alloy wheels

[patagonia]

Hallo everybody, I would like to know if is correct to find Pagodas with alloy wheels on the 280 version, or were only in steel? 

[WRe]

Hi,
Optional alloy wheels appear only in the late price lists of 280SL in 1970/71; see here www.pagode.info/31.htm
...WRe

[rogerh113]

While they may not be 'correct', they look good and  I think the drive with alloy is MUCH better than steel - I was amazed when I switched from steel to alloy (and I am not easy to amaze). 

There are quite a few posts on this topic.  Note that different (longer) lug nuts are required if you switch - very important.

Regards -- Roger

[Peter van Es]

Check out our own Technical Manual on the subject: http://www.sl113.org/wiki/WheelsTires/Start

[pj]

In connection with this topic, it says in the TM:

"The 6Jx14 H2 wheel was used on 1981 280E and 300D automobiles. The part number is 123 400 15 02. The 5 1/2Jx14 H2 wheel was used on 1980-1982 240D automobiles. The part number is 123 400 1302. They can only be used with the one-piece later style Hubcap."

Does this mean:

"The 6Jx14 H2 wheel was used on 1981 280E and 300D automobiles. The part number is 123 400 15 02. The 5 1/2Jx14 H2 wheel was used on 1980-1982 240D automobiles. The part number is 123 400 1302. Either the 6Jx14 H2 or the 5 1/2Jx14 H2 can only be used with the one-piece later style Hubcap."

or does it mean:

"The 6Jx14 H2 wheel was used on 1981 280E and 300D automobiles. The part number is 123 400 15 02. They can be used with either the earlier 2-piece or the later one-piece hubcaps. The 5 1/2Jx14 H2 wheel was used on 1980-1982 240D automobiles. The part number is 123 400 1302. They can only be used with the one-piece later style Hubcap."

I suspect it's the former because the 2-piece hubcaps require little nubbies for the hubcaps. I suspect by 1980, none of the wheels made for MB models had those little nubbies. But I've never seen them. Could someone please verify?

[W113SL]

If you are referring to the "Bundt Cake"  alloys, I have seen them advertised in the Star in a July 1969 issue.  They would be considered corect for 1970 and 1971 Pagodas as well as W111 Coupes and Cabriolets. The size would have been 6J14, not 6.5 inches.

W113SL

[Peter van Es]

I believe it to mean:

The 6Jx14 H2 wheel was used on 1981 280E and 300D automobiles. The part number is 123 400 15 02. The 5 1/2Jx14 H2 wheel was used on 1980-1982 240D automobiles. The part number is 123 400 1302. Either the 6Jx14 H2 or the 5 1/2Jx14 H2 can only be used with the one-piece later style Hubcap.

[patagonia]

Thanks a lot! This link is very exhaustive: http://www.sl113.org/wiki/WheelsTires/Alloys

[scoot]

"The 6Jx14 H2 wheel was used on 1981 280E and 300D automobiles. The part number is 123 400 15 02. The 5 1/2Jx14 H2 wheel was used on 1980-1982 240D automobiles. The part number is 123 400 1302. They can only be used with the one-piece later style Hubcap."

I wrote it and thought it was clear.  Sorry for the confusion.  The aluminum wheels that look like steel wheels don't have nubs for the dog dish small hubcap.  And if you put the outer beauty trim ring on them they look awful since the beauty ring bisects the vent holes.   The aluminum wheels are for the 1 piece full wheel cover only.

[sandcrab59]

AS I recall in Willingen last month,
I saw many SL's with the Alloy Wheels.

I inquired why do they have these alloy wheels instead of steel rims.
Some informed me that, that was an option on the latest 280SL"s.
Tom

[scoot]

AS I recall in Willingen last month,
I saw many SL's with the Alloy Wheels.
I inquired why do they have these alloy wheels instead of steel rims.
Some informed me that, that was an option on the latest 280SL"s.

Alloy Bundt wheels were an option.  But you ask why:
Steel wheel:  23 pounds
Bundt wheel (alloy) :  13 pounds
Aluminum that looks like steel wheel:  11 pounds

Bundt wheels are a good choice if you can tolerate the appearance.
Aluminum wheels that look like steel wheels are a good choice if you can tolerate the price and like the full wheel cover look.

Scott

[mgandrew]

I have a 250SL (1967) and alloys are not correct, however I like them. I have a set of 5 that are at the wheel shop as we speak being restored. They will get new tires and put on the car. The steel rims with the hubcap/trim ring set will be stored just in case the next owner wants them.

[ja17]

Some owners with early cars use the aluminum dished wheels (11 lbs.) then have the three pins installed on them so they can then hold the early  hub caps and beauty rings. The mounting pins can be ordered from Mercedes. The part number is 110 401 01 74 and the list price is just over $2.00 ea.  That's  easy. Now the hard part................ these three pins must be "peened" in place ( like a rivet) after the three holes are drilled in the wheel. The three holes must be in exactly the correct place so the hub cap snaps on without being too loose or too tight. If the three holes are in sync with each other but out of position as a group, then you can have have an out-of-balance wheel assembly, as soon as you install the hub cap! I think you would have to make a good drill template to consistently get this right. 

Now if  your  using the dished aluminum wheels with the full wheel covers, no pins or modifications are required to fit the original full wheel covers.

I also like the bundt alloy look on these cars. Cleaning the bundt alloys and keeping them nice is a little more work.

[jeffc280sl]

If you choose to be not period correct I would try to locate 15 inch wheels.  Lower profile tires, 60 series, makes a huge performance improvement.

[scoot]

Some owners with early cars use the aluminum dished wheels (11 lbs.) then have the three pins installed on them so they can then hold the early  hub caps and beauty rings.

You _can_ do this, but the beauty rings look like crap on the aluminum wheels.  The ring bisects the round vent holes on the aluminum wheel and looks wrong wrong wrong.   On the steel wheel there are vent slots instead of vent holes - the vent slots are concealed by the beauty ring and things look nice.

http://forums.190slgroup.com/showthread.php?4678-AL-14-quot-Rims-quot-Heckflosse-quot-hubcap-mounts   <-- lots of good info

Somewhere on 190slgroup there is a picture of the aluminum wheel with a beauty trim ring.  I couldn't find it, but trust me it looks awful.

[jpinet]

Hello guys,

I'm jumping in in this topic! I had these wheels on my 230Sl that I replaced with aluminium rims. I'm not clear if this is what people refer to as Bundt wheels. They are 6x14 and have ATS as a brand. While were at it, maybe you know what they sell for, average? I'd like to put them up for sale. Thanks!

[scoot]

I'm not clear if this is what people refer to as Bundt wheels. They are 6x14 and have ATS as a brand. While were at it, maybe you know what they sell for, average? I'd like to put them up for sale. Thanks!

Yes, those are Bundt wheels.  14" Bundt wheels are not particularly of value.  People are more inclined to want 15" Bundt wheels.
You might post on peachparts and benzworld in addition to here - It not a wheel that a Pagoda owner is likely to switch to.

[Peter h]

I have no good 15 inch alloy rims found. Now have 15-inch steel wheels and 205/65 tires mounted. With the matching hubcaps you see almost no difference.
Peter

[jeffc280sl]

Peter,

How do you like t he performance of you 15 lower profile tires?

[Peter h]

I also have installed the Eibach springs. The pagoda is about 1, 5 inches deeper.
He's much track spreaders and does not spring so much. The ride comfort is not to poor than before, even better. I am very happy, original, I've still got the second pagoda.
Early May is still a big meeting with 35 pagodas in our hotel, we'll see what the other guys say.  ;DI think many do not realize the difference except the wide tires.
Peter

[jeffc280sl]

Sounds nice.  In addition to the larger wheels I have sport springs and a thicker, 230SL, front anti-sway bar.  The ride is a little stiffer but the car handles very well in the curves.

[ja17]

Looks good Peter,

Are those Mercedes 600 15" wheel covers?  Also nice sculpture in the picture, are you the artist?

[Cees Klumper]

The 14 inch Bundt aluminum wheels sell for about $150-250 for a set of 4 in the Netherlands so they're quite cheap. Probably similar prices in Germany, France, Belgium, UK etc. There are also 15 inch sets available for about the same price,olr maybe a bit more. I've always liked their look on the Pagoda, but have not gotten a set for my own yet. I may do so, then would likely go for the 15 inch ones just to see the difference in handling with a lower profile tire in addition to the weight advantage.

[Cees Klumper]

This set is special. Polished edges, 15 inch. The polished edge is something I recently saw on a bespoke 911 and they did look good:

http://link.marktplaats.nl/m793105144

[jeffc280sl]

Interesting look. Have not seen this in the USA.  These look like reproductions.  They do not have the steel inserts/washers for the lug nuts.