8 hole rims factory finish

[darek_u]

I was wondering what was the factory finish for 500E 8 hole rims. I've seen these wheels painted, polished and CNC finished (fronts). How did Euro models roll out from the factory?

[Ingvar]

https://www.kunzmann.de/shop/de/reif...rad-silber.htm

[LWB250]

Closest I have ever seen to factory finish, and pretty much identical, is the Würth silver wheel paint. Nothing closer that I have ever found.

Dan

[mercepor]

Afaik, is 744 color

[gerryvz]

Closest I have ever seen to factory finish, and pretty much identical, is the Würth silver wheel paint. Nothing closer that I have ever found.

Dan

Correct. Also, the silver wheel paint that is (or was?) sold by Griot's Garage is re-packaged Wurth silver wheel paint.

[LWB250]

Correct. Also, the silver wheel paint that is (or was?) sold by Griot's Garage is re-packaged Wurth silver wheel paint.

I’m not sure why, but the last time I painted a set of wheels I had a heck of a time finding the Würth paint. Not sure why...

Dan

[darek_u]

Many thanks for your replies. However it is still not clear for me how Euro 500E rims were finished from the factory. I was not asking for the color (however I'm glad that it was described in details) but the actual way the rims were finished. So far I've seen 3 ways of finishing these wheels:

1. Polished - I believe this is specific for US market
2. Fully painted - the whole rim is painted in silver, this includes 8 holes and front of the rim, just a standard way of finishing rims
3. Rims are painted then front is CNC machined to bare aluminum, at the end everything is top coated with clear coat.

I *think* option 2 applies to smaller 15' wheels fitted to "pedestrian" versions of W124 (no offence...), top models had machined wheels. The brand new rims from Ingvar's link are described as "silver" but the picture shows machined rims.
I came across a set of 8 hole rims for cheap, I know they are not very popular but I've always had a soft spot for original wheels... This set has been already refurbished some time ago so it doesn't have original factory finish. I'd like to restore them back to factory look.

[gsxr]

I've never seen, or heard of, any 124.036 eight-hole wheel finished in any way besides fully painted. That's worldwide. Anyone ever seen otherwise? Pretty sure the EPC has the same part number for the only wheel used worldwide.

[TerryA]

My original spare wheel is painted silver. Never been on the ground.

[gerryvz]

As far as I know they were only finished from the factory the one way.

My E500 had "chromed" E500E 16" 8-hole wheels. Not to my taste, but that's what you got in SoCal back in the 1990s. Dealer chroming. I sold the set for like $50 on Craigslist back when I lived in Portland. Good riddance.

Note that the 1995 model year 8-hole 15" wheels were finished differently ("diamond cut") than earlier years, but this does not apply to E500E models. MB never offered a polished/chromed wheel from the factory -- this was a US dealer-only "thang."

It doesn't look like Griot's Garage is selling the silver Wurth alloy wheel paint anymore...bummer.

Couple of on-line sources for the Wurth paint:

https://www.ebay.com/i/253478875540?chn=ps

https://www.autopia-carcare.com/wus-892181.html

[Ingvar]

Many thanks for your replies. However it is still not clear for me how Euro 500E rims were finished from the factory. I was not asking for the color (however I'm glad that it was described in details) but the actual way the rims were finished. So far I've seen 3 ways of finishing these wheels:

1. Polished - I believe this is specific for US market
2. Fully painted - the whole rim is painted in silver, this includes 8 holes and front of the rim, just a standard way of finishing rims
3. Rims are painted then front is CNC machined to bare aluminum, at the end everything is top coated with clear coat.

I *think* option 2 applies to smaller 15' wheels fitted to "pedestrian" versions of W124 (no offence...), top models had machined wheels. The brand new rims from Ingvar's link are described as "silver" but the picture shows machined rims.
I came across a set of 8 hole rims for cheap, I know they are not very popular but I've always had a soft spot for original wheels... This set has been already refurbished some time ago so it doesn't have original factory finish. I'd like to restore them back to factory look.

The wheels from Kunzmann are indeed silver. I know because I bought a set.

[maw1124]

Many thanks for your replies. However it is still not clear for me how Euro 500E rims were finished from the factory. I was not asking for the color (however I'm glad that it was described in details) but the actual way the rims were finished. So far I've seen 3 ways of finishing these wheels:

1. Polished - I believe this is specific for US market
2. Fully painted - the whole rim is painted in silver, this includes 8 holes and front of the rim, just a standard way of finishing rims
3. Rims are painted then front is CNC machined to bare aluminum, at the end everything is top coated with clear coat.

