I've been enjoying the benz banter and info on this site since I bought my 89 300E in March of this year. I have been looking at the picture of the 300E at the top right corner of the Benz forum main header and it struck me. I need those wheels! Can anyone help with any info on the wheels on the car in the picture? Thanks.

 

Further to my previous note. I find it more than a little frustrating finding the specifications on wheels for the MB's. I trust the Tirerack's of the world to supply rims that fit the MB model of choice. However, I don't necessarily trust a seller on eBay to know hte fitment for a specific model. I haven't found any information that identifies a maximum wheel width (with correponding ET) for a given diameter that will work for a given model (not just my 300E). Even the MB dealership in my area could not tell me if a OEM rim (with part number) would fit. Their suggestion was to try the wheel and tire combo on the car and make sure of sufficient clearance before laying out any dough. This is great advice. However, I haven't found a set of take-offs or used rims in my area for 4 months. Given the popularity of plus sizing, there has to be a better way. Maybe a condition of membership to a forum of this type should be a complete description of our rides including wheel specs! This way, any member could see successful applications in the MB cimmunity.

Just venting... I still want those rims on that car in the forum header.

Cheers, JDub

 

A second post-script...
I have been collecting wheel rim stats from "proven" sources and I submit the following.

A review of wheels on the Discount Tire Co. website showed recommended wheels at 16-17” with offsets ranging from 35-40mm. This was confirmed by wading through the wheel specs for recommended wheels from AAARims and Tirerack.

Specifically, it appears that recommended wheels for the 89 300E are as follows:

16”x 7” ET 35-38 mm Tire 205/55-16
16”x7.5” ET 35-38 mm Tire 205/55-16

17”x 7” ET 38 mm Tire 215/45-17
17”x7.5” ET 35-40 mm Tire 215/45-17
17”x 8” ET 35-37 mm Tire 215/45-17

Fromt his listing, you can see that I am not interested in 18" rims. I am lowering the car with Eibach springs to get rid of some visible wheel well and I don't see the logic of showing the remainder of the wheel well through the rim. However, these stats are out there for 18" rims too.

Cheers, JDub