84 380SL Wheels - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Sieb · #1 08-18-2003, 09:29 PM

Could someone please tell me what the stock wheels look like on a 1984 380SL? I just bought a grey 380SL (going to look for color code tomorrow) and it looks like these wheels were painted to match the color of the car. These wheels are pitted pretty bad so I priced what it would cost to have them sand blasted and powder coated to match the car and they were about $400.00. The car has just about 35,000 original miles on it and the tires are still in really good shape so I would like to stick with 14" wheels. I have done some searching here in the forum but most of the wheels are 15" or greater what are some options in 14" wheels.. Thanks...

My car

Robert Mowbray · #2 08-20-2003, 07:48 AM

Those look like the stock (sometimes called "donut" wheels) that are on most of the earlier 107s. I have the same wheels on my 1980 450sl, in the same silver/chrome color. I do not beleive that MB used different color wheels depending on the car color with this type of wheel, although I have seen some center caps that are the same color as the car on other models. Your car looks very nice. Good luck with it. BOB

#3 08-20-2003, 12:04 PM

in front of Phi Beta Kappa Hall the past few days (William and Mary campus)? That one had normal 6 1/2 X14 Bundt Cake rims, as far as I could tell. If you go out through the Morton Hall parking lot, you may pass my old black 300TD.

Addendum: I just went past PBK Hall on the way to the bookstore and noticed that the 380SL there didn't have the chrome rust-hiders on the wheel arches. Otherwise, though, it looks just like yours, including color.

Robert Mowbray · #4 08-21-2003, 10:48 AM

What was I thinking??!!?? "DONUT" wheels. I meant Bundt cake.

Sieb · #5 08-21-2003, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Robert Mowbray
What was I thinking??!!?? "DONUT" wheels. I meant Bundt cake.

Ok now I understand.. Anyway I think I am going to wait until I need new tires then go with the 15"wheels..

Robert Mowbray · #6 08-21-2003, 01:33 PM

I've been half trying to find a set of 14" wire wheels for mine. They really look nice on a red 380sl that an acquantance has. Best of luck

#7 08-22-2003, 09:22 AM

Your wheels are definately the stock wheels that come with your car. If you want to keep them with factory look have them blasted but not with sand. There is a softer material they use to blast. Then repaint with Wurth Silver Paint and Wurth Clearcoat. Real easy to do especially if you have wheels blasted. You will need two spray cans paint and one clearcoat at about $30 give or take a few bucks plus blasting cost. I cleaned mine by hand before painting and they are okay until you get real close. If I do it again I will blast them.

Great looking car.

Sieb · #8 08-22-2003, 10:10 AM

Thanks for all the input, I wanted to keep the car as close to original as I could but since it already has the euro headlights that kinda kills that idea. I personally like the the wire wheels but with the extra chrome around the wheel wells not sure how that would look.

Wire Wheels

#9 08-22-2003, 01:39 PM

Usually even heavier than steel disk wheels of comparable strength. 50 years ago or so, they did offer a valuable advantage in cooling for drum brakes, but you need to be aware that if you install wires for the sake of looks, you will need to be ready to accept a deterioration in both ride and handling due to the increase in the unsprung weight factor over the factory aluminum wheels, and wire wheels offer no brake cooling advantage with disk brakes.

Bigmon · #10 08-22-2003, 10:47 PM

I have one of those wheels of my old 85 380SE. It was the spare and has barely been used.

I'm looking to sell it real cheap to make room. I have a brand new Continental tire mounted on it too. Let me know if anyone is interested.