RH Topline 8x17 - "New" wheels for the C280

[MarkR171]

Found these on craigslist for dirt cheap, almost nothing. The seller listed them as Euro Racing Harts but google turned up nothing. Found out the brand is "RH Alurad" Alufelgen, Kompletträder, Alufelge, Leichtmetallfelgen, Leichtmetallräder, Aluräder, Komplettrad: RH ALURAD - RH Alurad (DE) (http://www.rh-alurad.de/)

I thought they were pretty cool. Similar to AMG Monoblocks with sharper edges and a beveled and deeper lip. 17x8 ET35 all around. I'm hoping I can run 245/40/17 all around (after lowering on Eibach/Bilsteins or something.) If anyone can give me insight on that, it would help!

I haven't weighed them yet, but they seem quite light... either way, quite unique I think!

The only catch is the clear coat on the lips are pretty much gone. Almost completely peeled off. I plan to strip the clear on the lips and polish them.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/972341_10201828133930915_1764823581_n.jpg

[nhmercracer]

I like those. Looks like a "modernized" monoblok.

[MarkR171]

Making some progress. I stripped the clearcoat on the lips with paint stripper then sanded from 60 grit to 80, 120 then wet sanded from 320, 400 and finally 600 to get to this point. Also mounted it on the car to test fitment. Should look good when I keep going with wetsanding at 800, 1000, 1500 and 2000 grits then finally Mother's polish.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1176337_10201862087539734_1723031605_n.jpg

[Vetruck]

I like those. Looks like a "modernized" monoblok.



Agreed, I like them

[MarkR171]

Got one wheel lip refinished nicely. The others in progress.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1013280_10201877393082363_320090724_n.jpg

[Samito01]

Nice

[MarkR171]

Painted the wheel faces today and found a 65mm center cap on eBay to fit

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1175003_10201933249198731_1174820329_n.jpg

[Vetruck]

Fantastic job. Thise look great. I am very curious to see them mounted since they have a vintage yet "modern vintage" look of the OEM monoblocks. Great looking wheel.

[MarkR171]

I have Hankook V12 Evos on the way from Amazon. Free shipping with Amazon Prime to Hawaii is unbeatable. (TireRack charges close to $200 to ship 4 tires to me in Hawaii.)

The design seems to be a cross between AMG Monoblocks and AMG Aero Is.

[wichipong]

looks more like the AMG Aero 1... just wished the 8X17 wasnt there... but looking good!

[wichipong]

regarding the tires, see the drop first then compute the tires... i had 225/40/18 on 9in wheel... heck i even know someone who had it on a 10in wheel...

[MarkR171]

Yup, Aero I with less material between the spokes. I already ordered a set of 4 225/45/17 tires. I figured the C280 really doesn't need that much rear grip so why bother going staggered. If anything, ill add mild spacers for fitment if its too far in.

[MarkR171]

Goodies arrived from Amazon today. Eibach springs, Bilstein Sport shocks, 225/45/17 Hankook V12 Evos. A friend I autocross my SLK55 with referred me to a shop for install and they quoted me $250 to install the suspension and another $60 to mount and balance the tires. Sounds like a great deal to me!

https://sphotos-b-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1235024_10201963621638023_679378202_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1234391_10201934764276607_1154717421_n.jpg

[MarkR171]

Mounted the wheels on the Hankook V12 Evo 225/45/17s today. Also lowered the car with Bilstein B8 sport shocks and Eibach Pro Kit springs. Looks good I think. Not bad at all for $100 craigslist wheels with $50 worth of materials to refurbish them.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1185103_10201978796377382_314468777_n.jpg

[wichipong]

looking good there!