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W203/CL203 OEM MB & AMG Wheel Thread - All you want to know
Moderator Alumni
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,255
Likes: 22
From: Seattle
w203 m112
Glyn,
The rubbing on my car only occurs up when I turn absolute lock to lock or turning the car over uneven surfaces. With the baseball bat, fat/square-ish side walls, and ET 25 (I added a spacer to help clear brakes), I still hardly rub even during u-turns. But if I have to go up a drive way that has the little lip on the curb, I rub a little bit because I have to go up the curb one at an angle with wheel at a time...
I wish I could run 235 or 245 though... I can only imagine what that could help with when it comes to understeer... Splinter's setup has me rethinking my front suspension and wheels/tires.... especially now that more and more people are doing the CLS wheels on a w203 (I swear, I was the first!).
Either that or go to 19" CLS AMG wheels and get some fender rolling goin on in the back :P This hobby is far too consuming in so many ways
The rubbing on my car only occurs up when I turn absolute lock to lock or turning the car over uneven surfaces. With the baseball bat, fat/square-ish side walls, and ET 25 (I added a spacer to help clear brakes), I still hardly rub even during u-turns. But if I have to go up a drive way that has the little lip on the curb, I rub a little bit because I have to go up the curb one at an angle with wheel at a time...
I wish I could run 235 or 245 though... I can only imagine what that could help with when it comes to understeer... Splinter's setup has me rethinking my front suspension and wheels/tires.... especially now that more and more people are doing the CLS wheels on a w203 (I swear, I was the first!).
Either that or go to 19" CLS AMG wheels and get some fender rolling goin on in the back :P This hobby is far too consuming in so many ways
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Glyn,
The rubbing on my car only occurs up when I turn absolute lock to lock or turning the car over uneven surfaces. With the baseball bat, fat/square-ish side walls, and ET 25 (I added a spacer to help clear brakes), I still hardly rub even during u-turns. But if I have to go up a drive way that has the little lip on the curb, I rub a little bit because I have to go up the curb one at an angle with wheel at a time...
I wish I could run 235 or 245 though... I can only imagine what that could help with when it comes to understeer... Splinter's setup has me rethinking my front suspension and wheels/tires.... especially now that more and more people are doing the CLS wheels on a w203 (I swear, I was the first!).
Either that or go to 19" CLS AMG wheels and get some fender rolling goin on in the back :P This hobby is far too consuming in so many ways
The rubbing on my car only occurs up when I turn absolute lock to lock or turning the car over uneven surfaces. With the baseball bat, fat/square-ish side walls, and ET 25 (I added a spacer to help clear brakes), I still hardly rub even during u-turns. But if I have to go up a drive way that has the little lip on the curb, I rub a little bit because I have to go up the curb one at an angle with wheel at a time...
I wish I could run 235 or 245 though... I can only imagine what that could help with when it comes to understeer... Splinter's setup has me rethinking my front suspension and wheels/tires.... especially now that more and more people are doing the CLS wheels on a w203 (I swear, I was the first!).
Either that or go to 19" CLS AMG wheels and get some fender rolling goin on in the back :P This hobby is far too consuming in so many ways
I think I just touch in the circumstances you explain. SA cars must definitely be lower standard. Now that our currency has strengthened I think I will order my wheels. AMG 5 X twinspoke C55 replicas in 17X8 & 17X8.5 ET30 all round - Same as Cintoman's. I intend running 235 front & 245 rear at present - Hope it works out - I will be forced to go PS2s because my favourite Exalto PE 2 is not available in a 235 & I don't want to stay with 225 on the front. The move from 205 to 225 on the front did so much for positive turn-in that I want to go one size bigger.
I like splinter's set up - to hell with increased scrub radius.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 12
From: Orange County, CA
GMC - Miata - Trek - P-Car
When experimenting with tire sizes and wheel offsets, one must be mindful of the very real possibility of catastrophic interference between the tire and strut.
After verifying that its 245/40 x 34ET front combination would actually rotate without rubbing, I wrapped the struts with approximately .375 inch of tape where they’re closest to the tire. Following a spirited test drive, the tape had been worn to within ~.125 inch. Enough for a safe margin IMHO, but just barely. This accounts for the additional clearance facilitated by Koni’s #8741-1412 hardware, which is not present in either OE or many available aftermarket MacPherson strut designs.
Other tire profiles and/or strut combinations may differ enough to prohibit their judicious fitment.
After verifying that its 245/40 x 34ET front combination would actually rotate without rubbing, I wrapped the struts with approximately .375 inch of tape where they’re closest to the tire. Following a spirited test drive, the tape had been worn to within ~.125 inch. Enough for a safe margin IMHO, but just barely. This accounts for the additional clearance facilitated by Koni’s #8741-1412 hardware, which is not present in either OE or many available aftermarket MacPherson strut designs.
Other tire profiles and/or strut combinations may differ enough to prohibit their judicious fitment.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 6
From: GA
2016 Chevrolet SS, 2006 Cadillac STS-V
C63 Wheels On!
