I have read much concerning the spacers debate. My question does not concern it.

My question is whether, in my quest to get newer style wheels on my older car, and assuming I use spacers, I should get the 25mm spacers like these
http://www.gilracing.com/MercedesSpacers/

or 17mm spacers I have seen. I am sure this is an idiot level question, but I am confused. The offset of newer wheels seems to be around 35. The offset for the w116 is 20mm or 25mm depending on who I ask. I seem to be having difficulty doing the math with the spacers. All I want is for 35mm wheels to fit on my car. To make matters stranger, I have also heard that wheels with 11 or 12mm offsets will fit my car.

If this is true, then I can purchase 17" AMGs ET11 for my car and they should fit. I really wish I could understand the offset formula. I am not sure what "backspacing" is, but I have heard that the 116 has a max of 5". Thanks!

Aloha MrNemo,

The real authority on this is Luke from the Tire Rack. If you hear from him, you'll get everything cleared up.

That being said, I'll give you my 2 cents worth. I have a 116, a 107, and a 126, and they all have the same offset, which is 23 to 25mm. They all have oversized rims on them (18's on the 107 and 126, and 16's on the 116), but only the 116 uses spacers. The goal with spacers as I understand it, is to try to get the offset near what your car needs...in our case, 23 to 25mm. So if the rims you're looking at are 35mm, I believe that you'd be looking for a 10mm spacer (35mm - 10mm = 25mm).

Sorry, but I can't answer any of the other questions you asked. Hope this helps you.

Happy motoring,

__________________
Ray

1980 300SD (Anthrcite Gray) 253,108 miles
1982 300SD (Silver Blue) 242,398 miles
1982 300SD (Black) 263,185 miles

Thanks for the info. Do you have any photos of your vehicles floating around online so that I may see your aftermarket wheels? I wanted to put 18" wheels on the 116- I hope it will work. I would really like to get AMG monoblocks on the car- I think it would add a new dimension to the 116. If 18"s are too big, I'll probably just get 16" 126 rims for it- they also look nice.

I think I've figured this out-

The stock tire is 14x6.5- the stock offset on this tire is 30.
The 15x7 et20-25 or 16x7 is et25
I am assuming for each 1/2 inch of width, I should therefore subtract 5mm offset. Therefore, using my presumed logical formula, the process of elimination, and reverse engineering, I assume a 17x8 or 18x8 should have an offset of around 13-15. THIS is why people are using 25mm spacers on 35mm+ wheels- to get the offset for 8" wide tires in the 13-15mm range. I know LITTLE about tires and wheels, I am guessing all of this, to see if someone can verify my info. Arg, there are some definite holes in my reasoning there...

That is why this will fit an old Mercedes:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7963873187&category=43957

I have 16x7.5 original AMG monoblock wheels on my W116 with offset ET17. The same wheels but 16x8 has offset 11. Both wheels move the inside edge of the wheel inwards the exact same distance with the wider wheel simply sticking out further. Both fit the W116 perfectly.

Changing the offset of the wheel changes the driving and handling characteristics of the car and it was AMGs intention to add a more sporty feel to the steering.

__________________
http://www.w116.org
Forum - Gallery - Library

this link was posted earlier on this board.

http://www.rims-n-tires.com/index.jsp

scroll to bottom to 'tire size compare'

It was real helpful and graphically illustrates all the variables with offset, etc.

Is anybobody could help me,..
I have Aa MB 280 SE W116 (2.8L)1973 which have troble with engine.
After the overhauled,...the engine won't start again,...i'm affraid i made the wrong instalation with fuel scheme.
I need info about Fuel Schematic and Engine electrical from the ECU to the Nozzles.I will appreciate if there any who can help me
Regards

didit
adityamangoen@yahoo.com