16" 8 hole wheels for 300ce

[bcgreen]

Just came back from a guy here in the LA area who had a set of 16" 8 hole chrome wheels that he said were from a 300e. He professional opinion is that there is no 16" 8 hole wheels that will fit the 300CE because it will hit the strut. And if I were to put on 16" wheels then the reduced tire height will make the car ride like a Mack truck. This I heard from America's discount tire store as well. I just don't like the narrowness of the tires on the 15" wheels, so as I go wider, the height gets reduced and thereby giving you a harder ride. I also don't like that big gap that you see in the wheelwell in the back of the car, so I guess the only solution will be to go to a professional and have the rear of the car lowered just enough to give the car a better appearance with the small wheel tire combination. I am thinking of going with 205/60/15s. I am ready to hear anyone with differing opinions, but this is my info I have gotten thus far. If you something these guys don't please pipe in with facts and figures. I don't have much time because I have one wheel discoloured and 4 bad tires so I will have to do something soon.

[DSinger]

I've got authentic Mercedes-Benz 16" x 7J 8-hole wheels from a 1993 Euro 400E.

They will fit a 300CE. I guarantee you. Also, 205/60/15 is the same loaded diamter as a 195/65/15. Won't affect ride at all. Suggest the Michelin Pilot SX-GT. Got them on my C280. They wear fast, but handle like they are on rails.

------------------
1988 Mercedes-Benz 260E (W124)
Arctic White/Grey
Debadged
Euro Headlights
Clear Turn Signals and 1994/1995 Taillights
16" x 7J 8-hole
Michelin Pilot HX MXM 205/55WR16

1997 Mercedes-Benz E420 (W210)
Pearl Black/Ash
Debadged
Michelin Pilot XGT Z4 P225/55ZR16

1997 Mercedes-Benz C280 (W202)
Polar White/Parchment
Michelin Pilot SX-GT 205/60VR15

[This message has been edited by DSinger (edited 10-10-2000).]

[Ashman]

I have a 1992 300Ce, and My Car has some aftermarket 16" Wheels, with 205/55/16's on it, The Ride is fine, no problems at all with how the car rides.

I actually think that the car rides very nicely on that tire size, but I am going to go with 225/50/16 because I want a bit more of a wider foot print on the car, and I think the 225's will fill the wheel wells nicely.

If you want to lower the car to close the gap even more, I would suggest looking at the featured cars section of this site, then look at the sportline suspension upgrade. The price of the parts through the partsshop here, is very good, and a definate upgrade I will be doing on my car as soon as I can.

If you are in the los angeles area, Check out Globe Tire on the corner of La Cienega and venice blvd. They really know their stuff, and do excellent work. though they did tell me I would have to get special wheels because the caliper is larger than a 300E, I will be upgrading my wheels later on to 17" AMG monoblock rims either in replica's or original AMG's, the difference in ride quality for the looks, styling, and handling would alone be worth the slight difference in ride quality.

My Father has a 94 sl600, and he took off the stock 16x8 8 hole wheels and put on some nice new AMG 5 stars in 18" size, 18x10 in the rear and 18x8.5 in the front, and I can tell you I have noticed no difference in the ride quality between the factory 16's and the AMG 18's. in fact I think the car drives better with the 18's on it than the 16's. I thought that the 18's would give it a harsh ride, but it doesn't.

In anycase, Check with tirerack (click the banner above) they will know what you need. you should call them and ask to speak with Luke. He is the wheel and tire ghuru who frequently visits this site and answers many of our questions on wheels/tires that will work on our cars.

tire Rack has some ATP 8 hole wheels that look like the factory wheels for a very good price, in 16" To fit the 300CE, so you can definately get them if thats what you are looking for. I also think the Borbet type "C" and type "E" Look good on the car too, and are priced to sell also. but my favorite wheels for the car are the AMG Monoblocks or the EVO II's. Man would I love to get either of those wheels for my car.

But for now I have to stick with the 16" 5 stars that came with the car when I bought it.

In anycase, Luke will know the answer to your wheel questions concerning rubbing, offset, and what wheels/sizes will work for your car. if you want to stick with 15's, you might want to look into getting the sportline wheels (15x7 8 holes I believe) with the sportline tire size (205/60/15 I think?) which should work nicely if you want 15's.

My personal feeling for the w124 chassis car and wheel size is that 16" is the smallest size I would use, and 17" is the biggest I would go with.

Hopefully I can convince my pops to get me the sportline suspension or the 17" AMG Monoblocks for X-mas.. hehe then again my birthday is only a few months away as well, so maybe I can convince him to get me both. Though by then, I might have already bought all that stuff myself.

whatever you decide to do, make sure you talk to luke at tire rack to see what he says. Who knows, you might buy the wheels and tires from him and have them shiped mounted and ready to go.

Alon


------------------
'92 300CE
Black on Creme
77k Miles so far

Go To My 300CE Page

[JCE]

Great advice on the Sportline - MercedesShop does a great job with the kit. After about a month, everything had settled in to about 1/2-3/4" lowering all around, and redoing the suspension leveled the car and got rid of some of the rear wheel gap you talk about. The ride and handling are terrific - at least one humiliated M3 driver out there . (Alon - you are in the LA area, let me know if you want a trial ride on the Sportline when you get ready to do the conversion).

My tire place says there is plenty of room for 16" rims all around, and has put them on a number of 300Es. I plan on doing this after my Pilots wear out.

------------------
JCE
87 300E, 65k miles
Smoke Silver

[This message has been edited by JCE (edited 10-11-2000).]

[bcgreen]

I just received a call from a guy who swears that the 16" x 7.5 from a 500e or a '90 500sl with a offset of 34 will definitly fit my 300ce. No money exchanged unless it fits. Sounds right to me, its just the price seems to be a little high, being $600 with my "15 in exchange. Anybody with opinions?

[Ashman]

go to www.tirerack.com and check out the wheel selector. They have ATP 8 hole wheels which look just like the mercedes factory 8 holes for around $130 each wheel. X 4 that is about $520 plus shipping, it should come out to probably about that price, but the wheels are brand new, not used. I think $600 is a decent price if they are the right wheels, and they will be the ones you want. Otherwise, check with www.bekkers.com they have some AMG Monoblock Style wheels, which look excellent and are at around $210 per wheel in 17" Size, so figure with shipping and tax (if applicable) you are looking at lets say $1000 and thats for wheels that I think look great on the car.

Don't quote me on the prices, but It hink thats what they were at.

I myself would buy used wheels only if they were in perfect shape, perfectly straight and true, with no marks whatsoever.

For the slight price difference, I would contact luke at tirerack and see what he says about the price and offset for your car.. The offset of 34 might be just a tad off, or might cause a minute amount of rubbing.

alon

------------------
'92 300CE
Black on Creme
77k Miles so far

Go To My 300CE Page

[DSinger]

16 x 8 (not 7.5) will not fit a normal W124. Only the SLs and 500Es.