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15 inch bundt rims

Started by Max-NL, 05 November 2016, 02:59 PM

Max-NL

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/
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?
1971 R107 350 SL
1972 W108 280 SEL 3.5
1975 W116 280 S
1975 W116 450 SEL 6.9 #140
1977 W123 230
1992 W124 230 CE
2001 Ducati Monster S4

ptashek

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.
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

UTn_boy

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. 
1966 250se coupe`,black/dark green leather
1970 600 midnight blue/parchment leather
1971 300sel 6.3,papyrus white/dark red leather
1975 450se, pine green metallic/green leather
1973 300sel 4.5,silver blue metallic/blue leather
1979 450sel 516 red/bamboo

floyd111

So, would those early 15" Fuchs have had a A116xxxxxxx number?

robertd

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


116   1978 450SEL 6.9 #  4848
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 6225  SOLD
116   1978 450SEL  6.9 # 5128  SOLD
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884  SOLD
116   1974 450SEL  DJet

Max-NL

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  :-\.
1971 R107 350 SL
1972 W108 280 SEL 3.5
1975 W116 280 S
1975 W116 450 SEL 6.9 #140
1977 W123 230
1992 W124 230 CE
2001 Ducati Monster S4

rumb

'68 250S
'77 6.9 Euro
'91 300SE,
'98 SL500
'14 CLS550,
'16 AMG GTS
'21 E450 Cabrio

ptashek

I stand corrected! I've always believed the 15s were a purely 1980s thing. Is there a part number for the early 15s?
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

ptashek

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...
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

ptashek

Oh, and if anyone is wondering if the ATS is approved for our cars, it is. See attached file.
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

Max-NL

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281949875846 Aluminium, TÜV-geprüft, and it's on this side of the pond. They also sell (fake) Penta's.
1971 R107 350 SL
1972 W108 280 SEL 3.5
1975 W116 280 S
1975 W116 450 SEL 6.9 #140
1977 W123 230
1992 W124 230 CE
2001 Ducati Monster S4

nathan

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)





1979 116 6.9 #6436
2018 213 e63
2011 212 e63
2011 463 g55
2007 211 e500 wagen
1995 124 e320 cabriolet
1983 460 300gd
1981 123 280te

ptashek

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):


Surprisingly enough, the ARC has 18kg lower max load than the ATS (607kg v 625kg).
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

robertd

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.
116   1978 450SEL 6.9 #  4848
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 6225  SOLD
116   1978 450SEL  6.9 # 5128  SOLD
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884  SOLD
116   1974 450SEL  DJet

nathan

RD your vision is better than mine!
PT, these are from the MB Classic Centre new.
nathan
1979 116 6.9 #6436
2018 213 e63
2011 212 e63
2011 463 g55
2007 211 e500 wagen
1995 124 e320 cabriolet
1983 460 300gd
1981 123 280te