Apox

First of all, sorry for the new thread, but I've searched all over the place without any success, so here goes:

Will these fit a stock suspension 2003 C32 AMG? I'm mostly worried about clearing the front AMG calipers.
http://www.oemwheelsplus.com/mb/18-w...heels-set.html

Specifications:
Size: 18x8.5 Front / 18x9.5 Rear
Bolt Pattern: 5x112
Finish: GunMetal Machined Face
Offset: 32 Front / 35 Rear
Hubcentric

Also on a sidenote, if I should get these, which tiresize is recommended? 235/40/18F and 265/35/18R ?

loudandheard

This is some info that I got from Frankw
So I think it may work, I would paint the gunmetal black, I think it would look awesome with a red car.

chris.bachman

I believe factory offset for the front is 37.

Apox

Thanks for the quick reply. Yeah I'll look into painting later on, there's really alot I'd like to do with the car, but I kinda lack a good shop to help me. Quad exhaust is one of the things on my list after new wheels

Guess I'll go for those then, and buy a pair of small 3 or 5mm spacers should they not fit perfectly.

chris.bachman

I have the spacers if you need them.

WaveyKat

they look good.. wonder if they have that concave look for the rears?

loudandheard

That's a good tire size, I went with the same setup but I used 255 when I should have gone with 265. Let us know how it comes out.

Apox

My shop wouldn't even put on the tire on the wheels, cause it was too obvious that both the front and rear wheels rub against the struts even before the tires are on it. Good job selling **** that don't even fit the car.

loudandheard

I apologize for relaying information that was incorrect. I figured if another member had done it before, then it should work for you as well. Will spacers not fix the issue?

Apox

It's not your fault, the seller told me it would fit. Spacers might work, but if they don't I'm stuck with $1000 tires on wheels that don't fit, so I'm a bit scared.

loudandheard

I don't get it, are the offsets incorrect. I've been looking up info about offsets and et 32 should work in the front. As for the rears, et 35 should have been fine as well.

Check out these threads for reference and pm frankw for more info. He knows more about offsets on our cars then anybody. He's had so many sets of wheels on his car it's not even funny.

https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...my-03-c32.html

https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...t-pattern.html

Lots of info for wheels:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...want-know.html

chris.bachman

Factory front offset is 37, I posted that above. The wheel you bought is an inch wider and 5mm closer to the hub, you're going to need spacers up front. Most likely 5mm.

Apox

So what's your tips? Should I have them put the wheels on the rims and then get some spacers? I'm afraid if it doesn't work without rolling the fenders etc, then I'm stuck with $1000 tires on wheels that won't fit at all :/

Store told me I should never use spacers, ever ...

loudandheard

Our fenders come pre-rolled from the factory. Many people use spacers and have had success, the only issue I for see is getting the correct size lug bolts. You may also need to shave the tab on the rear fender if you do encounter a bit of rubbing. You can test fit the wheels with out tires to see if it is going to hit anything. Try it out on your own, I think you'll be surprised.

If you are not comfortable buying spacers, put the wheels for sale and keep the 18" tires and buy 18's you know will fit.

Where did you go to have the wheels put on? You may want to go somewhere that has more experience with aftermarket wheels.

Apox

Discount tires, only local place I know of.

RMACH

I actually just bought those rims, im running 235/40/18s in the fronts and 255/35/18s in the rears. The fronts wont fit without a 10 mm spacer.

Apox

But rears fit without any modifications?

RMACH

Rears will fit without any mods. I just orders 10mm spacers all around so it will look more even. Double check the bolts to see if they fit with the wheels and spacers.

FrankW

if they hit the struts without even putting the tires on they obviously sold you wheels not with the offset as advertised. OR the shop you test fit these on did not put the bolts in to make the wheel sitting correctly.

the info loudandheard posted that I wrote from long time ago is correct and is tried and true.

i.e. BBS LM 19x8.5 are et32 up front. they do not need spacers to clear the strut to be used on regular W203s. you would need a 5mm spacer from BBS to clear the caliper.

Apox

allright, I'll do another check myself, and if it looks like spacer might work without any rubbing on either side, then I'll have them put the tires on and I'll install them myself (they wouldn't do any installation if using spacers).

Also, he told me 9.5" wide rears was way too much, and would stick out far past the fender. Are they just running with lies or what's up? I know alot of people in here have 8.5" and 9.5" staggered setups without problems.

Just hoping 235/40/18 and 265/35/18, which I ordered, ain't too much to be able to fit it all.

thtguy

I am currently running 18x8.5 ET32 Front 18x9.5 ET35 Rear Mandrus Milliniums with 235/40 front 265/35 rear with no spacers. No rubbing.

loudandheard

Just get the tires put on your wheels and install it yourself. I think you'll be upset that you wasted so much time believing discount tire.

FrankW

just test fit it yourself. takes 30min.

don't forget you will need shorter bolts btw. see how much the stock bolts sticks out from the stock wheel and then see how much the stock bolts sticks out from the aftermarket wheel and deduct the difference and then order your bolts from RAD USA.

Apox

So I did some test fitting today:
The fronts definitely need spacers, but the different was that on my stock wheels I could just barely fit my finger between the rim and the inside of the wheelwell. On the new rims I couldn't. So I'm thinking 5 or 7mm?

In the back I'm not sure, it's really hard to tell if there's a difference or not, so I guess I'll just have them fit the tires to the wheels and I'll give it a go.

btw. here's the vertical clearance between my front tire and some splash shield thingie (no idea what it is) on the front strut. Will my new 235/40/18 tires hit this one you think, since there's like barely an inch clearance there with stock 225/40/17 tires.

loudandheard

That's about how my 18" c55 rims fit in the front of my c32, but I'll see if I can take pics for you to compare, there really is not a lot of room.