R107

has anyone done this?

alx

why? so you can run bigger wheels so your mpg (which is the main benefit of the cdi) will drop ?



any competent body shop can tack on wheel arches. but it will expensive.

UDWANIT2

ya no problem ...... ebay has em for cheap...

R107

bigger wheels dont necessarily = lower mileage. in fact, it could be argued that properly fit wheels that are lighter than factory could result in better mileage.

could you point me to a listing? i am having difficulty finding them, hence my thread!

Thanks!!

alx

Wider rubber always equal reduced mpg.

R107

first, i didnt say anything about wider rubber. next, it isnt ALWAYS the case that "Wider rubber always equal reduced mpg". there are quite a few variables that would determine a decrease in mpg due to a wider tire. apples to apples, a wider tire may decrease mileage but i'd bet it wouldnt be an appreciable amount unless the tires were twice the size of original.

ANYWAY, im looking for wheel arches...

alx

Wider arches are used only to accomodate wider rubber. Otherwise they will look funny on stock width tires.

On wider tires reducing mpg - a 305 tire over the stock 275 will give you a 5-10% hit on mpg.

UDWANIT2

could you point me to a listing? i am having difficulty finding them, hence my thread!

Thanks!![/QUOTE]

type (x164 gl mercedes ) on ebay search there r 7 listings...

R107

Not a chance. But it doesn't really matter.

nynd

Done it so yes, it can be done.

aeggroup

You can buy it here : http://www.formymercedes.com/mb_resu...=Fender+Flares

alx

Please educate yourself if the topic interests you. Wider tire is a two fold problem- increases rolling resistance as well as cd (drag).

There are studies on the subject. Google is your friend (if you care).

R107

PLEASE show me statistics that show an identical 305 will lower mileage 5-10% over a 275.

There have been studies that indicate that a larger, wider tire actually lowers rolling resistance thereby potentially increasing fuel economy. Again, not appreciably.

I have extensive experience in increasing tire width and wheel size on nearly every make of vehicle. Plus 1, 2, 3 etc...

Really, look it up. Don't just go by what y have been told all your life or what you think.

You're right, google is your friend.

All I wanted to know was if someone had experience putting 550 wheel arches on a 350. I got that info, so thanks!

UDWANIT2

GL 350 with offroad package comes with the arches...so yes you can install them...

aeggroup

GL350 doesn't come with arches in US even with off road package. Canada's version comes with arches, so anyway answer is - yes.

BlownV8

10% loss I is right on the money. I'm running forged 22" wheels that are lighter than the stock 19's but I have seen a 1.5 mpg loss. I compared a 50,000 mile cycle with the 22's and 50,000 miles with 19's. The wheels and tires can be the exact same I weight but given the 22's have more mass further from the center point of the wheels it takes more effort to move the wheels.

alx

i sent you to google because there is nothing more for me to say on the subject. you appear completely clueless on the subject.

on experience - i have had many vehicles. worked on even more. every one when equipped with wider tires lost mpg. dont need you or anybody telling what i am seeing with my own eyes.

there is a reason why all hypermilers have skinny, energy efficient thread and compound tires.

alx

what you describe has mostly effect on acceleration. once you are rolling on the highway though the unsprung weight has little effect on mpg. what does have effect is the higher rolling resistance of the wider tire and the increased air drag of the unhandled air in front of the tires. you can reduce the drag by handling the air in front of the tires - ie - hide them from the direct airflow via front spoiler, lowering the vehicle, etc.

R107

Here, argue with this guy. You are painting with a very broad brush and making assumptions and generalizations all over the place. I am far from clueless. Again, all I wanted were arches. This is fun though. It's like arguing with my 4 year old over which is better fruit loops or pop tarts.

http://www.barrystiretech.com/rrandfe2.html

R107

If you have seen a 10% difference, the diameter of the tire is not the same.

alx

nah, just google "wider tires mpg" and knock yourself out. i am sure everybody that has gone to wider tires and lost mpg is wrong somehow. including yours truly.

and pop tarts are much much better than fruit loops... just like tire size/ mpg, i am surprised this is even a question

R107

seriously, despite your current opinion and belief of my degree of cluelessness, you should read that. Its a tire engineer that uses empirical evidence regarding tire width, rolling resistance and mileage. Its very interesting and goes against common beliefs.

I never said it DIDNT reduce mileage, i said the reduction if there was one, would not be appreciable with all other things equal.

Lastly, pop tarts are generally better than fruit loops but it ultimately depends on the flavor of pop tart.

OH and i didnt know there was an "off-road package" available. This thread just gets more informative by the post!

hubert

I did the 550 fender flares on my GL350 and put 22" HRE wheels with 305 tire in my GL looks hot

rtu

The GL fender flares can be found on Ebay both painted and unpainted.
http://http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayIS...m=130942451334

I replaced my stock 19's with Vossen 22x10.5 rims and 305/40-22 tires. I like the look of the new wheels, but I feel I made a big mistake because of the hit on fuel mileage which is around 10-15%.

I may sell the 22's and go with something smaller. If I keep the 22's, I will install the fender flares because the fronts can really use the added splash protection.

KipF

Did it to my GL320 BlueTec and added GL550 AMG wheels. No problems at all. I think there is a thread here that gives the part numbers you will need if ordering from MB.