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Downgrade from 18 inch staggered to 17 inch, please help!
Hi All,
I have had a 2013 C300 Sport Sedan for 6 years now. I purchased it from Mercedes with 18 inch AMG wheels with the staggered set up. I've been told these rims are infamous for cracks and flats. After 6 years I can now say that statement is 100% true. I've repaired two rims and had numerous flats.
The roads aren't getting any better in the northeast anytime soon. I want to go down to a 17 inch rim but don't want to purchase the wrong wheel. Ideally, I would like to go to a non-staggered setup so that I could rotate the tires. If there are any glaring issues with doing that, please let me know!
Also, if you guys can help me out with the appropriate non-staggered 17 inch wheel specs that would be amazing!
I have 2011 Sports model. 2013 is probably the same as 2011. Luxury model has all wheels the same (non staggered) and the wheel sizes are all in the owners manual. I should have bought the Luxury model so tires are rotatable. To me, 18" to 17" is not a downgrade but an upgrade, as it is more comfortable maybe less expensive.
I have had a 2013 C300 Sport Sedan for 6 years now. I purchased it from Mercedes with 18 inch AMG wheels with the staggered set up. I've been told these rims are infamous for cracks and flats. After 6 years I can now say that statement is 100% true. I've repaired two rims and had numerous flats.
The roads aren't getting any better in the northeast anytime soon. I want to go down to a 17 inch rim but don't want to purchase the wrong wheel. Ideally, I would like to go to a non-staggered setup so that I could rotate the tires. If there are any glaring issues with doing that, please let me know!
Also, if you guys can help me out with the appropriate non-staggered 17 inch wheel specs that would be amazing!
Thanks!
The 17 inch square setup has the following specs as per the manual:
For summer tires: 225/45 R17 91 W and 7.5 J x 17 H2 Wheel offset: 1.85 in (47 mm)
For all-weather tires: 225/45 R17 91 H M+S and 7.5 J x 17 H2Wheel offset: 1.85 in (47 mm)
For winter tires: 225/45 R17 91 H M+S and 7.5 J x 17 H2Wheel offset: 1.85 in (47 mm) 225/45 R17 91 W
For 25/sdsd45sdsd R1 W
The 17 inch square setup has the following specs as per the manual:
For summer tires: 225/45 R17 91 W and 7.5 J x 17 H2 Wheel offset: 1.85 in (47 mm)
For all-weather tires: 225/45 R17 91 H M+S and 7.5 J x 17 H2Wheel offset: 1.85 in (47 mm)
For winter tires: 225/45 R17 91 H M+S and 7.5 J x 17 H2Wheel offset: 1.85 in (47 mm) 225/45 R17 91 W
For 25/sdsd45sdsd R1 W
If I went to a 18x8 square setup would that negatively impact the car?
I switched my 2011 Sport 4Matic over to 17x8 with 48mm offset and 6.38" backspacing. The tires are 215/50ZR17. I've not had any issues.
Don't get hung-up on thinking going from 18 to 17 is somehow a 'downgrade'. Just because an Aston Martin comes with 20s doesn't mean 18s are better on your C300. A lighter wheel and a lighter tire will improve acceleration, but weight is just one part of the equation. Weight being the same, an 18' wheel & tire combo will take more HP to spin up to speed, and require more HP to maintain that speed. It's simple physics. The further a mass is from the point of rotation, the greater amount of force required to move (it). It can also affect steering and steering response due to gyroscopic effect. In the mid-90s, Road & Track did a test with a mid-90s Honda (whatever) that came on factory 14s. I had a '92 Integra at the time, and the results lead me to keeping my stock 14s, but with really good tires. Road & Track (as well as Car & Driver) have rain more recent comparisons.
Gee I've been under the impression that all of the W204s had the staggered tire set up. Sounds like that might be mistaken even though I think I remember reading that when the W204 first went on sale. Maybe it might not be a bad idea to check with the Service department at your local MB dealer to explain the tire and rim issues you've been having and to see if they have any recommendations for 17 inch tires and rims.
If you are going to 17 inch wheels , i would recommend you these ones
They are very light , 20,5 lbs and you can find them in 7.5 et 47 option 225/45 and 8.5 et 58 option 245-255/40
Original AMG 18 wheels are around 31 lbs , so you will feel difference
Reducing wheel diameter also has a positive fuel economy possibility. This is probably less evident within the MB owner population than - for example - VW owners...............
I went to four-square (not staggered) 17's and got a nice improvement in ride quality. And I can rotate the tires and replace as a set instead of two at a time like most staggered set ups.
I used 17 x 7.5 wheels from an E-class with 45mm offset and 225/45/17 tires and all works beautifully. IMO, the slight difference in back from the 1" narrower wheels and tires isn't at all noticeable in the wheel wells.
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Downgrade from 18 inch staggered to 17 inch, please help!
