C32 AMG, C55 AMG (W203) 2001 - 2007

Wheel size and offset question for my '03 C32

Old Oct 27, 2008 | 12:00 AM
  #1  
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03 C32 AMG
Question Wheel size and offset question for my '03 C32

Fellas,

I'm in the market to buy a new set of rims, I'm thinking of going 19". I'm wondering if these sizes will fit my 2003 C32. I'm curious whether this would cause any rubbing? Will I even need spacers or hubcentric rings?

FRONT WHEEL SIZE : 19 X 8.5 ET38MM
REAR WHEEL SIZE: 19 X 9.5 ET42MM
BOLT PATTERN : 5-112
FRONT TIRE SIZE: 235/35/19
REAR TIRE SIZE: 265/30/19

Thanks for the help.
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Old Oct 27, 2008 | 01:04 AM
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Old Oct 28, 2008 | 10:54 PM
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My main concern are the offsets, the guy told me that I will need 10mm hub centric spacers for the fronts to clear the AMG brake calipers. Also the rears seems too big and may actually stick out?

Fellas, do you have any suggestion? I really would like to know so I can decide with my purchase.

Thanks in advance
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Old Oct 29, 2008 | 12:22 AM
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03 g35 coupe...........02 c32 Sold
your going to need at least a et of 30 to clear the brakes. The rear i think you needs around 31-35et. Just depends on the design of your rim.

I'm running a et27 in the front and 30et in the rear. The front slightly come out a little bit, but barely noticeable unless your really looking.
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Old Oct 29, 2008 | 05:32 AM
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from those specs they ain't going to fit. if you want to make them fit you'll need at least 10mm for the front and 8mm for the rear.

This is just from your spec. It may or may not fit depends on the actual design of the wheel.
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Old Oct 29, 2008 | 05:35 AM
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03 g35 coupe...........02 c32 Sold
Originally Posted by FrankW
from those specs they ain't going to fit. if you want to make them fit you'll need at least 10mm for the front and 8mm for the rear.

This is just from your spec. It may or may not fit depends on the actual design of the wheel.

listen to frank..he knows his offsets.
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Old Oct 30, 2008 | 01:37 AM
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Originally Posted by FrankW
from those specs they ain't going to fit. if you want to make them fit you'll need at least 10mm for the front and 8mm for the rear.

This is just from your spec. It may or may not fit depends on the actual design of the wheel.
Thanks for the info Frank, glad to find out before I pull the trigger on a set with those specs.
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Old Oct 30, 2008 | 02:58 AM
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03 g35 coupe...........02 c32 Sold
should be fine long as there hubcentric.
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 09:30 AM
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2003 c32 amg
New message

How do I post a new message?

I have an 03 C32 17" wheels and want to go to 18" O.Z. Botticelli. Concerned about vibration with the new wheels and with after market wheels bending over time and causing vibration. Any experience with this?
thanks
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 10:07 AM
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You can post a new message by starting a new thread...

As far as your question goes, those wheels should be fine. Bending, curbing/scratches, all depends on how you drive and the road conditions you are in. I know I used to have a set of authentic 3 piece brabus (pictured below) and I cracked one of the rims within less than a month putting them on due to my own fault, was racing a modified RX8 in Dallas and hit a dip on the road.

Yeah big lesson learn there.

And no, I did not feel any vibration when I had them on. They are 18X8.5 ET 35 and 18X9.5 ET 35 using 225/40-18 and 255/35-18 tires.


Have you consider Forgestar F14's? Those are pretty sweet and reasonably priced for 18X8.5 front, 18X9.5 rears ET 35 all the way and fits our cars. Here's the link to elementwheels They have them for $340 a piece. I was going to get them but I just bought some 19' staggered DCR Hockenheim forged wheels from a forum member here.

Also, make sure when you are buying rims for the car they are hubcentric. I try not to use spacers since I have heard those can cause vibrations over time.

My 18 staggered set Brabus came with plastic hubcentric rings and I did not feel any vibrations.

Hope this helps and Good luck


Originally Posted by Camalfi
How do I post a new message?

I have an 03 C32 17" wheels and want to go to 18" O.Z. Botticelli. Concerned about vibration with the new wheels and with after market wheels bending over time and causing vibration. Any experience with this?
thanks

Last edited by C32AMGSC; Oct 14, 2009 at 10:16 AM.
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 02:15 PM
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2003 c32 amg
C32 new wheels

Thanks for your reply. I must be stupid I cannot figure out how to start a new thread.
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 03:18 PM
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42 ET in the rear could be a clearance problem with the brakes. Aesthetically, that means the rims are going inward
giving a narrower stance. I have 30 ET in the rear and front, gives the car a wider stance. (265s x 30 x 19 rear).
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 05:07 PM
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Originally Posted by 60n5pt1
42 ET in the rear could be a clearance problem with the brakes. Aesthetically, that means the rims are going inward
giving a narrower stance. I have 30 ET in the rear and front, gives the car a wider stance. (265s x 30 x 19 rear).
I believe 42 ET in the rear are used by the E55's and the like.


I agree bro, this was my original post last year and somewhat have learned the best size offsets for our wheels depending on wheel design, size, etc.

Fronts: +27 to +35 ensuring BBK clearance and without using spacers
Rears: +30 to +35 clearance without using spacers
Center bore: 66.56 or 66.6
Bolt Pattern: 5-112
Also must be Hubcentric.

Again this is my honest opinion and sort of my rule of thumb.

I know FrankW is still our in-house offset expert.

All else should ask the wheel experts where the rims are being purchased from.

Anybody else have lower/higher offsets that works without using spacers?
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