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Garage => Interiors & Exteriors => Topic started by: Max-NL on 05 November 2016, 02:59 PM

Title: 15 inch bundt rims
Post by: Max-NL on 05 November 2016, 02:59 PM
So, I've read these two articles:
http://www.classiccarstodayonline.com/2013/12/04/classic-mercedes-fans-15-inch-versions-of-the-original-14-inch-bundt-style-wheels-from-1969-85-are-out-there-heres-how-to-find-them/ (http://www.classiccarstodayonline.com/2013/12/04/classic-mercedes-fans-15-inch-versions-of-the-original-14-inch-bundt-style-wheels-from-1969-85-are-out-there-heres-how-to-find-them/)
https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hmn/2013/05/Fuchs-Mercedes-Benz---Premier---Forged-Alloys/3725121.html (https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hmn/2013/05/Fuchs-Mercedes-Benz---Premier---Forged-Alloys/3725121.html)

And what is interesting is that they state that the 15 inch bundt wheels were a dealer installed option in the mid 70's. Someone who could tell me that this is true? And if so, did it also apply to the European market?
Title: Re: 15 inch bundt rims
Post by: ptashek on 05 November 2016, 06:04 PM
I don't think that's true. The 15" bundt was introduced in the 1980s with the early W126, as an option. It's listed in the EPC as such.

There was a limited production run in 1985 or so. Fuchs  was the OEM, and the rims were forged. ATS and ARC made copies, which were cast. The ATS was a better one visually. I have two sets and their great.
Title: Re: 15 inch bundt rims
Post by: UTn_boy on 05 November 2016, 07:37 PM
No, 15 inch Premier wheels were introduced in the early 1970's.  FUCHS has verified this commentary, as well.  As the article stated, since advertising and pricing of the of 15" wheels was so weak, there was very little interest.  They garnered much more attention in the 1980's due to the switch over to all 15 inch wheels for most models.  EPC cannot be uses as a guide for something like this, as it's not as comprehensive as it should be.   

Where the first article makes a huge mistake is when the writer says that the Premier wheels were a dealer add on accessory in the beginning.  While it was common to have a car upgraded subsequently, it's very important to note that the Premier wheels were, in fact, and option from the beginning....starting in late 1968 for the 300sel 6.3. The  Option code is 640, and is under SA 10858. 
Title: Re: 15 inch bundt rims
Post by: floyd111 on 05 November 2016, 08:32 PM
So, would those early 15" Fuchs have had a A116xxxxxxx number?
Title: Re: 15 inch bundt rims
Post by: robertd on 06 November 2016, 12:04 AM
Just my 2c worth

To my knowledge the Fuchs "Bundt" style Alloy wheel was available from August 1970 in 14inch as an optional extra on the last of the 108/109 sedans and was in production until the last of the pre-facelift 126 sedans until 1985 eg  280SE/SEL, 380SE/SEL, 500SE/SEL and 107's eg 280SL/SLC, 380SL/SLC, 500SL until 1985 and the (500SLC until 1980 in 15inch)
It was also made available in 15inch for the specially built stretched seven-seater version of the 115 sedan and Ambulances built by Binz and Miesen's in the 1970's all these stretched variants came from factory with 15in wheels fitted some of which were alloys.

so the 14" Bundts were in production between 1970 and 1985 first as an option and then standard issue on most models including the 123 series. and most probably available during the same period in 15" on special order. eg 500SLC, 450SEL 6.9 and the stretched variants of the 114/115 series.

I know that I would like to get a set of original 15's"for my 6.9's as they offer a better tyre selection while keeping the look standard.

Rob


Title: Re: 15 inch bundt rims
Post by: Max-NL on 06 November 2016, 07:32 AM
Hmm interesting. So 15 inch Bundts were indeed available in the 70's. This could be an interesting alternative to the Michelin XWX's for the 6.9, if we could find them of course  :-\.
Title: Re: 15 inch bundt rims
Post by: rumb on 06 November 2016, 08:38 AM
fresh set from china!!! $165 each

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Bundt-Alloy-Wheel-15x7-W107-W114-W115-W116-W123-W124-W126-/282234212323?hash=item41b6784fe3

Title: Re: 15 inch bundt rims
Post by: ptashek on 06 November 2016, 11:33 AM
I stand corrected! I've always believed the 15s were a purely 1980s thing. Is there a part number for the early 15s?
Title: Re: 15 inch bundt rims
Post by: ptashek on 06 November 2016, 11:42 AM
Quote from: rumb on 06 November 2016, 08:38 AM
fresh set from china!!! $165 each

