410 wheels

[GREG]

A good web site for PCD checking and some other stuff !

Automotive resources from carlsalter.com, Wheel rim PCDs and fitments, Free Motorcycle Service and Workshop Manuals for Download

There is also a BMW wheel at 120 mm PCD and looks similar to 411 S6 ! ( same as Bristol 410 to Blenheim and XJ Jag )

The 410 wheel is narrower than the 411 onwards -- although the 411 S1 maybe the same ?

I have new wheel nuts and studs for Bristol's -- only other car I found that uses same size is Land Rover S1 !! And no, they don't fit a Bristol :-)

I once fitted my Merc 112 PCD wheels to a 401 -- you needed arms like my wife's to steer it !! :-))

[GREG]

Another way of achieving more available tyre choice is to have the steel wheels banded -- obviously be sure to go to an experienced reputable company for this that does an accurate quality job -- not the local grass tracker builders :-))

Nothing against grass tracking as I used to do lots of it , but we didn't expect cars to live long !

[Geoff Dowdle]

Greg,
The M Benz in the 90's were mostly 6 in x 15in but had different offset between the different models .
Each wheel is stamped with the offset near the stud holes.
ET 31 fitted C180/220/280
ET 49 190E
ET 40 w124 220/280 1994 onwards

I understand the ET 31 are the best fit on a 401/3 but best to try before you buy , check clearance of the tyres with the wheel arch on full lock .
Also check clearance of the steering knuckle to the rim on full lock .

If you make and fit a few hubcap fixing pins the wheels with hubcaps look very similar to the Standard 4.5 x 16 Bristol wheels ,
maybe at parking speed it will be heavier than original .
The other consideration is the overall diameter of the 15 in tyre will be smaller than original

There is now a good selection of 185 x 16 tyres available now , especially in UK , why bother fitting 15 inch wheels

Geoff

[GREG]

I only discovered by chance that my old Merc 320 CDI ( W210 ) with 16 " alloy wheels fit the Bristol -- However the spare was steel and looked just like a Bristol wheel

So a 2001 onwards E class full size spare or even some standard Audi steel wheels

I wouldn't consider fitting 15 " to a 6 cylinder.. -- I even prefer the look of the V8's with 16"

They sell the hub cap pins on eBay for VW Beetles that would work.

[Philip]

A more elegant solution than banding is putting an existing (steel) wheel centre into a new outer rim - to choose ideal width and offset. Also possible to go up or down in diameter (e.g. change a 15" into a 16").

[GREG]

I think we over did the answer :-))

It should have been the 410 wheel wasn't used on any other car and yes they are the same PCD as the contemporary Jag ! Oop's

But maybe someone found the rest of the rambling useful -- hopefully...

[MYTA21]

Reasons for possible changing wheel sizes are that whilst 16inch tyres are easy to get in UK, ( Vintage Tyres Supplies highly recommended), in South Australia, the nearest source is 500 miles away. Having had a string of punctures, I was carrying a new tyre, as well as a spare. Ended up using the spare new tyre when blowout occurred. Travelling without spare for long distances is a worry!
Also, if I get the electric power steering fitted, as I hope to soon, I can use a wider section which is more readily available in 15 inch here. There are web sites with all tyre diameter, so as to find a 15 inch diameter very close to a 16inch etc.

I tried an 80's XJ6 wheel and the PCD is bigger than the 409, as a later post stated. Parts book show 409 and 410 hubs different. 409 is more like 115PCD from a rough measurement.

Philip's suggestion of banding looks possibly the best way - keeps the car looking original.The historic rego scheme here stipulates that the car must be kept original, so that is another thing to consider.

Thanks for all the information