[W126 Coupe] 2 Questions

[airedale at sbcglobal.net]

"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


-Bellamy"

I agree with the above and the 215/60R15 are what I put on my car. Not only 
does the speed work out mathematically but my Garmin GPS confirms the 
speedometer is exactly on. I was fortunate and found a set of Centra chrome 
wheels on eBay for a song. They were $5000. from the dealership in their 
day.
John

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mister McGoo" <eelploot at hotmail.com>
To: <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>
Sent: Sunday, August 28, 2005 11:51 AM
Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] 2 Questions


> 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
>
>
>>The MB Coupes Website!
>>W126 SEC Mailing List
>>Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.
>
>
> The MB Coupes Website!
> W126 SEC Mailing List
> Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.