melararealtor

I really like the stock 211 rims (2003) and wanted to switch them out with my 96 E320. Anyone have pics on how they would look? are the rims pretty much interchangeable? thanks guys!! here is the pic..

scorchie

Wrong size holes in the wheels for the W210 lugs.

-s-

melararealtor

can you use the 211 lugs then?

Whitey

211 uses a 14mm bolt, we use 12mm. Although not recomended, you can modify the ball joint on the 12mm bolt to make it sit properly on W211 wheels...like I said, a lot of hassle and not recommended.

scorchie

Actually... not really. Although you can change the radius on a 12mm bolt to match a 14mm radius, the problem is with the 12mm lug you only have about... 1mm of material left on the wheel holding it to the hub.

Try a 12mm lug in the wheel. You can see what I mean by how little of the lug covers any "metal" and most if it is swallowed by the hole.

It works, I just wouldn't be putting any serious stress on those wheels.

Also, the wheels are subject to spinning on the hubs as the lugs don't fill the holes in the wheel properly. Thus the wheel will rotate back and forth. Eventually the stress of bending lugs back and forth will cause them to break. This is usually only an issue on cars that have higher engine power and heavier weight.

-s-

Whitey

Not meaning to be a smartass, but for clarity, I meant machining the shape of the ball joint, not just the radius, so that there is more surface in contact with the wheel. We did it with Tezta's W209, but you will need a different length bolt because of this. Like Scorchie says, with bigger engines it will be dangerous. Tezta only has a 200K so it is not such a risk...when you have alot more HP going thru those wheels, thats another issue.

melararealtor

lol, thanks for the feedback guys!, I guess I am going to have to stick to the rims i have now...not worth the hassle...

scorchie

I guess I wasn't being clear either... you need to start with a 14mm lug and machine down the threads to 12mm. If you machine a 12mm lug and machine the ball, you still won't have enough material on the ball to hold the wheel. (I think machining the "radius" and "shape" of the ball meant the same thing... not sure though!)

I will take pictures to illustrate...

-s-

MBZ12

Smart man!

zam2000

There's a custom shop in El Monte (CA) that sell lug custom made for this purpose (W211 wheels for W210). They have log w/ face contact of size 14mm, and lug radius of size 12 mm. If you're using standard 12mm, you risk snap the wheels, standard 14mm would not fit. I can't remmember name of the shop, it's on Garvey, east of Rosemeed street.

The 16" wheels of the W211 would not enhance the look of your W210 that much (I actually prefer the W210 rims). If you want to improve both the look and handling, get the sport wheels of the W211. It looks great, and improve the ride of your car a bit.

Whitey

Purely for "academic purposes". No, by shape, I meant shortening the tapered part of the ball joint on the 12mm bolt, so that a larger surface is in contact with the walls of the hole. I don't remember correctly but it probably wasn't a regular W210 bolt, since shortening the tapered part will mean the thread will have to stick in the wheel more, hence too long at the hub (possibly)...hard to explain without illustrations but doesn't matter, better to get a ready made bolt anyways if you can.....too much hassle and still risky....I do agree with you scorchie

Another alternative is I understand there are replicas of this wheel that has 12mm bolts.

melararealtor

I have a 96 will these later W210 rims fit? are they basically plug and play?
thanks..

scorchie

This one is an easier answer.

All W210 rims should fit all W210 cars, with the exception that minimum sizes are in effect for E55 and 4matic cars (generally 17", but it's a bit more complex than that).

-s-