Question about tires rubbing with 20"
#1
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E350 ml350
Question about tires rubbing with 20"
I know this has been discussed in bits and pieces but I'm wondering how many of you running 20" wheels are experiencing any rubbing? I recently purchased an e350 bluetec that had TSW interlagos already put on by the prior owner.
I'm thinking of going down to 19"' not only for hopefully a little smoother ride but also the bottoming out in the wheel wells is a little disconcerting.
Since I didn't buy the wheels, I'm not certain of the wheel size but but did notice a small spacer was there when I took off the wheel. I don't believe the car has been lowered at all. the tires are:
Front: 245/35/20
Rear: 275/30/20
Rubbing only occurs in the front. Do these tire sizes sound ok?
I'm thinking of going down to 19"' not only for hopefully a little smoother ride but also the bottoming out in the wheel wells is a little disconcerting.
Since I didn't buy the wheels, I'm not certain of the wheel size but but did notice a small spacer was there when I took off the wheel. I don't believe the car has been lowered at all. the tires are:
Front: 245/35/20
Rear: 275/30/20
Rubbing only occurs in the front. Do these tire sizes sound ok?
#2
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E350 ml350
Well looks like I'm answering my own question here but a number of people on this forum suggest against running a 245/35/20 setup in front.....citing the rubbing issues I'm speaking of.
Looks like a good excuse to get dome new wheels !
Looks like a good excuse to get dome new wheels !
#3
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2016 AMG S65, AMG GL63, 2012 AMG E63 With AMS Alpha 9 Package, Renntech 200 Catted Downpipes.
Hi.
I am running 20" Vossen CVTs with 245/30/20 and 275/30/20", lowered on H&R Sport springs and have not had any issues with rubbing or bottoming out. I just came back from a Lose Angeles to San Jose, Ca. trip taking the 5 freeway there and route 1 to 101 back through Carmel with my mom, wife and 7 year old daughter and a truck full of luggages and snacks for the road. Hit those route 1 on sport mode and even raced a few E350s and BMW 435 and kicked butt on the straight away and taking on those corners at a safe, but thrill speed that looked and felt like it was on rails and again, no rubbing issues. The only think I can think of if it had spacers which my didn't need and then difference in tire sizes.
Let me know what you came up with and post some photos. Good luck.
I am running 20" Vossen CVTs with 245/30/20 and 275/30/20", lowered on H&R Sport springs and have not had any issues with rubbing or bottoming out. I just came back from a Lose Angeles to San Jose, Ca. trip taking the 5 freeway there and route 1 to 101 back through Carmel with my mom, wife and 7 year old daughter and a truck full of luggages and snacks for the road. Hit those route 1 on sport mode and even raced a few E350s and BMW 435 and kicked butt on the straight away and taking on those corners at a safe, but thrill speed that looked and felt like it was on rails and again, no rubbing issues. The only think I can think of if it had spacers which my didn't need and then difference in tire sizes.
Let me know what you came up with and post some photos. Good luck.
#4
Former Vendor of MBWorld
The issue you are seeing with the rubbing is the tires
The recommended tire sizes should be
245/30/20
275/30/20
This is what we have used on Davids car ^ above.
Personally 20" wheels look great on the car.
The recommended tire sizes should be
245/30/20
275/30/20
This is what we have used on Davids car ^ above.
Personally 20" wheels look great on the car.
#5
MBWorld Fanatic!
I know this has been discussed in bits and pieces but I'm wondering how many of you running 20" wheels are experiencing any rubbing? I recently purchased an e350 bluetec that had TSW interlagos already put on by the prior owner.
I'm thinking of going down to 19"' not only for hopefully a little smoother ride but also the bottoming out in the wheel wells is a little disconcerting.
Since I didn't buy the wheels, I'm not certain of the wheel size but but did notice a small spacer was there when I took off the wheel. I don't believe the car has been lowered at all. the tires are:
Front: 245/35/20
Rear: 275/30/20
Rubbing only occurs in the front. Do these tire sizes sound ok?
