Can i put on wider tires on my stock rims?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee, WI.
2018 E400 4Matic Coupe
Can i put on wider tires on my stock rims?
I've searched but have gotten nowhere. I have a simple question. I need to replace my stock size tires with a new set. Can I go the next size wider all around on my OEM wheels?
2010 C300 4matic sport
225-45/17 front
245-40/17 rear
Thanks in advance for any help I get..............
2010 C300 4matic sport
225-45/17 front
245-40/17 rear
Thanks in advance for any help I get..............
SPONSOR/MBworld Guru
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,936
Likes: 215
From: California
MB W204/W212, BMW E66, Porsche 958, VW MK6 TDI, Maserati Ghibli SQ4
Those will work. It's not a big stretch from what you had. Added bonus with fatter tires is they double as curb rash protection 
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 402
Likes: 6
C350
I've searched but have gotten nowhere. I have a simple question. I need to replace my stock size tires with a new set. Can I go the next size wider all around on my OEM wheels?
2010 C300 4matic sport
225-45/17 front
245-40/17 rear
Thanks in advance for any help I get..............
2010 C300 4matic sport
225-45/17 front
245-40/17 rear
Thanks in advance for any help I get..............
Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 100
Likes: 7
From: Santa Rosa, CA
2012 Mercedes C250
That's fine. I've been doing that on many cars for thirty years. In my eyes, it looks far better and unless you get really carried away, will improve handling by a very small amount.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee, WI.
2018 E400 4Matic Coupe
Thanks all for your past experiences.
To post #2..........if I should stick with what "I'm supposed to"...........why didn't you???
To post #4,...........my thoughts exactly, the stock width tires are just asking for the rims to be battered up.
To post #2..........if I should stick with what "I'm supposed to"...........why didn't you???
To post #4,...........my thoughts exactly, the stock width tires are just asking for the rims to be battered up.
Trending Topics
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 929
Likes: 51
From: Silicon Valley, California
Factory ordered 2012 MB C350 w/Dynamic Handling Package
I do not know the width of a "2010 C300 4Matic Sport" wheel, however this is the process I would personally go through...
#1 Go to tirerack.com
#2 Enter in the desired tire size front/back (I assume 235/45ZR17 & 255/40ZR17)
#3 Arbitrarily select a tire, for demo purposes I chose a Y rated tire, then sorted by UTQG
(highest to lowest), then selected the first one (Michelin PILOT SPORT A/S 3).
#4 Go to Specs and look at the "RIM WIDTH RANGE" column.
According to this SPECIFIC tire...
...Your front wheels need to be between 7.5-9 inches wide where the ideal width is 8"
...Your rears need to be between 8.5-10 inches wide where the ideal width is 9"
Keep in mind if you do this, your speedometer may no longer be accurate and if you want to get technical, you can look at the revs/mile column on the different tire sizes and you can measure the differences.
#1 Go to tirerack.com
#2 Enter in the desired tire size front/back (I assume 235/45ZR17 & 255/40ZR17)
#3 Arbitrarily select a tire, for demo purposes I chose a Y rated tire, then sorted by UTQG
(highest to lowest), then selected the first one (Michelin PILOT SPORT A/S 3).
#4 Go to Specs and look at the "RIM WIDTH RANGE" column.
According to this SPECIFIC tire...
...Your front wheels need to be between 7.5-9 inches wide where the ideal width is 8"
...Your rears need to be between 8.5-10 inches wide where the ideal width is 9"
Keep in mind if you do this, your speedometer may no longer be accurate and if you want to get technical, you can look at the revs/mile column on the different tire sizes and you can measure the differences.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 473
Likes: 15
From: SF bay area
C300 sport
According to this SPECIFIC tire...
...Your front wheels need to be between 7.5-9 inches wide where the ideal width is 8"
...Your rears need to be between 8.5-10 inches wide where the ideal width is 9"
Keep in mind if you do this, your speedometer may no longer be accurate and if you want to get technical, you can look at the revs/mile column on the different tire sizes and you can measure the differences.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
2011 C300
When I replaced my tires I kept the stock size front tires, but switched from 245/40-17's to 255/40-17's for the rear. My reasons:
(1) The nominal diameter of the 255/40 is 25.0", which matches the diameter of the 225/45. The 245/40 is actually slightly smaller at 24.7".
(2) The rear rim is 1" wider than the front, so I think the rear tire should be at least 1" wider, too. As mentioned, the extra width of the 255 provides some curb protection. (3) The larger rear tire may not wear out as quickly compared to the front.
(1) The nominal diameter of the 255/40 is 25.0", which matches the diameter of the 225/45. The 245/40 is actually slightly smaller at 24.7".
(2) The rear rim is 1" wider than the front, so I think the rear tire should be at least 1" wider, too. As mentioned, the extra width of the 255 provides some curb protection. (3) The larger rear tire may not wear out as quickly compared to the front.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 929
Likes: 51
From: Silicon Valley, California
Factory ordered 2012 MB C350 w/Dynamic Handling Package
Another thing to consider is whether or not the existing tire set is accurate to begin with (especially when the tire is worn down).
