from 14" to 15" wheels? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

thorsen · #1 12-23-2005, 06:48 PM

I've always thought the wheels on my 84 300SD looked way too small - they get lost in those huge wheel wells. Has anyone upgraded to 15" wheels? I see TireRack has sizes up to 17" or 18", but I'm not interested in wheels that big. They have a couple 15" wheels that look like the later Mercedes style. Has anyone ever upsized? I currently have 195-70-14 TripleTred.s, but it looks like I would upgrade to 205-60-15 with the new wheels.

waybomb · #2 12-23-2005, 06:52 PM

I put 16's on both of my 126 cars. They look sweet. 15's even look too small.

#3 12-23-2005, 06:53 PM

Lots of folks have gone to 15-inch (and larger) wheels on W126's. As an alternative, I went to 205/70-14 on my W123. The 205s fill the wheel wheels, increase the final drive ratio by a couple of percent and retain the stock wheels. Note that larger wheels with lower profile tires (same outside diameter) do not fill the wheel wells any more than stock tires.

waybomb · #4 12-23-2005, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

Note that larger wheels with lower profile tires (same outside diameter) do not fill the wheel wells any more than stock tires.

That's true, but the look of more metal versus more rubber has a certain appeal to it. The big tire surface makes it look more like a heavy duty machine, where-as the larger wheels add a look of agility. Just my 2 cents. That's what's great about cars - you can do your own thing, and screw what anybody else thinks!

thorsen · #5 12-23-2005, 06:59 PM

Anybody have pictures? This is the exact info I was looking for - but pictures would be excellent...

#6 12-23-2005, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waybomb

That's true, but the look of more metal versus more rubber has a certain appeal to it. The big tire surface makes it look more like a heavy duty machine, where-as the larger wheels add a look of agility. Just my 2 cents. That's what's great about cars - you can do your own thing, and screw what anybody else thinks!

I understand the appeal of +2 wheels, I just happen to prefer the look of the original alloys or hubcaps on W123s and 126s. If the OP is trying to get rid of some empty space in the wheel wells he will need to increase to tire outside diameter, regardless of which wheel size he prefers.

waybomb · #7 12-23-2005, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thorsen

Anybody have pictures? This is the exact info I was looking for - but pictures would be excellent...

Don't have my 420, but here's my SD..

MB-Owner-in-ind · #8 12-23-2005, 07:20 PM

I have 15" on my 85 SD and I am not thrilled with them. The car doesn't seem to track as well as my 300D. But I never had this car on any other size rims. I am looking for some steel 14" rims as I like the looks of them.

#9 12-23-2005, 07:27 PM

225/60/r16's on the benz...the look perfect in the wheel well and no rubbing

(about as big as you can go up front without offsets, etc)

EDIT: BTW I don't like low profile tires...thus the big meats under these

Hm my picture doesn't have my eurolights on it...guess I installed those after the picture

Looks sharp now.

JamesDean · #10 12-23-2005, 07:39 PM

i got 15s on my SD

Brian Carlton · #11 12-23-2005, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thorsen

Anybody have pictures? This is the exact info I was looking for - but pictures would be excellent...

Go on Tire Rack and put the wheels right on your exact vehicle. You can see what different wheels look like in 15" and 16".

greasybenz · #12 12-23-2005, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brandon314159

225/60/r16's on the benz...the look perfect in the wheel well and no rubbing

(about as big as you can go up front without offsets, etc)

EDIT: BTW I don't like low profile tires...thus the big meats under these

HOW DID YOU GET THEM TO FIT!!!???

Ok i have the exact same wheels same size everything. i had put them on my sd and they for one needed longer lugs and they would rub, i had to buy spacers and longer lugs to make them fit and they make a boing sound when you do a tight u-turn and they wobble on the highway when you go 50+mph so for now its a city driver on the highway im scared of the lugs lossening and the wheels falling off

greasybenz · #13 12-23-2005, 08:15 PM

These are 225/60/16 and they would rub and wouldnt fit without longer lugs and spacers. and they still give me greif on the highway!

#14 12-23-2005, 08:42 PM

Hmm very odd...

Mine have no problems...the only time they barely touch is on a heavy suspension compression and only the drivers side just barely touches the edge of the fender up front where it got tweaked by the PO. I figure when I do the body work I will adjust for this (probably only 1/7inch. of previous body work gone wrong).

Anywho, they have no problems. Are you SURE that you have the wheels with the right stock offset and not the ones for the 201 body?

Worth checking, I got mine from tirerack (with tires also).

PM me if you have more questions...

BTW mine are speed/road tested well past 100MPH so I think mine are okay

Hatterasguy · #15 12-23-2005, 10:20 PM

I have 15 hole wheels that were originaly off the SDL on my SD. I think the car drives a little better with them.

Now if you want to spend money bigger wheels are nice. 16-17 are great on W126's. I think next time around I may go a little wider with the rear tires. I am running 225/55/16 all around now on the SDL. I think I can go with a 245/50/16 on the rear, in maybe like a Mich PS2 or Yoko AVS100. The only problem is you can't rotate so the tires wear out pretty fast.

Having very aggressive tires is nice you can really dive deep in the brakes if you need to and the grip is awsome. Plus if you throw on a set of cross drilled rotors and paint the calipers they look pretty cool.

I'd like to do 18in AMG monoblocks but I don't think those would fit without spacers.

Edit: Greasybenz you can't just go by tire size. What are those wheels off of? If they were off an R129 or a 500E they will not fit without pretty major H&R spacers. Ask me how I know this knowledge cost me $100 and a day trip to PA.