Fantomas

Looking to run lighter weight wheels and square stance so I can rotate the wheels as well as ditch the understeer. Has anybody done this? Is it true that I will not be able to run the same offset on the rear as on the front?

insame1

The offset front to back is different and you can not put a 245 up front with out a lot of work so, you can only reduce the rear width to match the tires.

Accidental L8 apex

245s up front on stock wheels going on 8 years now. They rub the front of the fender liners at full-lock, but otherwise, have zero issues. I'm dropping down to a 235 for better turn-in though. The 245s feel a bit numb and did nothing for understeer, so smaller it shall be.

Maximo55

I assume thats 245s on the stock 7.5" front wheels ?

Morphh

feets

Try reducing understeer through alignment and a larger rear bar.

Running sticky tires up front is a band aid but can be effective.

Morphh

Accidental L8 apex

Correct, but like I posted, it seemed to do absolutely nothing for understeer and made turn-in sluggish. 245s also didn't look any meatier than the 235s compared to squeezing 265s out back, which really fattens the rear end up.

tjts1

Instead of wider tires in front how about skinnier tires in back.

Morphh

Accidental L8 apex

True, but I'm only comparing Super Sports to Super Sports as that's all I've run.

slize

What's your tire height, 35 or 40?. I currently have 255/35/18 Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 in the rear, and since the firehawks run narrower, I can run a 265 easily but only another firehawk. I previously had pzero 255/35/18 in the rear, and they stuck out over the lip of the rim. My firehawks almost look stretched at 265. I'm thinking about running 245 indy 500 in the front and maybe 255 with some fender rolling. My guess is that 245 indy 500 in the front will be like putting a 235 pzero in the front. Is it really difficult to put a 255 in the front? Also going to try 275/35/18 firehawks in the rear soon. All on stock rims

Accidental L8 apex

I ran 245/40s up front and wasn't thrilled. The 235/40s I have now just seem a bit quicker and don't understeer any more than the 245/40s.

I tried 265/30 Super Sports out back and they rubbed on one side on compression. Most everyone else here says they've had no issues with 265/30s, but I'd need a bit of rolling or trimming and don't care enough to do it, so 255/30s for me.

slize

I'm about to order new tires, 235/40/18 in the front, and 265/35/18 for the rear. i'm getting the Falken Azenis RT615K+. I've already tried the firestone indy 500's, and determined they're the best bang for buck. Decided to try something new. Do you think running 265/35/18 will have enough clearance height wise? Haven't lowered the car at all.

Accidental L8 apex

Definitely. My only issue was with width on one side it with the 265/35/18s. I think the wheel-well liner was off a bit.

SGTzAMG

Thats weird! i had 265/30s on the rears as well and i rubbed on full compression as well / full load only on the Rear drivers side. I now had to run 255/30 with a baby stretch on the rear since the new Conti's extreem contact sport does not carry 265/30.

I do miss my 265/30s though!! they made the rear meaty AF! the 255s still look meaty but can def see the stretch

Fantomas

I was mainly concerned about running the same rim offset front and rear. Seems like a lot of MBs can't wear the same rim front and rear. I'm not sure a wider tire would benefit the C55 as much as a softer compound would, I have a 255 rear right now, I'll be going back to a 245 rear, I doubt it will make a performance difference.

dorimaster

maybe an e55 front wheel?(guys know specs?) you need the wider wheel to support the wider tires or it does nearly nothing, there are MANY videos/posts about this from suspension sites. Id like a square just for the sake of being able to rotate tires properly and wear. You guys are saying the one size difference isnt enough to feel, well of course not! needs to be at least a 1" wider wheel AND tire.

Fantomas

Grip is largely a product of tire compound rather than the size of the contact patch. Most cars are much better off going to a softer compound than a wider tire size. Wider tire/rim also brings with it more weight, negating much of the benefit of going to a wider tire. I'd much rather run 225 all around with a very aggressive tire compound than 245 front and 265 rear.

Morphh