For enthusiasts of the Mercedes-Benz W126, especially those who appreciate the sporty touch of AMG wheels, center caps are crucial for completing the look and maintaining authenticity. This guide focuses on center caps for correct AMG wheels designed for the W126 chassis. While numerous threads showcase images of W126 AMG wheels (Gen I & Gen II), this article dives into the specifics of Center Caps Mercedes for these sought-after rims.
Decoding Center Caps for Five Spoke (Penta) AMG Wheels
The iconic Five Spoke, often called “Penta” style, AMG wheels were available in both Generation I and Generation II versions. For the W126, typical sizes include 8×16 ET11, 9×16 ET0, and the wider 10×16 ET -12.7 (primarily for widebody models). Importantly, the center caps are interchangeable between Gen I and Gen II Five Spoke wheels of these specifications. While many variations of five-spoke wheels exist, these sizes are the most popular and highly desired for W126 vehicles. When seeking center caps mercedes for your Penta wheels, rest assured that the design remained consistent across these generations.
Alt text: Close-up of a Mercedes-Benz W126 AMG Penta wheel showcasing the center cap, highlighting the five-spoke design and the center cap’s placement.
Aero I Wheel Center Cap Variations
Aero I wheels, predominantly sized at 8×17 ET11, were primarily offered for Gen II W126 models. However, within the Aero I design, there are two distinct center cap styles, differentiated by the AMG logo. Pre-merger Aero I wheels feature the classic “AMG” logo, while post-merger versions display the “////AMG” logo. When sourcing center caps mercedes for Aero I wheels, it’s essential to identify whether your wheels are pre- or post-merger to ensure logo correctness and maintain historical accuracy.
Alt text: Mercedes-Benz AMG Aero I wheel center cap featuring the pre-merger AMG logo, emphasizing the classic design and logo style.
Alt text: Post-merger Mercedes-Benz AMG Aero I wheel center cap displaying the ////AMG logo, illustrating the updated logo style for later models.
Center Caps for OZ Racing 3 Piece AMG Wheels
OZ Racing 3 piece wheels represent another Gen II AMG wheel option for the W126. Typically found in staggered configurations like 8.5×17 ET18 fronts, 10×17 ET17 rears, and 10×17 ET5 (widebody), these wheels exclusively carry the pre-merger AMG logo on their center caps. Therefore, when searching for center caps mercedes for your OZ Racing AMG wheels, confirm that they feature the pre-merger “AMG” logo to maintain the wheel’s original aesthetic and period-correct appearance.
Alt text: Detailed view of an OZ Racing 3 piece AMG wheel center cap on a Mercedes-Benz W126, showcasing the three-piece construction and the pre-merger AMG logo on the center cap.
Important Considerations:
This guide focuses on center caps for the most popular W126 AMG wheel styles. Numerous other variations of five-spoke and Aero wheels exist in 15″ and 16″ diameters, which are not covered here. This information is specifically for the W126 wheel types mentioned. Always verify compatibility when purchasing center caps mercedes to ensure they are the correct fit and style for your specific AMG wheels.
