seat | eBay

http://thumbs4.ebaystatic.com/d/l225...ybh15_-Qg.jpgG

That could work. But I get the feeling there's a ready made solution to your problem out there already. Try ringing Phil's replacement.

wanna free wheel?
 

I've got a 6x14 genuine MB bundt I'd let someone have for free, all you have to pay for is the shipping & boxing and the boxing will probably be free too...
Also an Italian made version which is 6 1/2" wide...But wait! There's more! also have some 15" flat faced 15 slot type, the kind on the 2nd gen w126's, and they're chrome too! All have have issues though, go figure, huh?!
The genuine MB 6x14 bundt has a touch of light curb rash which most could probably be sanded out and then too, it could stand a fresh coat of paint.
The "Italian job" could stand a little bit of fresh paint too even though it does look purty good, however no curb rash that I recall, oddly enough it does have some sort of "inserts" for the wheel bolts, just not like the oem wheels.
If anyone's interested, ask and I'll provide more details or pictures