Wheel Specs 450 SL

[450sl4me]

I'm thinking about putting on some after market wheels on my 1980 450SL. I was looking on Ebay, and there's LOTS of wheels out there for what seem like fairly reasonable prices. My question is, what are the specific specs I need to have. Many of them say they fit my car, but I thought 16 or 17's would be the biggest wheel I could fit, but I saw a set of 18's that claim they would fit. What about offset? Tell me what size I can get/need! I'd love to see pictures of other 107's w/ after market wheels, post if you can.

Thanks for the help!

[regisphilbin]

on a similar topic concerning wheels for 450sl: Are the lug bolts interchangeable between the alloy rims and the steel rims? I currently have the alloy rims but was thinking about getting a spare set of steel rims (with matching hubcaps) and don't know if the lug bolts are the same length....

Regis

[triggeraa]

Rims: 18x8x23mm offset, Eurotech chrome with Mercedes centers. Tires: 235x40x18. Same diameter as stock. Speedometer remains accurate. No rubbing.

http://www.care2.com/c2c/photos/view.html/view/234/120428746/426829300/

[450sl4me]

That looks nice! I think I saw some of these on Ebay. If you don't mind me asking, how much did those wheels run you? How about tires, what tires did you put on?

[triggeraa]

Its been about a year since I bought them. I think I paid $800.00 got the wheels and center caps. The guy threw in some chrome stems and new lugs and locks. The wheels are khumos, I cant remember what I paid for them.

[450sl4me]

How has it affected the ride and handling of your car?

[triggeraa]

Still a soft ride. A little stiffer going thru bumps. A lot more grip and more stable at high speed. I love it.

[speedy72t]

lots of info around on this. try searching the forum a little more. the search engine on this site suciks but I found a decent amount of info.

Personally there is no way I'd put 18" rims on this car. the suspension was never designed for it and may people have complained about the ride and handling from big rims. I don't plan on going bigger than 16". Tire has good info on what the car can take and some decent aftermarket options.

[triggeraa]

Speedy, you should post on your own experinces not on hearsay. Like I stated before, the ride is more responsive and not harsh at all. The suspension handles the wheels just fine. They are the exact same diameter. Not everyone on this board is 90 years old.

[speedy72t]

Perhaps you should qualify your statements? I've been in this game awhile now so my comments are based on personal experience with older MBs and many other cars although not specifically the W107. Not yet anyway, my car is about 3/4 of the way through restoration. My specific comments were in reference to things other members of this board have written specifically about the W107.
But it doesn't take a brain surgeon to realize that going from a 15" rim to an 18" rim is going to cause a dramatic change in how the car rides and handles. The harshness is a personal opinion but you can definately end up with some unwanted habits. Wide low profile tires tend to follow every groove in the road and if there is any play in that front end it can really be a handful. The car was designed to have some give in the tire.

PS most people in thier 90's don't know how to turn a computer on.

[triggeraa]

Quote"PS most people in thier 90's don't know how to turn a computer on."

Good point.lol I cant speak of other peoples cars but mine doesnt "track" on groves or freeway lines. My suspension is tight and actually have much better controll and turning ability. I consider this change a performance enhancement. One of many to come. You just have to make sure you have good suspension components. One of the other Mercedes forums is actually doing a similar buildup with polyurethane bushing ,hi po shocks, thicker swaybars ect. Like me, they are improving the all around performance with out butchering the body lines.

[450sl4me]

What forums is this taking place at? I'd like to see this.

[triggeraa]

Here is one of the links. There are included in my monthly newsletter. This is #2 of 5.

http://www.oursl.com/NewsLetter/chop_cut.htm

http://www.oursl.com/NewsLetter/NL0504/NL0504-Chop-Cut.htm

[triggeraa]

Here is one more update to the project car. New wheels.

http://www.oursl.com/NewsLetter/NL0505/NL0505-Chop-Cut.htm