16 vs 15" Bundt Wheels - Does anyone have any experience with them?

Started by Neil4speed, 31 January 2022, 03:46 PM

Eyeman

Wow, $2750.  I was hoping it was for a set of 4 but it doesn't appear so.  Even that would be more than I'd be willing to pay.

My car has had 16" wheels since I purchased it in the early 90s.  It originally had painted Ronals, one was out of round and painted wheels do not work well to  me.  I traded them at a local Mercedes parts dealer for a Lorinser style wheel.  But my car was extremely modded.
1963 190SL(project)
1977 6.9 (Euro)
1994 Porsche 968 Cabriolet
1994 Porsche 968 Coupe
2008 BMW 135
2017 AMG GTS

johnnyw116

Quote from: Eyeman on 03 April 2022, 10:31 AMWow, $2750.  I was hoping it was for a set of 4 but it doesn't appear so.  Even that would be more than I'd be willing to pay.



that webshop with the $2750 wheels was only for the pics

on this webshop the price for 16 Inch is around a $1000,- a set  and 15 Inch is around $800,- a set  http://greggearhead.com/store/p20/Mercedes_%27Bundt%27_Replica_Wheels_15x7.html
JohnnyW116

Eyeman

Nice.  I think I'd go 16x8 with a polished lip.  I might have to go that way on my car soon.
1963 190SL(project)
1977 6.9 (Euro)
1994 Porsche 968 Cabriolet
1994 Porsche 968 Coupe
2008 BMW 135
2017 AMG GTS

w116john

hi

there are 16 x 7 maxilite? wheels on ebay at the moment, i think they look better than their 15s

i was looking for some 15s for a 200t i have,  but cannot make up my mind.

Neil4speed

Interestingly, I didn't see them on Ebay - however, yes, made by Maxilite. I am also in a constant state of debate but think I might go 16 just to see and pair them with 225/55/16 Rubber.

Neil4speed

Hey friends, after much searching, I finally found a W116 with the 16" bundts with a good shot of them. At first, it looked a bit disproportionate, but after a minute or so my eye got used to it and really liked the look. Enjoy the photos of a really unique and beautiful W116

I noticed that this very acclaimed collector house out of Germany used 225/60/16 tires instead of  225/55/16 or  215/60/16 which works better for most dimensions....

Size   Diameter   Width   Wheel
195/60R16   -2.7%25.2"   7.7"   16 x 5.5-7"
215/55R16   -2.3%25.3"   8.5"   16 x 6-7.5"
135/90R16   -1.2%25.6"   5.3"   16"
245/50R16   -1.2%25.6"   9.6"   16 x 7-8.5"
205/60R16   -0.8%25.7"   8.1"   16 x 5.5-7.5"
225/55R16   -0.8%25.7"   8.9"   16 x 6-8"
275/45R16   -0.8%25.7"   10.8"   16 x 8.5-10.5"
255/50R16   +0.4%26"   10.0"   16 x 7-9"
215/60R16   +1.2%26.2"   8.5"   16 x 6-7.5"
235/55R16   +1.2%26.2"   9.3"   16 x 6.5-8.5"
145/90R16   +1.5%26.3"   5.7"   16"
205/65R16   +2.3%26.5"   8.1"   16 x 5.5-7.5"
225/60R16   +2.7%26.6"   8.9"   16 x 6-8"


Updated the link: https://www.classicdriver.com/en/car/mercedes-benz/450-sel/1978/899467






rumb

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

BCK1963

Even in Euro the price is still 6-digit:  109.000 €.
I had a look at the car on the Techno Classica. Admittedly in very good condition. In particular the new paint is stunningly even without any orange peel surface.
But there is nothing special about the car which the ad or the salesguy would have mentioned: No restoration, no celebrity ownership, etc.
Bernd

1976 Merc 6.9   Magnetit blue

sutekh

Quote from: Neil4speed on 18 April 2022, 06:05 PMHey friends, after much searching, I finally found a W116 with the 16" bundts with a good shot of them. At first, it looked a bit disproportionate, but after a minute or so my eye got used to it and really liked the look. Enjoy the photos of a really unique and beautiful W116

Wow, those look great! I just posted a WTB looking for steelies, but this could change my mind. The Maxilites with the polished lips look amazing: https://shop-us.maxilite-wheels.com/Barock-Style-7x16_1

Anyone know if the ET11 offset is likely to be a problem, especially with a 7in wheel? My research suggests the OE 6in wide steel wheels were closer to ET25.

Nabstud

They look fantastic and terrible at the same time!!! Some angles I love them but other angles make them look like a caricature...
1975 280S - Australian delivered

Neil4speed

Quote from: sutekh on 19 April 2022, 03:48 PMWow, those look great! I just posted a WTB looking for steelies, but this could change my mind. The Maxilites with the polished lips look amazing: https://shop-us.maxilite-wheels.com/Barock-Style-7x16_1

Anyone know if the ET11 offset is likely to be a problem, especially with a 7in wheel? My research suggests the OE 6in wide steel wheels were closer to ET25.

An old post that might help us...

Quote from: s class on 26 August 2010, 08:57 AMThe original 14" bundts have an offset of 30.  You don't want to go to a higher offset than this (which would move the wheels inwards).  As the wheel size increases, it seems necessary to reduce the offset slightly to avoid clearance problems on the inner side.  For example, 7Jx15 bundts are et25 for genuine MB, or et23 for aftermarket.  8Jx16 pentas are et11.  I would surmise that an 8Jx17et11 wheel would fit similarly to an 8Jx16et11 wheel. 

Whilst I haven't directly answered your question, the above may help to give you something to go on. 

My understanding is that the original 14" bundts have an offset of 30, and they make a ET23, 7 Inch square setup in the 16" size, but unfortunately not with the diamond cut lip... Option might be to get the ET11 and use spacers, or polish the lip on the ET23. Alternatively, it seems per the above the ET11 might work just fine.

Quote from: Nabstud on 20 April 2022, 06:35 AMThey look fantastic and terrible at the same time!!! Some angles I love them but other angles make them look like a caricature...

I see what you mean totally - I feel like taking the chance, I like the idea of better tire selection.

Sensh

I just today received my 16" Bundt replicas from Germany.  They come with a TüV certificate and when I get them mounted up I will post come photos.  I know purists will probably disapprove, but I can be a little different when it comes to modifying the look of these cars.  (My "normal" wheels are 14" steel wheel with the color matched hub caps and the tires have 3" white walls...)

I paid about 1200€ for four of the 16" Barock replicas, including shipping.

Neil4speed

I ended up getting them and LOVE them. They look a bit 'off' in photos in some circumstances, but in real life, they look perfect IMO. A really nice update and it is fantastic to be able to use 'modern' tires.

The quality of the the Maxilite Bundts seems solid as well, and they balanced very easily. Purists may not approve, but I really enjoy them.

w116john


ptashek

Quote from: Neil4speed on 29 August 2022, 10:19 AMThe quality of the the Maxilite Bundts seems solid as well, and they balanced very easily. Purists may not approve, but I really enjoy them.

The purists can continue to drive on their long-perished XWXs, because they refuse to even change that on their cars and new XWXs are "too much".

I kid you not, I've ran into people who'd rather risk their lives than "destroy the originality" of their car.

They should just be ignored:)

Enjoy your new 16s. Let us know over time how tire wear looks like, and if ride quality is affected in noticeable ways.
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE