A few R107 questions

[5 wh]

I've recently acquired a nice 500 SL which I took in PX against another car I was selling.Im a bit of a fan of old mercs,and as the R107 is a car that my mum owned for many years in my youth,it's something that I'm considering keeping for myself long term.Being a 1985 car it's a pre facelift on 14" "Mexican Hat" style alloy wheels,and while the purists may not agree,I'm thinking of sourcing a set of 15" alloys off a later car,fully refurbishing them and fitting them instead(keeping the old wheels in case whoever buys it from me prefers them).The car already has the front spoiler fitted off the facelifted car so looks a little under endowed in the wheel department as it is.I used to own a W126 so I'm aware that there are many different offsets of the OE 15" wheel-is the correct offset for R107 ET25?Also does anyone know if the the original wheel bolts could be used or are a different length required?Finally I would fit the best rubber available to the new wheels-any recommendations for that?-I'm thinking Michelin or Continental.
Thanks. Will

[r129sl]

Offset is 25. Original wheel bolts should be OK. Best tyre is probably the Conti Premium Contact 5. Correct size is 205/65 VR 15. The Michelin alternative is really intended for much smaller, lighter cars.

[5 wh]

r129sl said:

Offset is 25. Original wheel bolts should be OK. Best tyre is probably the Conti Premium Contact 5. Correct size is 205/65 VR 15. The Michelin alternative is really intended for much smaller, lighter cars.

Thanks for that.Do you think fitting 15" wheels to a pre facelift could look a bit naff?My other options are to leave the Mexican hats and take the front spoiler off for the period look(to be honest I do prefer the look of the facelifted cars)or find and refurbish a set of AMG Pentas which would probably look good with the front spoiler.

[r129sl]

I prefer the pre-facelift look. But taste is a matter of taste.

Since you've got the spoiler on there already, it makes sense to add the wheels. Then it will look right.

Besides, tyres for the 14" wheels are very expensive if you can find them at all (Michelin XWX at about £300 each) whereas for the 15s they are quite reasonable (about £350 for all four).

[drmark]

As above Michelins best OE tyre but SL Shop recommend Michelin Prinacy as cheaper alternative to XWX. Have them on mine and seem excellent.

[5 wh]

If anyone knows of a set of suitable OE 15 wheels et25 then please let me know-there don't seem to be many around at the moment!

[thepanays]

I have a 89 R107 . When I bought it it had the original Michelin tyres. Not wanting to drive on those tyres I changed to Kuhmo's very good tyre and very quiet. However, as my car had only covered 24 k miles I decided to enter into concours event. As a new boy to concours I was informed that the tyres should be Micheline so went out a bought a new set. The point of this post is that I now have a set of 205/65/15 tyres for sale if you are interested PM me.

Paul

[Humper]

5 wh said:

If anyone knows of a set of suitable OE 15 wheels et25 then please let me know-there don't seem to be many around at the moment!

I have just removed the wheels pictured, may consider selling for the right offer?

[shirt]

thread resuscitation.

what's the current consensus? just bought a 350slc which is shod with pearly a max tyres.... don't fancy a modern design or the price of xvx.

stick with 14 or go up to 15?