Example: On my wife's car (Lexus CT200h), the speedometer naturally reads FASTER than true speed (tested on multiple GPS units), so in this case upsizing the tire size is logical (assuming you are still within the tire/wheel specs).
With the C350 however, 255/35-18 tire on the rear matches the speedo & GPS units exactly (verified @ 80mph cruise).
Example: On my wife's car (Lexus CT200h), the speedometer naturally reads FASTER than true speed (tested on multiple GPS units), so in this case upsizing the tire size is logical (assuming you are still within the tire/wheel specs).
With the C350 however, 255/35-18 tire on the rear matches the speedo & GPS units exactly (verified @ 80mph cruise).
Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 128
Likes: 6
From: SoCal
2013 C250
I think next size wider should be fine. Beyond will certainly balloon like my belly
OP, sorry for the minor hijack!
Wow, that's interesting about Lexus. Thought, BMW is notorious! Would you happen to know the reason why? My '10 E90 speedo behaves exactly the same as you mentioned, since new. If I hit 60mph on the CIC, you can bet multiple portable GPS will only read 55mph. I have not found legit explanation other than to avoid speeding tickets. At least that's what my dealer told me!
I went next size up from 255x35x18 to 255x40x18 and the CIC speed vs GPS matched which is great! But the trade-off is, the odometer got messed up due to bigger rolling circumference. My normal 42 miles daily commute went down to 39-ish on the CIC
OP, sorry for the minor hijack!
Another thing to consider is whether or not the existing tire set is accurate to begin with (especially when the tire is worn down).
Example: On my wife's car (Lexus CT200h), the speedometer naturally reads FASTER than true speed (tested on multiple GPS units), so in this case upsizing the tire size is logical (assuming you are still within the tire/wheel specs).
With the C350 however, 255/35-18 tire on the rear matches the speedo & GPS units exactly (verified @ 80mph cruise).
Example: On my wife's car (Lexus CT200h), the speedometer naturally reads FASTER than true speed (tested on multiple GPS units), so in this case upsizing the tire size is logical (assuming you are still within the tire/wheel specs).
With the C350 however, 255/35-18 tire on the rear matches the speedo & GPS units exactly (verified @ 80mph cruise).
I went next size up from 255x35x18 to 255x40x18 and the CIC speed vs GPS matched which is great! But the trade-off is, the odometer got messed up due to bigger rolling circumference. My normal 42 miles daily commute went down to 39-ish on the CIC
Last edited by C0d3Sp4c3; Oct 1, 2015 at 01:23 AM.
Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 100
Likes: 7
From: Santa Rosa, CA
2012 Mercedes C250
Another thing to consider is whether or not the existing tire set is accurate to begin with (especially when the tire is worn down).
Example: On my wife's car (Lexus CT200h), the speedometer naturally reads FASTER than true speed (tested on multiple GPS units), so in this case upsizing the tire size is logical (assuming you are still within the tire/wheel specs).
With the C350 however, 255/35-18 tire on the rear matches the speedo & GPS units exactly (verified @ 80mph cruise).
Example: On my wife's car (Lexus CT200h), the speedometer naturally reads FASTER than true speed (tested on multiple GPS units), so in this case upsizing the tire size is logical (assuming you are still within the tire/wheel specs).
With the C350 however, 255/35-18 tire on the rear matches the speedo & GPS units exactly (verified @ 80mph cruise).
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 929
Likes: 51
From: Silicon Valley, California
Factory ordered 2012 MB C350 w/Dynamic Handling Package
...
Wow, that's interesting about Lexus. Thought, BMW is notorious! Would you happen to know the reason why? My '10 E90 speedo behaves exactly the same as you mentioned, since new. If I hit 60mph on the CIC, you can bet multiple portable GPS will only read 55mph. I have not found legit explanation other than to avoid speeding tickets. At least that's what my dealer told me!
I went next size up from 255x35x18 to 255x40x18 and the CIC speed vs GPS matched which is great! But the trade-off is, the odometer got messed up due to bigger rolling circumference. My normal 42 miles daily commute went down to 39-ish on the CIC
Wow, that's interesting about Lexus. Thought, BMW is notorious! Would you happen to know the reason why? My '10 E90 speedo behaves exactly the same as you mentioned, since new. If I hit 60mph on the CIC, you can bet multiple portable GPS will only read 55mph. I have not found legit explanation other than to avoid speeding tickets. At least that's what my dealer told me!
I went next size up from 255x35x18 to 255x40x18 and the CIC speed vs GPS matched which is great! But the trade-off is, the odometer got messed up due to bigger rolling circumference. My normal 42 miles daily commute went down to 39-ish on the CIC
Example...with the MB, each tick on the gas meter represents 1 gallon. There are 16 ticks and by the time you have the needle resting on the peg you have roughly 1.4 gallons left.
