Plus sizing W123 Wheels

[schafech]

Does anyone have experience with fitting plus sized wheels on the W123?

I am looking specifically at the '06 c230 wheel = 7.5J X 17H2 E36 in the front and 8.5J X 17H2 ET34 in the rear. As I understand it, the W123 came stock with a 14 X 6 ET30 which were replaced on mine before I purchased it.

Thanks!

[lkchris]

W123s are cute little put-put cars.

Bigger wheels look ridiculous on a W123.

[H-townbenzoboy]

If you are looking to put larger wheels on your W123, you must be sure that the offset is low enough. The offsets on rims for newer MBs is too large for W123s, and won't be able to be fitted without spacers, and from what I've seen, a lot of people like to avoid spacers on MBs.

More explanation on offsets can be found here: http://articles.mbz.org/wheel/offsets/

If you want something bigger than 14 inch rims, you can always try some 15 inch rims found on the 86-91 W126 and 86-89 R107, they look good. Any other OE rims won't fit. There's always aftermarket rims, like those made by BBS. Check this site out. http://www.tirerack.com/

[VLayton]

W123s are cute little put-put cars.

Bigger wheels look ridiculous on a W123.


Kent, sometimes I wish you wouldn't be so cryptic and just come out and say how you really feel!

[Maxbumpo]

Chris,

Please note that all performance and handling will suffer if you upgrade the wheels. MB only offered 14 inch and 15 inch wheels, and the 15 inch wheels were only offered on vehicles meant for hauling heavy loads or driving on very rough roads (in other words I doubt that any 123 MB imported to the USA had the 15 inch wheel option).

Car & Driver famously wrote about a turbo diesel 123 wagon when that model was introduced. They gave the car 'Boss Wagon' treatment, upgrading to 15 wheels and adding air dam to front, as well as other cosmetic changes. Acceleration, road holding, and braking all suffered. MB very carefully designed and tuned the 123 suspension for 14 inch tires; mess with that and you are compromising your car's performance.

[POS]

This is my w123 with 15s. I think you can go to a 16 and still look good, but any larger than that and you get more into "pimpin" territory. If that's your thing, then there ya go...

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1/tetontayton/IMG_4181.jpg

[Grey Ghost]

W123s are cute little put-put cars

Ouch! It is an insult to call a car with as much CHARACTER as the 123s "cute," and I'm quite satisfied with my turbo-diesel's ability to keep up with today's traffic.

Why just the other day I pulled up next to a fancy new MB waqon and said "WANT TO RACE?" The other driver nodded and then I yelled "PUT IN 'R' FOR 'RACE!!'

[schafech]

I apreciate the links to Tire Rack and the pictures of upgraded wheels. I am still up in the air about what direction I will go. I am in desperate need of some new tires and thought I might be able to pick up a set of factory wheel and tire take offs for a good deal (relative to brand new tires alone).

I agree with a few of you in that putting oversized wheels on a 123 is a bit ridiculous, but I didn't buy a 30 year old car becuase I thought it was a practical decision and I certainly didn't buy a 300D becuase I thought it would be fast. I'll let you know if my little rattling put-put ever make it into pimpin' catogory.

[dropnosky]

I am really curious about the change in handling and ride that you get with bigger tires. I have done that a few times on some other brands with good results, and I thought that it it would probably improve those characteristics on MBs, but evidently not. I was thinking a change from lets say 205/70/R15 to 215/75/R15 might be ok, but will this throw things off that much?

[blkchambers]

Performance will suffer? NOT SO FAST!!

I have 16x7.5" with 55 series tires, and without any "scientific" data, seat of the pants driving feel a marked improvement in the handling. Ride quality suffers a tad, and both are undoubtedly due th the lower profle tires. There is simply less sidewall to flex in a 55 series tire than a 70 series.

There is a modification to the front tie rod attachment area that allowed up 8" wide wheels on the W123, but I didn't like the way the tires fit, so switched to the 7.5" width. No spacers are required between the wheels and hubs.

There in no mod required in the back at all.

If anyone is interested I can go over the mod.

And BTW, the right wheels look WAY better than the 14" bundt cakes.

[Maxbumpo]

Performance will suffer? NOT SO FAST!!

According to C&D it did. Really this is simple physics. Bigger and larger diameter tires will (a) require more effort to twist (larger lever) for an engine that is already underpowered and (b) raise the car's center of gravity, which will cause more lean in cornering, changing the 'angle of attack' for the wheels = lower grip.

Mileage may improve for highway driving, but I expect it will suffer around town.