If they're TÜV approved, and have German KBA, I'd buy them...
Title: Re: 15 inch bundt rims
Post by: ptashek on 06 November 2016, 11:47 AM
Oh, and if anyone is wondering if the ATS is approved for our cars, it is. See attached file.
Title: Re: 15 inch bundt rims
Post by: Max-NL on 06 November 2016, 01:39 PM
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281949875846 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/281949875846) Aluminium, TÜV-geprüft, and it's on this side of the pond. They also sell (fake) Penta's.
Title: Re: 15 inch bundt rims
Post by: nathan on 07 November 2016, 10:24 AM
not sure why my image shack images died , making my old post useless. anyhow, some reposted pics of my (then) new 15 inch bundts put on in 2010 with michelin primacy. done about 4000km since then.  look better (compared to our 123 280e with 14s)

(http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s211/nathan116/DSCN0172_zps06co8sc7.jpg) (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/nathan116/media/DSCN0172_zps06co8sc7.jpg.html)

(http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s211/nathan116/DSCN0174_zpshruuh1qo.jpg) (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/nathan116/media/DSCN0174_zpshruuh1qo.jpg.html)

(http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s211/nathan116/DSCN0177_zps2wemlqim.jpg) (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/nathan116/media/DSCN0177_zps2wemlqim.jpg.html)
Title: Re: 15 inch bundt rims
Post by: ptashek on 07 November 2016, 12:40 PM
Quote from: nathan on 07 November 2016, 10:24 AM
not sure why my image shack images died , making my old post useless. anyhow, some reposted pics of my (then) new 15 inch bundts put on in 2010 with michelin primacy. done about 4000km since then.  look better (compared to our 123 280e with 14s)

Is that an original Fuchs, or one of the copies?

I don't have a pic of the ATS, but here's an ARC for comparison (with KBA attached):
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t31.0-8/1074559_695804187100169_718066557_o.jpg)

Surprisingly enough, the ARC has 18kg lower max load than the ATS (607kg v 625kg).
Title: Re: 15 inch bundt rims
Post by: robertd on 07 November 2016, 03:39 PM
Hi Nathan
I can see your wheels have the steel inserts in the bolt holes,  That is what differentiates them from the copies.
Looking good.
Title: Re: 15 inch bundt rims
Post by: nathan on 07 November 2016, 06:06 PM
RD your vision is better than mine!
PT, these are from the MB Classic Centre new.
nathan
Title: Re: 15 inch bundt rims
Post by: floyd111 on 08 November 2016, 07:50 PM
Quote from: floyd111 on 05 November 2016, 08:32 PM
So, would those early 15" Fuchs have had a A116xxxxxxx number?

bump..
Title: Re: 15 inch bundt rims
Post by: UTn_boy on 09 November 2016, 08:57 AM
Mercedes never had a part number for the 15" Bundts.  When first available, they were geared more towards 6.3 and early 350se/350sel standard and Sonderschutz models.  Very few opted for them, and at the time were an accessory not offered by Mercedes, but were available from Mercedes.  Mercedes was buying the from Fuchs and selling them as an accessory.  The same could be said for the 14", but since they were an option approved by Mercedes there was an option code for them, as well as a part number.  The original part number for the 14" bundt was a "108" part number.  So if the 15" bundts had ever had a part number, I imagine the would have been a "108" or "109" part number.  The sort answer to the original question is no......because there wasn't a part number until the W126 version came about. 
Title: Re: 15 inch bundt rims
Post by: floyd111 on 09 November 2016, 08:57 PM
So I guess a set of those non-MB-numbered 15" Fuchs are really the bee's knees..
They must be as rare as a Frenzel.
Title: Re: 15 inch bundt rims
Post by: Harv on 10 November 2016, 02:15 PM
I'm sick.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-Mercedes-Benz-15-034-x7-034-Bundt-Alloy-Wheels-Set-of-Four-Wheels-/232105781403?hash=item360a95289b%3Ag%3ABn0AAOSwmLlX9t2g&vxp=mtr&nma=true&si=uVLKluvzPNdleBKQ4ICY3K%252BEkjE%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
Title: Re: 15 inch bundt rims
Post by: robertd on 10 November 2016, 02:38 PM
Yep
They look like the real deal!!
Someone got a bargain.
Title: Re: 15 inch bundt rims
Post by: floyd111 on 10 November 2016, 07:14 PM
WHAT.. :o
That's insane.. There must have been a catch, but what? Even the ATS and Centra's do not sell that cheap!
Looks like a mighty lucky shot indeed.
Title: Re: 15 inch bundt rims
Post by: ptashek on 10 November 2016, 08:01 PM
Did the early Fuchs rims not have any markings on the inside? No size, no KBA number, not even a Fuchs mark?