Mags and Alloy Wheels

[bluedipper]

I'll need new tires in the next few months and knowing this I followed the discussion about tires with great interest.  Thanks to all who contributed, now I'm really clueless as to what to install on my car and at the same time as well informed as one could ever hope for.  I want the best performance and the look of a great sports car.  

Anyway, while searching around a bit I saw an interesting photo of an early Pagoda, probably a 280SL from the late 60s or early 70s, with aftermarket mag wheels.  It had a look that reminded me of some of the older british sports cars I once drove in my youth.  I remember in particular the mags that were an option on the later TR/4 and on the Mini Cooper.  

Is there a Mag or Alloy wheel that would give our cars a more rugged race worthy look without detracting from the dignity of the line?  I love my original 2 piece hub cap sets and would never give them up.  I might however store them away in the garage and dress my car up with the right racing wheels.  The factory steel wheels seem to be best suited for the original 185-HR14 tire.  I'm thinking the Mags could sport the 195 or 205 variants of the same tire with grace.  

Trouble is, if I spend the money for the wheels and tires and then the car doesn't seem to have the same visual integrity as the stock wheel, I'll have go to a lot of trouble to set things straight.  I'm interested in everyone's thought.

Chuck
68 250SL

[Malc]

Chuck,
Not sure but the alloy wheels your are talking about could be ones known as "Minilites", these first appeared in the 1960's so that would fit with TR4,5,and 6 plus the Cooper

The company still exists and still produces wheels to the same style, they do have a website suggest a Google search on the name.

THe other alternative is Wolfrace, which is also still going but I don't know if they still produce their "iconic" slot mag wheels
Good luck
Malc

PS I have seen pictures on this site of Pagoda's with the 1970's Mercedes alloys off the 450sl etc, they look pretty good

[Ben]

quote:PS I have seen pictures on this site of Pagoda's with the 1970's Mercedes alloys off the 450sl etc, they look pretty good

........these "Bundtcake" wheels were a factory fit option from 1968, and as such are correct options for some late 113's. They were also on the W108/109/111 as options and pre-date the introduction of the 107 series SL's.

To my eyes Minilites/Mags/Slots/Wires just wouldn't look right on a 113.

See Hausers photo below for e.g of the "Bundtcake".

http://www.sl113.org/forums/uploaded/hauser/200493094340_280with%2015inch%20wheels.jpg

These are actually a 15" version, as used on the 600 and hence very rare, but dont they look fantastic !!



Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.
'03 CLK Kompressor

[hauser]

If you're looking for an ultimate 60's early 70's look...  then this just might just do the trick!

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1969 280sl 5 spd        1999 ML320          Gainesville,Fl.

[Malc]

Ben,
THose are the ones I mean re Mercedes originals [:p]

Were they 15" rims or did they come in 14" too, just asking as I would have to do the plus 1 thing re tyre aspect ratios to keep the speedometer readings correct
Cheers
Malc

[rwmastel]

quote:Originally posted by Malc

Ben,
THose are the ones I mean re Mercedes originals [:p]

Were they 15" rims or did they come in 14" too, just asking as I would have to do the plus 1 thing re tyre aspect ratios to keep the speedometer readings correct
Cheers
Malc

These MB wheels are most commonly found in 14".  According to Ben's statement, the 15" are hard to find.

There is a 14" alloy wheel that will accept the later one-piece MB hub caps.  Tom Sargeant has these.  This gives you the performance of a light weight wheel while maintaining an original MB look.  Plus, one-piece hub caps are still available brand new.

I personally don't care for the wire wheel look on a Pagoda, but by all means you should satisfy your own preferences!

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[A Dalton]

You can get 15" Bundts [FUCHS] off an early 405sel , 6.9..

