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  #1  
Old 04-13-2003, 04:07 PM
MB FRAU's Avatar
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Location: Indianapolis
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An anniversary surprise for my husband's 400E

Okay guys, I need your help. My husband has a '93 400E that currently has the 6.5x15 OEM 8 hole wheels with 195/65/15 tires. For sometime he has been mentioning changing to a 7x15 (alloy) 8 hole wheel and increasing the tire to a 215/60/15. I know that he wants exact 8 hole replicas. We have an anniversary (20 years) coming up and I would like to surprise him, but I want to do this right. I have read through many of the posts but have some specific questions still.

1. Will 7x15 wheels work on this car and do I have to worry about "offset" that is often mentioned in a lot of posts?

2. If I do have to worry about "offset" (could somebody explain exactly what it is?) what do I need to do to take care of it with that wheel?

3. Will a 215/60/15 tire work/look okay on that rim? One post mentioned about that size tire looking "pregnant" but I think that was on the 6.5x15 rim.

4. Is there a general opinion as to who makes the best 8 hole replica and who would it be? (Artec, AT Italia, etc.)

5. One post mentioned a MB 8 hole sportline wheel as being 7x15. Can someone verify this for me and would it be a good option?

It basically comes down to this...I know he wants the exact same look as he has now, but is very interested in the 7x15 wheel with 215/60/15. Oh! and it must be alloy! Can I accompilish this?

Thanks for all your help in advance!

MB FRAU

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'93 300CE Cabriolet (43K miles)
-Midnight Blue/Parchment
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  #2  
Old 04-13-2003, 09:56 PM
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I would buy them from Tire Rack. They are AT Italia Type 8's and they look identical. The price is also unbelievably cheap at $109 / wheel:

http://www.tirerack.com/upgrade_garage/WheelSearch.jsp?filterSize=15&filterFinish=Painted&changeColor=Vehicle+Color&filterSpecial=null&auto Make=Mercedes-Benz&autoModel=400E&autoYear=1993

The 7 X 15" wheels fit perfectly, and there are no off-set issues.

195/65-15 are the recommended size for this wheel.

I believe the Sportlines came with 16" wheels, but I could be wrong.

In any event, these 8 hole wheels are available from Tire Rack also in a 16" wheel X 7.5", and they will fit your husband's car perfectly, and there are no off-set issues. The tire size for the 16" wheels are 205 / 55 .
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  #3  
Old 04-14-2003, 12:15 AM
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215/55/15's should work fine for the 7 inch wide wheels since I had 205/55/15's on my 6.5 inch wide wheels and experienced no problems.

Regards,

Don
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  #4  
Old 04-14-2003, 06:50 AM
LarryBible
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MB Wife,

Do you have any sisters?

Happy Anniversary to you and the lucky guy.
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  #5  
Old 04-14-2003, 09:19 AM
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give me a call directly so, your transaction can be handled without alerting the hubby
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  #6  
Old 04-14-2003, 10:40 AM
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Thanks guys for your input!

Larry - Sorry no sisters!

Luke - As soon as I get offline, you'll be hearing from me!

MB FRAU
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'93 300CE Cabriolet (43K miles)
-Midnight Blue/Parchment
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  #7  
Old 04-17-2003, 01:37 AM
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MB FRAU - What a lucky man your husband is!!!!! Maybe you could talk to my wife?
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  #8  
Old 04-17-2003, 07:20 PM
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Posts: 133
MB Frau,

I run 215/60-15s on the OEM wheels of my '92 300E 4matic: no problem. They look and ride fine. (I do have a different set of wheels and tires for winter, however.)

Perhaps you need only buy tires from Luke. The wider wheels may not be necessary.

Use the savings to buy great tires instead.

What a lucky husband!

Regards,
Bob
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  #9  
Old 04-22-2003, 11:15 AM
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MB Frau,
I have the same wheels on my C280 (6.5x15). It was hard deciding between 205.60.15 or 215.60.15. I went with 215.60.15 on my 6.5x15 8 hole wheels. They look great and not too "pregant". 7x15 with 215.60.15 will look even better. In regards to tires, ask Luke at the Tire Rack about tread width, some tires (Dunlop) tend to round the tread shoulder like the old bias-plys our parents had on their Buicks.
I am sure your husband wants a square shoulder look otherwise he wouldn't be wanting the 7x15.
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  #10  
Old 05-02-2003, 09:03 AM
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Update and question for Luke!?!

I had a chance to take a look at the AT Italia Type 8 wheels at Tirerack. If anyone is wondering, these are a very nice replica. In another thread someone mentioned the AT Italia having a funny finish (the holes being a shade darker than the surface of the wheel) I did not see that at all. I even took the wheel out in the bright sunlight to compare it to a brand new OEM wheel (spare tire) from my husband's car. So the wheel issue is settled. Next is the tires...

Luke...you recommended the Bridgestone Turanza LS. Adrian (Tirerack) told me that I couldn't put the Turanzas on this car because it wasn't rated high enough. Any input? On other threads I'm seeing guys who have a 430E using these tires. In reality it is the same car as my husband's 400E just different badging and a few design differences. Adrian said that I would have to go with the Pilot XGT V4. Input? I just want a good all-season tire...

Here's an idea...several of you have asked if I have sisters or could I please talk to your wife...how about a forum for the women (now quit laughing). Maybe if we (women) could communicate in "womenese" we would be able to help each other out to understand what you guys are talking about when it comes to your cars. Personally, I hate nothing more than when I have to take a vehicle in for repair and am treated as though I am a "dumb" woman and could possibly not know what I'm talking about. Sorry..didn't mean to get off on that! Mercedesshop members have always responded favorably whenever I've posted and I feel like I'm just one of the "guys".

Back to the wheels/tires...they will be 7x15's with the 215/60/15 tires!

Thanks for everyones help!

MB FRAU
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'93 400E (80k miles)
- Smoke Silver/Parchment
'93 300CE Cabriolet (43K miles)
-Midnight Blue/Parchment
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  #11  
Old 05-02-2003, 09:11 AM
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I have a little more experience with MB's than most ( ok alot more)and can assure you that the Turanza LS-H would work fine on your car as many other members can attest to .... the 400E did come from the factory with a "V" speed rated tire and that is why Adrian said what he did ....
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  #12  
Old 05-02-2003, 10:01 AM
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Luke...thanks for your quick reply. I sure like the price of the Turanza better and although we have always put Michelin on all of our vehicles...I'm sure that since Michelin is now "French" I can get away with the Bridgestones!(my husband is a former military officer and very patriotic)

Can you tell me, do the Turanzas tend to round the tread shoulder like the old bias-plys or is it square (see prior post in this thread by BrianH)? I've looked at the picture on your website and in the catalog. To me they look more rounded than some of the other tires you carry. Is that a bad thing? Keep in mind he was wanting to go the larger size to put just a bit more rubber on the road. I just went out and looked at the tires on our 300CE Cabriolet...it has MXV4 +. Would the tread shoulder of the Turanza be like the MXV4 +? I just want to do this right!

Once again thanks for all your help!

MB FRAU
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'93 400E (80k miles)
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'93 300CE Cabriolet (43K miles)
-Midnight Blue/Parchment
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  #13  
Old 05-02-2003, 10:11 AM
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almost all Grand Touring tires tend to have rounded shoulders ... but, the Turanza is less so than many others

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