Anyone Know the Offset of Stock 15" Mercedes e320 Wheel

[Johnagon]

Ok I said I'd fill you in on what it took me to install my Mercedes mags. The lug holes were 12mm and had to be opened to accept a 14mm stud. I did this using a piloted reamer that I had made. If I didn't have access to get that, I would have used the closest drill bit to 14.5 mm. I'm pretty sure that I used....... 35mm..... stud bolts from http://www.eurosportacc.com/hr_wheel_bolts_studs.htm. Part number; 1453502 14 X 1.5 35 Mercedes Ball 17mm $2.95 Each. They can be a bit too long it's ok,because the hub is really deep. I bought spacers locally for about $5 or $10 each. I needed at least 15mm - 20mm. Ended up using 16mm to clear the steering components. But the wheel just clears. As for the back wheels I used 16mm spacers also, to clear the damn hubs and keep the center caps on. The studs in the rear are porsche. Part Number:911 331 671 00 Extra Long wheel stud for Bus 71-79 (from German supply), "needed when using some alloy wheels". I Googled the part number and got them from www.dartauto.com. I think they were around $85 shipped. I drifted out the old ones and knocked in the new ones with ease using a real "car" hammer and big block of wood to back up the hub. They fit perfect. Oh ya the hub. It has to come off to change the studs. 46mm nut, remember that size. It's on really tight if you haven't already heard. REALLY TIGHT !! I did it with a force bar and cheater pipe. No problems. Then I needed to get some Ball seat lug nuts for the rear and got them from http://www2.cip1.com/default.asp. They knocked me back(the studs) about $5 or $6 a set. All the places gave decent to good or better service as far as comunication and speed of delivery. I'd go shopping with them all again. If you ask me it's worth the time and money. Wheels make the car. Go for it ....!!

[slunk33]

And what it'd look like if I went with the Audi A6 rims, I kind of like the look of the Mercedes better, though.

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[slunk33]

Using the magic of Adobe Photoshop, this is what my 87 GL would look like with those rims:

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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

[Surfalia]

Thanks Chris

[Christopher Schimke]

I'll be really honest, I wouldn't start looking for new wheels if you like the ones that you have on there. If you add a 20mm H&R bolt on spacer, your effective ET will drop to 29mm which is plenty close enough to the stock 2wd ET.

I'll check into the stock Syncro ET and let you know.

EDIT: According to Syncro.org, the stock Syncro steel wheels, 14" or 16", had a 30mm offset.
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[Surfalia]

I guess I will be looking to get rid of my ET49's and get my ET closer to stock.
Do you know what the stock ET is on a Syncro?
thanks for the info Loogy

[Christopher Schimke]

[slunk33]

These sound like questions for.... Loogy!
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'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

[Surfalia]

I recently put 15" benz alloys with an ET of 49 on my '87 syncro with no spacers, no rubbing and as far as I can tell no problems. I have driven it over 2000 miles so far since I put them on. The ride and handling is great and I don't know and haven't heard anyone say there is a downside to running a much higher or lower than stock ET. I guess staying as close to the original is probably best. Does a higher ET give you a narrower footprint and vica versa?? I don't know. Is it better to have a wider footprint like you get from a lower ET than stock?? So many questions so little time

[slunk33]

Those are pretty nice. Wish money was not object, but damn if it is...
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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

[Crankey]

those are even pritty nice looking with that lip. way better than the stock alloys.

[Christopher Schimke]

I know that this is off track of the main theme of this thread, but if you are looking for a truly bolt on Mercedes wheel, look for a set of

***THESE***

They will bolt on without spacers and I have heard that people run them using the stock lugs and studs with no problems.
_________________
"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 [email protected]

[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

[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.
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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

[Wellington]

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

[Christopher Schimke]

[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

[r39o]

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

You are warned....

(Ask me how I know!)
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[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 [email protected]

[Franklinstower]

Are those the ones on Craigslist in T-Town?
I think they are 38mm offset.
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