Anyone Know the Offset of Stock 15" Mercedes e320 Wheel

[slunk33]

The person I am buying them from doesn't know the offset. I'm searching the web, but I haven't had any success finding an answer.

The wheels are alloy and kind of look like a bottle cap:

Anyone know? I'm planning on picking these up tomorrow. And if anyone needs a set of five Audi A6 Sport 16X7J alloy wheels, I will probably be selling them, I'll post a classified when I do. I want to fix the curb rash first.

Thank You!

Brent
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Current VW's:
'70 Standard Beetle Convertible, '89 Vanagon Wolfsburg (Bluestar) "Gonzo", Peg-Perego Magica

Former VW's:
'72 Bus, '75 Bus, '78 Sunroof Bus, '87 Vanagon GL, '00 Jetta TDI (Gas companies don't miss her, but I do), '04 Passat Wagon

[r39o]

Just ask them to find the ET number.

Those can be anything from 23 to 46, so you have to ask.
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"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!

1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....

Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently)

[slunk33]

I did, but he hasn't responded about it. I'm not sure if he's having difficulties finding it, I'll drive up there tomorrow night (tonight I guess it's 1:00 AM) and just look myself.

Would a good ET fit be 30-35? Or is that to broad?
_________________
Current VW's:
'70 Standard Beetle Convertible, '89 Vanagon Wolfsburg (Bluestar) "Gonzo", Peg-Perego Magica

Former VW's:
'72 Bus, '75 Bus, '78 Sunroof Bus, '87 Vanagon GL, '00 Jetta TDI (Gas companies don't miss her, but I do), '04 Passat Wagon

[KeninMorganHill]

You sure those are 15" and not 16"-er's?

I have those on my '81, but they're 16". Same thing too... "Off an E320."

Pretty big offset. I had to do some decent mods to get 'em to fit.

Longer studs, Reamed the wheel lug holes, Spacers, etc.

I will say this though.. "The sweetest / smoothest ride I've ever had on my van."

Picked up my set for $50.00 for the whole lot.

- KeninMorganHill

[Christopher Schimke]

Ebay is a wonderful research tool!

If in fact these are the same specs for the wheels you are buying, my guess is that you will need to run approx. a 10mm spacer, at least in the front.
_________________
"Sometimes you have to build a box to think outside of." - Bruce (not Springsteen)

*Custom wheel hardware for Audi/VW, Porsche and Mercedes wheels - Urethane Suspension Bushings*
T3Technique.com or contact me at contact@t3technique.com

[slunk33]

I tell ya, when it comes to wheels (at the very least), Chris is the MAN!

I looked on E-Bay, oh wait, I was looking at a different set of wheels (Damn Audi wheels)...

Chris, do I need longer studs in the rear for those? Will I be able to get by without them? And is what KeninMorgan said true? Will I need to drill out the lug bolt holes?

Is $200 too much for these wheels with decent tread tires?

Thanks everyone for helping me on this!
_________________
Current VW's:
'70 Standard Beetle Convertible, '89 Vanagon Wolfsburg (Bluestar) "Gonzo", Peg-Perego Magica

Former VW's:
'72 Bus, '75 Bus, '78 Sunroof Bus, '87 Vanagon GL, '00 Jetta TDI (Gas companies don't miss her, but I do), '04 Passat Wagon

[Johnagon]

I know that if they are like my 15" Mercedes mags , they will need 66mm studs for the rear and some long stud bolts for the front. I can't remember the size right now. The holes in the wheels will have to be opened up to about 14.5mm - 15 mm and spacers used. 16mm up front and at least 8-10mm in the back. That will allow the center caps to be left on the wheels and will keep those ugly hubs covered up. No rubbing or interfearance. They just look plain sweet and classy on the van. The offset is usually stamped on the inside of the wheel somewhere though.

[slunk33]

Pics Johnagon????
_________________
Current VW's:
'70 Standard Beetle Convertible, '89 Vanagon Wolfsburg (Bluestar) "Gonzo", Peg-Perego Magica

Former VW's:
'72 Bus, '75 Bus, '78 Sunroof Bus, '87 Vanagon GL, '00 Jetta TDI (Gas companies don't miss her, but I do), '04 Passat Wagon

[KeninMorganHill]

Slunk,

You will need longer wheen lugs for sure in the rear.

If I recall correctly, the lug stud width of the Vanagon is.. I believe.. 14mm, whereas the Mercedes is 12mm. You'll have to open-up the holes a little more to get them to fit on properly.

As much as I didn't want to, I ended-up taking 'em to a local machine shop who bored them out to 14mm. $125 for that. They fit fine then. But... then I ran into the problem of the wheel studs not being long enough. Then I had to go out and buy longer studs, then spacers.

Finally, everythign fit A-OK.

At the end of the day, including tires, I think I must've spent somewhere in the vicinity of $550.00 for the whole setup.

That's alot to me, but.. the ride and look is sure worth it.

If you do it the way I did, MAKE SURE these are the rims you want.

"Good luck."

If you want a list of the places I went to for the lugs, I can email or post 'em to ya'. Lemme' know and Good Luck.

- KenInMorganHill

[Johnagon]

No pics for a little while. I will give eveybody a chance to see it soon.