 Otherwise , the 108/111 had them in 14", as did late 113s.
 Some guys use the 107 [450sl]14", but they are 1/2 " wider.
 I have the original 250L steel set so I can keep my 2 piece cap set , a 14" bunt 108 set, and the wider 107  bunt .
 They are all in 14, so you can maintain the tire diam by changing the aspect ratio and still be close to orig.
 Remember, the original side wall is Euro 80mm, so use this when considering your aspect ratios.....

 Added note*
 In US sizing , the best you can do to remain close to stock tire circumference in 14" is 195/75R/14, and if you are lucky enough to find some 15 Bunts, the ideal size will be 205/65R/15.
 In the 205/14 sizes you are stuck as the 75 profile are too tall and the 70 are too short..both by about the same % amount , +/-
 215/70/14 are a good circumference match, but too wide [ although, many guys use them without hitting]
 Whats everyone running???

[Benz Dr.]

Don't ever buy chrome plated rims. You'll wish you hadn't after a few years........

Daniel G Caron

[A Dalton]

quote:Originally posted by Benz Dr.

Don't ever buy chrome plated rims. You'll wish you hadn't after a few years........

Daniel G Caron

 I'll Second that ..

[Douglas]

I don't care for polished bundt cakes, but can't you just paint them if you get tired of the chromed look?

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[n/a]

I am using chromed bundt cake wheel on my black 250SL and I really like the look. The bundt is correct for the car, but the chrome isn't.  How good the chromed or painted look is might depends on the color of the car.  My wheels have been on the car a long long time and the chrome is deteriorating some but generally still look pretty good.  

I have a set of chromed bundt cake wheel I occasionally use on my white 190SL.  I don't think they look nearly as good on a white car as on a black one.

Garth

[Benz Dr.]

The chrome will flake off after a few years. Really depends on the type of driving you do and the conditions the rims are exsposed to. Even a very small pin hole will let in moisture and a pit will start.
 The mag wheells flex a bit and the hard chrome will start to crack in time. If you live in the north east one drive in the salt and they're junk pretty fast. ( I know, but not all cars are 113's )

I have a small pile of them I couldn't even give away. Benz paints their rims which is OK. Paint or powder coat will flex and not peel off. No one plates rims anymore. Ford tried it recently and it was a disaster.....

Daniel G Caron

[n/a]

for what it's worth, here are pictures of my bucket of bolts with rims from approx. 1990 I believe - you be the judge as to the looks

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65' 230SL

[hauser]

I'll have to agree with Dan.  Eventually the chrome will peel!  One alternative is to have the wheels polished.  I had BBS RS wheels on my 5 series BMW which the center is painted and the rim is polished with a clear coat sealer.


1969 280sl 5 spd        1999 ML320          Gainesville,Fl.

[Benz Dr.]

Hammerhead,
Your car looks good because you take care of it.

 For regular driving where a car doesn't get cleaned or washed every time it's driven you will find the painted rims will hold up much better.

I don't think you could paint on top of the chrome plating and expect it to stay on like the aluminum surface. The best way to deal with this is have them polished and then clear coated.

Daniel G Caron

[Malc]

All,
In regard to Alloy wheels I would agree that chromed ones are very difficult to maintain, but  alloys are usually painted as "raw" aluminium would look awful. I have "reconditioned" alloys pretty successfully off my 2002Tii Here's what I did.

1) Take the tyres off and remove valve stem
2) Get them bead blasted, take care here as too abrasive a medium or pressure will cause damage.
3)paint them with "silver" paint, here in the UK you can get the right kind of colour in a spray can.
4) allow to dry and harden
5) spray with a clear coat, lacquer or equivalent.
6) remount tyres and get them balanced.

The 2nd hand alloys I bought were pretty rough and they came up well, so with a little effort you can get a set of alloys, refurbish them and not break the bank balance

WARNING: If you find a set of 2nd hand Alloys do check them for damage and or bad corrosion as this will weaken them as well as causing leaks etc. Try and find a set without tyres mounted, that way you can check the "inside" as well, especially where the tyre wall sits. If not get them really cheap so you can afford to throw them away.
Oh Gawd more Scottish advise
Malc