For enthusiasts of classic Mercedes-Benz vehicles, particularly the W126 generation, maintaining originality and detail is paramount. Among these details, the wheel center caps on AMG wheels often become a focal point. Understanding the nuances of Mercedes Wheel Center Caps, especially for the various AMG wheel styles available for the W126, can be crucial for both restoration and maintenance. This guide will delve into the specifics of center caps for the most popular AMG wheels fitted to the W126 chassis.
Decoding Center Caps for W126 AMG Wheels
The world of W126 AMG wheels can be categorized into a few distinct styles, each with its own center cap considerations. We’ll focus on the most commonly encountered and sought-after designs: Five Spoke (often called “Penta”), Aero I, and OZ Racing 3-piece wheels.
Five Spoke (“Penta”) Wheel Center Caps
The iconic Five Spoke, or “Penta” style, wheels are a signature AMG design. For the W126, these wheels generally come in sizes like 8×16 ET11, 9×16 ET0, and 10×16 ET -12.7 (primarily for widebody configurations). Crucially, the center caps for both Generation 1 (Gen I) and Generation 2 (Gen II) versions of these Five Spoke wheels are generally interchangeable for these W126 specific sizes and offsets. While numerous variations of five-spoke wheels exist, the center caps discussed here pertain to these most popular and desirable fitments for the W126.
Aero I Wheel Center Caps
Aero I wheels, predominantly sized at 8×17 ET11 for the W126 Gen II models, present a slightly more complex center cap scenario. There are two main types of Aero I wheels distinguished by their logos:
- Pre-merger AMG Logo: These wheels feature the original AMG logo, reflecting the era before AMG’s official merger with Mercedes-Benz.
- Post-merger ////AMG Logo: Following the merger, Aero I wheels were produced with the now-familiar ////AMG logo.
Center caps will vary depending on whether your Aero I wheels are the pre-merger or post-merger version, ensuring correct branding for your wheels. It’s important to note that Aero I wheels were also manufactured for the W124 chassis with an ET28 offset, but we are specifically addressing the W126 fitments here.
OZ Racing 3-Piece Wheel Center Caps
OZ Racing 3-piece wheels represent another distinct AMG wheel option for Gen II W126 vehicles. Typically staggered with 8.5×17 ET18 fronts and 10×17 ET17 rears, and sometimes 10×17 ET5 for widebody models, these wheels exclusively feature the pre-merger AMG logo on their center caps. Like the Aero I wheels, OZ Racing wheels were also produced for W124 (ET28 offset) and R129 chassis (using the same W126 offsets), but for W126 applications, the pre-merger AMG logo center cap is consistent.
Important Considerations for Mercedes Wheel Center Caps
This guide focuses on the most common W126 AMG wheel center caps, but it’s important to acknowledge that the world of vintage AMG wheels is vast. Numerous variations of Five Spoke and Aero wheels in 15″ and 16″ diameters exist, which are not covered in detail here. The center cap information provided is specifically for the popular W126 wheels mentioned.
When sourcing center caps for your Mercedes W126 AMG wheels, always verify compatibility based on your specific wheel type (Five Spoke, Aero I, or OZ Racing) and, for Aero I wheels, the logo version (pre-merger or post-merger). Ensuring you have the correct Mercedes wheel center caps is a key detail in maintaining the authentic look and value of your classic Mercedes-Benz.
