16x9's on my 126? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

bravohotel · #1 08-20-2006, 12:06 AM

Found a deal on a wheelset and would like opinions on fitment on my '84 300sd.

16x9 wheels (15 offset)
225/50 tires

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Brian

Jim B. · #2 08-20-2006, 06:03 AM

The 16" tires should be just fine, on your sedan, and it won't affect the steering geometry adversely, and the aesthetic advantage is that they'll fill up the wheel wells a bit more and look a lot better, and when you have the 4 wheel alignment done, at the time you have the tires installed, it should be likely easy to get it done to correct spec.

I don't think your speedometer would be affected to any great degree either.

As long as your Bilstein shocks are in good shape, steering damper and other suspension components good, you'll be good to go for many years!!!

You should be just fine with this modification. I just put a new set of 225x50 VR 16 Yokohama AVID tires on mine and it is just great, at 118k with another 4 wheel alignment, it drives like a new car.

Probably you'll never try this, but a while ago, LONG ago I went for top speed, just to see what she'd do, and to my astonishment the 560SEC went to 148 mph and the cork was pretty muchout of the bottle by then, but I was nearing the 149 mph limit of the V rated tires, but these cars were engineered to run at their top speed all day. I only did it on a deserted interstate for a few minutes, and felt completely safe, the only difference was the higher wind noise, everything else about the ride was undramatic, same as at 60 mph. After that, the comfortable cruising envelope felt like it should be 90-120 mph in this car, but of course, at dire risk to my drivers license, i would never try it again (wink wink). Of course a diesel W126 isn't designed for top speeds like those, but they too will cruise at their highest speeds too.

The 300 diesels ought to be able to do 75-80 all day with no problems, I would think.

TheDon · #3 08-20-2006, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

The 300 diesels ought to be able to do 75-80 all day with no problems, I would think.

the 6 cylinder om603's could cruise at maybe 100 no problem all day ..a friend of mine owns a 350SDL with 98k on it all highway miles, he will regularly set the cruise to 115 and leave it

bravohotel · #4 09-09-2006, 06:25 PM

Well I did it, and am very pleased. Zero fitment issues.

Nigel at cheapwheels.com really did me right. The whole shebang, shipped to my door for less than $750....TSW wheels w/ Kumho Ecsta ASX's (225/50-16's).

BH

PS: The center caps are not installed yet...arriving in another box, but I couldn't wait.