wheel swap - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

davidg · #1 09-03-2004, 01:28 PM

Will 15" wheels from a 126 chassis SD fit my '85 wagon without adaptors? Can I just bolt them on? thanx

dieseldiehard · #2 09-03-2004, 02:41 PM

Yup, provided they are the correct offset, no spacers necessary (or desired!)
The 15 in wheels I use are described as:
Flat Face chrome wheels p/n 126 400 4102 from 420SEL etc.
A W123 wagon will handle better, esp with decent tires, with 15 in wheels mounted on it. It won't handle anything close to a 124 chassis, but better than with stock 14 in wheels.

Unfortunately finding good 205-65-15 tires (the correct size to use to prevent significant speedometer error) may prove more costly than you'd like, especially if using Michelin (I do not recommend Michelin).
Pirelli discontinued the P6000 (92V rated tire) that I like for the 300TD, although this was a softer compound than 94H used with P400 tires, it really handles great. The P400 really lasted longer but they also dropped that in this sizes too darn it!
You might try the 205-60-15 Nitto NT460 if a slight error in readout is tolerable. I really like the Nitto's on my 124.
DDH
Dieseldiehard
1971 220 (gas) 4-spd manual 106441
1979 300TD w/ ’85 turbo engine 297150
1983 300D 242300
1985 300TD 212700
1987 300DT 257K

davidg · #3 09-03-2004, 04:29 PM

I didn't say, but the wheels I was referring to are 15" bundtcake style. thanx D

dieseldiehard · #4 09-03-2004, 04:59 PM

Are you sure they are bundt 15 in wheels? those are very rare, made for the 6.9 W116. Flat face 15 in wheels are much more common. The Bundts would fit I am sure, as they only came in one offset, while flat face are available in many offsets and widths.
Beware that sellers of wheels on eBay have been known to measure the OD of the wheel to obtain it size, neglecting the fact that the bead is about one half in each side, and thereby misrepresenting wheels as 15 in when in fact they are 14 in. If you found real 15 in Bundts you better grab them if the owner has them priced low.

#5 09-03-2004, 06:23 PM

On my wife's 82Sd, we are running size 215/60/15 with NO CLEARANCE problems...........they are virtually the same diameter as the 205/65/15. As a result, the speedometer is accurate.
see 'ya.
spo out

rgp123 · #6 09-04-2004, 09:58 AM

When I had my Miata I stumbled across this interesting little tool for calculating speedo error based on tire size. Granted, age will give some error but this is most helpful for getting close when changing tire size.

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

dieseldiehard · #7 09-04-2004, 10:02 PM

OK davidg, we are curious what the wheels are (were?) 15 in Bundts? really?
I pass by RWC and would be happy to check them out if they are local to you.
DDH

dieseldiehard · #8 09-04-2004, 10:06 PM

Say I just realized, I saw a 300TD just out of the paint shop in Redwood City this afternoon. It still had masking tape all over it. A paint shop on Spring St. Was that yours? Yellow, with Euro headlights?
DDH

davidg · #9 09-05-2004, 11:36 PM

15' rims update: I saw them on an abandoned 126 model being towed away. my 126 gasser has 15" rims so I supposed these would be too, and they measured 15" with my tape as well. Yesterday I measured some 14"ers, and sure enough, they measure 15" OD. I know of the body shop on spring st. and have seen some nice cars there, not mine though. thanks everyone

KPMB82 · #10 09-06-2004, 12:03 AM

I have the 6 1/2 inch wide by 14 inch dia buntcake wheels (chrome) wheels on my 82 300D. with 205/60 14 tires. Only has about 3/16th of an inch clearance at the tie rod ends, no rubbing that I can see. my speedo is very accurate. checked on a measured section of Freeway and against the radar trailers set up on the side of the road. Tires just about make up for the factory error usualy present in speedo. My whells have the 30mm offset check the back of your wheels the size is stamped on them.

phantoms · #11 09-06-2004, 12:24 AM

No bundt styles or original rims, but 15"s for the W123s.

http://www.tirerack.com/upgrade_garage/WheelSearch.jsp?&autoMake=Mercedes-Benz&autoModel=300D&autoYear=1983&autoModClar=