Mark,  I have no spacers on mine and use stick on weight so they don't hit. After a
front end alignment the right wheel just hit the a-arm in one spot. Knocked of the
spot on the a-arm with a grinder (very little) and have had no problems. Tires are 205
70X14. and have about 40K on the wheels.   Bob

Mark Drillock wrote:

> This is not so simple a question. The bolt pattern used by Mercedes is
> the same as Vanagons. The bolt holes are for 12mm on Mercedes and need
> to be drilled out for 14mm bolts used on Vanagons. The big problem is
> the offset. Various Mercedes wheels have different offsets, some are
> suitable but many are not. The width of the tire and rim come into play
> along with the offset. True factory Mercedes wheels have the offset
> stamped into them. This is given as an ET#, such as ET37, ET51, ET49,
> and a rare ET25. Vanagons need a smaller number than most Mercedes
> wheels have. An ET# of 30 or less should fit with a rim width of 6 1/2
> inches. The front upper ball joint on 2WD Vanagons is very close to the
> tire even with stock wheels and tires. Most Mercedes wheels mount closer
> in than the stock wheels and the tires will rub on the upper ball joint.
> Sometimes the balancing weights hit something also. Spacers can be used
> to position the wheels farther out but longer bolts will be needed. The
> thicker alloy wheels may need longer rear studs and front bolts even
> without the use of spacers.
>
> Many people have used Audi and Mercedes alloys on Vanagons. I have done
> so on many of my Vanagons and Syncros and I am using Mercedes C2XX  6
> 1/2"x 15" wheels right now on my 82 Westy. These have  ET37 and thin
> spacers are needed up front due to my wide tires. Spacers would not be
> needed on a Syncro as they have more clearance up front. Tire size
> enters into this very much. I am running 215/75/15 tires.
>
> I have used these common Mercedes 14" alloy wheel/tire combos without
> spacers.
> ET45, 6x14, 205/70/14, 2WD Vanagon
> ET45, 6x14, 215/75/14, Syncro
>
> Care must be taken to have lug nuts and bolts with the proper taper and
> fit. Some people consider the reduced track width to be a problem so do
> this at your own risk.
>
> Mark
>
> Bob Kelly wrote:
> >
> > Will, I have them on my 1982 Westy. They came of a 1986 380SEL. All you have to
> > do is drill the lug holes out as the MBZ has smaller lug bolts. There is a steel
> > insert in the wheels so drilling will not harm the wheel. The big thing is the
> > lug bolts and studs as they have to be longer. I used Porsche one and they were
> > costly. The wheels have been on the Westy for 2 years with no problem.     Bob
> > RWK Enterprises Placerville Ca.
> > VW Performance/swaps/Vanagon Conv./Parts
> >
> > bigw wrote:
> >
> > > I have seen a number of vanagons with Mercedes alloy wheels on them. Does
> > > anyone have experience with mounting these wheels to a Vanagon. Thanks, WILL