I finally got my C63 wheels on and they'll be coming back off Monday (but only until I get my "frame" damage fixed). It was a good bit of work to get these on. I was told I needed 15mm spacers for the front and 10mm spacers for the rear. So I bought those and then 15mm longer bolts for the front and 10mm longer for the rear. However, I didn't take into account that the hub on the wheels is thinner on the C63 than my stock wheels. The front lugs were too long, but there wasn't any interference. The rear was a huge problem since the bolts were WAY too long and hit the parking brake, so I tried my stock bolts and wouldn't ya know those were about a few mm too long as well. So I decided to shorten my stockers a little bit and no more problem. I'm really happy with the look and the fitment is good in the front (no rubbing), but the wheels stick in more in the rear than the front so it looks a little funny to me (normal people might not even notice though). So before I put the wheels back on, I think I'm going to get thicker spacers for the rear. If I use a 12mm spacer, I can probably use un-shortened stock lugs. A 15mm spacer would probably look best, but I don't know how close that will put the tire to the fender lip.
I've only got one picture for now though.
I've only got one picture for now though.
Last edited by 91RS; May 9, 2009 at 06:09 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 6
From: GA
2016 Chevrolet SS, 2006 Cadillac STS-V
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 3
From: Ohio
X3 and 2012 C coming soon
Nice work. To see how much room you have, get thick post-it pad (thicker than the gap beteen your tire and fender lip) and keep tearing away pages until it comfortably slides vertically between the outermost edge of the wheel/ tire and the inner fender lip. Then, all you have to do is measure the thickness of the pad in mm.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Hey - looks great! - I should have warned you about the parking brake. People are always making that mistake in South Africa.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 6
From: GA
2016 Chevrolet SS, 2006 Cadillac STS-V
I knew about the parking brake, I'm just not used to lug studs so I didn't take into account that the wheel was different! Obviously, if anyone needs 50mm lug studs, I have 10 for sale now and the 10mm rear spacers!
Newbie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
c class
19" amg rims
Hi All
i have a c class 180 kompressor w203, im going to upgrade the rims to 19" amg 5 poke split.
the question is do i need the rear wheel rims to be wider. the dealer is telling i dont need to.
the 19" amg 5 spoke split are 8.5. would this look ok for front and rear rims.
thank for your help.
i have a c class 180 kompressor w203, im going to upgrade the rims to 19" amg 5 poke split.
the question is do i need the rear wheel rims to be wider. the dealer is telling i dont need to.
the 19" amg 5 spoke split are 8.5. would this look ok for front and rear rims.
thank for your help.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 1
From: France, Lebanon
03 c320 coupe
well if it was 18's i would have said a non staggered setup is ok, but with 19's i dont see why you dont want to get wider rears...
(i have non staggered setup but this was only because AMG reps in 18" had the same lip width even if staggered)
(i have non staggered setup but this was only because AMG reps in 18" had the same lip width even if staggered)
Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Redwood City, CA
2003 C230K Sedan
There's some pros and cons to having a staggered setup.
1.Having a staggered setup means you really can't rotate your tires. (please correct me if I'm wrong about this).
2. The LOOK, of course is just much better than a non-staggered setup.
3. I agree with hellsangel that its probably ok if your rims were the same all around on 18" shoes. However with 19's, I'd rather have my staggered for a killer stance. especially if you rou're car is lowered.
4. it can get costly down the line to replace your tires since they are different sizes for fronts and rears. It's best to do a routine check-up on your tire wear to see if you need to get an alignment done, and/or rebalance the tires. By doing so, you can save a lot of money down the line.
An 8.5 fronts and 9.5 rears would look awesome! But if possible, please do a check if you're going to have any rubbing issues with the fenders. If you do, your fenders might need to get rolled. hope this helps...post us some pics of your car after u get your new wheels man. Good luck!
1.Having a staggered setup means you really can't rotate your tires. (please correct me if I'm wrong about this).
2. The LOOK, of course is just much better than a non-staggered setup.
3. I agree with hellsangel that its probably ok if your rims were the same all around on 18" shoes. However with 19's, I'd rather have my staggered for a killer stance. especially if you rou're car is lowered.
4. it can get costly down the line to replace your tires since they are different sizes for fronts and rears. It's best to do a routine check-up on your tire wear to see if you need to get an alignment done, and/or rebalance the tires. By doing so, you can save a lot of money down the line.
An 8.5 fronts and 9.5 rears would look awesome! But if possible, please do a check if you're going to have any rubbing issues with the fenders. If you do, your fenders might need to get rolled. hope this helps...post us some pics of your car after u get your new wheels man. Good luck!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 1
From: France, Lebanon
03 c320 coupe
but still with 19's no way to go not staggered...
and spiritwalker1, if they are telling you that you dont need a stag. setup it means that they dont sell it.
So i suppose its not original AMG's...
Its not TSW either...
In that case i can recommand you discounttiredirect.com, its not staggered but its much better than ebay quality, 5x cheaper than authentic AMG's, & around 40% cheaper than TSW's or Euro's....
and for Gods sake dont buy them from ebay with the AMC (and i mean C) logo....
Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Redwood City, CA
2003 C230K Sedan
Thx Hells, but I already bought a set of 19 Euro63s, staggered! 
i'm very happy about them too! next step is to drop it and get an alignment done. In regards to the rotating of tires; I was told that you could rotate the tires to the opposite side, but I'm not really sure what really accomplishes though...hmm.
i'm very happy about them too! next step is to drop it and get an alignment done. In regards to the rotating of tires; I was told that you could rotate the tires to the opposite side, but I'm not really sure what really accomplishes though...hmm.
