Silly wheel question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

firemediceric · #1 08-15-2006, 03:26 PM

On the '81 300 SD that I just acquired, it has three 16" wheels and 2 (including the spare) that are 15".

Are the front wheels suppossed to be different than the rear wheels? Do I need to get another 16" to give me four that are the right size?

they all look like OEM wheels.

winmutt · #2 08-15-2006, 03:36 PM

Er OEM are only 14 and 15 me thinks. They should ALWAYS be the same size (same for tires). Unless its an SLK or something. And even then only the width is diff.

firemediceric · #3 08-15-2006, 03:55 PM

Well, unless someone tells me it's a terrible/unsafe idea, I think I will put the two 15" wheels on the front and the two 16" on the back, leaving one 16" for the spare, at least until I get around to getting another 16" wheel. What would be the best source for purchasing the single 16" wheel?

softconsult · #4 08-15-2006, 04:08 PM

I thought mixing tire brands or sizes on the same axle was bad enough. Now comes someone that wants to put 16" wheels on the back and 15" wheels on the back with probable mixed tire brands and sizes.

What a bad idea! You know when you are driving down the road you owe it to the other people on the road to drive a safe vehicle. You should have 4 wheels that are the same size in diameter and width. Then you should have 4 tires that are the same brand, size, and model no. Anything else is un-safe, unless you have a car with a staggered wheel width configuration.

Try to think of this mental image. Everyone has seen it. The small whizzing down the interstate at 75 mph with one of those miniature spare tires that is limited to 55 mph. You will sort of that dangerous with your proposal.

Steve

softconsult · #5 08-15-2006, 04:10 PM

Just noticed your screename FireMedicEric. Does that mean you are an EMT. If yes, then there really is not question about it. Don't do it.

Steve

Johnhef · #6 08-15-2006, 05:02 PM

your SD came with only 14" wheels. 15" were on the 2nd gen 126 models and they never had 16's although not to say they wont work.

firemediceric · #7 08-15-2006, 06:27 PM

I just took off the wheels and moved them around to see how things looked. The 15" that came off of the rear has shorter lug bolts than the other three wheels. Wait, it gets even better. This 15" rim must also be thinner, as the center cap cannot cover the front wheel hub, as the hub protrudes past the surface of the wheel

To add a little more frustration, the 16" wheel that was removed is so wide that it doesn't allow the trunk deck to lay flat when the tire is in the spare tire well

And yes, all five tires are different brands, only two are identical sizes, and they have different recommended tire pressures

Softconsult,
Not only am I a paramedic, but a fire company officer. I get a thrill out of running into the burning buildings that the roaches are running out of.

Nothing like living on the edge, the edge of frustration.

Any suggestions where I can get a matching 16" wheel at a reasonable (cheap) price? I would only need one 16". If I go with 15" I would need at least two, and really three to get rid of the narrow one.

softconsult · #8 08-15-2006, 08:24 PM

I would be very nervous about lug bolts that don't fit and all these various wheels and tires.

I would simply log on to www.tirerack.com and key in your car. Now you have the proper size wheels to look for. I'm sure you can find a proper set on e-Bay for not much money. Tire rack sells new replicas cheap at around $100 each. You can also buy their tires mounted and balanced. They ship them to your door. I just bought 4 alloy wheels for my '97 S320 for $25 bucks each.
Freight was about $15 dollars per rim as the seller was only about 200 miles away.

Steve