[W126 Coupe] BBS RS Wheels
Axel Wulff
mbcoupes@mbcoupes.com
Fri, 07 Jan 2005 12:09:04 -0500
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<P>Joe,</P>
<P>I respectfully disagree. Talbir's second point, lighter weight, is a key element of suspension design, namely lowering unsprung weight.</P>
<P>The unsprung weight determines to a great extent how the car handles, what suspension set-ups are possible and all the parameters of the suspension components.</P>
<P>We all know that the ride goes to hell if you put those 20" rims on a car (or 24"+ on Cadillac SUVs..). A lot of it has to do with the tires with non-existent sidewalls, shortened and harsh springs, etc., but a significant part of it is due to the added weight of the wheels themselves.</P>
<P>So, if you want the bigger wheels (which will alter the suspension parameters), it is all the more important to pay attention to the weight issue to lessen the overall negative impact.<BR><BR><BR>Regards, </P></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>Axel J. Wulff
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>From: "Chiappinelli, Joseph" <joseph.chiappinelli@mirant.com>
<DIV></DIV>>Reply-To: mbcoupes@mbcoupes.com
<DIV></DIV>>To: <mbcoupes@mbcoupes.com>
<DIV></DIV>>Subject: RE: [W126 Coupe] BBS RS Wheels
<DIV></DIV>>Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2005 11:17:30 -0500
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>To me, the first two advantages wouldn't justify a 300% premium in cost and the 3rd advantage is subjective. I do know they are harder to clean with all those fasteners.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>-----Original Message-----
<DIV></DIV>>From: mbcoupes-admin@mbcoupes.com [mailto:mbcoupes-admin@mbcoupes.com]On
<DIV></DIV>>Behalf Of Sharan Bains
<DIV></DIV>>Sent: Friday, January 07, 2005 8:17 AM
<DIV></DIV>>To: mbcoupes@mbcoupes.com
<DIV></DIV>>Subject: RE: [W126 Coupe] BBS RS Wheels
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>Advantages of fabricating a wheel by the assembly of multiple parts (rim,
<DIV></DIV>>hub, fasteners, gaskets, etc)as opposed to machining one from a solid forged
<DIV></DIV>>billet of aluminum alloy :
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>Significant advantage no 1 - you can replace components instead of having to
<DIV></DIV>>replace an entire wheel. If you seriously kerb your one piece alloy, you've
<DIV></DIV>>no option but to buy an entire wheel. With a split rim, you can just buy the
<DIV></DIV>>outer rim (which is cheap).
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>Significant advantage no 2 - split rims are lighter. The outer and inner
<DIV></DIV>>rims can be made from lighter alloy, hence saving weight.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>Significant advantage no 3 - they look 10x better than one piece wheels.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>Disadvantage - they cost 3x more, but only due to the labour that is
<DIV></DIV>>involved in putting them together. The component parts would cost no more
<DIV></DIV>>than the one piece wheels.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>talbir
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>> >From: "Chiappinelli, Joseph" <joseph.chiappinelli@mirant.com>
<DIV></DIV>> >Reply-To: mbcoupes@mbcoupes.com
<DIV></DIV>> >To: <mbcoupes@mbcoupes.com>
<DIV></DIV>> >Subject: RE: [W126 Coupe] BBS RS Wheels
<DIV></DIV>> >Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2005 07:53:38 -0500
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >Can someone explain the advantages of fabricating a wheel by the assembly
<DIV></DIV>> >of multiple parts (rim, hub, fasteners, gaskets, etc)as opposed to
<DIV></DIV>> >machining one from a solid forged billet of aluminum alloy?
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >J.Chip
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >-----Original Message-----
<DIV></DIV>> >From: mbcoupes-admin@mbcoupes.com [mailto:mbcoupes-admin@mbcoupes.com]On
<DIV></DIV>> >Behalf Of Sharan Bains
<DIV></DIV>> >Sent: Friday, January 07, 2005 5:19 AM
<DIV></DIV>> >To: mbcoupes@mbcoupes.com
<DIV></DIV>> >Subject: RE: [W126 Coupe] BBS RS Wheels
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >Great wheels Jim !
