Modern wheels & tires for '69 280SL ?

[OhLordWontYou]

I suppose there is probably at least one thread concerning replacing the standard steel wheels and hubcaps for a more modern look? How about the ride quality with modern low profile tires? Lastly,Will Bundt wheels from a W126 work if I stay with 14 in..i.e., 112mm stud centers /66-hole. I am new here and haven't figured out how to search the Forum...

[Bonnyboy]

Welcome to the forum.   

Lots of people have tried different wheel / tire combinations but most seem to come back to the original.  I don't know the bolt patterns but generally the Bundts work as they were an option on the very last cars.  The big "thing" for wheel options is to source the aluminum steelies -  aluminum wheels that look like the steel wheels but they reduce the unsprung weight considerably which makes the car more fun. 

Some people get the 15" steel wheels from the bigger cars but hubcaps can be hard to source. 

These cars are high performance but we usually don't let on -  cool party trick -  ask a "car guy" what 60's convertible had a 4 speed, 4 wheel disk brakes, fuel injection, aluminum door skins, bonnet and boot, and independent rear suspension they will probably guess Porsche or Cobra or Ferrari or Corvette or Jaguar or .....

The hubcaps will grow on you. 

[JamesL]

A couple of members here have 15" bundts on their cars. You may want to do a search in case there are some clearance issues they experienced. I recall someone put wider wheels on and the rear right tyre was far too close to the exhaust for comfort
Hubcaps for the 15" steel wheels (I have yet to find a 15" aluminium wheel that can take the hubcap) are actually nearer 16" in diameter and you'll know the difference by the price: they were on the w100 (grosser) and the w123 limo and not much else - so rare and expensive...

[Jack the Knife]

300SL wheels also fit the W113 per the first issue of Pagoda World. 😉

[mdsalemi]

...someone put wider wheels on and the rear right tyre was far too close to the exhaust for comfort...

My completely stock tire and wheel size (185HR14 on 6" rims) is already exceedingly close to a bend in the exhaust on the right side rear...

[zoegrlh]

Years ago we attended PUB, with our friend Jim Villers, he had put 15” wheels from a C class MB on his Pagoda for better fuel mileage. We were following him back from PUB, on Interstate, and good thing, he had a blowout on right rear, in the middle of the Interstate. I put my blinkers on and slowed down for traffic to go around me and Jim. After replacing that tire/rim, (not a good mix, three 15” rims and one 14” rim), anyway we got home with him and checked the blown tire, found out it was rubbing the tail pipe and got over heated and bang popped. So I would not advise to put any type of rim/tire that is not to the original specs.