Rare wheels

[Bob G ✝︎]

Can someone explain why these 15 by 7 bunt alloys are such a big deal! What happens to your ground clearance and speedometer reading? I guess if you had a rally or race prep SL they be great. I fine nothing in the technical manual that indicates this option for the W113 , only taxie cabs and emergency vehicals to which the SL is excluded.
I do now that the 107 had 15 inch alloys ,but then we are talking apples & oranges are we not?

Bob Geco

[norton]

Hi Bob  I think it's about the large choice of tires that are available for 15" wheels, much larger choice than for the 14" wheels.
When using 15" wheels you would use a lower profile tire to end up with the same overall tire height, so ground clearance and speedo error may not be an issue.  I'm not sure that the 107's used 15" bundt cake wheels, I think they used 14 x 6.5 wheels, that where wider than what was used on the Pagoda's (14 x 6)

Mike Halleck
Chesterfield Mi
71 280SL
68 250SL (parts car)
94 E320 Coupe

[hauser]

Bob, it's pretty common practice to go to a plus 1,2,3 and even 4" wheel.  The larger the wheel the lower tire profile you wind up with.  A lower profile equals a stiffer sidewall which improves handling.  The 15" bundt is avery subtle change while retaining the correct period look.

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.

[harleydan]

If one (me for one) should try to get some of those 15 inch bundt alloy rims, I have some questions:

1.  What is the difference in makes, ATS versus Fuchs versus etc.?  Which is better made?  Which is prefered?

2.  What is offset in regards to wheel/rim specifications/measurements, i.e, what does offset mean and do we have to worry about it for our W113?

3.  I think the offset (ET) for the 14 inch bundt alloy rims is 30.  What will the offset be for the correct sized 15 inch bundt alloy rims that will fit the W113?

4.  For the 15 inch rims, what is the range of offsets that will fit the W113?  Or do we not have to factor in offset for the 15 inch rims?

It would be a pity to spend good money on a set of 15 inch alloy rims that do not fit.

Thanks and Cheers,
Danny

[Benz Dr.]

15'' wheel are a big deal. The real ones are quite rare and are very pricey. There are cheaper after market rims but they aren't as strong as MB rims. MB rims have a steel sleeve pressed into the rim for the wheel screw to sit against. Cheaper rims don't have this in most cases.
After market rims are not the same as MB rims for obvious reasons. Copy right comes to mind. I had a set of ATS once and the MB centre cap wouldn't fit because their hole size was different.

Dan Caron's
 SL Barn
benzbarn@ebtech.net
 slbarn.mbz.org
  1 877 661 6061

[harleydan]

Dr Benz,

I value your expert advice in trying to get the MB 15 inch rims vice aftermarket rims.  But can you (or anybody else) please answer the offset questions (question #2, 3, and 4), in the event that aftermarket rims is all I can find or afford.

Thanks,
Danny

[hauser]

7X15 ET 23

http://cgi.ebay.de/Barockfelgen-ATS-7x15-Mercedes-W123-W126-W116-W114-W115_W0QQitemZ150143188931QQihZ005QQcategoryZ9892QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.