I *think* option 2 applies to smaller 15' wheels fitted to "pedestrian" versions of W124 (no offence...), top models had machined wheels. The brand new rims from Ingvar's link are described as "silver" but the picture shows machined rims.
I came across a set of 8 hole rims for cheap, I know they are not very popular but I've always had a soft spot for original wheels... This set has been already refurbished some time ago so it doesn't have original factory finish. I'd like to restore them back to factory look.

Attached is the brochure for 1994. I've only seen painted 8-holes, and chromed as a "dealer installed option" (what they used to call it here in the US in the 80s and 90s). I think the polished and machined wheels pertain only to the Evo's. The convex of the 8-hole would make either polishing or machining virtually impossible in any real volume. I think if you machined the face of your 8-holes, you'd still need to deal with the convexity around the holes.

I hope this helps.

Cheers,

maw

[darek_u]

All is clear now - wheels were painted in whole on each 500E. It looks like the machined (aka "diamond cut") wheels where fitted to other MBs. On a side note the diamond cut looks great on these wheels, in fact on any wheels. My EVO II rims are finished that way and I love it. Attached couple of photos of 8 hole machined. The convex of 8 holes is not polished, it is painted silver.

8 hole machined.jpg8 hole machined 2.jpg

[gsxr]

All is clear now - wheels were painted in whole on each 500E. It looks like the machined (aka "diamond cut") wheels where fitted to other MBs. On a side note the diamond cut looks great on these wheels, in fact on any wheels. My EVO II rims are finished that way and I love it. Attached couple of photos of 8 hole machined. The convex of 8 holes is not polished, it is painted silver.

8 hole machined.jpg8 hole machined 2.jpg

Yup, the "pedestrian" models of the 124 chassis received the diamond-cut, clearcoat finish for 1995 USA model year only... and only for the 15" wheels. Not sure when these were offered in Europe, but I've never seen that finish on a 16" eight-holer.

[maw1124]

But that's what I expected a diamond cut 8-hole would look like, with painted holes ... shouldn't be hard to do, but...

Never saw that, by the way. But I'm not exactly attentive to what people call the pedestrian W124 models either.

maw

[gerryvz]

I'm not exactly attentive to what people call the pedestrian W124 models either.

Generally I think this is a reference to non-V-8 W124 models. Some "purists" would even say non-.036 W124 models.

IMHO the "pedestrian" reference is generally to normal "civilian duty" W124s of 4-cylinder, 6-cylinder and Diesel propulsion.

[vexed]

Generally I think this is a reference to non-V-8 W124 models. Some "purists" would even say non-.036 W124 models.

IMHO the "pedestrian" reference is generally to normal "civilian duty" W124s of 4-cylinder, 6-cylinder and Diesel propulsion.

And the cabs. Personally I think the diamond finished aka machined wheels look great. It’s a good way to tell if a car is advertised as a 1995 if it has the correct wheels.

[maw1124]

And the cabs. Personally I think the diamond finished aka machined wheels look great. It’s a good way to tell if a car is advertised as a 1995 if it has the correct wheels.

Apparently they came on ‘95 140 cars as well...

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/19...s-benz-s600-3/

maw

[maestro500e]

Nice. Maybe to paint the inside to match el 500E, BUENO!

[frenchfelgen]

Hi guys,

i love this kind of rabbit hole debates so i have to jump in.
As alloywheelsdirect indicates there seems to be a special "high sheen" version (in between polished and machined ?) for the E500 only (http://www.alloywheelsdirect.net/mer...amak_wheel_716) the OEM number is from the R129, as for the regular silver alamak. I would tend to think that non painted alamak were available as option in Europe, and didnt get to cross the pound, hence the dealer option mecanism... What do you think ?

[mikeym]

Yup, the "pedestrian" models of the 124 chassis received the diamond-cut, clearcoat finish for 1995 USA model year only... and only for the 15" wheels. Not sure when these were offered in Europe, but I've never seen that finish on a 16" eight-holer.

Is there a DIY an option to refinish such diamond-cut, clearcoat finish wheels? If not, what is the alternative, CNC machining to remove a thin layer followed by clearcoat? Chinese versions are selling for about $125 but don't trust them...
Thx