1979 450sl wheel options? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

benzportland · #1 07-30-2009, 03:57 PM

Hello - I am confused about what would be correct wheels on my 1979 450sl. What I have now appears to be the original alloy bundt wheels (14X6.5?) What I am wondering is whether there were other options available from MB that year. What is on there now looks pretty bad, like worn chrome actually. I'd eventually like to change them but not interested in doing anything flashy or incorrect for that particular car; I think the designers generally get things right the first time around. I actually like the color match wheel covers seen on earlier models and was wondering if this was even an option for 1979. Any insights much appreciated!!

bgkast · #2 07-30-2009, 11:15 PM

The color matched hubcaps were available on lower trim cars I believe (Euro 280SL, etc). To use the hub caps you will have to find a set of 14" steel wheels, or the rare 14" steel-look alike alloy wheels off of a 240D. Later cars also had 15" alloys

benzportland · #3 07-31-2009, 01:35 AM

Thank you! Were those lower trim hubcaps even an option on the 1979 450sl?

bgkast · #4 07-31-2009, 01:49 AM

According to my '79 dealer booklet alloy wheels were standard on the 450SL. That being said I really don't like the bundt wheels and have picked up a set of hubcaps for the '79 SL in my family

benzportland · #5 07-31-2009, 11:01 AM

Thank you - Yeah honestly I really don't care for the bundt's either, at least up close. Now, dumb question on my part, but are the hubcaps you are referring to the color-keyed ones used on early models and on w113's and some others for example, and if so what size are they and do they fit over the bundts somehow or is there a different wheel for those? Thanks

rowdie · #6 07-31-2009, 02:10 PM

I like the bundts ...gotta have the bundts............. Wasn't that an old song?

Anyway, You will need to obtain the standard steel wheel from the earlier 107s. Don't know about other models that are the same. The spare on both my '72 and '73 are steel and both have the bundt alloys. I do like the painted wheelcovers on certain colors.

Graham · #7 07-31-2009, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rowdie

I like the bundts ...gotta have the bundts............. Wasn't that an old song?

Anyway, You will need to obtain the standard steel wheel from the earlier 107s. Don't know about other models that are the same. The spare on both my '72 and '73 are steel and both have the bundt alloys. I do like the painted wheelcovers on certain colors.

Glad to hear it Rowdie

My wheelcovers have a few minor dings and some curb rash around the edge. Does not look like a job that a DIYer can easily do.

Anyone had any success repairing curb rash?

benzportland · #8 07-31-2009, 03:37 PM

I really like the painted wheelcovers on 60's models, and I think you are right they look good with certain colors on 107's. Mine is all black, and adding black wheel covers might just overload the black, but on the other hand it might make the chrome stand out more. I guess I should find a pic to see what it would look like.

JimFreeh · #9 07-31-2009, 07:58 PM

Bear in mind the V-8 SLs had 6.5 inch wide wheels.

The Aluminum wheels used on the W123 series were not 6.5 inches wide.
They were 5.5 or 6.0 if you can find a 300D set.

Steel wheels from the W116 series are heavier, but are 6.5 inches wide as long as they are sourced from a V-8 car.

Jim

bgkast · #10 08-01-2009, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benzportland

Thank you - Yeah honestly I really don't care for the bundt's either, at least up close. Now, dumb question on my part, but are the hubcaps you are referring to the color-keyed ones used on early models and on w113's and some others for example, and if so what size are they and do they fit over the bundts somehow or is there a different wheel for those? Thanks

I think the W113 and other early cars used smaller "dog dish" hubcaps and bueaty rings on 13" wheels. The ones used on the R107, W123 and W116 (and others) is a larger hubcap with oval holes around the edge. These hubcaps fit the steel wheels I mentioned, they will not fit over the bundts.

I don't think color matched hub caps would look bad on a black car...but you can also strip off the paint and polish the whole hub cap.

benzportland · #11 08-02-2009, 01:50 PM

I actually did find a pic with the black hubcaps and it did look pretty good. I'd copy it here but did not have permission on other site. I think I have found a set of the steel wheels for $60 local here so that would be a good start. I wish I had the wheel paint tool/template. The p/n for it is 115 589 42 63 00 but they have been NLA for many years. Here is a pic of the wheels I have found, seller says they are 14 inch but I am still waiting on more details: