W124 alloy wheels - later model fitment.

[Stevieboy28]

Hi all, I want to fit some alloy wheels to my 1989 W124 230E (standard 15" steel wheels) and have been offered some 16" alloy wheels from a later model E-Class "Avantgarde" model - I have checked the PCD (5 bolt) and that is the same but I am uncertain about the offset of the Avantgarde alloys. Plus, the bolts are not with the alloy wheels, so I am also uncertain what size of bolts I would need if I were able to fit the alloys. I have seen actual cars and also pictures of these wheels fitted to the W124 model but would like to know that they are a straight fit with as little hassle as possible - Any info will be gratefully accepted, Cheers, Steve.

 

[Myros]

when you say later model, do you mean w210

or just a later 124. You will need different bolts, as the alloy bolts have a longer shank to cope with the thicker wheel centre. The offset won't be that dramatically different, but it is worth checking the width of the new wheel. A 16 inch wheel might come in 7 or 7.5 in wide, or maybe even more. That might give you a clearance issue on the wheel arches.
Best bet get all the data on the wheels, and then do some searching here on 124 alloys.
If worst comes to worst, I have 4x 15 inch 7J 15 hole et 49 standard alloys you can have, for ready money as I need the space.

 

[jibcl500]

They should fit ok but you will need longer bolts, do your reasearch on the bolts otherwise there is a risk of damaging the rear brakes.

jib

 

[Juddian]

Steve, as the others have said, you will have to either get the bolts with the wheels, or get in touch with Murray systems or similar to get some correct bolts to you.

If the wheels are off a 210 you'll probably find the bolts will fit, but check carefully, if they're off a 211 you will probably find they are 14mm not 12mm that the earlier cars have. Clear as mud isn't it. I'm sure one of the much more experinced chaps will be along to tell you exactly how much thread should be protruding from the inside of the wheel mounting face.

You're real problem though is going to be getting right size tyre to clear the front arches.
IMO you do not want a wheel any wider than 7 and a half inches at 16" cos you will find that a tyre any narrower than 215 will be an uncomfortable fit. If they are 8 x 16 wheels you will need no narrower than 215 section, and i'll tell you now 215/50 x 16 are as rare as hens teeth, 215/55 x 16 will catch the front arches, but may clear on the 7 and a half inch......there thats helped a bundle hasn't it.

I've done the same as many and mucked about with all sorts of sizes on the 124's and at the end of the day, i wish i'd left them as standard, and kept the magic carpet ride to boot. Good luck.

 

[Stevieboy28]

The wheels I have been offered are from a W210 E Class "Avantgarde" if that makes it any clearer. Many thanks for the replies, it looks as though it may not be as straight forward as I thought !

 

[c955]

You're real problem though is going to be getting right size tyre to clear the front arches.
IMO you do not want a wheel any wider than 7 and a half inches at 16" cos you will find that a tyre any narrower than 215 will be an uncomfortable fit. If they are 8 x 16 wheels you will need no narrower than 215 section, and i'll tell you now 215/50 x 16 are as rare as hens teeth, 215/55 x 16 will catch the front arches, but may clear on the 7 and a half inch......there thats helped a bundle hasn't it.

I've done the same as many and mucked about with all sorts of sizes on the 124's and at the end of the day, i wish i'd left them as standard, and kept the magic carpet ride to boot. Good luck.

On my W124 I have 215/55/16 on 7.5" rims and they fit just nicely. Tyres come close (half an inch maybe?) to the front suspension strut, but not had any problems whatsoever.

 

[Juddian]

On my W124 I have 215/55/16 on 7.5" rims and they fit just nicely. Tyres come close (half an inch maybe?) to the front suspension strut, but not had any problems whatsoever.

That just shows how critical the correct sizing is, i have 8 x 16 ankaa wheels (off 211)for my winter set, and with the 215/55's they catch the arches on heavy braking or cornering, (that happened on the 320 estate, now gone which sat much higher than the coupe) so had to put 215/50's on the front, amazing how much difference half an inch makes....and thats as far as i'm going down that road. TBH, if i was having 16's again i woudn't go any wider than 7.5". Hopefully if the OP's wheels are 7.5 he can get away with 215/55 no probs then.

Decided its spring now, so the summer set go on this weekend. 17's. Now shall i go amg or parotech spoked?

Having only one left of three 124's, i shall never need to buy tyres or wheels again, got more of both than you could shake a stick at.

 

[blue coupe]

W124 alloy options.

Hi all, I want to fit some alloy wheels to my 1989 W124 230E (standard 15" steel wheels) and have been offered some 16" alloy wheels from a later model E-Class "Avantgarde" model - I have checked the PCD (5 bolt) and that is the same but I am uncertain about the offset of the Avantgarde alloys. Plus, the bolts are not with the alloy wheels, so I am also uncertain what size of bolts I would need if I were able to fit the alloys. I have seen actual cars and also pictures of these wheels fitted to the W124 model but would like to know that they are a straight fit with as little hassle as possible - Any info will be gratefully accepted, Cheers, Steve.

Hi Steve, Hi,
I have a standard W124 E320 coupe with AMG style 2, 5 hole alloys, 17" x7.5J ET42. (part No. 124 401 03 02) Tyre size is 225/45/17. Standard suspension, all is fine front & rear. No rubbing.

I lowered it using Eibach pro springs & on speed bumps & undulating roads & going round round-a-bouts had rubbing (more on the front than the back) so I switched back to the standard suspension. The fronts are fine & fill the arch with the 225's but the rears look a little lost & sit in too far & could do with coming out a little.

I am considering changing my tyres to 235's either all round, or just on the back. But am not sure about the offsets being correct & wether I'll need to change the alloys so the fronts fit further in the arch to prevent any rubbing when steering, & then put 235's on (with which offset?). Or, leave the fronts as is with 225 then change the rears to 235's on the same alloy or change the rear alloys to 17"x 8.5" but with which offset & which tyre size?

So many variables !!!

Saw one pic of a coupe, said it wasn't lowered but also didn't look low profile tyres. Said it was AMG style 2 with 18"x8" with 235/45/18 tyres. Don't know what the offset was though.

Cheers all, what are the options ?