C55 stock front wheel offset is killing me.....spacers?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,040
Likes: 125
From: Atlanta Metro
Current: C217 V12TT AMG Previously: C55 AMG, SL65 AMG
C55 stock front wheel offset is killing me.....spacers?
I'm a "flush, or just inside the fender" wheel kinda guy. Gives cars an aggressive look without looking too deep or too protruding.
I find that the stock rear wheel on the C55 looks very nice in relation to the fender, and has a small lip and concavity that makes sure it looks slightly staggered when compared to the front.
The front on the other hand is completely different. There is less lip, and the spokes actually protrude farther than the edge of the wheel (which is a look I don't like to begin with, regardless of the wheel manufacturer).
The fact that MB used somewhat wider fenders that are wider than what's found on the C or CLK, coupled with a convex front wheel, kinda begins to be bug me just a little bit.
I also don't like wheel spacers, and I hate the fact of using them. I also don't like that I'll need to buy longer studs and wheel locks, when I just recently bought some wheel locks. And they'll be different lengths than the rears.
But, what I'm thinking right now is maybe going with a small spacer, 5mm, just to push them out a little bit more to match up with the fenders. Maybe 10mm would be a little too extreme.
I also want to keep the car relatively stock, and don't want to spend a lot of money on it. So new or aftermarket wheels are out of the question. Even though I think the CLK63 (non-BS) wheels would probably look hot, such as on PC Valkyrie's car (https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...-rims-c55.html). But then I'd be tempted to also do a CLK 6/4 pot brake conversion, because I love the look of big brakes behind nice wheels.
Any ideas? Anybody agree with me?
I find that the stock rear wheel on the C55 looks very nice in relation to the fender, and has a small lip and concavity that makes sure it looks slightly staggered when compared to the front.
The front on the other hand is completely different. There is less lip, and the spokes actually protrude farther than the edge of the wheel (which is a look I don't like to begin with, regardless of the wheel manufacturer).
The fact that MB used somewhat wider fenders that are wider than what's found on the C or CLK, coupled with a convex front wheel, kinda begins to be bug me just a little bit.
I also don't like wheel spacers, and I hate the fact of using them. I also don't like that I'll need to buy longer studs and wheel locks, when I just recently bought some wheel locks. And they'll be different lengths than the rears.
But, what I'm thinking right now is maybe going with a small spacer, 5mm, just to push them out a little bit more to match up with the fenders. Maybe 10mm would be a little too extreme.
I also want to keep the car relatively stock, and don't want to spend a lot of money on it. So new or aftermarket wheels are out of the question. Even though I think the CLK63 (non-BS) wheels would probably look hot, such as on PC Valkyrie's car (https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...-rims-c55.html). But then I'd be tempted to also do a CLK 6/4 pot brake conversion, because I love the look of big brakes behind nice wheels.
Any ideas? Anybody agree with me?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,040
Likes: 125
From: Atlanta Metro
Current: C217 V12TT AMG Previously: C55 AMG, SL65 AMG
I like how the rear looks now, but I have also taken a look at the H&R front-only 10mm spacers.
As for the Bremmas, took a look at them, but meh. Not really sure if I want to buy another set of wheels that are already similar to mine and knockoffs.
As for the Bremmas, took a look at them, but meh. Not really sure if I want to buy another set of wheels that are already similar to mine and knockoffs.
Last edited by Viper98912; Oct 19, 2009 at 06:54 PM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,040
Likes: 125
From: Atlanta Metro
Current: C217 V12TT AMG Previously: C55 AMG, SL65 AMG
I guess I just don't understand why MB decided to make the front fender flare SO wide compared to the rest of the car.
The front and rear wheels both line up pretty well with the bumpers and body panels, as they should to keep rock chips down while still providing a wide track. It's just that the front flare is so pronounced that at certain angles it makes the front wheels look bad.
If you measure the rear track width, its just a little over 67". And of course if you measure the front track width you get.....67".
The front and rear wheels both line up pretty well with the bumpers and body panels, as they should to keep rock chips down while still providing a wide track. It's just that the front flare is so pronounced that at certain angles it makes the front wheels look bad.
If you measure the rear track width, its just a little over 67". And of course if you measure the front track width you get.....67".
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Canada
C55 AMG, 135i, 911 GT3, GLE43 AMG
Well, the flared front wheel arches are part of the unique bodywork made for the C55 to accomodate the wider front track.....(yes, there is still plenty of space in there when using the C55 specific ET30 front rims).
I agree with you that wider rims or lower offset rims can make it more visually pleasing to "fill out" that front wheel arch.
The CLK63 rims you mentioned does look better, IMO.....but I'm biased.....
Off topic, but seeing these pictures from 2 years ago makes me miss my stock grille a bit.......
I agree with you that wider rims or lower offset rims can make it more visually pleasing to "fill out" that front wheel arch.
The CLK63 rims you mentioned does look better, IMO.....but I'm biased.....
Off topic, but seeing these pictures from 2 years ago makes me miss my stock grille a bit.......
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 537
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From: Washington, DC
2005 C55 AMG, 2010 VW GTI (Stage 1)
i have the bremmas and love the look! i actually sold the stock wheels/tires and got the bremmas on toyo T1Rs for a net cost of like $300... def worth it for a huge upgrade in how aggressive yet stock the car looks