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >I have refurbished two sets of BBS RS 3-piece wheels. And you do NOT need
<DIV></DIV>> >professional wheel refurbishers - you can do this all yourself. You'll only
<DIV></DIV>> >need finishers for the outer rim and the centre piece coloring - the labour
<DIV></DIV>> >part, which is the greatest on split rims, you can do yourself and save
<DIV></DIV>> >alot
<DIV></DIV>> >of money.
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >I have also refurbished 3-pice AMG wheels. The only difference between the
<DIV></DIV>> >two is that the BBS RS wheels have 2 rubber gaskets, the AMG only one. This
<DIV></DIV>> >is due to the fact that on the AMG wheels, the centre piece sits INSIDE the
<DIV></DIV>> >inner rim and the fasteners go through the inner rim, then the outer rim
<DIV></DIV>> >and
<DIV></DIV>> >then the centre piece.
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >Here are links to pics showing refurb of AMG 3-piece wheels - nothing
<DIV></DIV>> >different for BBS RS's except the RS's have 2 gaskets and have 12-point
<DIV></DIV>> >fastener heads. The OZ AMG's have 10-point heads.
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >http://www.printroom.com/ViewAlbum.asp?userid=hakkinen&album_id=164582
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >http://www.printroom.com/ViewAlbum.asp?userid=hakkinen&album_id=173211
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >On the BBS RS's, the centre piece sits between inner and outer rim, hence
<DIV></DIV>> >two gaskets, one between inner rim and centre piece and then another one
<DIV></DIV>> >between outer rim and centre piece. You'll see what I mean when you split
<DIV></DIV>> >the rims.
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >Also, you do not need the gaskets - you can use RVT sealant. It's far more
<DIV></DIV>> >durable than the rubber gaskets. And it should be availbe fromgood auto
<DIV></DIV>> >parts stores. There are 2 types of RVT sealant - clear and black. The clear
<DIV></DIV>> >is the better sealant to use.
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >Here's some main points :
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >- on the BBS RS rims, you'll need 8mm and 10mm 12-point sockets, with 1/2"
<DIV></DIV>> >drive. The fastener head is 8mm and the nut on the rear is 10mm.
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >- before beginning loosening of the nuts, spry penetrating oil on the 10mm
<DIV></DIV>> >nuts, and leave for a couple of hours
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >- you may need to hold the fastener head with the 8mm socket whilst
<DIV></DIV>> >loosening the 10mm nuts on each fastener, as the fastener tends to turn
<DIV></DIV>> >with
<DIV></DIV>> >the nut
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >- some of the fasteners may be seized (especially on wheels which have been
<DIV></DIV>> >used on the front where there is excessive brake dust etc). You may need to
<DIV></DIV>> >heat these before attempting to loosen - otherwise too much force will just
<DIV></DIV>> >break the fastener. Some of them maybe so seized that they'll break anyway.
<DIV></DIV>> >You may need to source additional BBS fasteners for these wheels - DO NOT
<DIV></DIV>> >use aftermarket fasteners. The BBS fasteners are 10.9 tensile strength and
<DIV></DIV>> >have this figure imprinted on the head of each one, as well as the words
<DIV></DIV>> >'BBS'. I haev about 100 spare fasteners - they need chroming/polishing, but
<DIV></DIV>> >they are original BBS RS fasteners. If you break some, let me know and I'll
<DIV></DIV>> >ship you some.
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >- Once all the fasteners are out, you'll need to cut the rubber gaskets,
<DIV></DIV>> >visible on the sides of the rims. There are two on the BBS RS's (it may
<DIV></DIV>> >vary
<DIV></DIV>> >for each type of RS wheel, but usually there are two) - take a stanley
<DIV></DIV>> >knife
<DIV></DIV>> >and run it all the way along the gasket.
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >- Once gasket is cut, take a flat face screwdriver and place it between
<DIV></DIV>> >outer rim and centre piece, on the gasket and hammer gently. Do this a few
<DIV></DIV>> >points round the rim and eventually, the outer rim and centre piece will be
<DIV></DIV>> >prised apart.
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >- Do the same for the centre piece and inner rim seperation, cutting gasket
<DIV></DIV>> >and splitting with screwdriver.
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >- That's it - wheel will be in 3 seperate pieces.
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >- the outer rim (dish) should be hand polished, by a specialist aluminium
<DIV></DIV>> >polisher. They should NOT be chromed. The fastners too should be polished.
