99SlvrC43

I want to replace the 17" AMG rims with 18" AMG rims. Need to know which to look for. Off which model (SL, S, E) will the 18" fit on the W202 C43? Thanks.

Denlasoul

If you are going with AMG rims (Mono II's?) your best bet would be to get 18x8 and 18x9 with a 31 and 35 mm offset (check your manual, it should say what you currently have). That is what I am currently running on my car. I have 225 40 18 front tires and 255 35 18 rear tires. Nice look when lowered, but also looks good when not lowered. I wanted the aggressive look, and had to go lower! I have a pic of my car in the C36/C43 Picture thread.

Feel free to ask questions. Also, Luke from Tire Rack is an invaluable source about wheels q's.

Regards,

DLS

99SlvrC43

DLS ~ How often does your car scrape on speed bump, driveways and other nuisances in the road? I have a drpoped Acura and I always have to be very careful about scrapping and going angled at driveways and speedbumps, frankly im tired of dont that. I do want the agreesive look but not an extreme drop. Please advise

Denlasoul

The only time I rub is when I hit a medium to large dip in the road. I know that the rubbing is coming from the right front (I hear that's common) and the solution is to further roll the fenders. No rubbing on turs or anything like that. Other than that, I take caution when entering and exiting driveways and bumps. If you dont want to continue doing that, I would suggest running the 18's with the stock suspension.

You could also go with the Eibach spring set which is less of a drop ~1.3 inches. One thing you can also consider is the thickness of the spring pads. For the cars, thickness will range between 8mm to 25mm or something like that. I am running a #1 and #2 pad, front and rear. So, Eibach's and thicker spring pads could prevent a 2 inch drop.

DLS

Did you go ahead and pick up the car? I'm not sure if you did.

99SlvrC43

Ahhh, you remember. Still in the works.

Now about these pads. What are they and whats their purpose? please explain

Denlasoul

I am not exactly sure of the spring pad function, but I believe it serves as a protection buffer for the spring /shock and chassis. Essentially, the spring pad will be between the spring and the chassis. I am not sure if thinckness plays any role except for differing height.

Anyone care to elaborate?

amgc230k

hey with the spring pads depends on what options you have with the vehicle you bought....Not all mercedes sit the same way thats why they put the spacers in the car for....bascially its for fine tuning hope that help

99SlvrC43

How can I tell what pads I have? Flashlight and getting under the car?

amgc230k

first what you need to do is jack up your car and you can tell by how many niblets it has on the side of the spring pad 5 niblets represents number 5 pad.... it might be easier if you take off the rims itself then take a flashlight and look at it

99SlvrC43

Oh ok, well then this brings up this question, can a #20 be sliced to become a #5? (count 5 niblets up and slice.)

amgc230k

First of all do you know what the spring pad looks like????? It goes from #1 pad being the thinnest to the #5 being the thickest and to answer your question no you cant slice it because its a whole pad....