drexappeal

Depends on what can fit. If the biggest it can fit is a 225/45R17 just like stock, then I'll most likely get one 1 piece rim. I saw the tirerack prices, but I'll probably be able to get a better deal than list at tirerack.

We'll see.

BTW, did you talk to HRE about the center caps? You never know what they'll say.

Blake P

Yes, they said they might custom make me some OEM sized caps w/ their logo. He wouldn't quote me a price until I receive the wheels and tell him the serial number from the back of the wheels first, but I was happy he didn't say "NO" and hang up. Keep hope alive!

drexappeal

I knew they'd be open to it! Good stuff. Let's just hope they don't charge you an arm and a leg to do them! Knock on wood.

levelr123g

Hows this,
Yesterday I get a flat. I go to replace the tire however the spare requires a different size lug bolt? I call MB roadside and they say yea, the spare lugs should be in the back. I check and check, but no new lug bolts. So roadside comes to me and brings me a brand new wheel/tire. They say the new wheel/tire will fit and use the original size lug bolts. the roadside tech tells me that apparently MB made a change mid year to the spares and some cars have the wrong spare in them. So my point is, make sure your spare fits your car before you really need it!

Why would MB even design a spare that uses a different size lug bolt? Why not just machine the wheel thicker, rather than make a smaller bolt?

PRICELESS!

rlee02135

did you get to keep the wheel?

Arn560

I hit a rock & blew out my front tire, I limped to a gas station & dialed 1-800-Mercedes. 30mins later an ML320 pulled up changed my tire to the donut in the back, & sent me on my merry way.
That was when I saw him open a little plastic bag to pull out the spare lugs. (They even have a pair of gloves in there) My tire was under warranty but I didn't realised till I bought a new one but never mind; alls well that ends well.

MJ50

Blake, I double checked the part #s...
Looks like i ordered wrong shell... at least the bracket matched...
gonna order correct shell this weekend...
this is the pic of full-size spare with incorrect shell...

drexappeal

Thanks for the pic, mj!

Looks like maximum would be the 17 incher w/ 225/45R17. Well, I guess I'll have to see how much a 1 piece Superleggera will cost.

drex

Blake P

Yes, the width for that shell/bracket is 225 Drex. I'm not sure about wheel size because I've never looked into the actual difference in diameter if you get a larger wheel and lower profile tire.

MJ50

here's the pic w/o the shell

MJ50

looks like i got the right parts...
got this from c32life.com

mleskovar

The full sized spares, being temporary, are made of stamped, rolled, and welded steel and much thinner than the alloy wheels. Saves $$. What I don't get is why they use bolts instead of nuts and studs....it's inconvenient to use the 'wheel locator' pin when reinstalling tires, there's no issue with bolt lengths with the studs and nuts, and if you cross thread a stud you just replace it instead of the whole hub. I also doubt that there's any cost saving with bolts...especially if you have to supply a whole extra set for a wheel.

drexappeal

Hmmm...Well, based on my measurements of my front wheels, I think I may be able to put in a full replacement wheel. Whether that is worth it for the $$, I'm not convinced, but the overall circumference will be the same (if I put on 225/35R19 tires).

We'll see what I decide, but gotta take some measurements after I buy the part first. Then decide afterward. Just like always, gotta do the research first before jumping the gun.

MJ50

drex, not sure if u can put 19x8.5 spare wheel cuz it's 1" taller (in terms of lookig at spare in the trunk)... but if u can squeeze it in, it'd be sweet!

MB-BOB

I don't know whether the tire well has been changed for the later models, but my 2001 C320 has a full-size, 215/55 R16 spare tire on a standard size rim that fits fully within the well, no prob at all.

drexappeal

Well that's the thing, I checked the tire calculator and the size of the wheel in combination with the size of the tire is actually the same circumference.

Either way, I just have to take measurements when I get it first.

Blake P

16" is certainly not "full size" for those of us with big brakes, Bob.

patrick_y

I have the same car with the same tiny space saver spare. But it's not too bad, some cars don't come with spares at all, they just come with a tire repair kit! That's scary!

In fact, I heard that our space saver spare doesn't work on the front since the 2005 models have that big brake up there. Can anyone confirm this? I don't believe Mercedes to be that stupid.

Best policy, get run flats. Small investment, lots of return especially if you get into a sticky situation.

I'm thinking of just having another whole set of wheels and tires. One for my A/S tires and one for summer tires. I live in NorCal and I don't need it but it'd be a nice decoration for my plain garage.

MJ50

patrick, if you have steel spare, then it won't fit the front. you will need full-size spare wheel to clear 05+/amg brakes.

RES

After the pot hole incident I thought this is better for AMG brakes, and being able to drive more then 50 mph and more then 50 miles.

MHPHOCKEY

Very nice...BTW its Bi-Xenons (In your signature)

mkaresh

If you're planning to hit potholes those probably aren't the best rims/tires for the task.

rlee02135

looks nice.
did you have to change the bracket or did the wheel just fit right in there?

kickR

from BlakeP

WaveyKat

whats the biggest size Tire & Rim can u fit in there? right now i have a 225/50/16