Mike5215

When I was shopping the C450 and wasn't thrilled with the OEM wheel options I did some digging into aftermarket. While its great that MB gave it a one-off AMG suspension set up it looked like it was going to be slim pickings as far as aftermarket wheel choices.

You guys need a Sticky on the forum with known wheels that fit.

Graycat305

I think that once the car gets renamed as an AMG model more tuners will pay attention.

zdonner

I'm awaiting replacement front wheels from HRE but should have mine on this Friday (stock suspension for now).

FR 19x8.5 +47
255/35/19 (should fit)
245/35/19 (if the 255 doesn't fit)
RR 19x9.5 +45
285/30/19 (does fit and does not rub, test drove the car)

Previously 19x9.0 +4? (?? don't recall, will have to check them) These did not clear the upper control arm. The tire was not touching the control arm, nor was it near it, it was all wheel, with that I expect my 255/35/19 will fit but I have 245/35/19's in case they do not.

Replacement wheels arrive Friday, so I should know more then.

OSMS_Carlsson

Not sure how they think a 8.5 with a +47 will work? +47 is 2mm more inboard so the spokes will be closer to the brake, and the inner rim to the Control arm. Customers have tried to fit the Carlsson 19x8.5 with a ET +45 and that does not work, so not sure how a +47 is supposed to work? What they should have done if you are having Forged wheels made was use a 19x8.0 with a ET+35 Which almost the same position to the outside keeping in the fender as 19x8.5 with a +45, but giving the clearance on the inside.

You might want to call them and double check before you guys spend money on shipping back and forth.

Just my 02!

Jim

zdonner

Thanks Jim,

They're already in the mail - We shall see come Friday. This has been a long back and forth to get to this point, I sure hope they're right with these offsets.

Guess we'll find out for sure in a couple of days....

OSMS_Carlsson

I would still call...they might want you to refuse them?

I just don't see how the math can work? I was told even the 20x8.5 which is taller also does not work. The thought was that maybe the 20 would fit since it would be taller on the inside and have clearance at the curve of the control arm, but it was later confirmed that it does not. Sorry you are having such a hassle with this, but I really think the car is going to require a 8.0 with a ET+35, and the 8.0 should allow the proper 225 tire to sit square on the rim, and you can run the factory 225/255 combo and avoid any risk or issue with the 4matic function. Just a suggestion. Let us know it works out.

Jim

zdonner

Hopefully I don't have to fuss with tires again - the 255/285 setup mirrors the 225/245 setup that came factory on my car as far as the relationship between the two sizes....

zdonner

Hey Jim,

I called HRE - they say their engineers measured and confirmed, the missing piece (good thing I called) is a 3mm spacer is required to guarantee caliper clearance. That got lost between HRE and my retailer, now trying to track down a spacer to get here by Friday morning.

OSMS_Carlsson

Attached are some photos of our C class sport, the application on the car is 19x8.5 ET45 Front with 225/40-19 OE tires, and 19x9.5 ET50 rear with 255/35-19 OE tires. The 8.5 and 9.5 as you can see position the wheels out to the fender edge, the wider wheels allow the tires roll a bit on the shoulders keeping the tires somewhat in the fender well. As you can see the tires and rims come out of the fenders where the body rolls to the lower portion of the car and the top sits just inside the top of the fender wells.

The C63 models have a wider front fender compared to the rest of the C class models, so the applications that are listed for the AMG 63 model are going to have a lower offset for the front wheels, but the fender allow that more aggressive offset, where the rest of the models do not have the room.

The C450 has similar suspension as the 63, but does not share the body parts for the offset clearance.

If you are planning to run aftermarket wheels on a C450, because it is a 4matic I would suggest sticking with the OE recommended tires for the OD and run a 19x8.0 and 19x9.0, this will give the clearance and offsets needed for the suspension and brakes, as well keep the fitment for the tires to sit square on the rims and fill out the fender wells.

There are really no cast wheel manufacturers making this size because most wheel companies are trying to fit a variety of MB and Audi applications, so some fitments look more aggressive on some cars, and some look conservative, but this allows suppliers to fit a broad range.

