err0neous

I am going to be putting a set of the one piece Styling III 18" wheels (silver) on my 2002 CLK 430. They currently come in 8.5 and 9.5 width, and I am debating whether to stagger them or just put 8.5 all around. The 8.5 would have 225/40 and 9.5 would have 255/35 tires. Would I be gaining any real advantage by putting 9.5s on the rear?

Also, the prices I got were 398 each for the 8.5 and 428 for the 9.5. Does that sound reasonable?

FrankW

go with stagger and put 235s in the front.

bigger front&rear tires = more grip + handling - burn out

the car will be a tiny less nimble with bigger tires in the front but it will be more stable in bends and corners

yeah it sounds reasonable...until you put the tires on damn those big expensive tires

err0neous

That sounds reasonable. I have Michelin Pilot Sports on it now but Tirerack only has Dunlop SP9000s in the correct sizes (235/40/18 and 255/35/18). Is there a lot of difference between those two brands?

FrankW

i think that all the sports tires are pretty much the same in dry conditions

the traction in wet is more important to me.

BTW try www.tires.com i believe they have pilot sport in 235s

Arnee

err0neous, I'm looking at the same wheels. I'm worried about the offsets, though.

The 18x8.5 have ET30 offset while the 18x9.5 have ET33 offset. The rear should be perfect but the fronts should stick out by about 5mm -- which may or may not be noticeable.

Nonetheless, if/when I get mine, I'll be putting 235/40 and 265/35 rubber just to have a little bit more sidewall profile to protect the wheel from the curb.

Nitto-555 are good tires which have larger contact patch and sidewall, you may want to check those out.

Just curious, where are you getting your wheels from?

err0neous

They only have Y rated Michelins in the right size. I think that the Dunlops look to have very similar tread patterns so I think the wet performance will be comparable. They will be $834 for the staggered set, which seems to be not bad.

err0neous

Arnee,

Ok, I spoke to Luke at Tirerack and he can get the wheels for 369 and 399. He said the same thing about the front being out 5mm, but we think it will be workable. He recommended 225/40 for the front due to the fact that it's already sticking out so much. The breakdown from Tirerack will be as follows:

8.5x18 AMG III - 369 (x2)
9.5x18 AMG III - 399 (x2)
225/40ZR18 Dunlop SP Sport 9000 - 172 (x2)
255/35ZR18 Dunlop SP Sport 9000 - 222 (x2)

Total of 1536 for wheels, 788 for tires = 2324

Arnee

That sounds reasonable. Of course, it may come down a little more but I'm tempted too.

When you get it, please post pics!

Arnee

By the way, err0neous, AMG will come out with these 18" Styling III's that fit the C/E/CLK/SLK chassis with the following dimensions:

18x7.5 ET37 fronts
18x8.5 ET34 rears

I think they're coming out when W209 comes out.

err0neous

Right, I saw that on the AMG web site, but I still think it would look nicer with 8.5/9.5. As long as it doesn't stick out in the front it should be good I think. I just thought of this: maybe I can just buy the 8.5s now and if it turns out they are too big for the front, I can put them on the back once the 7.5s show up on the market. If they are ok, I will just go ahead and get the 9.5s also? See any problem with that plan? Will 255/35 be right for the rear?

IDOITBST

go 265 on the back if your going 9.5"

Arnee

That sounds like a plan if you're willing to wait.

I've had 18x8.5 ET35 on my SLK and it was flush with the fender, perfect offset. So ET30 shouldn't make *much* of a difference.

I do agree that 18x8.5 and 18x9.5 will be better, especially with 235 and 265 series rubber!!

