They do look nice, indeed. Rather expensive, though... and not that I'm planning to sell the car any time soon (or ever), but the upgraded wheels may return a pitiful amount when re-selling the car.

I like it!

Great customization job.

I'm a bit more conservative myself. Still haven't taken a plunge with the wheels yet. From some angles, the '85 stock wheels still look great -- for one thing, they hark back to the heritage of Mercedes Benz, including the W116 S-class and the W123.

Not sure whether to go with stock-looking late-model W126 wheels (15 hole design) or the Type 8 design that evokes the W124 500E...

If you drive your car hard in the corners, don't get a profile as tall as 55. I'm using 225/55/16 sized tyres which lean over when I've been pushing the car at the limits.

As can be seen by the pic! The red marks highlight the actual sides of the tyre where it has been wearing when under extreme cornering.

And no, I haven't been hitting kerbs and the tyres are always correctly inflated.

A 40 series tyre, as used by ausie560sel would be what I'd be using. If I wanted to spend money on rims. Which I don't.

How about these. 18x8.5 on 18x245x40 fronts & 18x10 on 18x285x35 rears.

Does anyone else have this problem with 16" wheels and 55 profile tires?

PS: Which wheels are you using?

This style. I think they came on early 129 SLs?

It only wears like that when screaming around tight corners and doing powersliding etc.

The actual pratical purpose of low profile tyres is to stop the sides from leaning over and better keep the tyre flat on the road. 55 series just isn't low enough to stop the sides from rolling.

I get it from my other set of rims too, which at the moment use 205/60/R15, which when lean over even worse than the others, particarly when on the front. Those rims are the 8 hole design fitted 1991 and later W124s.

Hi there
I have late model 16x8 R129 SL wheels with 225/55 tyres fitted to my 500SEL, the offset is ET34.4 so I'm using 5mm spacers at the front to clear the steering arms
No other issues even with my car being lowered
I also have those other SL wheels, the early style similar to the more common 15", 15-hole type, they are also 16x8 with an offset of ET34 so also need 5mm spacers at the front

Nice -- those R129 wheels look great on a gleaming black W126 -- you should post more pics in the "official" picture thread

I'm wearing R129 16"SL wheels too with spacers. They look good with this car. But NOMADS wheels seem to do the trick! They look period correct because the original wheels have this multiple mini spokes that replicate the flat face wheels the W126 came with.

NOMAD::: what spring/shock combo are you using?? Car looks sharp!

One can buy those (8-hole design) wheels with low-offset (at Tirerack, for instance) that will fit the W126 without spacers. FYI

I have a set of ASA Type 8 wheels (Size: 16" x 7.5", et. 21). The tires are Avon Tech 550 A/S (Size: Front: 225/55WR16; Rear: 245/50WR16). I purchased this combo from Tirerack.com. Hence, this is the correct fit without spacers. All I can say is WOW! This combo has made a drastic difference. Thus, the handling is outrageous and the ride comfort has improved as well. Total cost was $1000.00 This was the best investment I have made in relation to my vehicle.

i would REALLY like someone with a w126 to put on the carlsson 1/12 wheels...! I think they would match perfectly, they look like an updated version of the original wheels... i really think they would look perfect...

I have a 1985 380SE with maximum grip snow tires on original rims. (Just bought car and these were on it) I would like to get a set of rims and tires for summer. Any recommendations? How do you get in touch with Luke at Tirerack? Thanks.

Springs are by dutch company Jamex
Shocks are factory type, though they are not the original one's, I had them tested before fitting the springs and they were in great shape so left them in

Go to the Tires forum (scroll down from the main MBWorld homepage and you'll see the Tires forum near the bottom).

Luke's info is there, along with a sticky thread re: ordering tires/wheels from the TireRack.

You can start a thread there -- if you put something "Luke, question for you" in the title, chances are he'll respond.

Or you can PM him.

As for specific rim choices, most people will agree that the 15" 15-hole design or the 16" 8-hole design are both great for keeping a relatively stock and classic MB look. You can also look at the choices on Tirerack for your car (Tirerack's upgrade garage lets you find your vehicle/model and then shows wheels/tires that will fit). Of course, they are not the only retailer out there and you can find more designs on the net.

Just remember to keep fitment in mind....some sites will show high-offset (higher than 25) wheels as a good fit, but those high-offset wheels won't fit without spacers ... you probably don't want that extra level of complication, so stay away from spacers and choose low offset wheels (15" through 17" probably best ... 18" max)

Nomad, that looks great -- did you get those wheels (how much are they?) or is that Photoshop?

Just a Photoshop my friend
The wheels would prob cost more than my whole car...scary

I would like to go 17 or 18 in my rims for my 87 420sel any bbs or amg any one have something like this that will fit?

I Humbly offer a few points to bear in mind re; Changing Tire & Rim SIZES ...
a. Factory Suspension Parameters are engineered for the Overall DIAMETER of the "stock" tire / rim component.
b. When going to a 16, 17 or whatever Rim, a corresponding reduction should be made in the tire aspect ratio to maintain the factory overall diameter ... & Speedometer-Odometer Accuracy.
c. When THAT is done, the tire COMPRESSION values change, & handling/traction over rough surfaces is negatively impacted.
d. I have BBS 16" Rims on my '88 560SEL, with a slightly greater offset & the car handles well past what common sense dictates, even with my Graybeard, Granpa, Leadfoot Lunacy. And I REGULARLY Blaze through & over Colorado Mountain Passes (Loveland & Vail) at speeds upsetting to my kids, Grand Kids & the Constabulary ... with 327,000 miles on the original odometer ...
e. Given all the above, I cannot, in good conscience, recommend anything greater than 16" rims, especially where there are "4 season" weather variables involved.

For Your & Your PASSENGERS Safety, I offer these recommendations for your consideration.
Cheers & Holiday Happies ...
Granpa T

This is what I wear on my coupe

My 90 SEC is running with the next version big body rim I believe, the 16 inch 8 hole.

I believe that the factory rim was the 15 inch bottle cap wheel. To my eye, these updated wheels looks great on the car. The tires are Michelin MXVs if I'm not mistaken.

My point is that the prev owner made sure to size the tire diameter to match the orig equipment diameter. As posted above, the cars suspension geometry is set up for this value.

Initially I thought I'd put some fancier and larger diameter rims on the old gal, but the more I look the less I like! I will however try to put a slightly wider tire on when these dry rot. I don't drive it enough to wear them out. Perhaps that will change.

The homies in my hood are putting insanely huge wheels on their Detroit Hoopties. Yesterday I saw an 80's cutlass supreme with what must have been 26 inch rims. The tires were one inch tall tops. First big pothole and Homie is replacing both the tire and the rim. But, he will be stylin' in the process!


Just my two centavos.

Hello,
Can you install anything wider that 205 on the 1990 model factory wheels? 215s or 225s?
Thanks
Ed

I think Diesel is right, stay stock on the W126. Just repaired, primed, painted and gloss top coated (all Duplicolor) the wheels on my 420 SEL, and they look beautiful again.