15" Steelies and the C230K (or any C-class), THE REAL DEAL!
#1
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15" Steelies and the C230K (or any C-class), THE REAL DEAL!
Ok despite all the nay-sayers, I went and fitted a set of used 15" steel wheels from a 1999 C-class on my 2003 C230K tonight.
Guess what?
They fit.
There is about a pinky finger, or 3/8" clearance around the front brake calipers, the rears are not a problem.
I fitted the set, took my car out for a couple laps, came back, took them off and inspected for damage, none to be found.
I must admit, they do look very tight on the car, but there is clearance, not much, but should be enough <crosses fingers>.
Guess what?
They fit.
There is about a pinky finger, or 3/8" clearance around the front brake calipers, the rears are not a problem.
I fitted the set, took my car out for a couple laps, came back, took them off and inspected for damage, none to be found.
I must admit, they do look very tight on the car, but there is clearance, not much, but should be enough <crosses fingers>.
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#9
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Originally posted by young
actually, i'm really curious how it would look. i was assuming some sort of matte silver or something like that.
actually, i'm really curious how it would look. i was assuming some sort of matte silver or something like that.
Sorry session, not purple.
How about everyone responds with the colour of their choice, and I'll see what wins before I go buy the paint.
#10
Whatever color you decide, I'd highly suggest using Wurth wheel paint and Wurth clearcoat.
You can get it from Griot's Garage and lots of other places. GPR will also send it to you 800 321-5432.
It is a German paint that comes in a high quality spraycan. It is made esp. for wheels, and is the OE paint used by most German manufacturers. It has the right amount of gloss and color to look just right on a German car. If you use just any spraypaint (esp. silver) you will probably be disappointed.
Its usually around $12 per can. One can of color and one can of clear will suffice.
You can get either silver (which will be an exact match to the silver painted MB alloy wheels) or black.
Try it - you'll like it!
You can get it from Griot's Garage and lots of other places. GPR will also send it to you 800 321-5432.
It is a German paint that comes in a high quality spraycan. It is made esp. for wheels, and is the OE paint used by most German manufacturers. It has the right amount of gloss and color to look just right on a German car. If you use just any spraypaint (esp. silver) you will probably be disappointed.
Its usually around $12 per can. One can of color and one can of clear will suffice.
You can get either silver (which will be an exact match to the silver painted MB alloy wheels) or black.
Try it - you'll like it!
#11
15"Wheels on W203
15" wheels with 195-65x15 tires are still standard equipment on many lower-level EU spec W203 sedans, so it should be no surprise that they fit on the Coupe or any other W203 car.
All coupes, regardless of trim level and market, SEEM to be 16" equipped as OEM, but there are engine and trim combinations in the sedans for other markets that still use the 15" wheels as standard [C180 Classic, for example].
All coupes, regardless of trim level and market, SEEM to be 16" equipped as OEM, but there are engine and trim combinations in the sedans for other markets that still use the 15" wheels as standard [C180 Classic, for example].
#12
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Re: 15"Wheels on W203
Originally posted by jrct9454
15" wheels with 195-65x15 tires are still standard equipment on many lower-level EU spec W203 sedans, so it should be no surprise that they fit on the Coupe or any other W203 car.
All coupes, regardless of trim level and market, SEEM to be 16" equipped as OEM, but there are engine and trim combinations in the sedans for other markets that still use the 15" wheels as standard [C180 Classic, for example].
15" wheels with 195-65x15 tires are still standard equipment on many lower-level EU spec W203 sedans, so it should be no surprise that they fit on the Coupe or any other W203 car.
All coupes, regardless of trim level and market, SEEM to be 16" equipped as OEM, but there are engine and trim combinations in the sedans for other markets that still use the 15" wheels as standard [C180 Classic, for example].
I actually have a tire shop here in Ottawa that wants me to drive over when I put the 15"s back on so they can inspect it and safely advise their customers as to what to buy.
#13
Only confirming, of course, how little dealers really know about the product...
I'm always eager to meet the one-in-a-thousand dealer employee who is a real car enthusiast, much less a real MB enthusiast - I had no trouble at all confirming that the 15" wheels are still OEM on W203 sedans [the MB corporate worldwide website is there for the asking] - but I have yet to meet anyone at our local dealership who seems to know squat about the history of the company, its true breadth of product [including the stuff that is not sold here], or seems to care all that much about anything that is not on their showroom floor.
Anyway, I do understand the issue, and it is why I went to the trouble last month of checking out this question. I have a set of virtually unused 195-65x15 Michelin X-Ones sitting in the garage, and wondered if I should start looking for wheels to mount them against the day when I might want to use them as alternatives. I recollect seeing W203s in Europe with 15" wheels, and simply went to the website to get the answer. Amazing that any NA dealer can't just pick up the phone and get that answer from MBUSA or MB Canada, but I guess I shouldn't be amazed...
I'm always eager to meet the one-in-a-thousand dealer employee who is a real car enthusiast, much less a real MB enthusiast - I had no trouble at all confirming that the 15" wheels are still OEM on W203 sedans [the MB corporate worldwide website is there for the asking] - but I have yet to meet anyone at our local dealership who seems to know squat about the history of the company, its true breadth of product [including the stuff that is not sold here], or seems to care all that much about anything that is not on their showroom floor.
Anyway, I do understand the issue, and it is why I went to the trouble last month of checking out this question. I have a set of virtually unused 195-65x15 Michelin X-Ones sitting in the garage, and wondered if I should start looking for wheels to mount them against the day when I might want to use them as alternatives. I recollect seeing W203s in Europe with 15" wheels, and simply went to the website to get the answer. Amazing that any NA dealer can't just pick up the phone and get that answer from MBUSA or MB Canada, but I guess I shouldn't be amazed...
#14
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Originally posted by jrct9454
I recollect seeing W203s in Europe with 15" wheels, and simply went to the website to get the answer. Amazing that any NA dealer can't just pick up the phone and get that answer from MBUSA or MB Canada, but I guess I shouldn't be amazed...
I recollect seeing W203s in Europe with 15" wheels, and simply went to the website to get the answer. Amazing that any NA dealer can't just pick up the phone and get that answer from MBUSA or MB Canada, but I guess I shouldn't be amazed...
The only thing that amazes me is that MB is offering a W203 winter tire and wheel package this year, price, $1695 CND, and that some sucker will actually buy it from them.
#15
The 195/65x15 in a winter tire will have slightly better grip in the snow than a similar make 205/55x16 and should not compromise handling on a wet road by too much. It would seem a good plan to fit them.