Wheels

[n/a]

I am attempting to install the correct center caps and beauty rings on my 66 SL. I pulled off one of the wheel covers and noticed that the rims were (so i think) never than the originals. The ones that are on the car have circles all the way around the rims. I think that this is for cooling the brakes on the newer SL's. Can anyone shed some light on this subject for me? I would also like to purchase the correct rims as well if they are the wrong ones.

Thanks,
Christian

66 230 SL
Black 040/RedInterior 122
113 042 12 014 243

[114015]

Hello Christian,

It seems as if you have late-style 280 SL rims or something like that.
Can you read numbers on it? Original MB (at least steel) rims always have the part number imprinted in the center near the wholes where the bolts go.
Depending on the VIN, your car should have the
113 400 03 06 (like mine) or the
108 400 00 02.

The first one has three little pins in the center to hold the hubcap, the later has three nowses/edges for this purpose.
The change was made very close to your serial no. but I don't have the one right by my side now... :oops:

You can sometimes find these rims on ebay or so or someone else of us needs to get rid of his. I remember that Tom Collitt had correct 230 SL rims. Maybe he still has.

Otherwise mail me offline (achimahlert@yahoo.de), I will let you know possible sources where you can find some.

Good luck!

Achim
(Magdeburg, Germany)

[ja17]

Hello Christian,
Achim is correct in that the part number is stamped on the rims. The Mercedes W107 (later 450 SL's etc.) and W116 series sedans had 14 inch rims with the circle vented holes. Some of these also had additional cooling fins inside the rims. In addition the W123 chasis cars also had the circular cooling circles  (no cooling fins). Some of these rims were identical but made of aluminum instead of steel and were desirable for their light weight and corrosion resistance. These rims will only accept the full wheel covers as on the later W113 cars.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[n/a]

Does anyone have a set of correct wheels that they are interested in selling?

-Christian

christianmcmillan@yahoo.com

66 230 SL
Black 040/RedInterior 122
113 042 12 014 243

[Joe]

Why does a Mercedes, metric in other respects, have rims measured in inches? Curious minds want to know. Joe

[Ben]

I think 99% of cars have non metric wheel diamter measurements. It dates back a long ways obviously and tyre manufacturers never changed !

I know there are some exceptions, the UK Metro, certain Alfa Romeo's and Lamborghini are a few that spring to mind. I've often read in Classic car mags problem pages of the difficulty in trying to obtain tyres at reasonable prices. A lot of folk have changed rims as it was cheaper to buy stanbdard wheels and tyres than non metric tyres !

I guess its like why are there countries that drive on the left and ones that drive on the right........its just too difficult to change at this stage !

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