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Garage => Interiors & Exteriors => Topic started by: Will on 31 March 2017, 06:28 AM

Title: What do people think of whitewalls on silver cars?
Post by: Will on 31 March 2017, 06:28 AM
I'm getting excited as my 450SEL is edging closer to coming out of the paint shop and back onto my driveway.  I've been thinking about which wheels to run, as I have both the mexican hats and the steels with matching hubcaps.  As I plan to take the family out in the car, I will probably replace the tyres as a precaution, because I think the ones on my steels at the moment are about five or six years old. 

I've always liked the look of whitewalls with hubcaps on the darker colour cars, but haven't seen too many on silver cars (like mine).  However, I did recently see als450's silver car (from the 'what have you done to your car' thread) which has whitewalls and looks great, IMO.  I think it makes the wheels look as though they fill the arches slightly more.  I guess I'm just interested to hear other peoples' musings on this fairly trivial topic!

If I do go for the whitewalls, choice is fairly limited here in the UK - I think the Maxxis MA1 or the Retro Classic 001 are the only reasonably priced options out there, as we don't get the Hankooks etc over here. 
Title: Re: What do people think of whitewalls on silver cars?
Post by: daantjie on 31 March 2017, 09:56 AM
I myself am not a fan, but I guess you will get some for and against on this one.
I see nowadays folks put all kinds of ghastly "stick on" type walls on in all types of colours on new cars.  Mostly rich Chinese kids in their brand new high end sports cars here in Vancouver though, so take that as you wish...
Title: Re: What do people think of whitewalls on silver cars?
Post by: Will on 31 March 2017, 10:18 AM
Yes, taste, as they say, is a matter of taste.  I did see those 'stick on' covers, but I think they have the potential to look really bad really quickly, so I won't be doing that.  The other option is to keep with plain tyres and throw on the mexican hats for a change.  The trouble is, I find the mexican hat wheels on silver cars somehow make them look quite tired, unless they are really clean and shiny.  But perhaps that's just me!
Title: Re: What do people think of whitewalls on silver cars?
Post by: Peter on 31 March 2017, 04:26 PM
I like white walls on a 100,108,114, even a 115 but not on the 116 - thats just personal preference  ::)
Title: Re: What do people think of whitewalls on silver cars?
Post by: rumb on 31 March 2017, 05:10 PM
My first car was a 1948 Plymouth Club Coupe, I put add-on rubber 4" whitewall sides from JC Whitney.   Was ok until it snowed and then driving the snow would get under them and push them out a few inches.  They came off very soon after that!
Title: Re: What do people think of whitewalls on silver cars?
Post by: beagle2022 on 31 March 2017, 11:45 PM
I just accidentally acquired whitewalls.  I had difficulty finding the right size.  The dealer found stock and to his surprise they were whitewalls.  On the spot I had to decided whether to feature them or hide them.  I decided loud and proud was the way to go.  What do you think?
Title: Re: What do people think of whitewalls on silver cars?
Post by: Will on 02 April 2017, 09:47 AM
I think that looks great!
Title: Re: What do people think of whitewalls on silver cars?
Post by: marku on 02 April 2017, 02:13 PM
The 116 was made for whitewalls they look great
Title: Re: What do people think of whitewalls on silver cars?
Post by: ptashek on 02 April 2017, 10:18 PM
I personally like the thin-stripe whitewalls. They add a classic feel to the chassis ;)
Title: Re: What do people think of whitewalls on silver cars?
Post by: robparker on 03 April 2017, 12:48 PM
I'd probably have black tyres with the painted hub caps, proper old school classic Merc look.

Either way though, it's great that yours is almost ready to come home!
Title: Re: What do people think of whitewalls on silver cars?
Post by: Will on 03 April 2017, 01:25 PM
So it's fair to say we have the full spectrum of opinions, which is great, because it means there isn't a 'correct' answer - but makes it harder to decide! I'm erring on the whitewall look for now, but that changes on a daily basis...

