Wheels, should I change?

[dakman29]

I have a euro delivered 68 280sl.  Due to the euro delivery it has many features of the earlier cars, i.e. older style arm rest and map pockets, no side markers or bumper over-rides, no head rests, chrome garnish strip between rear bumpers, etc.  When I bought the car 8 years ago I removed the steel wheels that had one piece unpainted covers on them.  I replaced them with a set of bundt style wheels first then found a set of 5.5" alloys  from a 123 car that I still have on my car.  The other day I was looking at the original steel wheels and realized that they have the three ears for a center cap and beauty ring set up used on the earlier cars.  I've always liked that look but am now debating whether to go back to the steel wheels with the two piece trim or just keep the alloys on the car. I guess the question really is how much of a compromise in overall performance can I expect if I go back to the steel wheels.  Thanks for your thoughts.

[GGR]

Why not enjoying the best of both worlds? See here, you could do something similar: http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=20806.0

[Bonnyboy]

The two piece hubcaps were not original on a 280sl but if you did put the two piece hubcaps on people may think that you put a 280sl badge on a 230sl car as most of the other items are similar enough to the uninformed to think its a 230sl. 

[66andBlue]

..... I guess the question really is how much of a compromise in overall performance can I expect if I go back to the steel wheels.  Thanks for your thoughts.

That depends on how you drive the car. Do you take part in rallies? Like to challenge twisty roads at high speed? Or prefer a leisurely sight-seeing trip?
If it is the latter then you wont notice much. Since the Bundt wheels are not original for a 1968 280SL either and you did not mind then it doesn't matter what you put on, pick what YOU like.

[dakman29]

Thanks for the replies.  I know that the two piece set up was not generally original to the 280, but neither were many of the other things I referenced in the post that I guess I attribute to the original euro delivery of the car.  I neglected to mention that the car also originally had no power steering altho I have added it. I am pretty sure that the wheels that came on the car are the originals, in fact the spare has the original continental tire (virtually unused) with the raised rub strip.  So, again speculating, my thought is that the car was likely delivered with two piece caps and rings.  As to driving habits, I don't race or rally but do love those twisty roads.  As has been pointed out I am not obsessed with originality, but cosmetically I like the two piece look.  When all is said and done it has been wisely pointed out that the answer really lies in personal preference.  Thanks.

[GGR]

My 71 280SL came with one piece hubcaps but the wheels had the three ears to accommodate the earlier set-up. I think it's the case with all 280SLs.

[dakman29]

Oh, I was not aware of that, I thought that the wheels changed on the later cars.  Thanks, that's very helpful. 

[KevinC]

Technically, aren't the small star center caps on a 230SL "Hub Caps" (covering the center hub) and the larger one piece versions on the later cars "Wheel Covers" (covering the entire rim)?.   

Regardless...I'm with the "pick what you like" crowd. And here's a twist, I prefer the bundt style wheels on darker colored cars. But that's just me!

[DaveB]

You are right, the early 1968 280s came with the 230/250 two-piece combination. I don't know the VIN at change but it's probably on the site. If your car had them they may have been swapped out for the modern look, or more likely because the original trim rings got dinged up with kerb rash and/or those distinctive marks from prying the caps off before the rings.

I guess the question really is how much of a compromise in overall performance can I expect if I go back to the steel wheels. You could always put the originals back on for a trial run but, as I'm sure you've already considered, the different tyres might spoil the comparison (especially that Conti . There's also the question of the $1000 you'd have to spend on new hubcaps and trim rings! Unless you're ok with someone else's rejects! Probably not.

[66andBlue]

The change from the 2-piece to the 1-piece wheel cover started with 280SL VIN 00045 on Dec. 08, 1967.
Dakman, what is your VIN?

[dakman29]

VIN - 05322

[jameshoward]

, in fact the spare has the original continental tire (virtually unused) with the raised rub strip.

If that is the case, you're not carrying a spare tyre. It is unusable, unless you want to risk a wipeout. It does, though, represent a waste of space and pace, since it's heavy and serves no purpose whatsoever. The first logical thing to do would be to leave your 'spare' at home. 

[66andBlue]

...The first logical thing to do would be to leave your 'spare' at home. 

yup James, that is what I do and instead of the spare I put this in its place:

[dakman29]

Thanks, that tire hasn't been in the car for years, I have a michelin on a fifth alloy wheel in the trunk, and two cans of fix a flat.

[dakman29]

 Hey 66, just curious, when they went from two piece to one piece, was there a different wheel used as well or just different hubcaps?

[66andBlue]

No, the wheel (108 400 00 02) did not change.
Engelen indicates a change on the 6Jx14 wheel after VIN 250SL 04161 (20.09.67) but does not write what kind. Perhaps it was the change from the 113 400 03 06 part number to the 108 400 00 02 number.

[scoot]

When I bought the car 8 years ago I removed the steel wheels that had one piece unpainted covers on them.  I replaced them with a set of bundt style wheels first then found a set of 5.5" alloys  from a 123 car that I still have on my car. 

Unless you really want the early wheel look (two piece center cap and trim ring) you have the best solution with the aluminum wheel with full wheel cover.
Steel wheel:  23 pounds
Aluminum wheel:  11 pounds
Bundt wheel:  13 pounds

The place you will notice the performance difference the most is on twisty roads at speed where the paving is less than perfect.  The front tires will stay on the road much better with the lower un-sprung weight.  You would probably not notice a performance difference between Bundt wheels and aluminum wheels, but you definitely will notice a difference with the aluminum wheels. 

I have steel wheels on my 67 250SL because of the hubcap treatment.  I have had aluminum wheels on my 1971 250C and my 1985 300TD.  Noticed a lot of difference on the 250C because it had steel wheels.  The wagon came with bundts and the switch was aesthetic more than performance.