Eau_Rouge

For those who converted to AMG brakes from a C32/C55, what did you do about the spare tire? I'd like to keep a spare but the stock steel 16" wheel won't fit over the AMG brakes correct?

tommy

Correct. I picked up a Moda 17" rim from Tirerack for pretty cheap which clears. Currently keep it in the hatch, with the stuff that used to be in the hatch (spare oil quarts, manual, other sh*t, now in the position that the spare used to take up). I should figure out a way to tie down the spare, but haven't gotten around to it yet, and it's too cold for me to care.

Eau_Rouge

Thanks Tommy but I was hoping to find a 17 inch wheel and tire that fits where the stock spare is now. Did MB ever make a spare 17 inch wheel/tire that fits in the stock location of our cars? What do SLK AMG's use for spares? I'll dig around and see what I can find.

tommy

Not sure about SLKs, but I think that our tub won't fit a full-size spare. I'm not even sure if modifying it would work, due to space issues. I'll try to do a test fitting this weekend and give you my thoughts.

Eau_Rouge

That would be great Tommy.

Looks like SLK 32's and presumably 55's didn't come with spares at all just a can of sealant and a pump.
Still looking at other options but I did find out that GLK's come with a 17x6 space saver. I know its a long shot but I'll see if it will work...if it sticks out of the stock location, that's fine...I can modify the trunk cover, just don't want it in the trunk.

Edit, wheel may fit but the overall diameter of the tire is much too big.

mtnman82

I upgraded to the larger brakes and thought about checking the spare, but have never gotten around to it. I'm pretty sure I wound up using the 330mm version of the calipers (vs the 350mm version) so was thinking that might help, but again not sure... I also thought about finding a C32/55 spare, but sounds like they might not have spares. Bummer. Worse case I was thinking I'd move one of the rear tires to the front and put the spare on the rear. I'm guessing it would drive like crap as I run a staggered setup, but at least I could get somewhere to have things taken care of. Unless my reasoning is off...

tommy

Or you want to turn the car.

Eau_Rouge

Your logic makes sense to me...just have to find out whether the stock spare fits over the rear C32 brakes, if it does, problem solved!

infected

It's best to just have a patch kit handy like most other sport vehicles nowadays if you've performed the brake upgrade. I just went through a similar experience with a flat on a R8 one summer and all Audi provided was a tire patch kit. I ran a similar setup on the Coupe as well after the big brake kit. Sheds some weight off too while you're at it!

MW_ATL

I have been wondering the same thing - it is the only thing that has kept me from doing this as well. I wonder what the stock spare in a C350 Sport was, since they used the larger brakes as well, if they used a similar spare setup, it might fit. (anyone with a Coupe near some with a C350 Sport?)

Eau_Rouge

I agree with you in the sense that the chances of getting a flat that a patch kit can't fix are very, very slim. In 18 years of driving, I've only ever had one flat tire that a patch kit would have repaired. It's just the what if I run into a situation that I need a spare and I'm far from home, I'd rather change the tire than have to deal with a tow, this is why I'm keen to keep a spare of some sort. Hopefully someone can confirm if the stock spare fits over the rear C32/C55 rear brakes.

Eau_Rouge

If you're talking about a W204, they don't have space savers like our coupe's so fitment in the stock location will be a problem.

MW_ATL

No, the 2006 and 2007 sport sedans - they actually had the bigger brakes as well. I have no idea if they are full-size or not. The front/rear with our stock spare may well be the best idea I've heard.

tommy

I agree - that's why I'm ok with losing some rear hatch area for a wheel that will cover all of the bases, and I won't have to monkey around with anything other than treating my moda 17" rim like a "normal" spare. My summer tires are staggered, so don't think it's worth the trouble to worry about clearance in front if I had to swap a rear wheel to the front to use the temp spare in the rear.

I just went out, cleaned out the hatch, and attempted to fit the full-size in the tub. It's not even close. I think that even just the rim still wouldn't fit. I took some pics, which I'll post tonight, but you would need a completely different tub to try to fit a full-size in there, and even then, I'd imagine that the tub wouldn't fit the allotted space underneath. And if you went to try to do some kind of butchering of the floor of the hatch, you still couldn't get the rim down into the tub in any kind of meaningful way to make it worthwhile. So I'll be sticking to leaving it in the floor of the hatch, but will probably using some way to strap it in withthe D rings in that area, eventually. It's not a huge concern at the moment.

SickSpeedMonte

My '07 C230 sport has a spare that goes under the floor of the trunk. That's got the 13.2" brakes up front, is that the same size as the AMG?

It uses conical seat lug bolts instead of the spherical ones for the alloys that are on the car.

tommy

I don't think the size of your tub would be compatable with a coupe's, though.

MW_ATL

Yep, that is the spare I would like to get the measurements on or test fit. But...I am not overly hopeful at this point. I think the only real option would be the idea of moving a rear to the front and using the spare on the rear (assuming it clears there). At least I am not running a staggered setup, so it would work well for me.

dre5373

The C55 uses the 17" space saver. Looks like the PN on the rim is 1714000202, so I'd assume that it's the same one used in the SLK. If you need measurements for the space saver, let me know and I'll look for one of the 5 tape measures I've misplaced tomorrow

MW_ATL

If you don't mind, grab the measurements and I will try to remember to bring my tape measure in and check room in the tub in the Coupe.

SickSpeedMonte

I'll get you the measurements off of mine too. I wouldn't be surprised if they were the same, but then you'd know if you could find one out of a more common car at least.

dre5373

Looks like 22-1/4" deflated.

SickSpeedMonte

Mine is 26x6 inflated with a 16" inside diameter for the brakes.

MW_ATL

OK, well, those wont do then. The Coupe space is very, very tight. Can go right at 5 1/2 inches wide and a total right at 20 inches in diameter, deflated. The width issue is because the well slopes down and gets deeper at the rear, but the spare is right up at the top on the front. I don't think we could get the 22 1/4 deflated in there.

I will try to take more careful measurements in daylight...if I picked up just 3/4 on a side...maybe. But I won't have my car back from the shop after tomorrow morning for who knows how long.

Eau_Rouge

Hey guy's, I got my AMG brakes from a C55 a few days ago and want to go ahead with the swap. I have the calipers for all 4 corners and will be getting new rotors, pads and SS lines. Do I need to change the dust shields to C32/C55 and will the existing caliper bolts on my 2002 C230 work with the C55 calipers?