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

[jeffrey maniff]

Does anyone know what size shocks I need for a european 1985 500SEC.  Also, 
where is the cheapest place to buy them on line if possible.  I just 
replaced my Blaupunks Koln am-fm cassete with a Kenwood cd player if someone 
is in need of a stock Blaupunkt Koln for that model or any other model it 
would fit.  It works great and is in great condition.  I just had to update  
the quality of the sound system.   Please help with the front shock query.
Thank you,
Jeff



>From: "Barry Corno" <bc at unitedsalad.com>

>Reply-To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>

>To: "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 07:32:29 -0800

>

>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

>

>

>

> >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.


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