MBstve

I experience tire rubbing on my fenders on bigger bumps

Current set up is
Stock w204 C350 suspension height
Rims Front and rear: 19 x 8.5 (35 offset)
Tires Front and rear: 245/35r19

Offset is quite aggressive but still flush with fenders.

Planning to change my tires to completely solve the problem,
Which size should I go?

225/35r19 - i'm concerned sidewall might be too thin (easier to damage the rims)
or
225/40r19 - Thicker sidewall against potholes (but, it might rub?)

PS. I've read many posts before regarding fender rolling, but many people have said that it does not help much in our cars since our fenders has very little left to be rolled. That is why I think the best option is to change my tires.

Thanks in advance

DapperStyle

Same size sidewall as your current tires. If you haven't had issues with damaging before then these tires will just be more narrow. Last I checked 235 fronts were pushing it, 245 seems way too wide.

MBstve

I have the 2008 c350

Do you know the gross axle weight rating? (GWAR)

Because 225/35r19 only has a load rating of 1235 pounds

Will the tires be capable of handling the weight of the car?

I also drive aggressively at times so having the right tires are really important..

AZN Optics

I had 225/35/19 on my front without issue. Rounded sidewalls, slightly stretch. Obviously no rubber to protect your wheels from curbing, but just be careful when parking or going around corners.

MBstve

will try 225 and 235, if 235 rubs then I'll go with 225

Shimee

235 will definitely rub. In the front I have 235/35/19x8 with a +40 offset and the tires rub over significant bumps and when the wheel travels when going into a turn. Tire rubbing comes in two flavors: excess width causes rubbing when the wheel travels vertically after hitting a bump going straight; excess height causes rubbing against the fender when you turn and hit a bump.

For reference, the stock size in the front for the C350 Sport is 225/40/18x8. Translated from metric the tire is 8.86" wide and total height with wheel is 25.09". The difference in width between tire and wheel is only 0.86" which leaves the wheel looking very thin. My current setup of 235/35/19x8 has a width of 9.25" so a difference of 1.25"

So if you go 225 (or 8.86") your width difference will only be 0.36" which will pretty much completely expose the wheel face.





BUT! ... rubbing is mostly due to the total height of the wheel/tire setup. For example, the stock height (225/40/18) on the C350 Sport front wheels is 25.09" whereas my current setup (235/35/19) achieves a total height of 25.48" which is only a difference of 0.39" but it's significant enough to cause rubbing. If I went with a smaller profile (30 instead of 35) the total height of the wheel would be 24.55" or 0.55" shorter than stock. Even with slightly wider wheels this would reduce rubbing significantly.

So in your situation I would consider a smaller profile in the front to reduce the overall height.