Unfortunately for the C450, this is an application that sort of stands alone, so those of you with the 450 most likely will have to spend the money for a Forged wheel option. It will be more money for sure, but having to run universal spacers will not be necessary, which I would honestly opt that route.

Hope this helps!

Jim

zdonner

Thanks Jim,

Friday will be telling, HRE's engineer's assure me we're good to go. Good or bad, I'll update and we'll see where we stand.

I'm hoping for a smooth operation.

lbowroom

So according to HRE engineers an 8.5 with a +44 should fit. Hmmm, that's awful close to 8.5 with a +45 which people have reported is nowhere near fitting. Somebody's obviously wrong in this scenario. Can't wait to find out who.

zdonner

We shall see!

lbowroom

I would hate to think that they think a C300 4matic is the same setup as a C450.

Mike5215

I'm not sure. The 4Matic didn't get the same AMG front suspension bits or electronically variable shocks. I think the 450 is a one off.

lbowroom

Exactly, they are not the same but HRE may think that they are.

Mike5215

Ahh, got you. I called my wheel guy while I was seriously considering a 450 and he assured me there were all sorts of options, but I guarantee they were all from vendors who had grouped the C450 into the C300 for fitment and hadn't yet figured it out.

OSMS_Carlsson

I would be really surprised if they did not know that the C450 has a larger control arm than the other models, but it very well may be the case...they just might not know.
The other issue is running a universal spacer...I would honestly opt for spacing the factory AMG wheels with Hub Centric spacers, when I changed my car back to stock I installed the 12mm on the 7.5x19 front and 15mm on the rear 8.5x19...with matched lug bolts. I posted a video today on Instagram at 80mph on the freeway showing the car has no vibration, again with Hub Centric spacers in and out to spec there should be no issues, but universal spacers will definitely be a risk.

Jim

thewb

On my HRE FlowForm spec sheet it clearly notes that for W205 C450 models a 3mm front spacer for brake clearance is required. Dealers should be aware of this during a sale for this model vehicle.

lbowroom

That's great news David. Have you by chance sold or installed a set on a C450 and confirmed fitment first hand?

thewb

We have sold FlowForm series wheels to many C450 owners across the country but none locally. Reports back confirm more aggressive fitments than OEM without any issues whatsoever.

lbowroom

Well, that's a head scratcher. Previously in this thread I commented that Mandrus listed C450 specific applications. Those were 8.5" with 45 offsets for the front. When I checked their fitment guide again today, nothing comes up. So they've changed their minds. However, HRE seems pretty confident that their 8.5" with a spaced offset of 44mm fits fine.
Dave, when you say the fit is "aggressive" do you mean close to the fender side, or close to caliper side? It could be that some shops are gun shy when it comes to caliper clearance.

lbowroom

Do you find that the lugs don't center the wheel accurately enough? How much does centration have to be off to be noticeable? Is it in the .5mm range?

Mike5215

Even hub centric spacers pose a small risk up front, although 3mm is wafer thin and shouldn't cause any problems. I would avoid lug centric entirely.

thewb

That is correct. More aggressive fitments means getting much more flushed with the fender as opposed to the usual OEM fitments of wheels sitting too far in the wheel well.

OSMS_Carlsson

Depending on how the wheel hub is cut, most Centers are machined with a bevel not a straight edge, so adding a 3mm with a beveled edge bore may not allow the wheel to grab enough bite on the hub of the car, so chances are you will be mounting the wheels lug centric which will for sure pose a high risk for vibration.

Everyone always freaks out about spacers, but if you can mount the wheels to the hub with the center of the wheel, then you should be fine. Also hub-centric spacers with properly matched lug bolts should pose no risk or issues. The Big name tuners have all used the spacer/adapter concept for years and there has never been a issue, so when people get all freaked out about spacers, remember that Brabus holds the world record with the CLS Rocket at 237mph with Brabus wheels that have spacers/Adapters.
These spacers and hardware kits are essential to allowing the wheels to properly fit each platform with the most aggressive and functional application.

I would assume that HRE as reputable as they are have tested and approved this application, so I am sure the outcome will be a success.

Jim