I tried searching this thread, but like ftlaudslk stated above; at nearly 300 pages it is getting cumbersome/difficult.

If I was going to order custom CCW 3-piece wheels for my 02 C230K Coupe, what would be the "perfect" wheel offset and width for 18" wheels that would not require spacers for my Coupe; mounting 225/40/18 (Front) and 255/35/18 (Rear) tires? Tire manufacturers seem to recommend 8" wheels for 225's and 9" wheels for 255 tires; however, I'm OK with *slightly* stretched tires on my wheels, just not crazy stretched that you can't even lay the wheel down on the garage floor without worrying about killing the rims because they are so exposed and susceptible to damage.

18x8..5 +38-32 18x9.5 +38-33. Would go 225/40 & 255/35 is what you want.

phister - thank you, but just to clarify you have 18x8.5 +38-32 (is that a typo and should be +38-42 or do you mean +32-38?) same with rear 18x9.5 +38-33 (typo +38-43 or +33-38)?

In your opinion, what offset would you order if you had AMG calipers (future mod plans) as recommended here on the forum, which I believe from my research for my Coupe is either C32 AMG front with stock rears OR CLK63 AMG front with CLK55 AMG rear? What specific offset would order specify if ordering custom 3-piece wheels?

CCW will want a specific offset; not a range. They will make the wheel anyway I want it offset-wise. I had PM'd a wheel vendor on this forum and they had an 18x8.5 ET32 wheel for the front but said that I would need to run a 5mm spacer. So is that effectively the same as your 18x8.5 +38 recommendation?

Thanks; I greatly appreciate your insight.

I'm running CCW classics 18x9 +15 and 18x10 +15. They do orders by either offset or by the width of the lip you want and will build it to the car you drive. If you look at stancenation and other sites, guys with CCW put the wheel dimensions and the lip size instead of the offset. The numbers are the range I would go with to give it a nice some what flush look. If you go with AMG calipers later you'll need spacers because of how the back of the wheel face is made. The face is pretty thick compared to other wheels brands so they stick in more. I did my calculates and did +25 in front but that didn't help clear the calipers so I had to do 10mm spacers because the caliper was hitting the back of the spokes.


Also to clear you up offset works backwards. the higher the offset you more the wheel face sticks out and will have less lip, the closer to 0 offset the wheel face will stick further in and the more lip you have. So if the vender said they had 18x8.5 +32 with the 5mm spacers will make it +27 offset. The more spacers you have the lower your offset will get. If you're giving them the info with AMG calipers they're correct for them to clear but you wont need spacers for your current setup.

You'll definitely want to roll the fenders with that much poke and 18s will fit

phister -- thank you.

Wow, that is the first time I ever heard of a CCW Classic wheel not clearing a BBK, but I am new to the MB AMG scene. I have CCW Classics on my dedicated Porsche track car with Brembo GT racing calipers, but every application is different. I can appreciate wheel lip, but not if it means I would need to run spacers, but that is just me.

Now I have a better understanding; thank you very much for taking the time to explain; I greatly appreciate it.

It may clear but I don't think it will. The AMG calipers are bulkier compared to the after market ones I've seen.

hey i wanted to get any ones knowledge on this i have a set of 19 inch 8.5 front and 9.5 rear C63 replica rims coming for my C350 i was wondering about tire size it says it recommeneds 235/35R19 for the front and 255/30R19 in the back and im not a big fan of how skinny the tires look as ive seen them on other W204's i was wondering if any one knows if a 235/40R19 front and a 255/35R19 back will fit with out any rubbing i think it looks much better this way if it is possibly and if any one has even more knowledge i also want to do just a H&K sport lower with this set up also and was wondering if that would rub any advice or info would be great please PM me or post on the forum for info thank guys

Need the offset info. If you don't lower it'll probably be ok depending on you're offset. If you want thinker sidewalls you should have gone with 18s imho.

sorry the offset is 45mm for the rims ive seen people with 19 inch rims with the smaller size tires and lowered so im hoping it will work and even if i have to roll the fenders to fit it with it lower should look pretty good. thanks for the quick response please let me know

+45 is gonna be cutting it close to the inner wheel well. I'd throw a 10mm spacer in it. With the 235 and the offset you might be eating the struts. +35 will be fine and not require rolling the fenders and it'll allow you to run the tire size you want.

hi guys. from skimming thru this i am under the impression my car can fit wheels with offset from +32 to +37. can anyone confirm for me?

i am looking at these three wheels (the second 2 are same model different specs):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251076763667...84.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251068115715...84.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/390427640829...84.m1423.l2649

What do you think the widest spacers I could fit to the rear of my C32?

Right now I have 8.5x18 255/35 et35 and a 5mm spacer....

But I think I could go wider without any rubbing

What do you think guys?

^^ im a novice to your question but maybe you can help me with mine. im looking at some 18x8.5 +35 wheels. would they fit onto my c280 4matic with no spacers? to my knowledge they would but i would like confirmation. thanks.

edit:

when i search wheels on tirerack.com i keep seeing wheels that fit as 19x8 +35, 18x8 +35 or 18x18.5 +30.
none of the 8.5 inch wide wheels have a +35...
the wheels on ebay im leaning towards are 18x8.5 but with a +35 offset....so does that mean i wont fit without a 5 mm spacer?

Since you're running 8.5 in the rear you can push it +25 offset.

You can fit from +38 to +28 on our cars depending on width and tire.
So you're 18x8.5 +35 will fit fine.

thank you phister!

the standard recommended tire is 225/40/18 from what I can gather. it looks as if i can run a 225/35/18 for a more low profile look if i'm understanding everything correctly. i have stock 4matic luxury suspension.

Note that an 18x8.5 et 35 will not clear coilovers necessarily


Also here are my previous setups so far, with tire specifics:

Mandrus Mannheim
18x8.5 et32 front 225 tire
18x9.5 et 35 rear 245 tire
OEM suspension (c55)








Rotiform NUE
18x8.5 et35 + 15 mm spacer, final et20, 225 tire
18x9.5 et35 + 12 mm spacer, final et23, 255 tire
Lowered on H&R coilovers, had some rubbing issues, no fender work.






323 Motorsports LM reps
(Current setup, soon to change though)

18x8.5 et 35 + 15 mm spacer, 225 tire
18x9.5 et 38 + 12 mm spacer, 255 tire
No rubbing unless full car, even then not that bad.

hi pww

thanks for your comment. is that part about clearing the coilovers regarding stock suspension though? or if i lower the car? i dont plan on getting my car dropped.

ps. i think you should go with c63 wheels ;]

Already got a set ordered, I went with some wheels I have yet to see on a merc at all, should look awesome IMO. Spacer wise, you are fine with OEM suspension

since you have a 4matic your suspension is different as well. there are members here with 4matics that are running +38 offset with no issue.

so you both are saying i can do it WITHOUT spacers right?
ok so im gonna order these rims 18x8.5 +35 hub bore=66.56 right now.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251076763667...84.m1423.l2649

and if they dont fit on my car without spacers i will have your heads! :p

thanks for the help guys.

just a heads up that 8.5 et35 will be pretty sunken in in the rear, but it will fit

That's cool I just don't wanna spend money on spacers and extra stuff right now if I don't have to. Gonna call tomoro and order. Thanks again for the help!

Just to be sure, will 18x8.5 et35 wheels will fit up front without having to pull the fenders? Also, will 235/35/18 tires look stretched? I'm not going for that kind of look. And just a side note, but how harsh will it ride on stock suspension?