Club 80-90 Forums

Hi all,

I've noticed today my wheels are 16", and I wondered if anyone knows where they might have come from, or anything about them?



The tires are 215/65R/16C, a mix of Michelin and BF Goodrich.

What would be the best tire pressure for this size? I've done a search and looked at the wiki, but most mention 185/205 14" tires.

Also, two are rated 109 / 107 T (109=1030kg) and one is 98H (750kg), does that matter? (not sure what the other one is).

Thanks

Pete

Perhaps Merc ML? I think the weight ratings are acceptable. As for tyre pressures? Im not sure. Must be near normal size tyres though?
I run 48 rear and 42 front on standard size.

Look like merc "tolimans" to me , same as I have 
I run 48psi in the front and 50psi in the rears , my tyres being 16 225 70 C commercial tyres 

Definitely tolimans.

As far as I’m aware there were at least 3 16” variants found on CLK and E class.

16x7 ET33
16x7 ET37
16x7.5 ET42

There was also the 15x7 ET37 found on some SLK

Thanks all

Any idea where I can get the centre caps from? 

Pete

Not my words but here is how you calculate tyre pressure:

Since the van got the MOT last week I've been able to get out a bit, just on A and B roads, and I'm not sure if these big wheels suit a 1.6 CT Aircooled - I've read people say the gearing is good for diesels. They certainly make parallel parking with a manual steering wheel difficult...

Everything is fine and nippy enough in 3rd, then around 45mph change to 4th, from there it doesn't accelerate or even go much over 45 on the flat, almost feels like it is starting to labour in too high a gear. Is this connected with the tire size and engine combo, or something else? I was hoping to cruise at 50mph, but maybe that is optimistic.

Is it worth looking at 15" or 14" wheels? I'm not bothered about the look, I actually prefer standard VW wheels. What is the advantage of 16" wheels in my situation?

Cheers

Pete 

Reckon they won’t be helping, the 1.6ct is not going to have heaps of power to begin with. Going up in size on wheels will effectively reduce acceleration a little and in theory reduce revs for a given road speed. However without the power/torque it will struggle in the higher gears and you’ll find yourself changing down more.

Steering is not light anyway, going wider on the tyres will make it a little heavier.

Standard would be 185r14c and tbh I’d imagine would would the 1.6ct better.

Larger wheels can still work as long as overall tyre size is similar to the original 14”.

Commercial rated tyres are preferred, however some people will say 97 rated will just do.
Technically the max axle weight for t25 is 1300kg so your tyre rated for 750kg would technically be ok.

Where are you located? Someone probably will have a set of 14” you could try on to see if you preferred. Even a pair on rear only would let you see if gearing seemed better. Obviously steering would be same unless you tried on front.

Thanks for the advice. I'm on Anglesey.

Value-wise, are my wheels and tires worth more than a set of standard 14"s?

Also, were the VW hubcaps put on T25s originally? 

Cheers
Pete

Yeah you will struggle with those wheels with a ct, even with my 2.1 WBX I can’t get into 5th gear comfortably below 55mph and ideally over 60mph . 

yes those wheels are worth about £150 without tyres , standard steels are difficult to give away . 
 

Shame you’re not up my way.

I’ve my back up 14’s sat in shed. I’ve 15” merc steels with 205/70/15c on the camper, works well with the 1.9dg.

I’m thinking about a set of 16” tolimans powder coated in white and probably go for 205 or 215 65/16c

Thanks.

I think I'd prefer standard wheels and shiney VW hubcaps, and spend any extra on good quality tires. 

Is there only one size and type of wheel that hubcaps fit onto?

This is where I find out that hubcaps are really rare and expensive.

Some of the roads around here are rough and getting worse every year, which is another consideration for me.

Mona wrote: ↑22 Apr 2021, 08:45 Thanks.

I think I'd prefer standard wheels and shiney VW hubcaps, and spend any extra on good quality tires. 

Is there only one size and type of wheel that hubcaps fit onto?

This is where I find out that hubcaps are really rare and expensive.

Some of the roads around here are rough and getting worse every year, which is another consideration for me.

the hubcaps fit stock wheels, i have a spare set of bare steels, could post out , may have some hubcaps but new stainless are available too
 

davidoft1 wrote: ↑22 Apr 2021, 09:43

Mona wrote: ↑22 Apr 2021, 08:45 Thanks.

I think I'd prefer standard wheels and shiney VW hubcaps, and spend any extra on good quality tires. 

Is there only one size and type of wheel that hubcaps fit onto?

This is where I find out that hubcaps are really rare and expensive.

Some of the roads around here are rough and getting worse every year, which is another consideration for me.

the hubcaps fit stock wheels, i have a spare set of bare steels, could post out , may have some hubcaps but new stainless are available too

Thanks for the offer. How much would a set of 5 cost with postage please? 

Pete

davidoft1 wrote: ↑22 Apr 2021, 09:43

Mona wrote: ↑22 Apr 2021, 08:45 Thanks.

I think I'd prefer standard wheels and shiney VW hubcaps, and spend any extra on good quality tires. 

Is there only one size and type of wheel that hubcaps fit onto?

This is where I find out that hubcaps are really rare and expensive.

Some of the roads around here are rough and getting worse every year, which is another consideration for me.

the hubcaps fit stock wheels, i have a spare set of bare steels, could post out , may have some hubcaps but new stainless are available too

Trying to source some new hubcaps myself as mine have gone and getting them re-chromed is not cheap. New chrome ones are very expensive. There is the option of cheaper chrome replicas with 'sunny climate' chrome on but get the impression these won't last too long. Can't find stainless steel ones available anywhere, any chance you know of a supplier who currently has some?