W124 Wheels

[Bill_33]

Only my second post

I have just bought a nice 1995 E280 Estate.........I had a 300TE and a E300D a few years ago and I have always fancied another as a "second" car to lightly retore and to use now and again

The vehicle has the period "Merc" 8 hole alloys..........but I think that they are copies. They are blistering quite badly and I would like to have them refurbed or change them

A couple of question - is it worth having these powder coated .....presumably they would cost about £30 a wheel plus removal of tyres and refit.....has anyone had this done...........but they are copies

Do I buy a new set of the 8 hole "polished alloy" type....original merc......dose anyone have an idea how much these would cost secondhand

Thanks in advance

 

[Roger Jones]

It will cost £40--60 for refurbishment of each wheel. It's not worth skimping on the job.

If by "polished alloy" you mean the face of the wheel is lacquered metal (not painted, unlike the peripheral holes), this is a very fragile finish, especially as a refurb job, and the refurbers will often not guarantee it at all or give three months at best. I had mine done and they started flaking within six months; it's because water gets under the edge of the lacquer. Next time I shall heed the advice of a refurber who warned me what would happen, recommended a painted finish and suggested that it would really look almost as good. It's a pity about the pretty lacquered-metal finish, but it's intrinsically vulnerable.

If you give us a clue where you are, you'll get some recommendations as to where to get the job done.

Do your wheels have MB stamps/numbers on the insides? What makes you think they are copies?

 

[Bill_33]

It will cost £40--60 for refurbishment of each wheel. It's not worth skimping on the job.

If by "polished alloy" you mean the face of the wheel is lacquered metal (not painted, unlike the peripheral holes), this is a very fragile finish, especially as a refurb job, and the refurbers will often not guarantee it at all or give three months at best. I had mine done and they started flaking within six months; it's because water gets under the edge of the lacquer. Next time I shall heed the advice of a refurber who warned me what would happen, recommended a painted finish and suggested that it would really look almost as good. It's a pity about the pretty lacquered-metal finish, but it's intrinsically vulnerable.

If you give us a clue where you are, you'll get some recommendations as to where to get the job done.

Do your wheels have MB stamps/numbers on the insides? What makes you think they are copies?

Thanks

The previous owner told me that they were copies
What worries me is that they are flaking and underneath it is rust......as you know the flaking is on the edge........I am worried that the powder coat may not take after they have been shot blasted

I live near Winchester, so Southampton, Portsmouth and Nebury are within near distance

not a great photo.but give the style

Thanks again

Cheers

Bill

 

[Roger Jones]

I would pop in to

http://www.micheldever.co.uk/

and ask their advice. They do refurbishing and are all-round excellent -- at least, I think they do, although I can't find explicit mention of it on their website. If they don't, they'll be able to recommend their subcontractor, I'm sure.

The holes in your wheel look larger than those in my MB originals. The face also looks less flat; on the originals it meets the edge of the hole at a sharp angle.

I guess you shouldn't have difficulty in finding MB originals at a breakers, and one of the best is near to you:

http://www.mercman.net/

 

[Iain]

Try using one of the members on here. stats007
It's his own business.

http://www.amazing-alloys.com/

 

[Bill_33]

Thanks again

looking around it looks as if I can get a "as new" set for maybe £250 to £300

Are the 8 hole wheels the only "correct" ones for my 1995 E280 or did they offer others, say the 15 hole ones as an option at the time.

I would like to keep the car as "original" as possible

 

[Druk]

Earlier 124 alloys wont fit cos the 280 and 320 had larger front calipers and deeper dished rims to suit.

 

[neilrr]

They (also) came with 15 hole alloys.

http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=63312

 

[Bill_33]

They (also) came with 15 hole alloys.

http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=63312

That is the same year and very much like, (looking that is), the car that I have bought.

I have seen some genuine 15 hole alloys like those for about £250 in really good nick.........as new.........I just need to check if they will fit

(I suppose that I should start to think about a new Wiring loom........it still have the original I think, although the ECU was replaced at 25,000 miles - the car is now approaching 160,000 miles.
Is the price quoted on the forum of about £500 a part MBZ loom with the 23 plugs needed to replace the stuff in the engine bay or is the engine bay one cheaper?)

Many thanks

 

[Roger Jones]

My mechanic checks my 1996 320 Coupé loom at every service and there is no problem so far. I am beginning to wonder whether the last cars to be built had that problem fixed in the manufacturing process, but have yet to find any evidence or well informed comment. Do you have any symptoms of its failing?

 

[Dave Lewis]

. I am beginning to wonder whether the last cars to be built had that problem fixed in the manufacturing process, but have yet to find any evidence or well informed comment.

Mine was from the last run - built in Nov '95, first registered '96, silver star on steering wheel, and had a disintegrating loom.

 

[Ade B]

That is the same year and very much like, (looking that is), the car that I have bought.

I have seen some genuine 15 hole alloys like those for about £250 in really good nick.........as new.........I just need to check if they will fit

Many thanks

Welcome to 124dom...

I think the 15 hole alloys tended to come with the pre-face lift cars like mine (might be wrong), if originality is your thing (It took a great deal of umming and aahing for me to replace the original Blaupunkt stereo in mine).. it may be worth hanging out for a decent set of 8 hole alloys - I think Bolide usually has a set knocking about..

Ade

 

[neilrr]

I'd be careful inspecting a W124 loom that's not giving you any problems. Let sleeping dogs lie as AFAIK it's people fiddling with them & moving them about which greatly hastens their demise.

 

[The G.F.P]

stick some aftermarket 18" ers on it like mine

will look smashing

 

[stumpy1]

I would pop in to

http://www.micheldever.co.uk/

and ask their advice. They do refurbishing and are all-round excellent -- at least, I think they do, although I can't find explicit mention of it on their website. If they don't, they'll be able to recommend their subcontractor, I'm sure.

The holes in your wheel look larger than those in my MB originals. The face also looks less flat; on the originals it meets the edge of the hole at a sharp angle.

I guess you shouldn't have difficulty in finding MB originals at a breakers, and one of the best is near to you:

http://www.mercman.net/

'dever did my 8 holes. Dipped and stripped, and then back to factory lacquered finish. Wheels looked amazing for a few months and then cloudy and flaky again. Get them painted is my advice. I'm going down that route on the Spur too.

 

[nick mercedes]

Thanks again

looking around it looks as if I can get a "as new" set for maybe £250 to £300

A presentable set of 8 holes for a 124 should cost no more than £100.

For £300 you'd want the rest of the car thrown in too...

 

[Bill_33]

A presentable set of 8 holes for a 124 should cost no more than £100.

For £300 you'd want the rest of the car thrown in too...

Thanks Nick

The best price I have seen for a "new" set is about £300, (guess where?)

If you get a good set for £100 please let me know as I am not far away

Cheers

 

[maggot]

Thanks again

looking around it looks as if I can get a "as new" set for maybe £250 to £300

Are the 8 hole wheels the only "correct" ones for my 1995 E280 or did they offer others, say the 15 hole ones as an option at the time.

I would like to keep the car as "original" as possible

These should fit and local-ish.......... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=250396379517

 

[V12]

Not original MB however...

 

[bolide]

I wouldn't go anywhere near replicas. A decent set of 8-hole should cost less than £100 but you always seem to have to drive 60 miles to pick them up. A proper refurb costs around £200

New bolts & centre caps set them off well. MB bolts have more than doubled in price in the last year - they're around £50 / set now

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk