W126: '88 420 SEL: standard rim width, con'd - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 06-17-2002, 10:34 AM

Gentlemen (and ladies):

I am not the first owner of this vehicle. Otherwise, I would not be concerned.

I just measured my rim width again. From rim lip to back side rim lip, I am showing almost an 8" width.

This does not jive with the info I got last week, which was:

for diesel cars, 6.5" width and for mine, 7.0 inch width. this is virtually an inch wider.

So - these rims are either an optional wider width, or from an SL or something. But there is a big difference.

Was I advised about proper widths correctly? And am I measuring correctly )lip to lip)?

If I do have this significantly wider wheel (although it is the stock style), am I wrong by still runiing my spec 205 65 15's on them? The reason I say this, is because I never thought the tires looked right on the car as it sits. They seem too striaht-up tall, with very little if any curvature to the sidewalls. And the bottom tread (even with proper inflation in the mid 30s), appears to roll into the sidewalls a bit much. And the seating by the tire beading (where it meets the rim lip) seems a bit wide and not all that flush.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

janko · #2 06-17-2002, 11:19 AM

have not followerd any previous discussion on this topic. so please pardon me if i offer something already discussed. realize you measured the width. my point is two. i once measured a wheel for width. i found it to be 7". the wheel, non mb, was stamped as 6.5 x 15. did you check to see if your wheel has the width stamped?

MikeTangas · #3 06-17-2002, 11:56 AM

Robert,

I just happen to have a 420 rim sitting in the pile (21.5mm offset). I'll go out right now and measure the width.

EDIT:

Back. The width of the rim measures at 7 11/16", outer edge to outer edge. I stated earlier that this was a 420 rim, I want to restate that, I took this rim off a 420, thinking it would fit the 560, it doesn't (offset is wrong). The wheel size as stamped is 6.5x15x21.5ET.

#4 06-17-2002, 12:58 PM

Where can I see the size stamping? This should do it for me. Thanks.

#5 06-17-2002, 01:15 PM

My spare is stamped: 6.50 x 15Hx 21.5

Does that seem correct?

MikeTangas · #6 06-17-2002, 02:37 PM

That is the same stamping I have on that "extra" rim I measured (I left of the H for ease of reading). Seems to be correct.

sixto · #7 06-17-2002, 02:40 PM

The rim width is measured on the inside of the wheel, from tire bead seat to tire bead seat. You can't measure from the outside. Well, you can, but you have to subtract the thickness of the rim at that point.

On the back side of the wheel are several stampings including the part number if it's an original MB wheel (126 400 xx xx) and the size (6,5J15 H2 ET21,5). I've never seen an original MB wheels stamped "6.50 x 15Hx 21.5" per se. Is there an MB part number and logo stamped on the wheel?

Mike, what do you mean that the wheel won't fit a 560? The offset might be different but it should fit without problems. When I got my 91 300SE, part of the deal was getting a better set of tires from a 560SEL at the same place. They just swapped the wheels. I didn't know there was a difference so I didn't notice that 3 were 15X16.5 and one was 15X7.

Someone posted that 86-87 cars came with 15X7 ET25 wheels while 88-on cars came with 15X6.5 ET21.5 wheels. AFAIK, the wheels are interchangeable through hopefully in matched sets.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL

MikeTangas · #8 06-17-2002, 02:59 PM

I'll qualify the "didn't fit" statement, with regards to the offset. The rim bolts up just fine, clears the caliper and looked good, but my lug bolts were too long. With the different offset and not having a correct set of lug bolts to match I ended up with the bolt catching in the parking brake. Since I didn't want to play the switching lug bolt game or use spacers- the rims didn't fit. I have the rim as a possible spare, if I ever come across the correct lug bolt. I finally did find a complete set of 25mm offset rims.

And for the record, the stampings are : 6.5J 15H2 ET21.5, part # 126 400 41 02. So much for trying to take the shortcut

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