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >- the centre pieces and inner rims should be sand blasted, powder coated
<DIV></DIV>> >and
<DIV></DIV>> >lacquered. Great if you color-code the centre pieces - vintage 80's stuff.
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >- when putting rims back together, just use 8 fasteners evenly round the
<DIV></DIV>> >wheel, in the beginning to hold it all together, but do not tighten them
<DIV></DIV>> >fully. Leave about a 1mm gap between the inner rim and centre piece and
<DIV></DIV>> >outer rim and centre piece. In this gap, fill RVT sealant, all the way
<DIV></DIV>> >round, in both gaps.
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >- when you tighten the 8 fasteners fully, the sealant will form the seal
<DIV></DIV>> >and
<DIV></DIV>> >at this point you need to wipe off the excess sealant. It drys quickly so
<DIV></DIV>> >do
<DIV></DIV>> >this before beginning the fitting of the other fasteners.
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >- Once sealant is nicely wiped, it will look like an original gasket. But
<DIV></DIV>> >it's alot better than the gaskets.
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >- fit remaining fasteners. Each fastener should be tightened to 40 Nm
<DIV></DIV>> >torque.
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >- allow wheels to sit for 24hrs so sealant dries, before fitting tyres
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >That's it ! Fit nice steel air valves and fit the correct size tyres. Once
<DIV></DIV>> >refurbished and on the car, these BBS RS wheels will now last for a good 10
<DIV></DIV>> >years without any further need for refurbishment. The BBS and AMG's are all
<DIV></DIV>> >forged alloy and very strong. You just need to have the correct tyres and
<DIV></DIV>> >look after them.
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >To maintain the outer polished dish, use Autosol cream or brasso - it does
<DIV></DIV>> >mean a good 10-15 minutes of hard work, but you only need to do it once
<DIV></DIV>> >each
<DIV></DIV>> >month.
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >Whatever you do, do not have the outer rims chromed or lacquered. They'll
<DIV></DIV>> >be
<DIV></DIV>> >ruined forever.
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >BBS RS's look great on the SEC. I bought one set for my E500, but the BBS
<DIV></DIV>> >RS's look too dated for that car - but they are great on the SEC. Almost as
<DIV></DIV>> >good as the AMG 3-piece's....
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >If you have any questions, let me know.
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >talbir
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> > >From: JR560SEC@aol.com
<DIV></DIV>> > >Reply-To: mbcoupes@mbcoupes.com
<DIV></DIV>> > >To: mbcoupes@mbcoupes.com
<DIV></DIV>> > >Subject: [W126 Coupe] BBS RS Wheels
<DIV></DIV>> > >Date: Thu, 6 Jan 2005 18:51:45 EST
<DIV></DIV>> > >
<DIV></DIV>> > >Greetings, all, and Happy New Year--------
<DIV></DIV>> > >
<DIV></DIV>> > >I just received my shipment of 17 inch BBS RS 200 wheels from Germany.
<DIV></DIV>> > >These
<DIV></DIV>> > >are the 1980s-vintage 3-piece "honeycomb" wheels with 34 bolts holding
<DIV></DIV>> >the
<DIV></DIV>> > >two flanges onto the central hub. I will be disassembling them to clean
<DIV></DIV>> > >them,
<DIV></DIV>> > >repaint the centers and exchanging the inner flanges on one pair of the
<DIV></DIV>> > >wheels
<DIV></DIV>> > >to make a "staggered" set for my 1990 560SEC Euro conversion project.
<DIV></DIV>> > >
<DIV></DIV>> > >My questions: Does anybody know a source for the gaskets which go
<DIV></DIV>> >between
<DIV></DIV>> > >the three pieces? What are the torque values for the bolts used to
<DIV></DIV>> > >attached the
<DIV></DIV>> > >pieces together? Has anybody found an interest group, and are there any
<DIV></DIV>> > >directions for disassembly/reassembly? I've only seen one set in the
<DIV></DIV>> > >members'
<DIV></DIV>> > >cars pictures. Who else has a set on their SEC?
<DIV></DIV>> > >
<DIV></DIV>> > >Thanks in advance.........Jim Rothrock, Windermere, Florida
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >
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