15 " steel hub caps

[zak]

I see that the Classic Center now offers new 15 " hubcaps for sale for $300. each.
I wonder if the 15 " steel wheels are available as well ?
Some 70's big sedans had 15" wheels as an option.

I wonder if the 15's ( 205/65/15) would improve the ride/handling of my 250 SL ?

Some years back I installed new 15 rims/tires on my '83 280 SL and the Panzerwagon tank's handling was improved. But just replacement of 10 year old tires with new rubber makes an improvement.

jz   

[114015]

Hello Zak (js),

I see that the Classic Center now offers new 15 " hubcaps for sale for $300. each.

Yes, that's about the price for which you should be able to obtain a complete (four-piece) set of used 15'' hubcaps....

Form what I have heard from others, the conversion from 14 to 15 '' wheels makes a big difference in handling of our cars.    This makes only sense to me since you have got less (air-filled) rubber around the larger rim while keeping the outer wheel's circumvence roughly constant. The ride can only result in less tire flabiness than with the original 14'' rubbers - which it does.
Of course, wider tires (205 instead of 185) also does it's part.
The folks here in Germany recommend also the 195/65 (I think), which are somehow addressed to handle as good as the 205's while applying less stress to the suspension/kingpin assembly during hard cornering.

Try it !


(Me myself I am not going with the 15'' rims, although I have organized myself a set of these 7 x15 W126 steelies. But I just love the plainn original looks of the dogdish hubcap - beauty ring assembly of the 230/250ies and that is sadly no longer compatible with these 15'' rims. At least I do not know of any suitable 15'' beauty rings which look like the original 14'' rings, and the whole assembly looks a bit weird on these W126 "modern rims"  with their 20 round vent holes or so instead of the four longitudinal vent slots ... just not correct on our classic cars. Instead, with the one-piece hubcaps of the 280ies the difference between 14 and 15'' is barely visible - and much more  acceptable in my view...)


Good luck!

Achim

[JamesL]

Tom had a set of 15s and steel hubcaps on the car and I thought it looked really really good - would love to do the same BUT... I also love my aluminium wheels with hubcaps (Thanks Scoot) so what I REALLY want is ally 15s!

He's on Fuchs now

[450sl]

I have seen a very strange guy who had 2 different colors hubcaps mounted..........

[Peter h]

And I think I know this strange guy...
Is it the taxi man? 
Achim, I think  300 dollar for a good set 15 Zoll caps was 3 years ago. For 300 dollars I will buy 5 sets..
Peter

[zak]

Achim, I don't think I have ever seen a 126 in the US with steel wheels. They all have Bundt alloys or the 15 inch ,15 hole alloys.
Since last year I see aftermarket 15inch bundts for sale at about $150 US each, a modern look on a 113.
What years did the factory offer Bundt wheels on 280 SLs as an option and was there ever an option for 15 inch bundt wheels back then ?
I know that 15 inch bundts were an option on 107s.

jz
 

[JamesL]

Zak
This may help
http://www.classiccarstodayonline.com/2013/12/04/classic-mercedes-fans-15-inch-versions-of-the-original-14-inch-bundt-style-wheels-from-1969-85-are-out-there-heres-how-to-find-them/