JVEE120

Hello all,

I just joined and the site is amazing. I just purchased a 06 C230 2.5 manual. I am ready to go to an 18" wheel and would like to know what I should go with as far as widths, offset, etc. So far I have consistent recommendations on 18x8.5 fronts and 18x9.5 rear....35 offset on both, and 225/40 fronts and 255/35 rears....Can this be done as a plug and play no modifications? Suggestions please....

JV

AdidasC230

Should be pretty easy, do a quick search youll find all your questions have been answered, but in short yes.

OneOfaKindTrini

You could go with the same size's for wheel&tire front and rear and just use some spacers on the rear.

OneOfaKindTrini

To avoid a staggered fitment and you can't rotate tires. Just saying...

Sorry for the Double Post.

JVEE120

Yea Trini, I thought about that too. The wider rear tires just creates more understeer. The look is the exception. So if I went 8.5's on all 4 corners, just go 225/40 all the way around?

glocati

JVEE...point of reference for you..I am running 18x8 32 ET in front 225/40/18 and 18X9.5 35 ET rear 255/35/18. Lowered 2 inches all around and all fits with no rubbing. It's tight but works. If you have the big brakes-sport calipers that can sometimes be an issue depending on backspacing of the specific wheel. I am glad i went staggered---except for the tire rotation issue...definitely less life out of the tires by not being able to rotate.

good luck on it!! Greg

e1000

Those sizes sound about right. Don't forget some wheels just won't clear the front brake calipers because the Sport Sedans have large 2-piston fixed calipers. I personally like the look of staggered wheels a lot better than just having spacers on the rears.

HellsAngel

you have to take into consideration many thins :
- staggered look better (or do they ?)
- you cant rotate front & rear tires with staggered setup
- larger tires cost more

i personally have 18x8 F/R. Tires were much cheaper and they could be rotated.

JVEE120

Thanks for the suggestions and comments. In reference to the front calipers on the 06, is there a min/max offset I need to look for to prevent the wheel from not working? I am looking at buying online so I would hate to get a wheel that wont turn due to the caliper..

e1000

There isn't. It's the design of the spokes on the front wheel. Anything with a large wheel lip or certain spoke designs just won't clear the front calipers. You can either post here and ask about a specific wheel and hopefully someone has tried them, or you'll have to find some way to test fitment.

Nokiemon

Make sure on your offsets (especially the fronts if you have big brakes) and make sure the wheels are meant for a MB, not a generic app before you buy. Tons of great aftermarket wheels out there for MB's, but tons of crap as well, so research carefully.

Bolt pattern should be 5 x 112 and center bore should be 66.6 mm to be hubcentric.

I have 18's as well, 18" x 8.5 front 35ET and 18" x 9.5 rears with a 38ET

A 35 ET (offset) will be the minimun you can get by with to fit the brakes on the front and you might have to go down less to a 32, 33, or 34ET as examples, depending on the wheel style.

Try to find a direct fit wheel as opposed to having to run spacers to clear brakes if possible.

Krimzon Tide

Nokie - so 4 wheels at 19 x 8.5 with a 42mm offset wouldn't work right? If not, is there anyway to make it work? =)

Krimzon Tide

Anybody know?

glocati

10mm hubcentric spacer and you should be in business, as you are essentially moving the offset out to a 32mm. At 8.5" wide you should be OK. Tire size will be important as well.

Nokiemon

Yes a 42 ET would not work on the front if yo have the big front calipers, needs to be 35 ET or less, or as suggested above you would need 7-10mm spacers to clear if you want to keep that wheel. A 42 ET will work on the rear but that is really pushing the rim into the wheel well.

This might help you somewhat-
http://www.1010tires.com/WheelOffsetCalculator.asp