SCTinkering

I want to make people who are curious & don't know any better ask that question.


What I plan on doing to get there are
1) remove the C250 badge from the trunk. I have a heat gun so that shouldn't be too hard, just need to be patient and not burn anything.
2) fit some E Class wheels. Most likely 17x7.5 all the way around so I can actually rotate tires and give the missus the slightly less jarring ride that comes with an extra inch of sidewall. Yes, I know it's slightly, but even if it isn't "enough" for her, I still get credit for trying


My current wheels are the OEM AMG 7 spokes which are
Front 18x7.5 w/47mm offset
Rear 18x8.5 w/54mm offset


So I found more than a few sets of 17x7.5 wheels with a 35mm offset.
I think I need to get offset spacers to make up for the difference in offsets. That's either spot on or grossly incorrect. So which is it? (File under the things I never learned because I opted to do motorcycle road racing instead of anything auto related :P )

vipsa

There. Spacers lower the offset, so by using them you would go even lower(move the wheel further away from the hub).
As far as using E class wheels, I'm pretty sure you can do it with correct size tires and using stock height.

SCTinkering

Thanks. Now I know

Doa

i'm not following right now.
you think people who don't know the difference between a 204 and 212 know which wheels the 212 can have stock?

xjmoe83

Soo.. Your asking how to make your C class into and E class without asking that question. I kinda want to see pics of this.

SCTinkering

I am going to get a set of 17" if for no other reason than to prove to the missus that I've made an effort to give her a smoother ride. Since that IS going happen might as well put some non-C looking wheels. FWIW, there are some really UGLY MB OEM wheels out there.


So is more of a "make people who think they know what model it is doubt themselves" than making it look like an different model. Someone that knows MB's isn't going to be fooled.

edgalang

Instead of getting wheels only to regret it later, have you considered other alternatives like...

#1 Lower tire pressure (to match manufacturer settings not above).
#2 Swap tire compound to a more comfortable ride.
#3 Swap tires to a larger size for more air volume (example 225/40-18 to 235/40-18)


As far as fooling other's part regarding C vs E. Why not simply swap out the lettering in the back trunk since you already have the heat gun out. Then maybe people will also think you have a diesel (especially when they see the bluetec/blueefficiency logos on the side). Prepare to get flak for this however :P

95_993

Uh, why???

xjmoe83

#3 So then your ESP system can go crazy because of your incorrect sized tires!

acarter53

+1

Skyline45

Your post just made my brain hurt... If you want a "traditional" Mercedes ride, then you should of bought the Luxury model instead of the Sport....

PeterUbers

+1000

Should have got an e class

edgalang

Hmmm...I don't think you've done the math (hint: ~1.2%). Besides, we don't even know what 17 inch tire size the OP is going to, which can be well above the recommended delta of 2-3%

SCTinkering

This is MY car. The last European sports car I had was a 1991 Saab 900 SPG (that I enjoyed every single one of the 212k I put on it even though compared to the C the SPG handled like a whale), my wife didn't like that car either. She likes her Kenmore Camry's couch like ride and sponge like handling.


The objective of smoothing out the ride is to get her to quit complaining about it. When we go on long drives, I'm the one driving and I sure as hell am not going to drive her appliance when there is a Benz in the garage.


I have ZERO interest in the look of the luxury model. If I get a W205, it will still be another Sport, but I'll add airmatic to it if for no other reason than to get her to shut up.


Next Question or would you like to drive the Camry?

Skyline45

Bro, sounds like you got some misplaced anger there....

Sport model has a terrible ride. They just do. Unless you like a stiff suspension, then it's perfect. It would be easier to mod the grill and fender flares than going about this odd request with switching around tires that will not yield that different of a result since the suspension on your vehicle will still be "Sporty".

SCTinkering

Yeah I pretty much hate her car. I personally have no issues with the ride, but then I road raced motorcycles for 4 years, so soft suspension just doesn't work for me.
Oh and buying 17" rims & tires is actually cheaper than just buying new 18" rubber. At least I can tell her I tried.

C0d3Sp4c3

To the OP - please let me know what you came up with to make your ride more comfortable.

I am on the same boat as you. Wife refuses to ride or drive our E90 and C250 because she thinks they both aggravates her bad back. I ended up getting her a 2015 Accord a couple of weeks ago and she's lovin' the ride comfort it offers. I'm kinda...really!

Btw, our C250 came with 18" AMG staggered wheel package if that matters.

Knightmare69

The C and E are pretty distinct from one another. If anything, it would be people not knowing you had E wheels on a C.

xjmoe83

I know the "information" out there says it will work. But I have gone through this numerous times and I just went through this on an S Class and the gentleman ended up putting his old wheel/tires back on and voila! No ESP light!

Skyline45

Haha, I don't blame you if it's a Toyota that she's making you drive then. Idk if you can, but I'd look into putting some airbags in your springs for when she does ride in the car. It's probably a little bit more expensive than changing out the wheels though..

edgalang

I suppose we can agree to disagree, since I've been changing tire/wheel sizes for many years with success, including my W204 right now. There has to be a range of tolerance, since how do you account for new tires vs bald ones?

MDMercedesGuy

.

AusMB87

Sweet mother of god, is your missus that bad that you have to make a show of fixing something unfixable just to placate her?? tough break broseph

As far as softening the suspension, fit luxury springs and shocks - someone will probably gladly swap you. If you were in Australia I certainly would.

As far as fooling people into thinking you have an E-Class, or even hesitating for a moment, who in the world knows enough about mercs that they would recognise E-Class rims but not enough to tell an E from a C?

I'm a Benz tech and I couldn't tell you what rims are from what car half the time.

Just say it how it is man. The missus wants you to do a thing and you are gunna do it. No point trying to hide that from us, we are randoms on the internet. Just own it bro.