I'm thinking of going down to 19"' not only for hopefully a little smoother ride but also the bottoming out in the wheel wells is a little disconcerting.
Since I didn't buy the wheels, I'm not certain of the wheel size but but did notice a small spacer was there when I took off the wheel. I don't believe the car has been lowered at all. the tires are:
Front: 245/35/20
Rear: 275/30/20
Rubbing only occurs in the front. Do these tire sizes sound ok?
#6
I really think 20" wheels are at the extreme for the w212 chassis. Sure they look AWESOME. But are they really practical unless you live in So Cal or some other location that has glass smooth roads....
Take care,
George
#7
MBWorld Fanatic!
The problem is you cant run that setup on a 4matic! You need the 245/35 in the front to keep the rolling diameter almost the same..... Hence why I haven't done 20's on my e550 yet....
I really think 20" wheels are at the extreme for the w212 chassis. Sure they look AWESOME. But are they really practical unless you live in So Cal or some other location that has glass smooth roads....
Take care,
George
I really think 20" wheels are at the extreme for the w212 chassis. Sure they look AWESOME. But are they really practical unless you live in So Cal or some other location that has glass smooth roads....
Take care,
George
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#8
The engineer in me is reluctant and thinks that you are going to damage / prematurely wear out your transfer case with your setup.
It may be fine for the time being, but what happens when the front wheels are constantly turning 10% faster than the rears, and they are mechanically linked.
Food for thought.
George
#9
MBWorld Fanatic!
1. Actually the difference (0.7") is well within recommended 3%: ( (26.5 - 25.8) / 25.8), however for 4matic the recommended difference is only 1% or 0.3" (in this case its a "massive" 2.7% or 0.7"). So while 245/30-20 front and 275/30-20 rear would be "OK" (but not for me) for RWD, its certainly not OK for 4matics as per MB long term. Mercedes does use staggered on some 4matics - CLS & E AMGs (255/35-19 front and 285/30-19 rear which is within tolerance - 0.3" or 1%).
2. 245/35-20 actually does fit all 2010-11 E550s with standard airmatics and 2012-on with now optional airmatics only. There was a poster - KOPIERS - who claimed fitting 245/35-20 on facelifted 2014 E350 without any modifications.
3. Finally to be on a safe side, as stated numerous times before, 235/35-20 fits front and has almost identical diameter to 275/30-20 rears.
4. I will attempt to fit a narrow (smallest section width possible) 245/35-20 tire on front of 2014 E550 (non-airmatic) later this Fall. If I'm successful, I will report back.
2. 245/35-20 actually does fit all 2010-11 E550s with standard airmatics and 2012-on with now optional airmatics only. There was a poster - KOPIERS - who claimed fitting 245/35-20 on facelifted 2014 E350 without any modifications.
3. Finally to be on a safe side, as stated numerous times before, 235/35-20 fits front and has almost identical diameter to 275/30-20 rears.
4. I will attempt to fit a narrow (smallest section width possible) 245/35-20 tire on front of 2014 E550 (non-airmatic) later this Fall. If I'm successful, I will report back.
#10
Also what happens when you lower the airmatic with links? Does the tire clearance still remain the same? Is it the height or width that contacts the suspsension, or the combo of both.
From what I hear a staggered CLS setup in 19" will bolt up to an E 4matic with no issue, despite the 255/35 front tire.
Take care,
George
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E350 ml350
Well for certain the rubbing was the wrong size tires.....245/35/20 is just way too big for the front.
Just put on some new wheels, also 20", but made sure to have them wrapped in 245/30 this time and all is well.
Just put on some new wheels, also 20", but made sure to have them wrapped in 245/30 this time and all is well.