Anyway, as Rob says, the main thing is that I'm almost back on the road! Well, we'll see what the weekend brings anyway....
Title: Re: What do people think of whitewalls on silver cars?
Post by: floyd111 on 05 April 2017, 08:14 PM
I am also set on giving them a try. My personal taste tells me they would look better if there are no chrome fender decorations on the car, though.
Title: Re: What do people think of whitewalls on silver cars?
Post by: marku on 06 April 2017, 12:42 PM
Well mine has the chrome arches which I think adds to the car but I really must get some whitewalls just the narrow strip not the complete sidewall.
Title: Re: What do people think of whitewalls on silver cars?
Post by: johnnyw116 on 18 April 2017, 03:00 AM
Cool color ! and cool whitewalls !
i used to own a white 1972 280SE with whitewalls and mudflaps with a white star emblem , onfortunally i lost one mudflap becouse of some rust issues ,i  found and old pic of the car ....   
but i think i looks good on silver too 
Title: Re: What do people think of whitewalls on silver cars?
Post by: Will on 19 April 2017, 06:28 AM
That looks fantastic - I think there is something of a Studio 54/disco-era look to it...and I mean that in a good way!
Title: Re: What do people think of whitewalls on silver cars?
Post by: Scotty on 27 April 2017, 03:19 AM
The cars are large enough to carry off whitewalls I think- beagle yours looks great - and the darker colours add contrast. The amount of chrome these cars have and the general elegance of their design lends itself to whitewalls. Contrast I think is the key -- would I go for them on a white car? Probably not.
Title: Re: What do people think of whitewalls on silver cars?
Post by: Will on 14 March 2018, 07:36 AM
Ok, things move slowly in my w116 world, but I didn't realise it had been almost a year since I first asked about this!  My whitewalls (Maxxis MA1s) are apparently 'lost' somewhere in a DPD warehouse, but I have at least finally ordered them, so have made some progress. 

That brings me to the next question.  I am moving from the colour coded hub caps to a set of bundts that came with the car.  These are generally in great condition, but in a moment of unusual foresight, I have decided it would make sense to get them refurbed while they are off the car and without tyres. 

I am wondering about the colour of silver to go for.  One option is to go with whatever the original colour is, but mine look a sort of grey-silver, and I worry that they will look a bit tired on a silver car.  So the other option is to go for a lighter (more modern?) shade of silver.  I feel this may 'lift' the slightly bland silver of my car - but keen to hear any experiences/views on the topic!

I've been quoted £245 for four - about US$340. Seems quite pricey, but the place is local with a reasonable rep.
Title: Re: What do people think of whitewalls on silver cars?
Post by: nathan on 14 March 2018, 07:58 AM
I believe its the astral silver DB735 glasurit paint like the silver bodywork probably of your car. people often refinish them in grey and they just look sorry. I bought a set of 15 inch bunts and a family member scratched one. when I had the alloy shop repaint it, they painted it a greyish colour and it looked crap. I bought another one to replace it!
Title: Re: What do people think of whitewalls on silver cars?
Post by: Will on 14 March 2018, 08:25 AM
Ah, that's really helpful - thanks.  Yes, that is exactly what I mean by the grey paint looking sorry.  I guess I'll be able to have a look at a few shades to see what might look best...
Title: Re: What do people think of whitewalls on silver cars?
Post by: Harv on 14 March 2018, 02:40 PM
Saw this W113 on eBay. No idea what brand they are since they are blank sidewalls.

(https://photo.cargigi.com/adam/Dealers/67506/119111645/Photo/201711221312-11304412013303-10.jpg)

(https://photo.cargigi.com/adam/Dealers/67506/119111645/Photo/201711221312-11304412013303-56.jpg)
Title: Re: What do people think of whitewalls on silver cars?
Post by: rumb on 14 March 2018, 03:51 PM
last year I purchased new tires and and got thin white walls. I think they look period correct.
Title: Re: What do people think of whitewalls on silver cars?
Post by: Squiggle Dog on 14 March 2018, 09:43 PM
Quote from: Harv on 14 March 2018, 02:40 PM
Saw this W113 on eBay. No idea what brand they are since they are blank sidewalls.

