Help! Wheels for my 92 400E

[Bertrand]

Can anyone tell me if 7.5JX16H2ET41 (2104010402) wheels would fit a 1992 400E. Because it's a V-8, I'm having a hard time finding decent wheels that are under $500 a set.

Thanks guys,

Bert

[Bertrand]

Again, I was wondering if the size that I listed would fit my 400E.
Thanks in advance.

[pmari]

You can search and find the info. Here is a bunch of stuff that I have cut and pasted to a doc...

17" x 7.5" ET35 is definitely one of the recommended sizes for the W124. Virtually all recommendations that I have read say not to go lower than ET35. I also read that ET42 allows you to fit the widest tires possible. As you must have read above, Alon is getting away with ET30, but that is not the norm. You will be fine with the 17" x 7.5" ET35.

The recommended tire size is 215/45/17, but some people get away with 225/45/17. There really aren’t great big differences in the dimensions of the 215/45/17 and the 225/45/17, based on the numbers at Tirerack, so maybe going for 225s is OK. Most people are not able to fit 235, without fender rolling or some other modifications to the fenders. I think you will get rubbing somewhere, if you use the 235/45/17 tires. If you think about it, you are asking a lot to use the 235. The OEM was 195, so it is 195 to 205 to 215, to 225, to 235. That is increasing by 4 sizes. Most people would tell you that it is OK to go up 2 sizes and maybe you could even do 3 sizes, but 4 sizes is asking too much.

I just chickened out and went with the 205/55/16. For a 16" wheel, the 215/55/16 is too tall, so it causes rubbing issues. I saw the rubbing on my friends’ coupe. He had 215/55/16 tires mounted on 16" x 7.5" ET35 rims. I would have to jump to the 225/50/16 to keep the same diameter and I was just afraid that the tires would rub on the lower plastic cladding behind the front wheels. Maybe next time I will try to follow Alon and give the 225 a try. I am definitely not planning to try 235.

I'm reading the MB disc wheel and tire conversion bulletin (27.1.95). It explains retrofit conversion for the 124s of our type using the 16x7 et46 8- hole rim that was made for 124.034 bodies (E420) (the 1993s -- i think). It specifies use of a 215/55 R 16.

The wheel well space that we are trying to fill is 25" (635mm). The original 15" config with 195/65 does this. The 16" config translates something like this:
16" wheel = 406.4 mm
215/55 tire is 215 * .55 * 2 (top & bottom) = 236.5
406.4 + 236.5 = 642.9mm

The wheel & tire conversion explanation from mb describes the fender alteration that is recommended. Since you are already running 16s you know whether you need that done to prevent rubbing or not.

Another post in this thread speaks of using 205/55 Conti Tires
(205 * .55 * 2 + 406.4 = 631.9) I have a better feeling about this config than the mb recommendation only because it is a closer (and slightly lower) match to the 635mm target.

The 15s rub because the config results in 673.5mm in the 635mm space

In this forum you will see posts by people far more knowledgeable than myself about this matter. In fact, I learned the foundation of what I'm telling you from reading these posts.
check: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforu...d.php?t=107191

[Bertrand]

Thanks for your response. I have a feeling that these 71/2JX16H2 with an offset of 41 will fit a w124 (92 400E) with the V-8. I just wanted confirmation from forum members who would know for sure. Once again, thanks.

Bertrand

[400E]

I have 8x16 MB wheels on my 400E. This was the size which came on the 500E.

I have not seen 17" wheels widely recommended for the W124 chassis.

[kanio]

I have 7.5 x 17 on my 400E. Pmari's post is exactly what you need. I have low profile tires, 205/40/R17 on them and just bend 2 rims when i hit a pot hole earlier this month. it depends on what you need, if you like to looks of bigger wheels, 17 and 18" will be great. I personally like the 16" and have more tire sidewall height for durability.

[Bertrand]

Kanio,

I agree with you. The 16 inchers are the way to go. I'll be looking for this spring.

Thanks again.