TheSamba.com :: View topic - Ultimate Wheel Post

Mon Jul 06, 2009 11:56 am

Forgot to say: I have a 2wd Vanagon/westy.

Mon Jul 06, 2009 2:45 pm

albiwan wrote: I'm looking at wheels from a Mercedes S430 (7-spoke) as follows:

-7 spoke wheel
-ET 47
-16" x 7.5
-Come with Michelin MXV4 225-60-16 tires with 70% tread; max load rating is 1521.

I know I'd need spacers; I'm looking at Chris's post from long ago, and I would think that in order to bring the ET to 28-30, I need spacer of 17mm, at least in front? Would this work?

I'm also assuming I'd need new bolts, etc.

This is one of those wheels that kind of fits into a gray area of fitment. 16x7.5s can be a tight fit at a 30mm offset, so I would suggest going to 27-28mm. If I were going to try installing these wheels, I would run bolt-on spacers (like adapters) rather than slip-on spacers because I really don't like to see slip-on spacers any thicker than 15mm if at all possible.

The wheels themselves will not require any modifications and you can use your stock Vanagon steel wheel rear lug nuts (you would need 10 more for the front if you went with the bolt-on spacers) since the seat profile is the same as this particular Mercedes.

Since I don't know what the wheels look like, I can't comment on the center cap fitment issues that you might face.

Fri Sep 04, 2009 8:41 am

i ran thru the posts and couldn't find anything on 19" wheels.

i know loogy has run 18x8, how about 19x8.5"?

there is a good deal on some BBS 19x8.5 BBS CH that would look Hot on my van.

t

Fri Sep 04, 2009 9:05 am

I have 19x8s and 19x9.5s on my van right now. The nice thing about 19s is that the wheel is large enough to clear the upper control arm, which means that there is plenty of room for different widths and offsets. One thing to look out for is that with too much offset, the 8.5s will start to rub on the inner fenders when turning full lock. The other issue is that the center cap of the CHs sits pretty deep in the concavity of the center of the wheel. I don't think that there is even a remote chance that you would be able to fit the stock BBS center caps.

All that said, I think that a set of 19" CHs, with either custom center caps or nicely detailed grease caps and rear hub/nuts, would look absolutely bitchin' on a Vanagon.

Fri Sep 04, 2009 6:27 pm

loogy wrote: All that said, I think that a set of 19" CHs, with either custom center caps or nicely detailed grease caps and rear hub/nuts, would look absolutely bitchin' on a Vanagon.

what size tires would you be running on them wheels?

Fri Sep 04, 2009 7:44 pm

isotopez wrote: I am looking to buy a set of the 16'' steel wheels that tire rack carried before a "certain shop" bought most of the supply. I saw this asked somewhere else but could not find an answer, but does anyone know who manufactures those rims.. I'm looking for another source as tirerack no longer shows they carry them and the shop is "sold out of black". :?

A bit frustrating. Supply and demand I suppose, what would the world be like without capitalism.. haha.... I just went and looked at my spare that has no tire installed ..the manufactureing sticker has fallen off..Sorry..if I remember correctly (almost certain) the manufacture was/is Hankook..on the outside side of the wheel is a lazer etch marking some reference to Benz..another sticker with some info concerning the wheel which includes the hub opening of 84mm..interesting that this a wrong .. the hub opening is rather "dead-on" for my syncro..66-67mm

Fri Sep 04, 2009 8:02 pm

240Gordy wrote: loogy wrote: All that said, I think that a set of 19" CHs, with either custom center caps or nicely detailed grease caps and rear hub/nuts, would look absolutely bitchin' on a Vanagon.

what size tires would you be running on them wheels?

225/35s and 265/30s

Mon Sep 07, 2009 10:11 pm

Did you have to roll the fender lips with those big 19 X 8's up front?

I am running 25mm adapters with Porsche 18 X 7.5 on front 225 PZero's and they are rubbing the outer lips when turning and hitting bumps. Straight line is no problem. I was concidering changing to 20mm adapters, but think the bearing cap will hit the Porsche center caps.

Do your narrower caps accept the stock speedo cable? If so how?

I am thinking about trying to roll the lips a bit to see if It helps.

I am running 18 X 10's on 25 mm adapters out back and they seem fine.

Wed Sep 09, 2009 3:45 pm

Hey Pete, What offset are your front wheels? And yes, I did roll the lips.

Fri Sep 11, 2009 10:50 am

I put new rims and tires on my syncro today:

Mercedes steel rims, 15x6, ET37
General Grabber AT2 235/75 R15
Slightly modified front wheel arches (after the pic was taken)

I love the look!
I did a little test drive earlier and they handle great! They does slow acceleration down a bit, and i have to gear down earlier uphill.
All in all they turned out even better than expected :D

Also I tried some 16x7? ET42 Audi A8 steel rims on a couple of weeks ago. With 225/60 R16 they fit in the rear, but spacers would be a good idea. In the front (on a Syncro) the center hole is to small so no data there. They do look nice, and VERY strong, so these might be an option for someone?

Mon Sep 14, 2009 10:37 pm

I would not believe it, but they fit. Pirelli P-Zero 265-35-18s ET 65 on Porsche Technology Turbo Twist wheels. Mounted with 25mm adapters. Rear door just barely touches. They do not stick out of the fender either. about 4mm clearance to the trailing arm and spring perch.

I think 40 or 45 series would fill out the fender gap a bit better and provide some gearing for the highway.

Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:51 pm

would a load index of 97 be suitable for a passenger? :? Confused

Im getting a set of Mercedes-Benz 190E Lemmerz 15 slot alloy wheels with Dayton timberland A/T tires on them, I just hope theyll work

Thu Sep 17, 2009 2:14 pm

Everything you need to know here;
http://www.roadhaus.com/tires/guideline.html#Tire%20Reviews%20-%2016

Thu Sep 17, 2009 4:04 pm

levi wrote: Everything you need to know here;
http://www.roadhaus.com/tires/guideline.html#Tire%20Reviews%20-%2016

So much information! I take it that they are good, right?

Thu Sep 17, 2009 4:08 pm

no, I just posted it to confuse you :oops:

Thu Sep 17, 2009 4:29 pm

levi wrote: no, I just posted it to confuse you :oops:

Ah im so lost lol. Why wont they work? they are light truck tires and have a load rating of C

Thu Sep 17, 2009 4:41 pm

oh, this question is about the 97-load tires then?

I misunderstood

97 is the minimum

Fri Sep 18, 2009 11:33 pm

Pick these up today.

They are ET49, so loogy, do I need spacers or anything else :?

Thu Oct 15, 2009 12:30 pm

Picked my rims up at the machine shop today after having the centers machined out. Bought some ball seat lugs and bolts and away we went.

17x7.5 Passat Rims 5x112 ET37 - Michelin Pilots 225/45/17 (Picking up some tuffer truck tires soon) No spacers, with about a 4-5mm gap between the arm and the tire.

Altogether cost was around $300.

Thu Oct 15, 2009 1:27 pm

ThorAlex wrote: I put new rims and tires on my syncro today:
[snip]
Mercedes steel rims, 15x6, ET37
General Grabber AT2 235/75 R15
Slightly modified front wheel arches (after the pic was taken)

Do you happen have the Mercedes part number for them?

Thanks,

Robyn