[W126 Coupe] ET Ranges

[Sharan Bains]

Vince,

What ET you can safely run depends on TWO things :

(1) the width of the wheel you are fitting
(2) how many mm's your suspension has been lowered from stock setting

With 8" wheels, you can run down to ET 11 providing you are not aggresively 
lowered.

So the wheels you are planning to fit must have an offset of ET 36 or more 
if you are going to run with 25mm spacers.

MB / AMG wheels from a late MB have a high offset, so you can probably use 
those. Original AMG / Lorinser wheels designed to fit the W126 came with a 
low offset to begin with, usually ET 11 for 8", ET 18 for 8.5" and ET 17 for 
10" in the rears only.

I assume you are planning to run spacers in the rears only. I don't think 
anyone makes hubcentric spacers for the W126 fronts.

You may find you have a problem - if you get a set of MB wheels say, which 
have ET36, then you can fit those 25mm spacers in the rear to get ET 11 and 
a great look. But on the front, ET 36 will be a problem - the wheels will 
hit the track rods on turning. You will need 5mm spacers at least on the 
fronts for wheels with ET 36.

Also, I assume these spacers bolt upto the hub first, then the wheels bolt 
onto the spacers.Which iis good as this means you don't need long bolts - 
you can use original MB bolts which have a 40mm shaft, so long as the wheels 
are original MB as well.


Talbir


>From: "Vince" <vje002 at comcast.net>
>Reply-To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>
>To: <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>
>Subject: [W126 Coupe] ET Ranges
>Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2005 08:24:28 -0500
>
>Hello folks,
>
>I have purchased a set of Gil Racings spacers, 25 mm in thickness, for my
>coupe in anticipation of getting a set of stock MB wheels.  Considering the
>thickness of the spacers, what ET range can I safely fit to my car?  I am
>searching for a set of 17 by at least 8 inch wheels.  Thanks in advance for
>your help!
>
>Vince
>
>P.S. The spacers can be seen at www.gilracing.com.  The quality is awesome,
>much, much better than the H&R spacers.
>
>
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