Mercedes Wheels/Hubcaps - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

twentyfivemike · #1 11-17-2008, 09:35 PM

I currently have these "bottlecap" wheels

and wanted to upgrade/downgrade to the hubcaps

for a more classic look.

Will these just pop on over what I have? If not what 14" steelies do I need to track down to do so?

Thanks,

EDIT: Anyone in Southern California want to trade?

mercmad6.3 · #2 11-17-2008, 09:50 PM

What model mercedes do you have? there're 4 basic steel wheels in the 14" size. beginning with what is on the W114-115 and W123 which are skinny 5.5" with round holes.Some do not have holes and were for taxi's and W115's and W123's. next are the bald face (no holes) 14" for W108's which can take a small hubcap or the full hubcap. Next is the 14" wheel found on V8 W108's and W109's and early W126's with the holes ( there are two types of those but that isn't relevent) and there are the 15" steel wheels and hubcaps for optional fitting to W109 and W126's but they are incredibly rare to buy second hand but can be sourced direct from Mercedes.

And no,hub caps wont fit the alloy wheels.

TheDon · #3 11-17-2008, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twentyfivemike

I currently have these "bottlecap" wheels

we call those.. "Bundts"

twentyfivemike · #4 11-17-2008, 10:01 PM

i think I snagged the "bottlecap" term from BMW wheels. Anyway I have a w123. So there are a very specific steel wheel for my vehicle? will those hubcaps fit on them?

MTUpower · #5 11-17-2008, 10:33 PM

You'd be best off buying the steel rims/lugs and hubcaps all at one time so that they are assured to fit each other. Best to always test them on your car to insure fit. Hubcap wheels are not easy to find.

mercmad6.3 · #6 11-18-2008, 12:07 AM

All the large caps (14" hub caps are 15" diameter) fit ANY of the 14" steel rims.

You will find the car will NOT drive as nicely when you down grade to steel rims because of the unsprung weight you are adding.

If you must fit steel rims,go for the 14" rims from a W126. They have the cooling fins in them for the disc brakes and will help your pads last longer.

My ideal would be to fit 15" alloys from a W201 etc to gain the advantage of better .easier to buy tyres.

JMURiz · #7 11-18-2008, 10:32 AM

Weren't there some aluminum wheels that looked like the steelies (perhaps used on the w123 diesels)? If so, wouldn't those be the wheels to get to still use the hubcaps?

I'm currently looking for some but have had no luck.

JimFreeh · #8 11-18-2008, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMURiz

Weren't there some aluminum wheels that looked like the steelies (perhaps used on the w123 diesels)? If so, wouldn't those be the wheels to get to still use the hubcaps?

I'm currently looking for some but have had no luck.

These are the hot ticket for the W113 crowd.

Most desirable are the ones from a W108/W109 V-8.
14 X6 inch

Late production W123 cars also had them in 5.5 and 6 inch widths.

The smaller width wheels have a solid grey circle on the raised hub where you would typically snap on a small hubcap for a US car, larger wheels have a dashed circle at same location.

Caps for these wheels had a different retaining clip, but you can swap these clips around, hubcap is the same.

Hubcap is the style from 1968 on, but the early caps are chromed steel, later ones are stainless steel.

Jim

Polarbear · #9 11-18-2008, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twentyfivemike

and wanted to upgrade/downgrade to the hubcaps
for a more classic look.

Definitly an upgrade! Never mind the extra weight; it's not a race-car.

mercmad6.3 · #10 11-18-2008, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimFreeh

These are the hot ticket for the W113 crowd.

Most desirable are the ones from a W108/W109 V-8.
14 X6 inch

Late production W123 cars also had them in 5.5 and 6 inch widths.

The smaller width wheels have a solid grey circle on the raised hub where you would typically snap on a small hubcap for a US car, larger wheels have a dashed circle at same location.

Caps for these wheels had a different retaining clip, but you can swap these clips around, hubcap is the same.

Hubcap is the style from 1968 on, but the early caps are chromed steel, later ones are stainless steel.

Jim

The only alloy plain rims came on W126's and can bought new from mercedes . W108's and W109's never came with any alloy plain rims and Alloy light weight wheels ( bundt) were an option only in the last part of W109-108 production. The Wide steel rims are 6.5 as fitted to my 6.3. I run 225x14" tyres but will soon go to 15's as 14" tyres are being edged out by manufacturers and high performance 14's haven't been made for years.
ALL the large hubcaps are stainless, even the small finny caps were stainless,I have never ever seen a chromed mercedes Hubcap on a post war mercedes.

Quote:

Quote:
Originally Posted by twentyfivemike
and wanted to upgrade/downgrade to the hubcaps
for a more classic look.
Definitly an upgrade! Never mind the extra weight; it's not a race-car.

Nothing at all to with racing,the steering definately feels different when you down grade to steel rims and the change is not pleasant. It's OK if drive on straight roads at 60 kmh,but in that case you are better off buying a Toyota or a push bike.
Don't try to find an argument in favour of steel wheels because if there was one Daimler engineers would not have designed the light alloy wheel or allowed it's use in the first place, would they?

MTUpower · #11 11-18-2008, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mercmad6.3

Don't try to find an argument in favour of steel wheels because if there was one Daimler engineers would not have designed the light alloy wheel or allowed it's use in the first place, would they?

The only one seems to want to argue is you. Personal preference is not a debate you can win. It's personal.

twentyfivemike · #12 11-18-2008, 08:05 PM

my personal preference wins me over everytime

anyone in southern california want to trade?

MTUpower · #13 11-18-2008, 08:23 PM

I'm picking up a set off a non turbo 300D w123 on thursday- complete with lugs and tires. White. If I don't like them for some reason I'll be selling them here for what I payed. You get first crack. I like the look and since my wife's wagon is stock I think they will look great. I'm at home FL for the winter, however.

mercmad6.3 · #14 11-19-2008, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTUpower

The only one seems to want to argue is you. Personal preference is not a debate you can win. It's personal.

no argument from me,I just happen to know better than you is all. If you want to get personal go elsewhere this is a car forum not some idiot have a go and flare everyone forum.

MTUpower · #15 11-19-2008, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mercmad6.3

no argument from me,I just happen to know better than you is all. If you want to get personal go elsewhere this is a car forum not some idiot have a go and flare everyone forum.

I certainly don't want to get personal with you, but your view is not equal to "I just happen to know more than you..." That you believe you can "know more" about someone's likes or dislikes than the person expressing the view is ridiculous. What type of rims a person like on a car is personal opinion.