macsp

Hi,

I need some expertise to answer my question. The car manual is saying the below spec for all season tires:

Front: 225/45/R17 with offset of 47mm (the rim is 7.5" width)
Rear: 245/40/R17 with offset of 58mm (the rim is 8.5" width)

I checked with the dealer, he is suggesting to go with the offset mentioned in the manual for winter rims as well. I don't think it is practical to get replica winter rims with different offsets. I would rather go with one size of rim and tires for all. What offset and the rim width should I go for then? Can I just go with 8" rim with 48mm offset for all? As for the tires, I am planning to get 225/45/R17 as the narrower is better in winter. I would like to hear from people who have actually put the rims in their cars without any problem. I don't want to void any warranty either.

Please help me here...

macsp

kevink2

Could simply go with replicas of the front wheels, 7.5 x 17 x 47mm, and your noted tire size (91H rated) .

For more max winter performance at less cost, use replicas for C230: 7 x 16 x 47mm, and 205/55/16 91H tires.

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Thrilla

I have a 2008 C300 4matic and I was in a similar dilemma. I've decided that I will use 225/45/17 winter tires on the OEM rims. It's going to be a stretch in the rear, but I don't expect to be on this wheel setup for more than 4 months anyway.

macsp

Can I go with the 8x17 with minimum of 47mm offset replica on all instead? I find one Rial rim from the tirerack and it is 8" width with 48mm offset.

As for the tires, I will go with 225/45/17 for all, most likely with Michelin Primacy PA3.

macsp

macsp

Yeah, but I don't want to damage my AMG OEM rim every time I change the tires. If you are planning to own the car for long time, I think it is better to have one separate set of rims and tires for winter. But I agree with you...this is very complicated. I am also looking for some good used OEM rims that I can use on the winter tires, but most of them are with 35mm or 37mm offset, which is very low for my car.

macsp

earlybird

My winter rims are Rial Como 17x7.5 ET47mm which I purchased four years ago from Tirerack. I checked the website today and the rims are still available.

My winter tires are 225/45R17 Blizzak LM-25. So far, I have driven over 30,000 kms. on this rim/tire combination without any problems.

macsp

That is great to know. What year is your C300? Mine is 2009.

When I searched tirerack for the package, it listed Rial DL rims. It is looking good and has 48mm offset and it is 8". Since my manual is saying the front as 7.5", I am now wondering if I can put an 8" there. I will check yours online as well.

macsp

earlybird

My car is a 2008 C300 Sport.

If I were you, I would stick to the specifications that are listed in your manual. You can choose the 7.5 Rial Como rims, instead of going with the "preferred package" that is suggested on the website. If you have any doubts about your selection, you should call Tirerack to discuss your options before buying.

Sportstick

IMHO, some of the tires being mentioned here are in a sub-optimal category. In the attempt to create "winter performance", the results are best at neither. If you get back on the Tire Rack site, I suggest considering one of the better performers from the "studless ice and snow" group.

macsp

You being in Michigan should have a good winter tires. What do you have in your car? I think Michelin is kind of over rated, but I put the Xi2 in my van and it looks fine, except the tread looks like the all season

macsp

Sportstick

We have Blizzak WS60 on both of our cars, and with those, even my rear wheel drive 6 speed does very well in our winters. Our E350 4MATIC does outstandingly well. WS70 is the newer model which has been offered since, and would be my first choice when the WS60s wear out. Blizzak tires are great, but I would not consider their "winter performance" LM series. I enjoy our cars' performance 3 seasons a year, but in the winter, I want the best snow and ice capability.

macsp

I am with you on this. WE don't really need performance in winter and get into trouble I need something that will take me safely from home to work to home. I will check out the WS70 as I was thinking about putting them on my van as well. But I heard their tread wear is not good. How many winters have you used your WS60? If it can last for 4 winters, I think that will be good.

I am more confused with the rim selection than the tires. I think I am now leaning towards getting Rial DF rims that are 8" width and 47mm offset. But my manual is saying that the front rims are 7.5" width and rear are 8.5".

macsp

Sportstick

The Blizzaks are in good shape going into their third winter.

