[W126 Coupe] 2 Questions

[Mister McGoo]

Rob,

Thanks for the picture again.  Those wheels do have the look of the OEM 
Mercedes installed in 1988... except they are 16".  They may have been for 
the 124 or the SL (?).

Your choice of wheel is a mostly a matter of taste, but budget may be a 
factor also.  The OEM 15" Mercedes wheels were used on the SE, SD, SEL, SDL 
and SEC from '86 through '91 (not all available in the US).  As a result 
used wheels at shops or wreckers are likely quite available.  Also, there 
are a number of people who want to "upgrade" (or "downgrade" - again, 
depending upon your point of view) to 17" and 18" wheels and these people 
regularly have sets of OEM 15" wheels for sale.  I have seen sets for $200 - 
$600. usually depending on what tires come with them (almost always standard 
205/65R15).

Tires for the 15" wheels are considerably cheaper than for 17" or 18"... 
like by a faxtor of 2x.

Again, emphasizing that it depends on your budget, taste and intended 
useage, one other advantage to use the standard OEM wheels is IF you ever 
wreck a wheel, a replacement is NOT likely an insurmountable problem 
wherever you might be.  If you have bought an out-of-production aftermarket 
spoked 17", you may have to replace the whole set.

That said, of course if you wrecked a  17' or 18" wheel, you COULD change to 
different design wheels (the same size of course) just on the ONE SIDE you 
wrecked because nobody actually SEES both sides at the same time, right?

That's one point of view.  Hope it helps.

-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 14:20:22 EDT
>
>OK, from everyone's replies, this is what I have gathered:  I need to go 
>back
>to OEM 15" wheels and 215/60/15 tires for the stock look (Bellamy and 
>John),
>OR for a tire/rim upgrade use 8.5x17, ET 17 with 235/45 tires up front and 
>in
>the back I could use wider rims, 10x17, ET 18, and 265/40 tires (Axel), OR 
>use
>225/55 tires (Dan and Richard). I'm not sure if y'all meant with 15 or 16"
>rims.  Of course, the tires are the easy part just selecting the brand for
>whichever size I decide.  But the rims will be the headache.  Where are my 
>best
>sources for each option? Junk yards, MB Dealers (I hope not!!), discount 
>part
>house, etc?  Any proven sources any of you have worked with that would make 
>this
>task easier would be greatly appreciated!!
>
>Once again, thanks to all for the willingness to share the wealth of
>knowledge!!
>
>Rob
>
>
>PS-Bellamy-Here's the pic once again and I think the next thing I'll do is
>check the spare as I haven't even though to do so yet.  Must have been so
>excited about getting the car, couldn't focus on the little things!!
>
>
>
><< mercedes_20560sec1.bmp >>


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