14" wheel off an old VW van bolts onto my 240D perfectly, same lug spacing and bore size, but slightly bigger lug bolt holes.

Has anyone tried this? Curious. Going to try a short run with it b4 a longer trip.

Thanks!

It makes sense that it would work. I own a 1991 Vanagon in addition to my 1983 240D. For MANY years, a lot of the VW bus/Vanagon guys have been using bundt cake alloys on 1970s VW buses and Vanagons. The only caveat is that to use the bundt cakes, the centers need to bored out slightly to fit over the Vanagon's (and possibly the 1970s VW buses'??) front hubs.

So, in theory, VW bus/Vanagon wheels should swap over to the W123 and other Mercedes cars pretty seamlessly.


The question, though, is why you'd want to do that. If you need wheels that fit and have nothing else available, then have at it. However, the stock VW bus and Vanagon rims are steel, and this would be akin to using the late 1970s W123 steel wheels - heavy.

Personally, I prefer to run bundt cakes on my Mercedes.

Not mine:

If you google image search Vanagon, you will find many wearing various Mercedes wheels from the 1980s and 1990s.

I sold a set of 16" CLK aluminum rims (slaps head in 20/20 hindsight) to a guy with a Vanagon Westaphalia.

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

I would be very cautious to make sure that the lugs seat properly in the VW rims. If they are bottoming out on the wheel hub but not the wheel, you aren't really clamping the wheels in place. I thought bundt wheels were hub-centric, in that they fit over the hub exactly. The VW wheels need to do that as well, if so. The taper of the lugs and wheels need to match too, I think
Honestly, I wouldn't recommend swapping without really knowing what you are doing.

LOL @ 20/20 hindsight! Never heard that term before, but have most certainly experienced it a time or two or twenty seven during my life's automotive misadventures!

also, why are those CLK rims so difficult to find used? I've been keeping my eyes open for a set of those to put on my 123 coupe and it seems they rarely ever come up for sale on CL locally to me.

__________________
2007 Dodge Ram 3500 Cummins Turbo Diesel 4x4
1994 GMC S-15 pickup 4.3 5MT
1985 300 SD
1978 300 CD
1962 220-S Fintail - awaiting restoration

You've just got to be patient...I got a set with great tires for $200 for my 617 powered SL, which basically use the same wheels as the 123



By the way, there's a set on CL in Orange County right now -

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Current Stable

• 380SL (diesel)
• Corvette C5
• Manx
• Baja Bug
• F350 Powerstroke
• Auburn Boattail Speedster replica

The VW and MB wheels use a "ball seat" lug taper. The VW is 14 mm though so make sure the ball of your 12 mm lugs does not stick through the wheel and bottom out on the hub. There are likely aftermarket lugs to perform such a conversion.

The VW Bus first used these wheels was in 1971 when disc brakes arrived.

I sold a set of 1999 clks to a vanagen owner from Wisconsin so I know those work for the vans with no issues.

I did a CL search in the SF Bay Area and only saw one set on a 99 CLK on a lot.

And a guy that is looking for a set. These are what I think when I hear mention of CLK Wheels.



A few years ago I use to see these listed more often.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Drove about 30 miles with the VW wheel, and no issues. Will try a longer trip soon.

Thanks for the feedback!

Did you poke a stock MB lug through the wheel and see if any of the ball sticks out on the hub side?

Is the OD of the MB lug smaller than the OD of the wheel ball seat?

Use a magic marker to color the ball seat on the wheel, install and remove the wheel, look at the amount of ball to seat contact area. If less than half I'd think the lugs may pull through in the long term.

You are correct, Charlie. The ones in your pic are the CLK wheels most in demand.

I do see them from time to time, but at inflated prices (used in less than pristine condition @ $600 a set, etc.).

They look really good on w123s. I sold the set I had in storage when I was MB-less for a couple of years. If I tell you for how little, we will both cry.

Doh.

__________________


Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22