Author Topic: Old Style Alloys  (Read 10418 times)

bootes

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Old Style Alloys
« on: October 15, 2010, 02:47:40 »
I have an opportunity to buy original old style alloys for my '71 280sl (MB OEM part # 108 400 0902); They will be refurbished, painted and clear coated. Should I get these clear coated or not?  From what I've read, clear coating was not done until well into the 70's. Any pros or cons anyone would like to offer regarding getting the clear coat or not? Any other comments would be appreciated regarding buying these old alloys. I would have to find the metal center caps as well as lugs on my own. Not sure how difficult that will be. Also, the purpose for buying is to use the alloys as a alternative to the hub caps every so often. I still very much like the hubcap look.

Thanks for your comments and advice! Rick

Bob Killam

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Re: Old Style Alloys
« Reply #1 on: October 15, 2010, 16:47:02 »
I believe I saw the caps you would need on EBay just yesterday, Good Luck,

ja17

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Re: Old Style Alloys
« Reply #2 on: October 16, 2010, 04:16:25 »
Hello,

The alloy wheels look much better with a clear coat and are more durable.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

RayG

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Re: Old Style Alloys
« Reply #3 on: October 19, 2010, 14:26:33 »
I have the clear coated  alloys on my 71 and they look stunning. They were a factory option in 71( don't know about earlier) The issue is you will still Need a steel wheel for your spare or you will have to find a different trunk bracket to accommodate the spare alloy.  The center star pieces are still available from Mercedes. Don't forget, the alloys take different bolts so you will have to change these and carry a set for the steel wheel spare if that is the way you go.

dseretakis

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Re: Old Style Alloys
« Reply #4 on: October 19, 2010, 22:05:57 »
I would definitely clear coat them.

bootes

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Re: Old Style Alloys
« Reply #5 on: October 20, 2010, 13:08:28 »
Thanks for the responses. Sounds like clear coat is the way to go.

Are the center caps metal or plastic from Mercedes?

I would keep the original steel spare and carry an extra set of lugs.

Ray, what size tire do you use? Also, are your alloys 6Jx14 or 6.5Jx14? Would the 185R14's work best or 205/70–14?  Any advice here?

Thanks!

Rick

dseretakis

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Re: Old Style Alloys
« Reply #6 on: October 20, 2010, 14:02:57 »
Center caps are plastic

bootes

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Re: Old Style Alloys
« Reply #7 on: October 20, 2010, 14:14:46 »
thanks. were they ever metal?

hauser

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Re: Old Style Alloys
« Reply #8 on: October 20, 2010, 15:03:12 »
The early center caps were metal, not sure when they switched to plastic.

scoot

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Re: Old Style Alloys
« Reply #9 on: October 20, 2010, 19:49:08 »
Ray, what size tire do you use? Also, are your alloys 6Jx14 or 6.5Jx14? Would the 185R14's work best or 205/70–14?  Any advice here?
The alloys should be 6".  Regarding tire size, you can find as many opinions as you want.  My preference is Vrendenstein 185R14 tires.
Scott Allen
'67 250 SL (early)
Altadena, California

RayG

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Re: Old Style Alloys
« Reply #10 on: October 21, 2010, 17:33:59 »
I have Michelin Destiny P195/70R14 mud & snow tires. The 185 series(original equipment) is no longer available and has not been for many years. You can also use 205 series tires as they will fit without modification. Since I do not race my car, I opted not to put HR series tire(high speed rated)on the car.  I concur that clearcoat is the only way to go.

Peter van Es

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Re: Old Style Alloys
« Reply #11 on: October 21, 2010, 20:36:48 »
Vredestein still sell 185R14 today.

