[littlehandegan]

Is it possible to run a set of steel wheels on an 86+ 560sl?

Would it be a matter of needed different (longer?) lug bolts?

 

[Fonzi]

The front calipers protrude 1.5" on a 86-89 r107. This is too much to simply bolt on most steelies, especially the ones with the cooling fins like the 6.5x14 et30 w108/107 steel wheels that came on 71-85 r/c107 cars. However, those fins could be removed or other steelies could be used. But personally, I doubt that any MB steelies provide the required 1.5" of caliper space. So I think you would end up needing spacers. How large of spacers? I don't know. Hopefully 1"/25mm spacers would be plenty big, assuming the steelies can provide at least a 1/2" of caliper space.

 

[littlehandegan]

I was thinking a set of W123 14inch steelies I can get my hands on

 

[rowdie]

They won't fit the front. W123 wheels are not as wide as the R/C107 14" steel wheels.

 

[Fonzi]

They won't fit the front. W123 wheels are not as wide as the R/C107 14" steel wheels.

Clarification:
1) Front wheels won't fit without spacers on a 560sl.
2) narrower w123 wheels are not correct for a 560sl, but no steel wheel is correct for a 560sl.

They will bolt on the rear though. They could bolt on the front with large enough spacers, but you should know this is not the correct geometry for the car and will cause the car to steer differently than designed.

 

[tdoriot]

Is it possible to run a set of steel wheels on an 86+ 560sl?

Would it be a matter of needed different (longer?) lug bolts?

Ya have to ask yourself: Why would you want to do that anyway ? There are alot better looks. I know, I ran my 73 for quite a few years that way.

 

[littlehandegan]

I just think it's a classic look compared to the other wheels.

Oh well this may be more work than its worth

 

[Fonzi]

I just think it's a classic look compared to the other wheels.

Oh well this may be more work than its worth

Here's what should make it work:

a) (assuming 25mm spacers are big enough)
- four 25mm H&R 5055665 spacer adapters
- 20 Stellie lug bolts 21mm ball seat 12x1.5 lug bolts

B) find the required spacer size by adding washers to the back of the steelie until the wheel spins freely.
- some other normal spacer (non-adapter) type
- ball seat 12x1.5 lug bolts with shank/shaft length of 21mm + spacer thickness.

I have two 25mm H&R 5055665 and would like to get two more 25mm spacers and play around with this idea a little too. I personally love the idea.

Since you apparently have a 560sl, you don't need to use the H&R 5055665 that are the only spacers I've been able to make fit a 72-85 107. I could use normal spacers on the back, but haven't determined the price of 25mm spacers plus the lug bolt cost. It might just be easier / cheaper to get another pair of H&R 5055665. They are technically adapters that allow you to use the lug bolts that were intended for whatever wheel you are using, and I have the steelie lug bolts already.

Another benefit of getting the spacers is the ability to run other high-offset wheels. Et30 minus 25mm is et5, which is really low, but will probably work fine with a 205/70/14 tire. I could be wrong though. I had a set of CLK lightweight wheels in 7x16 et37 with 205/55/16 tires on them and never got around to trying them with the H&R 5055665 adapters (effective et12), but bet it would have looked really cool. Plus, those wheels are so light they probably would have been good for performance and MPG. Oh well. Some wheels had to go. The guy I sold them to apparently made a $600 profit on them. LOL. Good for him!

If you are afraid of messing with spacers or spending the ~$200 on the adapter/spacer setup (plus the cost of steelies), I guess it's not for you. I personally would like to see someone do it. @VicSkimmr was close, but I think he fell out of love with his 560sl before he made it happen.

 

[Greg87]

I too like the look of the Steelies, but not enough to put them on a 560SL. However, I have thought about trying to paint a set of the stock wheels, using those center caps with the bigger stars that cover the lugs, to look like Steelies--body color out to about the edge on the flat(ter) area and chrome-ish for the rest. Would look much like the old-school hubcaps with just a bit more pant and some extra holes. Wish I had the photoshop skills to mock something up.

 

[isthisdave]

Photoshop my ass. Get some spray cans and get those things masked off.


Pics or you're full of .........

 

[Greg87]

Considering the source...rotfl

 

[Greg87]

For my black 560SL (the best car and color), thinking it could come out looking something like the attached, Dave. Now to buy some spray cans, tape and wheels. :smile

 

[Fonzi]

I too like the look of the Steelies, but not enough to put them on a 560SL. However, I have thought about trying to paint a set of the stock wheels, using those center caps with the bigger stars that cover the lugs, to look like Steelies--body color out to about the edge on the flat(ter) area and chrome-ish for the rest. Would look much like the old-school hubcaps with just a bit more pant and some extra holes. Wish I had the photoshop skills to mock something up.

Yuck! Sounds bound for the hall of shame: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r-c107-sl-slc-class/1514840-official-bw107-hall-shame.html

Here's my attempt at putting hubcaps on 8x16 et11 lorinser rs90

Never devised a method to secure them, but I still have the wheels, and a few sets of hubcaps too.

 

[Greg87]

Probably right about that, Fonzi. Wouldn't be thinking up such things if I had an extra $2500 - $3000 laying around for BBS, rubber, hardware and labor. For now, must be content with the too shiny and pitted chrome "originals" while searching for a deal on a clean set of the painted OE wheels.

 

[redghost]

I was under the impression that there were 15" steel wheels and caps as an option for the 560SL. They are now unobtainium. Tom Hanson is better able to clarify.

 

[rowdie]

I was under the impression that there were 15" steel wheels and caps as an option for the 560SL. They are now unobtainium. Tom Hanson is better able to clarify.

No steel wheel for the post 9/85 107 models.