Hi all.

So, the tires on my new euro '83 500SEC are somewhat dryrotted, and I need to find replacements.

The car comes with tremendous 15" BBC rims. The tires that came on it are 255/60R15s - totally the wrong size, but they are big, meaty, and look fantastic.

Obviously, the diameter of these is way off from the stock size, and this particular size of tire is hard to source anyways.

What are the typical sizes for 15" tires on W126 coupes?

Edit: Also, is there a way to figure out what tire size my car would have shipped with? The door jamb plates are long gone.

Check the Owner's Manual for the specifications on tires, etc. If you don't have an Owner's Manual you can purchase one from a MB dealer.

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Fred Hoelzle

Hello Brian.

My "Bedienungsanleitung" (german term for owner's manual) covering 380 and 500 sedans and coupes mentions only one wheel dimension for all. 205/70 x 14 on 6.5" rim with offset 30mm.
From 1985 on, the standard dimension is 205/65 x 15 on 7" rim with offset 25mm.
I am very satisfied with this dimension on my '84 500 SEL.
Alternative tires on this rim, authorized by Daimler- Benz, are 215/65 and 225/60.

Not to steer you but I was able to obtain some r129 rims that came on a 1991 500sl ,these were bought to be put on a 2.3 16v cosworth later that year.Just out of curiosity I mounted these monsters on my 300sd and they fit and looked damn good .It was a nates hair close on the frt but still fit. A real era correct gonzo look that would look great on a sec.I remember I was having issues with the lugs , I was going to hunt for some at the yard but ending selling the cosworth.

I'm using 205/65/15's on my '85 500SEL. It originally had the 14" alloy ("Bundt") rims.

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“Whatever story you're telling, it will be more interesting if, at the end you add, "and then everything burst into flames.”
― Brian P. Cleary, You Oughta Know By Now

I put a set of 6.5 x 15 inch "8" hole wheels on my W123. They look, drive and ride wonderful. On installing the front tires were very close to the tie rod ends, you could only get a single piece of copy paper between. The tire man said, no problem Jim, I will get 1/8 inch aluminum spacer rings to fix that and it is cheap and worked out great. If you need a set, PM me.

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Junqueyardjim
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis



1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!