Someone has done a 225/40 and 265/35 setup and it didn't seem to affect ESP and the speedo that much. Maybe Peter from WheelExperts can comment if that's advisable.

lee2375

235/40 and 265/35 rubber is fine, or 225/40 and 255/35. I wouldn't run 225/40 and 265/35, though (different OD F & R)

Ahmed

gentlemen.... i've just placed the order for the style III monoblocks and YES

the sizes are as follows:

front: 7.5 with 235/40
rear: 8.5 with 255/35

these were the best combos we came up with for continentals.

i currently have SL design monos on my car and the front does stick out a little, but the handling is perfect.

i've put 235/40 ZR18 on 8.5x18 in front
and rear i have 265/35 ZR18's on 9.5x18 ... by the way... with 9.5 at the rear you will need to modify you bolts and parking brakes otherwise you'll get ticking sounds when you drive!! NOT GOOD !!!

email me if you want further advice..

Ahmed

oh and by the way.... if you're not happy with the offset in the front.. then ask the dealers to ROLL YOUR FENDERS!!!

err0neous

Ahmed,

Why are you changing from 8.5/9.5 to 7.5/8.5?

Ahmed

cause i just love those wheels man... they are awsum!!!

they wont be that different as far as width is concerned!! i mean, the rears will be 255 instead of my current 265's

and there should be no prob with offset either

00w208vert

i've put 235/40 ZR18 on 8.5x18 in front
and rear i have 265/35 ZR18's on 9.5x18 ... by the way... with 9.5 at the rear you will need to modify you bolts and parking brakes otherwise you'll get ticking sounds when you drive!! NOT GOOD !!!

email me if you want further advice..[/QUOTE]


i just got some used amg 18s w/ 8.5/9.5 staggered setup.
They ave the same style as the stock 17s that are for w208 clk430

and my question is the Et (offsets) front is 23 and rear is 25, I have been using spacers on my wheels that i have now 17s by 7.5 225-45/17 all around et 38 (7mm spacers didnt work now using 20mm hubcentric spacers on the rear and 7mm on the front ones im not running by choice either)

you say the bolts will inter fear with the parking brake?
..since my offsets are so much less and further outward
is my only concern then might be with the fenders?
- ill be needed more clearance N to get them rolled potentially?

8.5 fronts need new tires so im thinking 235-40 18 of course since the rears 9.5s have new 265-35/18s installed already.

plus i just like classic threads. answer me with any info on et23 and 25 and what you think anyone who is knowing about clk offsets and feels like it ive been researching and found one person said they are using 25 rear offsets wheels that are 9.5 inch wide rims and 40mm lowered setup with no rubbing. that was one person and seems a lot of times different people have different results.

insame1

I am sure those people way back in 2002 will be glad to have this info.

2MERKS

Gents,

I have a 1999 CLK 430, and my setup is 18x8.5 225/40/18 front
and 18x9.5 255/35/18 rear , and i love the layout, and yes the lugnuts did hit the brake, but I ended up having the shop cut off about 1/4 inch, and that was way back in 2008, so in essence i have not had a problem since.
Wheels were yokohomas, then michelins ps2 x2. Good luck with your final decision, and please show us some pics.

00w208vert

you got it. ive been doing some good work with the second hand CLK 98-2003 upgrades that i have been stalking the internet for what ever comes up in my area.

i have a 225/40 18 that has 80% tread and a 235/40 - 18 that has a lot less (60% ish) so im thinking of going 225/40-18 and 265/35-18 and maybe getting my cruise control that i have fun using often taken away until next time i get new tires.

also after picking up the AMG rims i have been trying to peel back some old plasti dip and now im trying to figure out what to do as more than id like to show of the chrome has peeled on one rim and so im thinking of doing some custom colors on them too. although im nothing not even amatuer of an artist so im sketch about going for some two tone paint scheme on the amg rims. ill let you know how it looks though in a week or so.

2MERKS

Not a fan of the plasti dip on wheels at all!

00w208vert

here is what i have it looking like in this rainy fall season. and some from the summer. including my gucci seats arm rest and door panels i got for under $600 from a guy that had a coupe which has passed away from some beginner driver.

https://mbworld.org/g/album/6593823