#13
From the angles you took these pictures it looks nice the way it sits. Looking at the car from either passenger or driver side the way the 20" wheels sat on my ride before lowering was odd to me. After I lowered it I love the way they sit complement the large body. Also second to tech, handling was my list of things I disliked about the E350, after installing the HR springs, I am very satisfied with the way it handles.
Last edited by G3710; 08-18-2014 at 02:05 AM.
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The wheels are just Niche, no fancy name brand here, although I honestly liked the simple, classic style. As for the offset, I honestly don't know although was told I need a high offset wheel and these fit that bill.
I do know I'm running a staggared fitment with 8" in the font, 10" in the rear. Front fits perfect and the back is just a tad aggressive. That's really my only disappointment is I hoped it would appear to fit flush and the rear is just a tad out. The guys at Nitrous Garage said that if I did lower, it wouldn't rub as the wheels would somehow come in. Not sure if they were blowing smoke on that. Anyhow, I'll attach a pic that shows both the front and rear wheels
I do know I'm running a staggared fitment with 8" in the font, 10" in the rear. Front fits perfect and the back is just a tad aggressive. That's really my only disappointment is I hoped it would appear to fit flush and the rear is just a tad out. The guys at Nitrous Garage said that if I did lower, it wouldn't rub as the wheels would somehow come in. Not sure if they were blowing smoke on that. Anyhow, I'll attach a pic that shows both the front and rear wheels
#15
That looks more like a 9" wheel in the front. A 245 tire shouldn't be stretched like that on an 8" wheel.
When you lower the top of the wheel will tuck inwards a bit - it's called negative camber. The downside is that it will wear the inner edges of the tire at faster rate bc they carry an increased portion of the load.
The car looks great though.
Take care,
George
When you lower the top of the wheel will tuck inwards a bit - it's called negative camber. The downside is that it will wear the inner edges of the tire at faster rate bc they carry an increased portion of the load.
The car looks great though.
Take care,
George
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2016 AMG S65, AMG GL63, 2012 AMG E63 With AMS Alpha 9 Package, Renntech 200 Catted Downpipes.
The wheels are just Niche, no fancy name brand here, although I honestly liked the simple, classic style. As for the offset, I honestly don't know although was told I need a high offset wheel and these fit that bill.
I do know I'm running a staggared fitment with 8" in the font, 10" in the rear. Front fits perfect and the back is just a tad aggressive. That's really my only disappointment is I hoped it would appear to fit flush and the rear is just a tad out. The guys at Nitrous Garage said that if I did lower, it wouldn't rub as the wheels would somehow come in. Not sure if they were blowing smoke on that. Anyhow, I'll attach a pic that shows both the front and rear wheels
Nice, but if you compare my against your ride height, you can see IMO there is too much gap. You'll love it lower and can thank me later. Oh, there is one downside to lowering it. You'll get less time with your toy as your wife will be driving it more often. Lol.
I do know I'm running a staggared fitment with 8" in the font, 10" in the rear. Front fits perfect and the back is just a tad aggressive. That's really my only disappointment is I hoped it would appear to fit flush and the rear is just a tad out. The guys at Nitrous Garage said that if I did lower, it wouldn't rub as the wheels would somehow come in. Not sure if they were blowing smoke on that. Anyhow, I'll attach a pic that shows both the front and rear wheels
Nice, but if you compare my against your ride height, you can see IMO there is too much gap. You'll love it lower and can thank me later. Oh, there is one downside to lowering it. You'll get less time with your toy as your wife will be driving it more often. Lol.
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2011 GLK350 P1, Multi-media & AMG Pkg; 2010 E350 w/ prem 2; 2018 4Runner SR5 Prem. 4x4
They are right...whenever and however you lower your ride (spring/coilovers/airbags/etc..), you will get negative camber. That means the top of the wheel will begin to tilt/tuck into the fender wells. The more you lower, the more significant the tilt/tuck. Although this will look better and pleasing to the eye, you sacrifice the longevity of your tires.