[W126 Coupe] 10 x 18 rims - will they fit?

[Dick Spellman]

Hi Marcus;

Sounds like you've got a good opportunity on those wheels.

Here is my original post and Talbir's response.

'Hi Dick,

The wheel sizes haven't come through, but from the tyre size I am guessing
that the fronts are 8" or 8.5" and the rears are 9.5" or 10" ?

8J with et18 would be ok on the early SEC, but 8.5J/et18 might be a little
tight - it all depends on whether or not the car is lowered and if so, how
aggresively it is lowered. If it's lowered plenty, then 8.5J/et18 might be
tight. I still think it will work, but it'd be close. Might need to roll 
the
front fenders.

The rears sound fine. 10J wheels on the rear work with an offset of between
15-25mm. I'm running the AMG 3-piece 10J with et17 and Satish is/was 
running
10J with et25 on the AMG 2-piece's.

Sorry I saw this late...US/UK time differences.....

cheers
talbir
/>From: "Dick Spellman" <spell.yy at verizon.net> /
/>Reply-To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com> /
/>To: <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com> /
/>Subject: [W126 Coupe] Important Wheel Offset Question /
/>Date: Mon, 04 Apr 2005 21:32:02 -0400 /
/> /
/>I need a fairly quick answer on whether the following will fit the SEC 
and /
/>knowing the early SEC did not have the front flared fenders. /
/> /
/>Rear:275/35 ZR 18/P7000 Pirelli/Rim Size JX18H2-ET 19 /
/> /
/>Front 235/40ZR18/P7000 Pirelli/ Rim offset ET 18 /
/> /
/>Appreciate any response that tells me what if anything I need to do to 
get /
/>a fitment with no rubs, etc. /
/> /
/>Many thanks, /
/> /
/>Dick

/I have lowered 1.5 on H&R's and have the early chassis SEC chassis 
(1983).  The fit is perfect, handling superb.  I did have to roll the 
rear ender lip and remove 6 to 10 mm of depth on the urethane lower 
cladding on the rear wheel well to stop the rub on the outer edge.  You 
should be in good shape with a bit of work at 9 to 10 o'clock on the 
outer rear wheels if my settings are close to what you end up with.

275's in the rear are very wide and may give you a rub on the inner 
fender well.  I have not looked in a while but, will send you a note in 
a day or so re: where you WILL get this inner rub.  I suppose you could 
pound the area inward if it causes no structural damage or lends itself 
to rust.  On this I'm not sure and I will do sub frame and differential 
bushings and mounts before doing anything this severe on my SEC.

Regards,

Dick

Marcus Johnson wrote:

> Hello all,

>

> I have a great opportunity to buy some new rims for my 1985 380 SEC.

>

> These are replicas but made in Germany so they ought to be good 

> quality. I will ask the seller more about this. 

>

> They are the same design that's shown on Satish's car on the website 

> and fit both R129 and W126. 

>

> The set comprises of 10 x 18 rears and 8.5 x 18 fronts. 

>

> The offset is ET25, which is rare for this market. Usually the only 

> thing available is ET31 fronts / ET35 rears. So I may have lucked out 

> here.

>

> Having read and re-read every post I can find about offset and asked 

> anyone else about it, I now have a reasonable handle on it. No wonder 

> people get confused.

>

> The fronts should be fine but the rears will be the issue, if there is 

> one. From what I can gather, I should be in good shape at ET25 and if 

> anything, the inner wheel well might be where it rubs, if at all. The 

> ideal offset figure appears to be between ET11 and ET18. If that's the 

> case, I might need some spacers to get the wheels closer to the guards. 

>

> The car is lowered with H&R springs, about 1.5 inches all round.

>

> If anyone with 10 x 18's can provide information, especially about 

> what offset they are running, that would be very helpful.

>

> Also, as I would be buying rims only, any input regarding tyre size 

> would be appreciated.

>

> I'm thinking either 275/35 or 265/35's on the rear but I don't want to 

> get tyres that are like licorice straps and are overly harsh as far as 

> ride is concerned.

>

>

> Cheers,

>

> marcus

>

> marcus johnson

>

> 1985 380 SEC

>

> melbourne, australia

>

>

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