1988 560SL spare tire

[jj500]

Hi,I need some input from some of you folks familiar with this model Benz.I have dealt with the 300 diesel series but never gassers.My question is did this model come with the same size rim all the way around including the spare or is the spare a different offset on it.And would it have required a different set of lug studs for it rather than the one on the wheels to begin with?Reason I ask is I ran across one with a different set of lug studs on one of the rims only that had longer threads on it suggesting the offset was different on it only, to require longer lug studs.Any input will be appreciated.Thanks

[Strife]

I;m pretty sure this was not as original. If you have all original wheels, they are all the same at least up to 1989. If you have doubts you can check the part numbers. I assume that the wheels you have are all "new look" light alloy, 15" x 7".

The only other wheels that will fit are later 126 wheels that are 15x6.5". 124 wheels are 15", look almost the same, but have a different offset and I don't think that they will fit without a spacer, special lugs, etc (NOT RECOMMENDED).

It's worrisome that you have some lug bolts shorter than others.

[runnertootoo]

Hi, just had a flat on my SL and tried to put the spare on. It turned out that for some reason, the spare takes longer bolts (which I did not have) than the tire rim that was mounted on the car,. Everything looks the same, but the existing bolts are too short. The spare rim and tire on the SL have never been used -- never on the vehicle. I have had the vehicle since 1998 and have never used the spare. I wonder if it came from the factory that way. Tire is the right size, but a brand I am not familiar with and was made in Germany -- brand spanking NEW -- clean as the day it came from the factory. The Question for me is "Do I need a new rim or should I just get longer stud bolts?". Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Diseasel300]

Are the later R107's different than the pre-86 Euros? My '83 500SL Euro has the same rim on all 4 corners, same studs, and the spare is the same rim as what's on the car. I know the rim size is different on the earlier models (14" instead of 15"), so maybe there's some differences there I wonder?

It wouldn't make any sense to require special studs or nuts for the spare, the spare should fit any of the 4 wheels with the studs/nuts that are on the wheel, that's how spare tires work, even the "donut" spares in the Japanese cars will fit any of the 4 corners on the car.

[Frank Reiner]

rtt:

Pictures of the two different types of wheels will help. On the inside of each wheel there is a pad with the width, diameter, and ET (offset) stamped in. Clean the pads, and take pics, and also pics of the wheel bolts.

[Graham]

Regarding the mismatched spares - Many owners change from the original rims, but almost always only change the 4 main rims, not the spare. So quite likely spare could be original, yet different. As someone suggested, get the manufacturer's, name, part number, size and any other numbers off both spare and the installed rims and compare. If you post here, I am sure you will get lot's of help!

Originally Posted by Diseasel300

It wouldn't make any sense to require special studs or nuts for the spare, the spare should fit any of the 4 wheels with the studs/nuts that are on the wheel, that's how spare tires work, even the "donut" spares in the Japanese cars will fit any of the 4 corners on the car.

That is the way it should be. However, later model Mercedes and other makes that use a compact spare (e.g. Vredstein Space Master) come with a set of special studs. This because the rim is more like a steel rim than an alloy.

These are not donuts - they expand to full size when inflated, but are only good for about 50 miles.