speed7

So I'm sure someone has asked this before but I can't seem to find it. So I apologize if its something you can easily find.

I'm on track for making my C55 a total sleeper.. well more so than it already is.

The plan is to grab the twin spoke 18" wheels from the CLS550. They are 18" wheels that match what comes stock with our C55's. The offset is 30 F and 33 R. Now.. the wheels and offsets I'm not worried about. From what I've seen they will fit just fine. Might have to roll the fenders to make sure they fit. Also I will be going to coil-overs. KW to be exact.. but that's still up in the air.

My biggest question right now is related to brakes. I'm going to be getting the CLK63 07-08 vert brakes for the car. I know they fit just fine in our OE wheels. I'm concerned that the CLS550 wheel upgrade I want to do will be an issue. I'm worried that the barrel of the wheel may be slightly smaller to accommodate the 8.5" wheel width. Which in turn would be an issue for the front rotors which are slightly larger.

Can anyone disprove this worry of mine?

The reason I ask is I was going to do the upgrades in this order:
Brakes F+R , Coil-overs, Wheels.

However I think I'm getting impatient and would like to do it in this order.
Brakes R, Coil-overs, Wheels, Brakes F ( when funds are available.)

I was going to do the brakes first mainly because if the wheels didn't fit over the front rotors than I wouldn't be too out of pocket since I could just return the rims. However if I did the wheels first, I doubt I would be able to return the front calipers and rotors if I was in a bind.

Thanks for reading.

speed7

Actually I think I misspoke.. I have to recheck my notes but I do believe I mean SL500 / SL550/ SL600 wheels. Not the CLS.

TruTaing

ET 30 w/ Coilovers up front will be hard to pull off. Typically, w203s (even AMGs) with will need et 27-28 to clear the front struts and perches on the coilovers. Purchase a small 3mm front spacer + proper bolts for your ET 30 wheels and you should be fine.

You should clear big brakes as the double spoked amg wheels typically have plenty of clearance for large calipers on the clk63 (non amg).

Are you certain they are ET 30 and ET 31? CLS55s typically have ET 25 and ET 28 for their double spoked AMGs.

speed7

Hey thanks for the reply.

Well there are two versions of the 18" wheels out there. A set with offsets of 30 / 33. And then another set with offsets of 25 / 28. So I thought I had to use the 30/33 set but I guess I may need to do a bit more research on which set is optimal.

C_DirtyTwo

I have KW coilovers and the CLK63 brakes. my offset is 22 front and 35 rear on 18x8/9.5

which coilovers you planning on getting?

speed7

Not 100% sure just yet. I think the only choices I have are the KW's or Bilstein's.

How do you like the KW's? I'm bummed that we can't get the V3's. I would have liked that extra adjustment capability.

Thanks for the reply btw. How is the clearance on the fenders? Any sort of modifications? Or does it fit just perfect?

I do eventually plan on taking this car to the track. So my focus is 100% turning and braking. 360hp is plenty to get this car moving for now.

C_DirtyTwo

Well the KW's are great. Ride height is easily adjustable in the front, not too positive about the rear as I've never messed with it.

The fender clearance really depends on how low you have it, for me the fender clearance in the front is an issue thats why I only have 8in rims up front, the 8.5's were too much.

In the rear, you'll need to shave down the metal tab the attaches the back bumper if you are planning on running 265's.

I still have 100% turning and braking.

TruTaing

The 219 and 211 both use R14 ball seated lug bolts.

You will need specific 12x1.5 threaded R14 ball seats to use their wheels properly on a w203.

speed7

Hey thanks for your reply... I was playing with an offset calculator just now and a lightbulb finally went off. I now understand the need for clearance regarding the coilovers.

It looks like the closets tirerack allows you to get with 18" wheels is 24mm less clearance. Where as my "desired" offset of 30 puts me at 25mm less clearance. Thats 1mm over what tirerack will sell me.

And with an offset of 25 I only lose 20mm of clearance.. I was trying to be "cool" with these 30 offset wheels to avoid as much fender rolling as possible. Plus it was an equal 25mm extension of both the inner and outer widths of the wheel.. man I was hopping they would fit. =)

Thanks again for your replies. Still a ways out but I'll do a build thread with all of my projects when it comes time to doing them.