I bought aftermarket AMG replica rims for my C Class and, although my car also came with the staggered set-up, the rims I wanted only came in 8.0" width with a 44 offset, and all worked out very well. Search my postings for powerwheelspro.com mentions. The 3mm difference is insignificant and your rims should be fine. My four winter rims from tirerack.com are also Rials...DH model...17x7.5 ET47...they were $99 /wheel.

macsp

Thanks. I will check with the local tire guy about the WS70 pricing. If it is not significantly cheaper than Alpin PA3, I may stick with Michelin as we will get $70 rebate as well

So this local tire guy is quoting me for the RTX MANN replica. I checked it online and it is 8" with 45mm offset. My car now has the AMG staggered rims with all season tires. Since it was the same case with you and you are using 44mm offset rims without any issues, I think I can use the MANN rims. I am still checking for any used OEM rims...will see what happens.

macsp

kevink2

That confirms no issue with outside contact, but oem inside front clearance is also a limiting factor.

In that regard, we know that 8" x 18" x 50mm rims with 225x40 tires are oem options for C300 and C350 models. So a similar rim with the optional oem wheel offset +1/8" should work, meaning 8" wide rims with offsets between 44mm( your value ) and 53mm would confirm that no inside or outside contact would be an issue.

.

kevink2

Since you mentioned Rial, here is a 17 x 7 x 46mm that I test fitted and confirmed it worked with 205/55 tires. With good snows you could plow roads !

16" Rial Como

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macsp

I think I am going to go with your setup here with Rial como replica. Since you have driven about 30,000 KM without any issues with the rims. The only reason I was looking for a good used OEM rims is to avoid any balancing issue etc., but so far I couldn't find any used OEM rims with offset of 47mm. Most of them I have found have 37mm and 35mm. Let me go back to my tire guy for a quote with this rim.

macsp

macsp

So I checked with my tire guy and he is offering me the following:

RTX Mann rims, 17x8 with 45mm offset + 225/45/17 Michelin Alpin Primacy PA3 for my car.

Do you guys see any problem with this setup on my 2009 C300? I don't know how good RTX rims are, but I am planning to keep the car for long time.

Also, my front stock rim is 7.5", will this 8" rim fit without any issues.

Thanks for your comments.

macsp

Sportstick

Still the wrong type of tire. If they are sourcing Michelin, you should get the Michelin X-Ice Xi2. The Primacy PA3 they are selling is a blend, a so-called "performance winter" tire, which is neither strongest at performance, nor snow/ice, which is the reason for all of this, after all. If you have access to Bridgestone, Blizzak WS70 are even better than X-Ice. Why go through all this and still not have the best snow and ice performance you can get?

I've been running 17x 8" rims with ET44 at all four corners for a year with no issues.

kevink2

Going with wider front wheels seems contrary to the winter cause, and I agee with Sportstick about using better/best winter tires.

My suggestion would be go with MB oem 205/55-16" winter tires, and 16"x7" rims. The 16" tires should be load and speed rated at 91H, just like the 17". A proven way for maximum winter performance. Don't let the winters in Toronto push you around.

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macsp

Hi Kevink2 and Sportstick,

Thanks for your input. The Xi2 is out of stock with the tire guy and that is why he is offering Primacy. I do agree with you so in terms of getting a good winter tires.

Anyway, I called the MB dealer and confirmed that they use 7.5" width and 47mm offset for all four in their winter package. I am putting it here so that if anyone else is trying to find this info.

With this, I am now leaning toward the Rial Como (7.5" with 47 mm offset) and some good winter tires. It looks like all Michelin are out of stock now and I may go with WS-70 or iPike W310. I will let you know what I finally settles with.

macsp

qaz393

if you get aftermarket rims, make sure the bolts are correct. bolts have different length and seats (ball which has 3 sizes and cone)

kevink2

Woops, meant 16 x 7 x 46mm.

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macsp

OK, just wanted to let you know that I finally bought a 2-yr old OEM rims and winter tires for a good price. Installed them yesterday and all is fine now.

The rims are original MB rims that the dealers sell with their winter package now with Continental TS810 tires. They are 7.5" width and 47mm offset all around.

Thanks for all your feedback and comments.

macsp

qaz393

their package does not follow the original rear wheel spec for sport. more cost effective to customers therefore increasing sales.