[W126 Coupe] 2 Questions

[Mister McGoo]

Rob;

Ubfortunately I don't have your original message with the picture, but as I 
recall the wheels certainly LOOK like the OEM 15" design.  Obviously they 
are not if you have 235/60/16 tires because it would be REALLY difficult to 
get them to hold air.

You have the wrong wheels.

Just from my recent experience of trying to put my 15" spare on my SEC and 
discovering that the "spare" was indeed from a 124 (like a 300E, late 80's) 
and not for a 126, I found that while the bolt pattern was identical, the 
off-set was completely different.  The wheel sat too close to the chassis.  
In fact it reduced the car's track by about 3" at my estimate.

I suspect that someone got a set of 16" wheels possibly made for the 124's 
(same design as the OEM 15") not suspecting that the vehicle track was being 
reduced as well as causing interference with the steering gear.

Personally, I would strongly advise getting new wheels, and NOT using 
spacers.  Use of spacers (and longer bolts) can cause other problems down 
the line.

IF you want the car to remain looking "original" (as it does now) I would 
suggest to get a set of the OEM 15" standard Mercedes Benz wheels that the 
car came with, and buy a set of 215/60R15 tires.  The OEM are 205/65R15.  
The 215/60R15 are a tiny bit wider, giving better handling without 
sacrificing comfort and (if it is important to you) both the wheels and the 
tires are likely quite a bit cheaper for the same (or better) quality.  
Moreover the OD of the tire is almost exactly the same as the OEM tire so 
your speedo and odometer read right

Confirm what the 16" wheels you have are from because IF those wheels (and 
tires) are compatable with the 124, my guess is you could easily find a 
buyer for the 16" set.

No matter what wheels you end up buying, make sure you have the proper wheel 
bolts for the wheels!  That's VERY important.

By the way, what do you have for a spare????  I doubt if it is 16".  If you 
have a 15" wheel that looks the same, check the inboard side against the 16" 
that you have.  Chances are, the offset looks quite different.  Better yet, 
put the spare wheel on the front to confirm the difference.

-Bellamy




>From: Dentrpt at aol.com
>Reply-To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>
>To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com
>Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] 2 Questions
>Date: Sun, 28 Aug 2005 09:35:10 EDT
>
>No. the wheels are 16".  Tires are 235/60/16s.  Have been looking on the MB
>Coupes website and noticed I couldn't find any SECs with this particular 
>style
>MB wheel.   Guess there's a reason for that.  Definately need to address 
>the
>wheel rub, (tire rods on both sides rub slightly against the bottom lip of 
>the
>wheel) before I swap the tires, just incase I go with a different wheel.
>
>Rob


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