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View Poll Results: Best wheel/tire choice for 123 repaint | |||
195/70/14 Sand blast and powder coat bundts | 1 | 50.00% | |
205/60/15 | 0 | 0% | |
205/55/16 | 1 | 50.00% | |
Voters: 2. You may not vote on this poll |
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#1
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Wheels needed to go with new paint job
I can tell from the pictures that many of you have resolved this question in different ways:
I'm repainting my 1983 300D turbo sedan and staying with the original single stage 737 white. The original wheels are now the issue. To keep the same overall diameter, my choices are:
Charles |
#2
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The 14s will ride nicely.
the larger wheels and tires will look nicer (actually that is a matter of taste) and will put a little more rubber on the road but will make the car ride rougher. Its all what you want. When I got my 500sec it had aftermarket ronals which looked really sharp and were 15". It rode pretty rough and so eventually I got some oe wheels and installed them. It really didn't make much difference...it still rode roughly. The sl wheels that come on the sec are about five pounds heavier and a half inch wider than typical sedan bundts. I ran standard sedan wheels on it for a while and it seemed to ride a bit better. Tom W
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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC] ..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis. |
#3
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I think my wagon handles better with the 16" rims with 205/55/16 tires than with the stock 14" bundts with 195/70/14 tires.
Make sure to verify any wheel you get is the correct offset so you don't end up having to think about spacers or deal with the return process. The offset on my wheels is +25. The first set of wheels I ordered touched the tie rods. The company I ordered them from (adsitco.com) sent the wrong offset even after I discussed it with them. They replaced them at their expense, but it's still a hassle.
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Chad 2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE 1998 Acura 3.0 CL OBK#44 "Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) SOLD 1985 300TD - Red Dragon 1986 300SDL - Coda 1991 - 300TE 1995 - E320 1985 300CD - Gladys Last edited by Chad300tdt; 03-11-2008 at 09:01 PM. |
#4
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The other thing to consider about the larger wheels is that you can actually get modern tires with proper speed and load ratings for them. The current selection of 14" tires in the correct size is dreadful at best. My wagon definitely handles better with 16's than it did with 14's.
Paul |
#5
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The selection in 195/70 14 isn't that bad. I found some nice H-rated ones from Tirerack for about $45 each.
I say stick with the original wheels. I like the look.
__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar. 83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles 08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles 88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress. |
#6
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I'll go with the better ride.
Thanks for all the input. At my age and driving style, I think I'll go for the better ride. I think the powder coater can come close with a silver base and clear.
Not mentioned here but I found it in another forum. If I upgrade the calipers, I need a larger wheel. Has this been a common practice? Charles |
#7
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I did mention it in my earlier post, but edited it out because I've been getting conflicting reports on that and didn't want to perpetuate an idea I'm not 100% sure of. I've recently learned that 300SDs came with 14" bundts, so the wheels should fit over the w126 caliper. I was considering this upgrade on my wagon for the benefit of the vented rotors, but concerns of brake hose and sensor compatibility issues made me reconsider. If I were planning to tow heavy loads regularly, I would find someone to talk to that has actually done the upgrade so I could get these questions answered. But I've also been told by reputable MB mechanics that the stock w123 brakes are more than adequate so I'm sticking with stock.
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Chad 2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE 1998 Acura 3.0 CL OBK#44 "Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) SOLD 1985 300TD - Red Dragon 1986 300SDL - Coda 1991 - 300TE 1995 - E320 1985 300CD - Gladys |
#8
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Would these fit a 123
I may have to reconsider. I found what might be a great deal on these wheels and tires. Would these fit my 123?
"2006-2007 MERCEDES SLK 280 171 TYPE FIVE SPOKE WHEELS AND TIRES. THE FRONTS ARE 16X7 5X112 BOLT PATTERN WITH MICHELIN PILOT PRIMACY 205/55R16 TIRES AND THE REARS ARE 16X8 5X112 BOLT PATTERN WITH MICHELIN PILOT PRIMACY 225/50R16 TIRES." The offset is 34 instead of 25. If they fit and the price is right I would actually be able to switch between the two sets. Charles |
#9
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I'm not sure, but they may end up sticking out past the fender or at least too close to it.
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Chad 2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE 1998 Acura 3.0 CL OBK#44 "Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) SOLD 1985 300TD - Red Dragon 1986 300SDL - Coda 1991 - 300TE 1995 - E320 1985 300CD - Gladys |
#10
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Bump for more ideas
I had planned to go with the sand blast, powder coat combination. Prices have gone up and that will cost more than new wheels. I found on Craig's list a good price for wheels and tires from a 1995 C280. Tires are almost new and are P195/65R15 Goodyear Eagle HP. Size keeps me at the same foot print and diameter.
Anyone know if these wheels will fit a 123? I think the offset might be more. Would they work with spacers and longer bolts? If so, where would you buy them and would they cause any issues? Charles
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Charles 1983 300D, bought new, 215k+ miles, donated to Purple Hearts veterans charity but I have parts for sale: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-cars-sale/296386-fs-1-owner-83-mb-300d-turbo-rebuild-parts.html |
#11
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Spacers and longer bolts will probably work fine. If the wheel tire combo is heavier the car will ride rougher. But there may not be much difference there.
You don't have to powder coat the wheels. I just had them painted after bead blasting them myself with two part paint (with hardener). Along with ceramic pads its a pretty satisfactory setup. Tom W
__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC] ..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis. |
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