[Johnagon]

I've got some part numbers and web sites to check out for the parts. I'll put them on tonight after the monsters have gone to bed. It's not really a hard thing to do now that the leg work is done. I'll try and get the info on for morning your coffee.

[slunk33]

Sounds great, Thanks!
_________________
Current VW's:
'70 Standard Beetle Convertible, '89 Vanagon Wolfsburg (Bluestar) "Gonzo", Peg-Perego Magica

Former VW's:
'72 Bus, '75 Bus, '78 Sunroof Bus, '87 Vanagon GL, '00 Jetta TDI (Gas companies don't miss her, but I do), '04 Passat Wagon

[Franklinstower]

Are those the ones on Craigslist in T-Town?
I think they are 38mm offset.
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'89 Westy - EJ25/22 Frank 4.44 5mt
'75 Miami Blue Sunroof FI Standard Bug
YITB

[Christopher Schimke]

Yes, Ken and John are correct, you will need longer studs in the rear and longer bolts in the front. You may be able to use those 20mm H&R spacer adapters in the rear. That would probably save you from having to install longer studs. The only problem that might come from this is the sliding door. I'm just not sure if 20mm would push those wheels out far enough to rub on the door when it is opened.

Center caps are different for every style of wheel meaning some have more room for the front hub than others. You will just have to wait until you have your wheels in hand and can do a little trial fitting to determine what your needs are.

Most Mercedes run 12mm lug bolts, some run 14mm lug bolts. If your wheels are for 12mm lug bolts, you can easily drill out the lug holes yourself with a 37/64" ( 14.7mm) drill bit. Those bits cost around $13-$20 on the internet. A 9/16 drill bit MIGHT work but that only leaves you with .25mm of clearance between the lug and the wheel. That's pretty close but is probably enough if you drill STRAIGHT. The bolt holes are NOT critical to the fitment of the wheels. The lug seats are where the lug bolt/nut makes contact with the wheels. This is the critical area of the wheel (especially for a Vanagon fitment because it is lug centric), not the hole itself. The only thing you will want to be sure of is that the drill bit goes as straight as possible through the hole. This becomes more critical the the smaller you try to drill the hole. If you were to use a 9/16" drill bit, you would need to drill that hole as close to perfectly straight through as possible. A 37/64" drill bit would give you a little more "wiggle" room and the largest I would go it 19/32" (15mm).

When it come to lugs, some Mercedes wheels use a 26mm ball seat and some use a 22mm ball seat. The radius of the ball is the same, it's just the outer diameter that is different. It is okay to run a 22mm ball seat in a wheel that originally had a 26mm ball lug in it. The use of a 26mm ball seat in a wheel that originally had 22mm ball seat lugs will depend on the design of the seat itself. If there is enough room to fit the 26mm lug fully onto the seat, then your okay. If the lug seat is recessed into the wheel (beyond the ball shap itself), the 26mm ball might hang up on the wheel before making full contact with the seat. Audi's a VW's use the 22mm ball seats.



I personally think $200 is a great deal if the tires are in a size you can use and they still have some life left in them.
_________________
"Sometimes you have to build a box to think outside of." - Bruce (not Springsteen)

*Custom wheel hardware for Audi/VW, Porsche and Mercedes wheels - Urethane Suspension Bushings*
T3Technique.com or contact me at contact@t3technique.com

[r39o]

Just because they look the same, don't mean the ET is the same.

You are warned....

(Ask me how I know!)
_________________
"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!

1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....

Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently)

[slunk33]

I checked with the seller, he said they are 15" off a 2000 Mercedes e320. I will be heading up to check them out tonight, I would prefer an ET of 35 to hopefully eliminate all the spacers and such, but it looks like I don't have any way around all this... I don't want 14" Vanagon alloys!
_________________
Current VW's:
'70 Standard Beetle Convertible, '89 Vanagon Wolfsburg (Bluestar) "Gonzo", Peg-Perego Magica

Former VW's:
'72 Bus, '75 Bus, '78 Sunroof Bus, '87 Vanagon GL, '00 Jetta TDI (Gas companies don't miss her, but I do), '04 Passat Wagon

[Christopher Schimke]

[Wellington]

and just because they come with tires, doesn't mean the tires are correctly rated for a Vanagon Westy

[slunk33]

I'm pretty sure I have a good understanding of tires and such. I know I want at least a class c or 6 ply tire. The nice thing is, I run a GL, so I don't have the same weight restrictions.
_________________
Current VW's:
'70 Standard Beetle Convertible, '89 Vanagon Wolfsburg (Bluestar) "Gonzo", Peg-Perego Magica

Former VW's:
'72 Bus, '75 Bus, '78 Sunroof Bus, '87 Vanagon GL, '00 Jetta TDI (Gas companies don't miss her, but I do), '04 Passat Wagon

[KeninMorganHill]

Yes.. "Watch what tires you put on those rims too."

I had a heck of a time trying to get a tire place to mount them.

They wouldn't touch 'em when I told them what vehicle they were going on. "Duh! My bad." Shouldv've known better.

I eventually found a tire guy willing to mount them to the rims, but he wouldn't put them on the van for nothin'. I had to do it. "No biggie though."

- KeninMorganHill