Now, simply going to wider tires but keeping the same diameter should help with grip (cornering and braking) and have very minor negative impact on acceleration (heavier tire/wheel).

[blkchambers]

The key to it is to keep the outside diameter of the tires the same as stock. The engine will perform the same as there is no difference in work exerted. Use P205/55R16's and they're within a couple percentage points of stock circumference.
The wider tires and modification have been on my W123 for about ten years, and the only bad effect has been slightly lower ride quality, and slightly larger turning radius (the steering stops had to be extended to keep the tires from rubbing tie rods) In my view, both are merely a small price to pay for better handling and looks. But we all know about opinions.......
Bob

[mgburg]

On my 280E, the original tire was the Conti 195/70R14.

Currently, the tires are Michelin XA4 M+S All Season - 195/75R14.

I'm considering going to a 215/65R14, in a WW, if it's available...otherwise, BW will be fine.

Same size rim, wider stance, slightly lower profile.

The difference I'm considering is only 1% over the OEM setup and 2% under what currently is on her (The 75s are 3.1% OVER the OEM's 70s' specs!)...

First question: Will the 215's width be a problem in place of the original 195's width?

Second question: Will the 215s still mount properly on the original 195 rim?

Those are the real questions...
:confused:

[VLayton]

I was thinking a change from lets say 205/70/R15 to 215/75/R15 might be ok, but will this throw things off that much?


I would think that would make it ride like a ostrich....way too tall

195/70 is not enough, it has to be a GOOD 195/70; H-Rated, High Performance, then you're tuned in. :)

[VLayton]

According to C&D it did. Really this is simple physics. Bigger and larger diameter tires will (a) require more effort to twist (larger lever) for an engine that is already underpowered and (b) raise the car's center of gravity, which will cause more lean in cornering, changing the 'angle of attack' for the wheels = lower grip.



In Bob's case, it is a moot point when you've got a 5.0 shoe-horned in there!!!

[VLayton]

First question: Will the 215's width be a problem in place of the original 195's width?
:confused:

Nope. Have you actually found 215/65R14? :eek:


Second question: Will the 215s still mount properly on the original 195 rim?


Yes, if the 6" rim, perhaps not if you have 5.5" or less....

[mgburg]

Nope. Have you actually found 215/65R14? :eek:

I'm getting close...what I've found is that no one makes a 205 width ... so my option is to start looking to a wider width ... the reason for the question was to see if I was wasting my time or not ... if it won't fit in the wells, I'm not busting up sheet-metal for vanity's sake. :)

Yes, if the 6" rim, perhaps not if you have 5.5" or less....

I remember somewhere on one of the forums there's a number stamped on the rims ... what, in particular, would I be looking for?

Thanks...

[VLayton]

I remember somewhere on one of the forums there's a number stamped on the rims ... what, in particular, would I be looking for?

Thanks...

5 1/2 J = 5.5"
6 J = 6.0"
etc

different wheels have it in different spots...do you have hubcaps or alloys? Wheels are on front side by lugs, alloys on the back by a vent/hole.

[mgburg]

5 1/2 J = 5.5" ... 6 J = 6.0" ... etc ... different wheels have it in different spots...do you have hubcaps or alloys? Wheels are on front side by lugs, alloys on the back by a vent/hole.
YEAH! I've got the caps...I won't have to pull the wheel off the car to check!
:D
BTW: What does the letter stand for? J = ? Any other letters?
Just curious...

[VLayton]

Sent you PM. ;)

[mb240d#2]

on the subject of wheels would 14" wheels from a 1983 300SD fit a 1980 240D? the 300sd is a parts car, the owner says it has a skip in the engine and doesn't want to play with it so he is parting it out. Any info would be helpful.
thanks
Bob

[H-townbenzoboy]

The wheels from the 300SD will bolt right onto the 240D without any trouble. What kind of wheels are currently on the 240D?

[mb240d#2]

they are just normal rims with the colored hubcaps. I was looking to find a second set of wheel so I can have a set of winter tires and a set of summer tires.
thanks
Bob

[Boneheaddoctor]

From Personal experience, 16 X 8 AMG Penta rims will fit but NOT with 225/50-16 tires. Those will hit on the outside sidewall on the front tires. There is plenty of space for wider in the back. I will be buying 205/50-16 tires for the front of mine soon as the last set were ruined as a result.

IMHO it does wonders for making the car stop faster and corner far better. Trade off will be on wet roads due to the larger contact patch. Careful tire selection will minimize that however.

I will add that I do run dedicated winters (Blizzak) on the OEM Bundt rims so snow traction is not an issue with the larger wider tires.