Peter
1970 280SL. System Admin of the site. Please do not mail or PM me questions on Pagoda's... I'm not likely to know the answer.  Please post on the forum instead!

badali

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Re: Old Style Alloys
« Reply #12 on: October 21, 2010, 23:07:44 »
The lug bolts are available from the Classic Center for $4.40 each minus MB club discount.  I called yesterday because I also found a set of wheels.
Brad

1961 220 Sb
1966 230 SL (Sold)
2019 E 450 4 Matic
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bootes

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Re: Old Style Alloys
« Reply #13 on: October 22, 2010, 01:12:13 »
great information everyone..  thanks!

scoot

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Re: Old Style Alloys
« Reply #14 on: October 27, 2010, 22:12:39 »
I have Michelin Destiny P195/70R14 mud & snow tires. The 185 series(original equipment) is no longer available and has not been for many years. You can also use 205 series tires as they will fit without modification. Since I do not race my car, I opted not to put HR series tire(high speed rated)on the car. 
Bzzztttt!  Wrong.   http://www.tiresbyweb.com/p-8497-vredestein-sprint-classic-tires.aspx
And yes, you _can_ use 205 series tires, but why?  They look big and fat and nothing like what was originally intended.
Scott Allen
'67 250 SL (early)
Altadena, California

zoegrlh

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Re: Old Style Alloys
« Reply #15 on: October 28, 2010, 18:40:25 »
I agree with Scoot, clear coat, and use 6J wheels with 185 tires.  Peter is correct, Vredestein are your best bet.  This is what I am running.  You will find that the alloy wheels drive and corner better.  I love them compaired to the steel wheels now.
Bob
Robert Hyatt
Williamsburg, VA.

W113, 1970 280SL, Red leather 242 on Silver Gray Met. 180, 4-speed stick, Euro spec, restored
R172 2012 SLK350, Black Premium leather 801 on Mars Red 590, 7-speed auto
W211, 2007 E320 Bluetec, Cashmere MB Tex 144 on Arctic White 650, 7 speed auto

bootes

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Re: Old Style Alloys
« Reply #16 on: October 29, 2010, 00:15:36 »
Scoot and Bob..that's the route I'm planning on taking. I'm currently using the Phoenix 185's on my steel wheels and love them. Thanks

ljg

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Re: Old Style Alloys
« Reply #17 on: October 29, 2010, 01:20:44 »
Coker Tire sells the Phoenix Firestone 185 x14 white wall.  These or the Continentals were original equipment on our Pagodas.  I have just put a set on my 14,000 original mile 71' Pagoda-they look just perfect.
ljg

hauser

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Re: Old Style Alloys
« Reply #18 on: October 29, 2010, 01:40:26 »
The Coker is not the same as the original.  The treads are wrong, the rub strip is in the wrong place and to top it off it's a 1/2" shorter in diameter than the originals.  The Michelin MXV-P is more correct than the Coker.  The only drawback is that there is no WW available for it.  Just my opinion.

Jim Donati

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Re: Old Style Alloys
« Reply #19 on: October 29, 2010, 02:29:41 »
my 14,000 original mile 71' Pagodaljg
Really, only 14k miles?

I think this would be an interesting topic to see who can claim the least amount of miles their Pagoda has ever been driven.

Jim

Bob Killam

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Re: Old Style Alloys
« Reply #20 on: October 29, 2010, 17:51:55 »
Me Thinks the first 100.000 miles dissapears on many Pagodas,I have 145000 and car is still tight and has original running gear,Some of the 30-50 thousand mile cars for sale have had extensive repairs,Makes You Wonder.

zoegrlh

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Re: Old Style Alloys
« Reply #21 on: November 01, 2010, 00:55:59 »
Boots,
Suggestion, when you get ready to have your alloys painted, have the paint shop mask the back of the center plates that touches the axle plates.  My original alloys have black stampings on this plate (ie. date stamps, and manufacturer stamps and approvals).  I wanted to keep these intact.
Bob
Robert Hyatt
Williamsburg, VA.

W113, 1970 280SL, Red leather 242 on Silver Gray Met. 180, 4-speed stick, Euro spec, restored
R172 2012 SLK350, Black Premium leather 801 on Mars Red 590, 7-speed auto
W211, 2007 E320 Bluetec, Cashmere MB Tex 144 on Arctic White 650, 7 speed auto