http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-Benz-300-Series-300CD-Mercedes-300CD-1981-Diesel-Coupe-RARE-Condition_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6330QQitemZ4605020467QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

83 300sd...I've been thinking about changing my wheels to the 16 inch 8-hole style with German made Continentals. It's so hard to find good tires for the 14 inch wheel. Tire rack has the 8-hole made for the 126. They have Italian made and Korean made. The Korean seems to be the better quality as it is L-pressure-casted and is lighter than the Itallian wheel. It's very hard to let go of the Bunt's; they are truly classic and ohhhhh so beautiful. Feeling like I'm between a rock and a hard place; any advice????

ps...I've seen a few pics of Brandons car with the 16's and it looks pretty ice, but I need to see many more pics from different angles.

What production tire size would match 16 and 18" tires without messing up the speedo too much?

I found the Goodyear Assurance TripleTred (on my 14" Bundt's) to be excellent tires. Smooth, quiet, and excellent traction, although it's not like I drove the 2 ton 300SD like a sports car. At ~$100 per, they aren't the least expensive tire out there, but I never take shortcuts on tires.

I like them so much, in fact, that when I purchase the 15" 8 spoke rims from Tire Rack this Spring, I'm going to put the TripleTreds on them.

I have a set of Traction T/A's to put on this week. I hope they are decent.
On the size thing, I know there are sites with +1 and +2 conversion charts, I think they may even be in Tire Rack's Upgrade Garage.

I can't bring myself to switch from the Bundts to a 16" wheel with eight holes. The SD would look just too different.

But, I've resigned myself to switch it to a set of factory 15 hole wheels. I've seen these on some members vehicles and it's a great compromise. I like the look and the vehicle will be fine with 15".

But, the current set of Michelins has to wear out first. They've got 75K on them...........maybe another 25K and I'll toss 'em.

I've heard that reproductions of the 15" bundts are made by someone. Does anyone know where I could get a set? Chrome if possible?

tirerack.com has them ..

If you asked nicely I would take pictures for you

Didn't know you were lookin at getting my style wheels. I got the heavier Italian made ones and I am very satisfied. I've reemed them through some SERIOUS potholes and they are standing up quite nicely (not trying to damage them...oregon roads suck).

If you are interested...I can snag some more photos.

Yes it does TOTALLY change the way the car looks (and feels). Makes the ride height quite a bit higher but atleast now I don't rape my oil pan on steep driveways.

Personally I really like it...gives it an updated look but still doesn't take away from the 1980's tech

i bought a bundt cake wheel to see if i liked how it looked on my 240 and it sort of made me sick to look at it on there.

theyre the ugliest wheels ever. EVER. maybe not uglier than some other 80s wheels(i seem to remember pulsars having really ugly wheels) but still not as handsome as chrome hubbie caps.

now theres a question: do they make a 15" steelie and hubcap pair? do they look ok on w126 body cars if they do?

thats something i'd like to see!

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http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...Untitled-1.jpg

I think the later W140 sport wheels with the proper tires would look pretty neat. AMG Penta's are also a good period choice.

The 8 hole wheels are a nice conservative choice, I see a lot of W126's running around on them.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Tire Rack does not have repros of the 15" bundt cake wheels. They have repros of the 15 hole flat face alloys as used on '86 and up cars.

I have sets of 15" Fuchs bundt cake alloys coming over in a container from Germany as we speak. MB has now made the 15s available again through the classic center for a whopping $600 each!

I will sell my sets of four 15" bundt wheels, refinished and checked for $1,000 per set.

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Regards,
Aaron

Holly crap those a pricey!! You can get a set of 18in AMG's for less!

Although I guess if you just have to have rare wheels.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I dig how the Bundts look on the SD. These cars just look correct with the OE rim.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Yep, and rediculous with other ones....

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Bundts, 15-holes, 8-holes, AMG monoblocks, and "Euro" style MB wheel covers look best on the W126s.

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.