V9.

This is probably dumb question but I have to ask. Do 500e w124 wheels fit an e320, or is the offset completely wrong?

mbenzman

Yes, the offset work but the tires won't. The 500E has larger diameter tires that literally wont fit your wheel wells especially if you lower it at all. You need 225/50/16 tires for them to work. Even these will scrub if you don't roll the fender lips and lower the car at all or load it up and hit dips.
Any 16" and 17" 8" wide wheels from the 210, 129, 124 170, and 208 chassis will be the correct offset and width.

Here's 500E wheels with 225/50/16 tires on the my white 300E (on right, that's my 500E on left).



This is 17" sl wheels with 225/45/17 tires on my black 300E.


Good luck
Rich.

Saijin_Naib

nice garage man jealousss

shadowgriffen

Those are the SL wheels I wanted a while back for my wagon couldn't afford the ones they were selling ($800 with old tires....rip off!)

Mazinger

My car currently has 15", If i want to go up to 16" or 17" and put lower profile tires on will the exact ride height and speedometer precision be maintained?

X03

nice SL wheels, im actually really liking the look

mbenzman

The respective tire sizes I listed for the 16 or 17" rims are correct only for use on all w124's except 500E's. The 500E's wheels well are enlarged as well as flared and will accept the larger diameter WHEELS AND TIRES from the R129's.
On severely slammed w124's the tires will rub the inside front wheel wells as well as the lips will need to be rolled.
The speedomter is correct with both these sizes. They are only wider.
I love the Black 87 300E, it's been my baby for 10 years. But I don't drive it since I've had the 500E. I have a friend whose driven it the most in the last couple years, and he's been waiting for me to sell it. So he will get it soon. He swears it will always be garaged and will not deteriorate as I have seen happen to cars I have sold in the past. The right sales pitch angle!!
Thanks for the compliments, guys. The car looks better than in these pictures. I'll take some better shots before she leaves.
But making room for my new toy, the CLK55 Designo cab.
Rich

shadowgriffen

Beautiful nonetheless but, its just not a w124

Mazinger

mbenzman: did you feel better cornering when you went to 17" on your 124?

I can't remember what my current tire specs were, too dark to go out and see now.

mbenzman

The lower the center of gravity, the wider the tires, and how sticky the tires are are more important than the aspect ratio. The 17 feel tighter, respond faster and ride rougher. But they look cool. The main reasons for larger wheel diameters is bragging rights or preference of the look.
The real purpose for them is to provide extra room for larger brakes. That is the performance point. I installed them for the looks.
I believe that more sidewall with all other things equal (such as a custom alignment for that tire size) will actually provide more grip due to the tire being able to conform more to road irregularities.
Too stiff a suspension can also be your enemy as well as adding unsprung weight (as with larger wheel tire combos)
Rich

Mazinger

The tires I have are 195/65/15, However I do think tha If I go to say 195/50/16 or 195/45/17 the tire circumference wont be exactly the same (it will be less by 4mm for the 16" and 3.4 mm less for the 17") Which while will reduce the ride height slightly will cause the speedometer to be slightly off too (its almost 98% accurate now).
Since I really dont care about looks the jump to larger diameter wheels dosent do it for me, maybe I need stickier tires.

Mazinger

BTW, how about putting 215 tires on the rims, will they fit without rubbing no matter the suspension traver, or are 205 a better fit?
It seems there are no 15" ZR or even W rated tires, all I can find are R rated ones

mbenzman

Like I said 225/50/16 or 225/45/17 are the sizes that would keep the speedometer correct. My favorite combo is the 225/50/16 Michelin pilot xgt z4 on a set of 8 hole r129 sl500 wheels. Unbeatable performance to value and good looks. If you want better handling, wider and stickier both make the car stick better. Staying with 15" wheel will be hard since you are very limited in finding a wheel that is light and wider to accept a wider tire. About your only choice for the factory 300E wheel is a 205/65/15. A little taller and wider and most of my customer like them.
Another option is jumping to 16' inch rims and a 205/55/16 tire, like the wheel tire combo from CLK320's or the staggered wheel/tires from an early SLK230.
Spend some money and go for the michelin's whichever was you go and you'll be impressed.
Rich

Mazinger

Yes michelin makes very good tires, the Pilot sport 245/45/17 front 275/45/17 rear on the 740il I used to drive gave phenomenal traction!!

I'll have to check what tires are available when I need to change mine, then I'll have to check what rims are availalbe (brand name rims are tough to come by here).

But I think 225 width tires maybe too much without fender rolling, a bit less is a safer bet I guess.

HGL1668

Hi,

I am curious on what tire size some of you bought to fit the 500e wheels (16x8) onto the regular W124 chassis, I have a 95 wagon.

OP said 225/50/16 is the best but will rub if lowered, have anyone tried these combo and no rub for stock height? I do not want to roll fenders.

Thanks,
Hugo

hages

I'm bumping this question back again as I have the exact same question.

205/55/16 on the OEM E500 rims won't rub on a W124 Wagon with stock suspension?

Merc E500 OEM Wheel specs are: 8Jx16H2 ET 34

What would you pay for these rims without tires and still requires refinishing. The clearcoat needs to be refinished. The surface does not have the machined grooves like the E320 rims.

Thanks, Rod