NORTH 44 C63

I just wanted to update C55 owners about 17" AMG wheels for winter. I was told initally that the C32 stock wheel would fit the c55 so that what we ordered. When the wheels arrived from TireRack it was the Flat Face 5 spoke seen here:

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Displ...2FMachined+Lip

In follow up conversations with Brian at TireRack, he assured me that the the C32 stock wheel would NOT fit the C55 calipers up front and that the "203 5 spoke" was the only 17" AMG wheel that would work.

Good news is that they look fine (not as nice as the C32 wheel) but still very nice and they cost 20% less.

Sorry for the confusion>>>>I guess I was the test case.

I'll post some pics later in the weekend

noka

Does TireRack sell real AMG wheels or are they knock-offs? (I kind of doubt they are KO's since they say AMG)? What car did these wheels come on.

Rgds,
Norm

BlackC230Coupe

Hmmm, I somehow bet he was wrong that the C32 wheels will not fit the C55. The C32 and C55 have the same calipers and the CLK55 used to use the same wheels as the C32. And the front of the C55 is like a CLK55. So i am 99.9% sure they would work. But honestly, i like the ones you have better anyway.

NORTH 44 C63

Yeah thats what I thought too. Couldn't locate a c32 double spoke to test the theory though. Sometimes you have to rely on the rep selling the wheels.
I am really liking the 203/5 spoke the more and more every day. Everything happens for a reason and in this case it all worked out. It is going to be a lot easier to keep clean through the winter as well.

noka

Is the C32 double-spoke similar to the C55 wheel but just 17" instead?

Rgds,
Norm

BlackC230Coupe

Yes, there very similar.

noka

Can anyone confirm 100%?

Rgds,
Norm

cldriver

NORTH_44_C55

Can you provide the specs on the wheels? size & offset? Are they staggered or same size all around as the owners manual suggest.

noka

Is anyone able to confirm if the C32 fronts (7.5x17) would fit the C55 front & rear? I like the way they look and want to pick up a set for Winter use. Apparently TireRack provided some info that indicates they would not fit, whereas some other think they should.

Rgds,
Norm

smgC32

The track has been widened in the C55 by 10mm in front. This may have necessitated a different offset for the C55 wheel over the C32. I can't believe not a single C55 owner has taken their wheels off yet to read the inscription stamped on the back side of the wheel indicating the offset number. Will someone please do this? And while your at it take 20 seconds and measure the drop between the fender lip and the center of the hub so we can compare ride heights between the C55 and the C32 (which is 15" front, 13.5" rear).

cldriver

You don't need to, the stock size & offset are in the owners manual:

F: 18x7.5, 30mm
R: 18x8.5, 34mm

The owner's manual also states 17x7.5 37mm wheels for winter driving.

noka

That's good info. Could someone check their C32 Owner's Manual and provide the same data? Also if anyone knows the 2003 CLK 17" size (width) and offsets, that would be great.

Rgds,
Norm

BlackC230Coupe

I'll have my wheels off this week i hope. I will check the offset on it. I will also measure that for you if i remember.

cldriver

Your specs are in the C-class manual as well.

Assuming your C230 is an '05,

F: 17x7.5 36mm
R: 17x8.5 34mm


I also have the specs(from someone else on the board) for an '04 CLK55 when it had 17" wheels as stock:

F: 17x7.5 37mm
R: 17x8.5 34mm

I checked cuz I would prefer to get the 17" AMG Double Spoke 209 model.

BlackC230Coupe

I dont have a C230 anymore. I have a C55. :p I am only checking the offset for the wheels (which now thanks to you i know is in the manual) and measuring for smgc32 because i know he has been wanting to know the difference in height between the C55 and C32.

noka

Are these specs for the C230 the same as C32? Is there some manual or website that provides all the MB/AMG wheel specs (size, offset, etc)? BMW had a nice color brochure with pics and all that info and I would hope to find such info for MB, since I'll be purchasing soon. What about centerbore and lug nut/bolt pattern. Are these different for the different C-class cars? Sorry for all the questions - newbie here.


Rgds,
Norm

smgC32

Stock C32: front = ET37, rear = ET34
Stock C55: front = ET30, rear = ET34 according to above post.

The C55's front wheels have been pushed out towards the outer fender by 7mm. Both cars utilize a 7.5" rim width with the same size sectional width tire, therefore one could state that the total increase in track is 14mm, not 10mm as stated by the MB literature. Where is the descrepancy of 4mm. Is it possible that the C55 has shorter control arms and spindles by 4mm over the C32 due to the grafting of the CLK front end? Interesting...

noka

Cross link to Post On Wheel/Tire Forum

Brian: No
Luke: Yes

Jury still out.

Rgds,
Norm

Blake P

I went the opposite way and put C55 wheels on my C230 sedan. I'm assuming there should be no clearance problem putting the AMG brake kit on there, but all this offset stuff really confuses me. I'm having the brakes put on in the next week or so and hope to not have to worry about adding spacers.

Luke@tirerack

and how long have I been here with the correct info ????

jury is not out .... they fit (period)

and by the way, the wheel linked in the first post isn't even the OE C32 wheel

rguy

I don't know if anyone cares, but if you are looking to save some money, the stock CLK500 rim will fit the C55.

I am double checking on Friday by actually fitting the wheel to my vehicle, but I think I finally found the winner.

Tirerack doesn't seem to have these (except in 18" fitments) and the 18" fitments they do have have the same offset specs as the 17" fitments.

Since the front end of the CLK makes up the front end of the C55, I think it will work. I got them for about half off even though they are brand new. They were dealer take offs. The guy didn't like them. This happens a lot more than people think and I didn't have to ebay or anything.

I have looked a long time and have considered everything from dealer take-offs to the tirerack to custom rims, but none of them impressed me. They all felt like a bit of a compromise. Either they were cheap, but didn't look so hot, or were way to expensive for what they were and looked pretty good. These (to my taste) look great and can be had at a good dealerships on the cheap.

Since sub-32 degree temperatures are pretty short here and there isn't much snow or ice...shelling out ~1500 bucks for wheels plus ~800 for tires didn't make much sense.

I could have a kleeman limited slip for very close to that price.

noka

Thanks for replying Luke. Can you just explain why Brian told the original poster they don't fit? I mean, will he be claiming his correct information is "they don't fit (period)"? Surely you can see why the discrepancy is confusing. If you could just explain that there was originally some misinformation, I could accept that. We are after all, human. I just want to have it clear before I purchase.

Also, is the difference in offset between the OE C55 and OE C32 wheel significant in any way (i.e. will it look a bit odd or require a spacer to correct)?

The original poster explained it is not the OE C32 wheel. He wanted the OE wheel but Brian explained it would not fit and the wheel linked in the first post is what was shipped instead.

I look forward to your guidance on the issue.


Rgds,
Norm

noka

Do you have a pic? What wheel size and offset? Better yet, is there some link or brochure that provides detailed wheel info with pics?

Rgds,
Norm

cldriver

That is ultimately the wheels North 44 C55 got from TireRack. Check his other post for pics.

rguy

No, that would be the stock CLK430 rim that you are thinking about (to my knowledge). The clk500 rim is a brand new (this year) amg rim. It looks a lot like (and probably is the same style) as the new cls wheel. I hope this helps you.