Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 12:45:02 -0800
Reply-To: BenT Syncro <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: BenT Syncro <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Benz ML alloy wheels for vanagon ...on CL
In-Reply-To: <CA+r_p2y4BRMCfqksQZJW9LF4Fcj+FboaVUoh+L4-VpP0S2-YTg@mail.gmail.com>
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Hey John,
I answered in some detail to the posting from Harry. Please read my reply between your questions below:
>
> Hi Ben and All,
>
> I'm a little surprised on how many Mercedes wheels are available up here in the NW and all down the coast for that matter. And, the prices are reasonable. In SLC, they almost never showed up in the ads.
The younger generation seem to have a preference for bigger & 'blingier' wheels. Mercedes owners included.
> With turn key wheels limited, ( I've been using the gowesty Mercedes knock offs and quickly get real bored with them. But, their easy ;o)
> (and, I haven't found the Syncro guys 900? wheels for sale)
Van Cafe sells Rondel wheels which are turnkey. For a while, Overland dealers were selling 15"& 16" wheels as well. Cost will be higher be higher because they are new not used. As for the CV900, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." They are attractive in their own right but the design appears dated IMHO. Those wheels are backordered last time I read a post about them from Derek.
Styles come and go which is another factor why so many MB wheels go up for sale in the secondary market. Don't discount Audi wheels as some aftermarket models such as those from Borbet have a removable centering ring. For example: I picked up two sets of the 'Type E' Borbets for $150 & &$80 respectively from Audi guys bored (no pun intended) with them. I simply popped out the ring (and sold on eBay for $30) and bolted the wheels on. No machine work & no spacers. Just needed conical seat lugnuts/bolts such as those from a Carat.
> I plan on going this route with the MV I'm having shipped from NYC. Price wise, it make more sense too. I really do like the look too.
;-)
> These and the later AMG with the smoother look. Although, I find these are pricey (for an old retired guy ($600) with tires)
I like the older AMGEN wheels as well. In fact the Penta and Ronal R9's (the latter used on the Projektzwo T3/Vanagon conversions) have a timeless look on Vanagons. The problem is MB enthusiasts are after them too. That drives prices into MB territory and out of the VW budgets. The wide spoke AMG's that came out later look like an updated and enlarged version of the Carat wheel.
A word of warning about MB wheels. They are typically ballseat like our Vanagon wheels. Since the alloy wheels are thicker compared to the outgoing steel wheels, you may need longer studs and/or bolts to put them on your Vanagon. An alternate solution is to have the lugholes machines to a 60 degree conical seat.
> I will use the GoWesty tall springs
> to give me a little more wriggle room :o)
Tall is good for vertical clearance. You also have to make sure you clear the trailing edge of the wheel arches where things are very tight once you turn the wheel from lock-to-lock.
> and, btw ;o) the big Audi brakes, that I bought from you back in about
> 2001-03,,, They've been following me around, being installed and Un-installed from bus to bus to bus !!! And... Still working good !!! I should have sprung for the lifetime brake pad option heh...heh... :o)
I've done the same John. In my case, it's moved from several vehicles rarely driven. So guess what? I'm still on the same pads.;-)
> You're the list expert on wheels for Vanagons as far as I'm concerned! and, I was wondering, where's the goto place to buy the spacers & studs & nuts?
Thanks but that's only because I can bet there are more spare wheels in my stash than some wheel vendors. I was in shock to discover I had stuffed some 380 wheels at my old real estate office. Yes, I am not in the automotive business. Been trying to unload them a little at a time locally. Sold about 80 so far.;-)
That guy Chris from the Samba seems to carry a good variety of spacers and fasteners. I can get them locally for a few bucks less depending on what you need. Spacers can be of the generic variety. Just don't get cast ones because I have seem some destroyed by excessive torque just from the lugnuts.
> & how did the machining go on your wheels? On the hub center hole,
> should the hole enlargement be only so deep? So that the caps still fit,
> If that's an option? What's the dimensions? How did the machinists do it? Can we emulate the procedure in our own shops and turn out with something acceptable?
I used to use this machinist in SoCal. He ran everything on. CNC mill. Unfortunately, he retired some years back. He tried to sell me his gear for doing wheels but no way I could explain to SpicyT why I would need to clear the tiny garage to install a 10'+ tall Bridgeport mill.
I have not had wheels machines to just a specific depth because the ones I've used would not have cleared the height of the cap without a spacer. Once you put a thick enough spacer, the cap fits!
I know Burley has a flycutter set up for doing centerbores. I'd take my next set over there if he wasn't 8 hours away from me.
> I would rather have a shop do it but don't know any shops here in the PDX area as I'm still a newbie up here.
I think Eric Didier is up there. Goes by Tristar Eric on the Samba. He should either be able to help you himself or know a shop nearby.
Cheers,
BenT
