Wheel size w123 wagon - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Niloc · #1 12-15-2005, 07:17 PM

OK so I just got the car ('85 300TD) and I'm gonna need new tires soon. I figure I could upgrade to 15" rims while I'm at it (I'll keep my stockers for snow tires). MB spec is 195/70-14, so I guess the closest is 205/60-15. Could I use 205/65-15s? They come in at exactly 3% taller than stock. It looks like there's lots of room in the wheel wells to me. Any handling issues? Would this wheel be significantly harder on my steering and suspension components?

I'm thinking SL rims from the 80s will have to proper offset - yes?

Thanks - Colin

w116.org · #2 12-15-2005, 11:16 PM

I can not confirm whether 205/65-15 tyres will fit or not but would guess they would but then your speedo will always be out by 3% too.

I can confirm that rims that fit an 80's SL (107) will fit your 123. Any older MB wheel with an low offset, lower that about 26 will fit.

dieseldiehard · #3 12-15-2005, 11:42 PM

going "plus one" for tires and wheels on the 123 chassis will definitely improve the cars so-so handling. This will NOT be hard on anything in the suspension except it might make pot holes leave the passengers feeling bumps a little harsher due to less rubber between the rim and the place where the tire meets the surface. That is a downside all "plus" tire conversions bring, and up to your personal expectations and the types of roads you commonly encounter. Some say its against the fine MB ride quality to do a "plus" conversion, I say bunk! I want better handling on the 123, the car needs it! They tend to wallow in corners as designed, but they weren't made to be sports cars either.
If you do a plus one (or greater?) on the 124 chassis you really appreciate how great handling can be improved by this simple conversion.

I use flat face (15 spoke) wheels on two of my 300TD's. Wheels p/n for 126 400 4102 chrome and painted are 126 400 4202. Either of these are from W126 420SEL, SEC etc. and measure 15 X 6.5 and have the right offset for a 123.
205-65-15 tires will avoid any significant speedo error ( I like the Yokohama H4/S4 whatever).
BTW, I have found that several MB's from the '80's had speedo errors from the springs in the instrument getting weak or something, they tend to read faster than actual, has anybody else ever seen this?

2dieseljohn · #4 12-16-2005, 01:47 AM

I have a 240D with stock size tires and my speedo has always been 5mph fast. The prior owner spent alot of $$ trying to get it fixed with no luck. But I don't mimd it off as I can pretend I'm going fast

Niloc · #5 12-16-2005, 03:04 AM

Wow thanks for the quick response folks!

Ok so what I'm getting is probably any rim from a W126 or R107 (and maybe some others) would fit a W123 hub - thanks W116.org. I'm sure W116 rims would work as well, but since I'm looking to go up in size I'd probably have more luck with the newer models.

Diesel diehard, I'm not too concerned about ride harshness, after all I'm only talking about going from 14 to 15" rims, and probably not losing much sidewall. I find the old wagon to have a pretty soft (some say plush) ride anyways so a little stiffening would be welcome. Tire rack any other sources say I should go with 205/60 tires in the 15", which makes sense, because it would make a total wheel diameter just a hair smaller than the original 195/70R14s, but I'm looking at going with 205/65 tires which would make about a 3% bigger wheel overall. I'm not too concerned about the speedo, its a 20 yr old car and not exactly a rocket; the speedo may be off anyways and I'm not likely to be pushing the speed limits very far. I was more concerned with stress to the steering/suspension and adverse handling. Sounds like I shouldn't worry. I guess the 3% would make me a little slower off the line (like I need that

) but give a little more top end. Also the car would sit a little higher, but 3% is only .75 inch, and divided in half that's not a big jump.

Thanks - Colin

BTW are these Mercedes wheels:

emcdonald · #6 12-16-2005, 01:19 PM

I moved up to 15" rims and tires if you want I will send you a picture. 83' 300 SD

dieseldiehard · #7 12-16-2005, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Niloc

Wow thanks for the quick response folks!

Ok so what I'm getting is probably any rim from a W126 or R107 (and maybe some others) would fit a W123 hub - thanks W116.org. I'm sure W116 rims would work as well, but since I'm looking to go up in size I'd probably have more luck with the newer models.

Diesel diehard, I'm not too concerned about ride harshness, after all I'm only talking about going from 14 to 15" rims, and probably not losing much sidewall. I find the old wagon to have a pretty soft (some say plush) ride anyways so a little stiffening would be welcome. Tire rack any other sources say I should go with 205/60 tires in the 15", which makes sense, because it would make a total wheel diameter just a hair smaller than the original 195/70R14s, but I'm looking at going with 205/65 tires which would make about a 3% bigger wheel overall. I'm not too concerned about the speedo, its a 20 yr old car and not exactly a rocket; the speedo may be off anyways and I'm not likely to be pushing the speed limits very far. I was more concerned with stress to the steering/suspension and adverse handling. Sounds like I shouldn't worry. I guess the 3% would make me a little slower off the line (like I need that

) but give a little more top end. Also the car would sit a little higher, but 3% is only .75 inch, and divided in half that's not a big jump.

Thanks - Colin

BTW are these Mercedes wheels:

Maybe your right about 205 65 15 being recommended, I went with 205-65-15 and never worried about speedo error. I have the 2.82 differential gearing in the '85 wagon and that makes a big improvement (better top end and lower engine RPM) more so than a minor wheel diameter change.
Those do not appear to be MB wheels, I've seen the hex end caps b4, can't say who makes them