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Are original "bundt" wheels forged on W116s?

Started by cjp281, 04 July 2017, 10:29 PM

cjp281

"In 1969, the W108 S Class saw the introduction of an optional aluminium wheel but, even then, this was a suitably Benz like affair. Nicknamed after a vague resemblance to a cake, these 'bundt' alloy wheels were manufactured by Fuchs and, as you'd have expected from Mercedes back then, they were of the highest quality. They were forged rather than cast, a more expensive process but one that results in a stronger wheel." - Driventowrite.com

Does this apply to all bundt equipped 116s too!? Forging is such an expensive construction of wheel, why are the resell value of OEM bundt wheels soo low?
1979 300SD

2013 C350 Coupe Sport Package

robertd

Hi cjp,

Yes the 116's had the same forged wheels and they weigh less and are stronger than the cast copies.
I have found them to be better balanced and require less weights when fitting new tyres.

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

s class

The original Fuchs bundts are the only ones to use.  The aftermarket copies always have balance and running issues. 

To answer your question, I can only think the low current value of the Fuchs rims is because
- they are so plentiful
- further, most users and sellers dont discriminate between the Fuchs and copies. 


[color=blue]'76 6.9 Euro[/color], [color=red]'78 6.9 AMG[/color], '80 280SE, [color=brown]'74 350SE[/color], [color=black]'82 500SEL euro full hydro, '83 500SEL euro full hydro [/color], '81 500SL

floyd111

..as long as they are 14's. No such fluffyness when it comes to any 15" Fuchs  Bundt's

rumb

Also the cost of shipping wheels is fairly high, thus reducing the price willing to be paid for the wheel itself.
'68 250S
'77 6.9 Euro
'91 300SE,
'98 SL500
'14 CLS550,
'16 AMG GTS
'21 E450 Cabrio

ptashek

#5
Quote from: floyd111 on 05 July 2017, 07:25 AM
..as long as they are 14's. No such fluffyness when it comes to any 15" Fuchs  Bundt's

AFAIK, the original Fuchs 15" ones were forged as well. There was more than one production run though, so  maybe later ones were cast. None of the ATS or ARC copies are forged either, though it hardly matters to be honest. They're still very good rims. I have experience contrary to s-class: none of my 15s has issues with balance or otherwise. Maybe I just got lucky with the two sets I have :)

The reasons for the 14s being available online for next to nothing, compared to 15s, are simple: there were hundreds of thousands of these made, and a lot of people - myself included - ditch them due to very poor tire options in the 70VR14 size bracket.

Edit: A bit more context on why I think the 15" copies are good - I tend to drive my car long-distance, and fast: 1600km two weeks ago in France, 2500km last year in Germany, to name a few. So, maybe my opinion is biased by driving on good roads most of the time. Just a data point to consider. As they say, YMMV (your mileage may vary :))
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

s class

Quote from: ptashek on 05 July 2017, 01:06 PM
...
AFAIK, the original Fuchs 15" ones were forged as well. There was more than one production run though, so  maybe later ones were cast. None of the ATS or ARC copies are forged either, though it hardly matters to be honest. They're still very good rims. I have experience contrary to s-class: none of my 15s has issues with balance or otherwise. Maybe I just got lucky with the two sets I have :)
...

My comment about aftermarket rims was intended specifically as regards 14" wheels such as the cheap and plentiful copies from Intra, Centra, OZ etc.

I have had good success with cast (not forged) 15" bundts from ATS and Centra.  I'm slightly less impressed with the ARC 15", but they remain OK and better in quality than the 14" copies out there.


[color=blue]'76 6.9 Euro[/color], [color=red]'78 6.9 AMG[/color], '80 280SE, [color=brown]'74 350SE[/color], [color=black]'82 500SEL euro full hydro, '83 500SEL euro full hydro [/color], '81 500SL

ptashek

Quote from: s class on 06 July 2017, 06:40 AM
Quote from: ptashek on 05 July 2017, 01:06 PM
...
AFAIK, the original Fuchs 15" ones were forged as well. There was more than one production run though, so  maybe later ones were cast. None of the ATS or ARC copies are forged either, though it hardly matters to be honest. They're still very good rims. I have experience contrary to s-class: none of my 15s has issues with balance or otherwise. Maybe I just got lucky with the two sets I have :)
...

My comment about aftermarket rims was intended specifically as regards 14" wheels such as the cheap and plentiful copies from Intra, Centra, OZ etc.

I have had good success with cast (not forged) 15" bundts from ATS and Centra.  I'm slightly less impressed with the ARC 15", but they remain OK and better in quality than the 14" copies out there.

I share your opinion on 14" copies. My 350SE came with three of those, from different vendors. All terrible both in terms of matching the original design, and finish. I still have them, so will post some pics later.

I keep forgetting whether my 15s are ARC or ATS. I might have one set of each, actually. There's no contest between those and the 14" copies.
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

ptashek

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

cjp281

This turned out great! Thank you all with your knowledgeable help!  8)
1979 300SD

2013 C350 Coupe Sport Package

ZCarFan

Quote from: cjp281 on 04 July 2017, 10:29 PM
"In 1969, the W108 S Class saw the introduction of an optional aluminium wheel but, even then, this was a suitably Benz like affair. Nicknamed after a vague resemblance to a cake, these 'bundt' alloy wheels were manufactured by Fuchs and, as you'd have expected from Mercedes back then, they were of the highest quality. They were forged rather than cast, a more expensive process but one that results in a stronger wheel." - Driventowrite.com

Does this apply to all bundt equipped 116s too!? Forging is such an expensive construction of wheel, why are the resell value of OEM bundt wheels soo low?

They are quite strong and light.  Much cheaper than on the market than anything Fuchs made for Porsche.

As for the low value, that applies to almost anything on W116s.  I haven't even been able to get scrap value for my rough 280se since they'd have to tow it out.  The bundts will live on with my W116s though.  Those are too nice to scrap.

oversize

The original Bundt wheels are extremely light and very under rated.  Give them a great paint job and they can look the part too.  Pity about the tyre options ATM but as our cars gain in value the manufacturers will start to listen....
1979 6.9 #5541 (Red Bull)
1978 6.9 #4248 (Skye)
1979 6.9 #3686 (Moby Dick)
1978 6.9 #1776 (Dora)
1977 450SEL #7010 white -P
1975 450SEL #8414 gold -P