If you run the 18s from a E55 you don't need spacers but you do need the
longer studs. It was a cheap item $25 for the studs and an hours labor.

Here is a pic of my bus on 17s (needed spacers for these)

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/974689.jpg

and as promised here it is on 15s

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/1294323.jpg

Continuation of info for OP

So a couple of things if you go to gowesty you can get rear extended studs
and spacers for $25

http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=4304&category_id=&category_parent_id=

so cheap enough

I got front studs (cant remember exactly where but here is a link to one
site)

http://www.race-studs.com/servlet/the-54/M14x1.5-Performance-Studs/Detail

15x6 - ET30 through ET35
15x6.5 - ET30 through ET35
15x7 – ET30 through ET32

Both of those wheels you listed (I assume they are he 8 hole) then you can
get 6.5 & 7 inch wide. (the c280 will be 6.5 the E320 maybe either) The
above is a breakdown of the research that has already been done about what
will fit. If you go with 15x7 then tire choice starts to play a part and
you don't want to go wider than 225.

Specification   Difference
185/60-14        0.0%
205/50-15        1.5%
215/45-15        -0.5%

Good luck with your choice.

Let me know how you get on, and if you have more questions

On Sun, Dec 28, 2014 at 10:27 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
wrote:

> My S-Class pushes 5,000 pounds empty. I would have no problem using those
> wheels on a Vanagon. I just hate the spacer and longer stud/bolt hassle.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of N T-P Vanaru
> Sent: Saturday, December 27, 2014 11:47 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: 15" Wheels
>
> Also you will get some people telling you that the bus is too heavy and
> the wheel will crack etc etc. What I have seen is that a) the wheels are OE
> and so usually better quality than aftermarket b) currently I have wheels
> from a s class that is a rank in comparision to my bus.
>
> Obviously these are just my thoughts and you will need to make you own
> decisions, before making any purchases.
>
>
>
>
> Sent via the Samsung Galaxy Note® 8.0, an AT&T 4G LTE tablet
>
> -------- Original message --------
> From: N T-P Vanaru <nij.tp.vanaru@gmail.com>
> Date: 12/27/2014  23:41  (GMT-05:00)
> To: Gmail <ramblinvan@GMAIL.COM>,vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: 15" Wheels
>
> Not really sure what the big deal is. I have fitted 15, 17 and 18" merc
> wheels. Most fit straight on (as far as pcd and center bore are concerned)
> some need you to run a drill through the bolt holes (very easy) and some
> require a cheap set of spacers. You do not need any special adapters for a
> lot of the merc wheels. If you look in my pictures on thesamba you will see
> my blue bus with all 3 of the above sizes mounted. Chris at T3 has put
> together some excellent material (also on thesamba). You could steer the op
> towards buying a shiney set from one of the vendors but I think he wants to
> do it on a smaller budget. I fitted studs onto the front discs instead of
> messing around with bolts, this was 2fold one I could have the same lugnuts
> all round, two its so much easier fitting a wheel onto studs than to try
> and line holes up and get bolts through.
>
> OP if you want to PM me I can try and give you some more info.
>
>
>
>
>
> Sent via the Samsung Galaxy Note® 8.0, an AT&T 4G LTE tablet
>
>
>
> -------- Original message --------
> From: Gmail <ramblinvan@GMAIL.COM>
> Date: 12/27/2014 19:27 (GMT-05:00)
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: 15" Wheels
>
>
> I'll push Van Cafe.  I've bought two sets of wheels and tires from them
> and couldn't be happier.  Straight talk, fair prices, fast shipping and
> customer service before during and after the sale that no one can beat.  I
> also buy 90% of my other Vanagon parts from them.
>
> They are a full service VW maintenance/repairs/upgrade shop, they know
> Vanagon's inside and out and stand behind everything they do and sell.
> Call Peter, Mike or Chris and tell them what you need and see what
> happens.  I heard they sometimes sell "takes offs" that may have not suited
> the PO but just might fit your needs and budget.
>
> loyal customer flag a-flying,
> Andrew
> Bainbridge Island WA
>
>
>
> > On Dec 27, 2014, at 4:04 PM, David Bjorkman <ddbjorkman@VERIZON.NET>
> wrote:
> >
> > Not pushing Van-Café, but a set of Rhein wheels is 800 bucks plus
> shipping
> >
> > Dave B.
> >
> >
> > On 12/27/14, Michael McSwain wrote:
> >
> > Ok, so instead of messing with all of this offset BS, does anyone have
> > $1,149.95 I could borrow?
> >
> >
> >
> >> On Sat, Dec 27, 2014 at 4:52 PM, Ben <syncro@gmail.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> If they are "Bens" wheels, you must have a lot of them. Even after
> >> downsizing, there are still 300+ in the pile.;-)
> >>
> >> Some aftermarket Mercedes Benz wheels will bolt straight on. That's what
> >> GW is selling. However, those with the correct offset & lughole size are
> >> more difficult to find these days as most modern vehicles take a high
> >> offset wheel.
> >>
> >>
> >> BenT Weeehls
> >> sent from my electronic leash
> >>
> >>> On Dec 27, 2014, at 1:33 PM, Jack Reynaert <jack007@COMCAST.NET>
> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> Best to go with the ones offered by Go Westy, I have a set of Bens
> wheels
> >>> which were given to me... the bolt pattern was perfect, but it would
> take
> >>> big bucks in spacers and lug conversions to make them work.
> >>> Now I have 4 Bens wheels sitting in my attic.
> >>>
> >>> Still running my 14" original rims with 185/R14 Load D summer tires.
> >>>
> >>> When the tires go, I'm going to go with the Go Westy package.
> >>>
> >>> BTW, still trying to sell my Bens wheels.
> >>>
> >>> Jack R.
> >>> 84 Westy Wolfie
> >>> N. of Detroit
> >>>
> >>> -----Original Message-----
> >>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> Behalf
> >> Of
> >>> Michael McSwain
> >>> Sent: Saturday, December 27, 2014 2:04 PM
> >>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >>> Subject: 15" Wheels
> >>>
> >>> Hey all,
> >>>
> >>> I know there are a few mile long posts on the samba about this, but I
> >> always
> >>> end up feeling like I'm drowning in information over there.
> >>>
> >>> Does anyone have any suggestions on a 15" wheel conversion that
> requires
> >> the
> >>> most minimal of modifications? I found 2 sets locally for $250 that I'm
> >>> thinking about getting but I'm not 100% sure if they'll fit or if I'll
> >> have
> >>> to go get spacers/long lugs etc. They came of of a '95 E320 and a '95
> >> C280.
> >>> The look just like the ones Gowesty sells. I'm going to go back out and
> >> get
> >>> the wheels measurements off of them on Monday.
> >>>
> >>> If I had the budget I'd just buy the gowesty kit and I'm trying to
> figure
> >>> out if I'll end up spending close to the same after buying all the
> >> necessary
> >>> accoutrements.
> >>>
> >>> I'm not married to this style and I'm more concerned about handling and
> >>> performance than looks.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> Thanks in advance.
> >>>
> >>> Michael.
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > yea yea yea..
>