Bundts: Real vs. fake

[Douglas]

I wanted to address the question of how to tell the Mercedes (Fuchs) alloys, the so-called "bundts," from the other manufacturers' equivalents, namely Ronal and Intra.

From left to right in the photo below that I borrowed from another site, you'll notice the OEM wheel, the Ronal, then the Intra. Take a look at the "spokes" that emanate outward towards the outer lip. The OEM wheel has an added "joint" almost like a finger pointed downward. The Ronal and Intra wheels have spokes that are flatter and less stylized. The extra "joint" isn't there.

In addition, the Ronal wheel doesn't have the extra holes located next to the lug bolt openings, whereas the Intra wheel does have the extra holes. (Someone should update the wiki on this site because it incorrectly states that the aftermarket wheels lack this hole.)

Hope I'm being clear. Once you know the difference it's pretty obvious.

Take a gander:

Download Attachment: Bundts.jpg
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[Shvegel]

The extra holes near the bolt pattern are for European style wheel alignment equipment. The alignment heads are attached to the wheels and ride on pins that go through the wheels and rest directly on the hub where the wheel attaches.

The nice thing is by aligning to the hub you eliminate any error caused by wheels that are bent.

THe only place I have ever seen the European machine in the US is at a Mercedes or BMW dealer.

[mdsalemi]

Do you have secret employment with the US Government tracking down counterfeit Fendi bags and Rolex watches?     Nice work Douglas!

[zoegrlh]

The way you tell the "real" thing is by the MB parts number stamped on back of wheel.  Originial part number for wheel (that was an option for 280SLs) is 108 400 09 02.
Bob

[Benz Dr.]

I once had someone send me a '' real or fake '' test but it wasn't about tires. Either way they can both give you trouble.

If anyone would like to take the test I might be able to find it and send it on.

[Peter van Es]

As a full member you can update the wiki yourself, Douglas.

Peter

[Douglas]

quote:Originally posted by zoegrlh

The way you tell the "real" thing is by the MB parts number stamped on back of wheel.  Originial part number for wheel (that was an option for 280SLs) is 108 400 09 02.
Bob

Robert,

Point well taken. I was really talking about the far more abundant 6.5" wheel you'd find on a W123 or other 70's and 80's-era Mercedes that seem to be flooding the used part market these days.