Dear Wil,

Several list members use Mercedes wheels, but I maintain that the offset is "too large" for the Vanagon resulting in "too little" track. As an example: a 14x6 (or for that matter a 15x6 or 16x6) Mercedes wheel vs. the 14x6 Vanagon Alloy wheel will result in about 1 1/8" less track (the distance from wheel to wheel). I maintain that this compromises the Vanagon's handling and causes possible damage to the wheel bearings.

Take it for what it's worth -- and no flames please!!!

Cheers,

MJS

At 02:57 PM 10/30/98 -0500, Wil Barker wrote:

>I've heard stock Mercedes 14" (pre '86 bunt  cake style) and 15" (flatter

>'86 and later)

>alloy wheels fit the Vanagon.  Mine is an '85 Westy.

>

>Mercedes uses a 5x112mm hole pattern.

>Are these wheels compatible with the Vanagon?

>Anyone using them?

>

>Thanks!

>

>- Wil Barker

>'85 Westy

>New Brunswick, NJ

<bold>Michael J. Sullivan

</bold><italic>Director of Catalog Design

Open Market, Inc.

</italic>

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