[W126 Coupe] 19" wheels on SEC and rear HD shocks

[Barry Corno]

Axel,

   I totally agree on the 18” wheel. I have had 16”s and 18”s and now back to 17”.

For an everyday driver, I feel the 17’s are great. 

 

B.C. “83” 380 SEC AMG      506K

 

________________________________

From: mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com [mailto:mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com] On Behalf Of Axel Wulff
Sent: Friday, January 12, 2007 7:16 AM
To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com
Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] 19" wheels on SEC and rear HD shocks

 

In that spirit, I'll share what I have tried on my car and how it worked.

I have a '90 560 SEC and in the summer of '05 I had Satish Tummala at MotorWerks in Michigan perfrom a lot of maintenance/upgrades on my suspension components:

- Replace old front shocks with Bilstein HD

- Replace rear air cells/accumulators

- Replace front and rear springs with H&R lowering springs

- Replace suspension nibs/pads/shims to give the car a nice rake (visibly lower in front than in the back).

I run 195/65 Bridgestone Blizzak REVO 1 snow tires on 15x6.5" ET 21.5, standard MB 15-hole rims. Works great.

I've also run 16x7.5" ET 17, AMG Monoblock II's with 225/55 Cooper tires. The Cooper tires are total crap, but the tire/rim combination worked very well.

I currently run AMG 3-piece rims on the car. 17x8.5" ET 18 in the front and 17x10" ET 17 at the rear. The tires are 245/45 in front and 275/40 at the rear. Kumho Ecsta Supra 712s all around with 40 psi air. This tire/rim combination will let you know every time you cross a seam, bridge gap, etc. You'll also fight rutted and deeply grooved asphalt and, even alone in the car, I'll get light rubbing on the fenders.

In My Humble Opinion (IMHO), 18" and larger wheels are inappropriate on our vehicles, unless it's a trailer queen show car.


Regards, 

Axel J. Wulff 

610-731-5453 Cellular 

610-572-4611 Home 

	
________________________________


	From:  jralex at ix.netcom.com
	Reply-To:  jralex at ix.netcom.com,Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>
	To:  Terry at ibmc.com, Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>
	Subject:  Re: [W126 Coupe] 19" wheels on SEC and rear HD shocks
	Date:  Fri, 12 Jan 2007 00:16:17 -0500 (GMT-05:00)

	 

	Terry & Igor, Rear wheel well rubbing might be corrected by larger nibs or pads between rear shock mounts and frame. Archive discussions on subject. Also could be in need of a differential subframe mount. Igor, wheel size and variable ET offset combinations with appropriate bolt lengths will keep you awake for days. It might take days to even read the archives of subject. My best advice is to use the exact combinations that have been proven over time. I would forget the 19" due to tire prices and selection.Even 18" can be expensive tires compared to 17". The wheels you saw on Jack M.'s car are actually on my SEC now and looking at tire replacement is a expensive indeed. Quite a few in this group have tried all sizes and have settled on AMG Monoblock 17". You might ask Jonothan Hodgman about these wheels as to offset etc. with proper bolts and have him find and price you a set. As to getting answers from this group about whether some odd wheel will fit you will find us silent since we are unwilling to make statements of the unknown and be wrong and also we are completely worn out with the issue. However people are willing tell you their combinations and what works. As to the away bars, the best set up was too expensive for most and required engine removal which I think stopped the idea. Jim Alexander
	
	

		-----Original Message----- 
		From: Terry Ratliff 
		Sent: Jan 11, 2007 1:58 PM wheels
		To: 'Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists' 
		Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] 19" wheels on SEC and rear HD shocks 

	.shape 

{;} 

Igor – I have 18” Rondell wheels with the following tires: Front Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 245/40/18, Rear Tires:  Michelin Pilot ZR 265/40/18 and HR Sports springs all around. Over medium bumps the tires rub the wheel wells. – Anybody with a suggested cure for the rubbing? Besides changing the tires and wheels. - Terry http://560SEC.org <http://560sec.org/> 

 

 

________________________________

From: mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com [mailto:mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com] On Behalf Of Igor Capeta
Sent: Thursday, January 11, 2007 1:11 PM
To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com
Subject: [W126 Coupe] 19" wheels on SEC and rear HD shocks

 

Hi all,

 

this is my first post although I've been a regular visitor to the site for a few years now. I own an euro spec 1990 560 SEC with 105tkm, first paint and everything original. I am about to go through a process of restoration and upgrading its suspension, brakes, wheels and than engine and transmission.

 

I've come across a following set of wheels that I like:

 

8.5 x 19" ET 25 

9.5 x 19" ET 28 

 

and was wondering if anybody could share their experience with fitting 19" wheels on a SEC. When dressed with 255/35 and 285/30 tires, their radius is almost the same as on stock 215/65 R15 on FA and even a few mm smaller on RA. So my guess is they should fit providing the offset is right. I would like to achieve the same look Satish, Jack Middlebrook achieved with the offset and align the wheel as much as possible with the wheel arches.

 

Another issue which interests me is experience with RA HD shocks on cars with self leveling. I would be grateful if somebody could inform me about their experience with such combination on lowered cars (plan to go with H&R's). 

 

Also, the sway bars. I read a post by Stu dated Dec 2001 when idea of setting up BergWerks was shared, and there he said that one of the first things which were developed was larger diameter sway bars. Has anybody installed them and are they still available for purchase? 

 

I would appreciate any opinion I can get.

 

Best regards to everybody,

 

Igor Capeta

 


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