I know I could just go outside and measure with a tape measure, but I am feeling lazy so...

I recently bought a 1991 300CE. The PO upgraded from the original 15 hole 15" rims to 8 hole 16" rims.

She did not change the spare tire/wheel. So it still has the 15" rim/tire.

If I replace the spare with an 8-hole rim/tire, will it fit in the spare tire well?

I know that later model 300CE had 16" rims, so the spare tire well should be big enough...unless, of course, Mercedes made some changes to the spare tire well.

So, has anyone upgraded to 16" in a 300CE, or W124 sedan and later had a problem fitting it in the spare wheel well?

Thanks...

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Current Benzes

1989 300TE "Alice"
1990 300CE "Sam Spade"
1991 300CE "Beowulf" RIP (06.1991 - 10.10.2007)
1998 E320 "Orson"
2002 C320 Wagon "Molly Fox"

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Landline Luke @ tire rack

Since the indentation is not sized to the wheel, but to the overall diameter of the wheel and tire combination . . . isn't it just a matter of knowing the diameter of the tire/wheel combo and how much difference, plus or minus, there is with the OEM wheel/tire combo?

overall diameter of tire matters and also width of wheel tire combo. too wide and the spare cover will not lay down flat.

i dont have a 124 now so i dont have specific info re them.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Oh, this isn't about middle age spread, Ernesto?

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OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Oh...I already know that my new spare tire won't fit into my old jeans...

__________________
Current Benzes

1989 300TE "Alice"
1990 300CE "Sam Spade"
1991 300CE "Beowulf" RIP (06.1991 - 10.10.2007)
1998 E320 "Orson"
2002 C320 Wagon "Molly Fox"

Res non semper sunt quae esse videntur

My Gallery

Not in this weather!

It will not fit without modification if the wheel is 8 inches wide. 7 inches will, 7.5 maybe. The 16" size does not matter, it is the width that matters, ie, the depth of the spare tire pan.

Two ways to fix this. Either cut and weld a ring in the steel spare pan. Or put a spacer between in the trunk floor and the floor carpet.

I have an 8 inch wide (16") wheel with 225/50 x 16 tire in my 1992 300CE, but I have added a spacer on the floor of the trunk. I use a sheet of honeycomb composite, so it weights virtual nothing.

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Steve

1992 300CE Sportline Sophie
1990 300E Emma - in the family
1979 240D Josephine - sold, but not forgotten
2004 Pacifica AWD

http://web.mac.com/dakota/Mercedes/Home.html

In the 2.3-16, which had wider wheels than the standard W201, MB went with the "bump in the trunk" cover. The plastic cover under the molded carpet has the bump:

Steve, thanks for the info (also thanks to everyone who wrote).

Could you post a picture (when you get the time, no big rush) of your solution to the spare tire issue? I need pics to figure things out.

The PO installed 16 x 7.5 8 hole rims. So if I buy a new rim on the same size it will probably fit.

__________________
Current Benzes

1989 300TE "Alice"
1990 300CE "Sam Spade"
1991 300CE "Beowulf" RIP (06.1991 - 10.10.2007)
1998 E320 "Orson"
2002 C320 Wagon "Molly Fox"

Res non semper sunt quae esse videntur

My Gallery

Not in this weather!