Talk to me about wire wheels...

[66 250SE]

Hey guys,
New member here. I have a 1966 250SE coupe. I just got the car a little over a month ago and ever since have been doing research on the history of the car. I am a little confused about the wheels on the car. I dont know if I am looking in the wrong areas but were wire wheels ever an option for these cars? Or are they strictly aftermarket? The wheels are true 14" Daytons and look to be period correct wheels. They also have the center knock-offs with the Benz logo. They dont look cheap so Im sure they are good quality. Any more info would be great! Thanks for putting up with a newbie!

Josh K

[Tomguy]

no, they were not! Sounds like someone did a good job way-back-when with wire wheels. Amazing that the heavy car hasn't popped any spokes! Can you take pics?

[66 250SE]

Ill have pics in the upcoming weeks. The exterior is apart as I am doing a full detail on the car. Once its back together I will post up pics. Thanks for the info. Any place I can find stock wheels? I have the hubcaps, but not the wheels. I enjoy the look of the wire wheels but IMHO the stock rims look cleaner.

Josh K

[alabbasi]

Dayton's make good wheels and they should be strong enough to hold a Mercedes Benz up as they are used on Jags. I have a set on my MG, but that's an MG and it looks the part with them on. 60's Jags look OK with them. I don't think they look good on MB's. I saw a set on a 380SL and they looked rubbish.

The owner ended up buying a set of bundts from me.

[Todd Miller]

Yep, you definately want to go back to the 14" steels with hubcaps and trim rings, and the tallest set of tires you can find in order to keep your rpm's as low as possible (it's already going to be wound tighter that bark on a tree when you're out on the highway).

I'm sure Jon Brooks at Laguna Clay Co in City Of Industry, CA will have 14" steels and trim rings for you. He's heavy into the coupes too!

[Strife]

Dayton's were, and are, among the best; I have a set for the summer on my 380SL, also 14"

I didn't like them at first but my wife does, and they have since grown on me. Mine are bolt-on with fake spinners.

They are made very, very, strong; the wires are stainless. Unfortunately, they are very, very heavy.

Although the PO didn't take care of them (driven in winter and never cleaned) the chrome still looks "OK" on mine after 20 years.

I looked into having them rechromed, but it would cost more than new ones.

Cleaning them is a PITA and you really have to take them off to clean them 100%. With normal MB brake pads, they can get dirty in 20 miles of driving.

A new set runs well over 2K.

[66 250SE]

Thanks for the great info guys. Will be put to good use. Id like to sell the Daytons as soon as I can find some good stock wheels. What price do you think they should go for? Also does anyone have John Brooks email address/phone number/website so I can get in touch? You mentioned about getting the tallest tire I can. What size tire would you recommend? Thanks!

Josh K

[wbain5280]

You can use the wheels from a W116 or W126. The offset is the same. You can even use 16" or 17" aftermarket wheels for a W126 model on your car.

[Todd Miller]

Jon Brooks: 626-330-0631 EXT 234

[66 250SE]

Thanks!

Josh K

[ATATEXAN]

My vote would be for AT-brand copies of the 8-hole M-B wheel in 16" with 55-series tires. Available from the Tire Rack. Put them on my W126 300SDL. Updated the car's appearance but in an M-B manner. Wires on a Benz?!

Sell them on eBay and describe all the possible applications.

[tompaah7503]

Originally Posted by Todd Miller

Yep, you definately want to go back to the 14" steels with hubcaps and trim rings, and the tallest set of tires you can find in order to keep your rpm's as low as possible

I'm not sure about this but wasn't the 300SE/SEL (W112) delivered with 15" wheels?

[mercmad6.3]

Originally Posted by tompaah7503

I'm not sure about this but wasn't the 300SE/SEL (W112) delivered with 15" wheels?

No,13" wheels actually. 14's fit but 15" were only available for Police cars ( heavy radio equipment etc) and Ambulances . The 15's were alloy which look like steel wheels and are incredibly rare .Can you say "gullwing" ?