My thought on the 16" wheel upgrade and a w123 question. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

winmutt · #1 09-20-2006, 04:43 PM

So far it has been great. The ride is smoother and cornering is super tight. I went from 185/14/70 to 205/16/55. Accel is down a wee bit (more rubber more friction) especially in the upper end.

The only 2 problems are that the inner wheel weights had to come off as they knocked against the ball joints and the center caps in the front dont fit on because the axle caps are in the way. This should all be fixed with 8mm spacers that are en route.

Is it just me or are the rear width between tires more narrow than the front? I'm gonna pull out the tape measure tonight....

Also I have the three dot spring spacers. How much difference is there in thickness between 1 and 3 dots? Is there anything less than 1 dot?

rrgrassi · #2 09-20-2006, 04:52 PM

A lot of vehicles have a wider space between the front rims vs. the rear. Sometimes you can see it, sometimes you can't.

It was explained to me this was because of many forces exerted on the front wheels cause by cornering and the geometry relation ship of all the parts working and flexing, vs. not as many variables on the rear.

No idea about the dots. Be carefull with the spacers, if the offset is much different, you will notice different handling and tire wear, along with suspension parts wearing faster. Also, spacers can affect the shop's ability to do an alignment.

Hatterasguy · #3 09-20-2006, 07:00 PM

I would never use such spacers on a MB.

What kind of wheels though? How do they look?

diametricalbenz · #4 09-20-2006, 07:25 PM

Did you go up to 7.5" width?

winmutt · #5 09-20-2006, 10:54 PM

Yes I believe they are 7.5. What ever 205 will get you. They are stock MB rims from a C320. Look fab. I will post pics when I get the car painted. I dont like the spacers but the axle caps stick out to far to put the MB logo fillers in.

Johnhef · #6 09-20-2006, 11:10 PM

hmm, I'm thinking they are 6.5 or 7" at the most. Don't have one in front of me at the moment to confirm though.

MBeige · #7 09-21-2006, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winmutt

Is it just me or are the rear width between tires more narrow than the front? I'm gonna pull out the tape measure tonight....

The w123 has a wider front track as opposed to a narrower rear track, so yes your observation is correct.

winmutt · #8 09-21-2006, 09:27 AM

I would like to firm up the roll a bit. Time to replace anti roll bar? Is there upgrades? I think even the stock is just a wee bit to much roll.

Johnhef · #9 09-21-2006, 07:13 PM

no other 123 (or 124 or 126 for that matter) handles like my 82 300CD, but only because its had sway bar bushings, upper control arms, lower control arm bushings and shocks replaced in addition to being lowered. that sucker hugs the curves!

try some of those first

winmutt · #10 09-21-2006, 09:03 PM

Ive got a complete rebuild kit sitting in garage. Gonna wait and do it some other time. I also am going to get the one nub spring shims (at 3 now), I believe that will bring the car back into spec height wise. Also I think the spacers that are on order will bring the car closer to its original specs. I just checked my wagon rear width (edge of tire to tire) is 64" and my sedan was closer to 62". 8mm on each side should do the trick.

Ara T. · #11 09-22-2006, 12:12 AM

The roll bar on the W123s is huge. Up front anyways... if you change out the rubber bushings it will tighten it up. Also on the rear, replace the sway bar links, and bushings if you'd like, the links help out a bit. But it will still be rolly polly. Just the nature of the car, the springs are too soft and the ride height too high. http://www.slmarket.com/springs.htm check these out

winmutt · #12 09-22-2006, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ara T.

The roll bar on the W123s is huge. Up front anyways... if you change out the rubber bushings it will tighten it up. Also on the rear, replace the sway bar links, and bushings if you'd like, the links help out a bit. But it will still be rolly polly. Just the nature of the car, the springs are too soft and the ride height too high. http://www.slmarket.com/springs.htm check these out

Actually I love the roly poly. Every play GT4 with the mercedes sedans on the Nuburbring? I love that soft suspension in the banks. Yes I am comparing a game to real life driving. If you have played then you know exactly what I am talking about. These cars were designed on that track. Good thing the mtns are only 1.5hrs from me

.

My only real problem is the rear. I think the spacers to bring it back into spec width wise, lowering the car a good cm, and replacing all the wear and tear items should do the trick. Honestly the rubber underneath my car looks great, all of the brake components are nearly new etc. I think when my taxi was retired they dropped a crate engine in it and replaced all the wear items underneath. An extra bonus! Unfortunately the PO hit something pretty big upfront right which is why I am just redoing the entire front end susp.

Johnhef · #13 09-22-2006, 09:46 AM

fyi- I left my back end on the coupe stock- springs were sagging anyways and after bringing the front end down, (1 bump pads and minus one coil) it just looked right.