(https://photo.cargigi.com/adam/Dealers/67506/119111645/Photo/201711221312-11304412013303-10.jpg)

(https://photo.cargigi.com/adam/Dealers/67506/119111645/Photo/201711221312-11304412013303-56.jpg)

Wow, I'd be interested in knowing. Of course, they're probably too expensive for me. They look a lot like the "shaved" whitewall tires on my car, where they started out as thin whitewalls and then the black rubber on the sidewall was ground off to expose the full whitewall. Kind of funny that places like Coker charge $200 per tire when they are the exact same thing as any cheapo thin whitewall tire you can get, only they just don't cover up the whitewall on the side.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/F0kt4rRh5VMZqaTUMFr6ReihOX4E31mzEx3RnrQuUF1RXkvWvQSDL-GoIDo10Q4jnMOip5bjO9CuMkVtCTebVqnNbt8vXabxApGI1330WDpzJJs6O8q6WHUfMkxYpQ_ulPelb9hcfEAabvruc2Gs30ga7wwXaQwugNSnYL-cKBvTG9-ThgswieE3o04oRFKniwCN3kdhKKJtSCsV8R3j5aEBJQ_hwbIAk5gNjj3lVsuljUuWXw_ngAF3x5T411zKpOdrxzL9GDbuKsA6mz-HW9fVVNtNHQvLygHJ-UIf1qzafS3dkoldRztgffct99Tyv7XSMMIrGwDUndMi7KcPHh7FeZQ_PxnMga7cCr8oCUKLKTVf7h0dmvQ5ubAiXxtuzvgp1B3PgLZBc3hfJdwXLUwYBmvbubYCGRclkqU3WDnakKaKSp2WxHEZycLJ7uL3p5a83DDY7jm2Ij9VS3F98wJ-9I4IatCArCJvI7tLD8Yy-75kY1pph2HippmqbkZp5Ur5sMCywrbZy5IhBPNP1RR5TQpoXb0ZqK3pkwK4F9zjpVM2Ef420j2POzYJkrqOQKF_CJ5qrhlHdcIg8rP34nYvn661DGscjcw8CbBp9Ik1Xy0_qcbr8K765GTa_6iwl4kFn8yt-wrbxGyaMeiKPsTvvC41m48I=w800-h453-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Nn-EYOWu6jqoyPfutNz1x76FOdxTwZiRb-gk-JO6ohAyx29wJVafg0-XcMkSeI_e7qM91Y8dMY8sWBPvhTXo9dSCG25Gb4x1ZIz1CqOUYOfUuZYMo5YsDKifR_wGlncFgP_TIzdlFmGU8W8dR3yMkgxrVZ_ZEAqAdpGrGWRxamem4XiZfyvFj6FYSMj869x2y_xTGTcacbEEC0timzSeLX2aaNr50TXFTO3PRAZYPNtuh2L8-HLR-90IWOdqCIaMxp6eXKAicNWNkOwKAcxnax5gP9uMxLKlqnSNb8VhJlbUlKd4hfZtxoChAXeISPlFvh0eCOfxAL05Q_WUpfytr7PSiQjESZRG7PNMHZa9hH3fkmeaMoHdlrlIDvXU1xmzl93FiXrvBjnzy41XakHCEs1qJlD3k1IQ9GRJFRb9ksaFYauyE8lXj0xZKDtHQz82QV_7NPIVv5Z7ejS6xqry41vFXuAraqsPTItEo1leaNfSs0-7OML7LArRJ1cc6iJenKgxuduOYpWv6B5TB3go2VAO0hX1WhMYY15iyKiAF1MuGwFf6MFTDEwg8B_DEBSX-imMnPonDCscBT0DZFKsBmNtuNF7qLjX-ynvV1yY58LoPf7tSPEWf_4zO2djb-wcyTg-ytaBeccpHOj9qDn0gdSUJqkLBK9x=w800-h453-no)
Title: Re: What do people think of whitewalls on silver cars?
Post by: ripley on 31 May 2018, 07:54 AM
Hello guys, bougth them on ebay:
What do you think?  ???