Spare Wheel Question
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From: Bolingbrook Illinois
1999 C43 Amg
Spare Wheel Question
On my spare wheel there was a sticker that said SPARE ONLY. What does this mean? Is the wheel/rim different somehow from the rest of them?
Or is the SPARE ONLY in reference to the tire? I'm planning on going back to stock 17 wheels but I only have 3 right now. So I had planned to use the spare in the trunk. Than I saw that sticker so now I'm concerned...
Thanks for any input.
Or is the SPARE ONLY in reference to the tire? I'm planning on going back to stock 17 wheels but I only have 3 right now. So I had planned to use the spare in the trunk. Than I saw that sticker so now I'm concerned...
Thanks for any input.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Bolingbrook Illinois
1999 C43 Amg
I just need to know if the spare rim is the same as the front rims so I can use it with the right tire size.
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Yes, as far as I know the spare wheel is the same size as a standard front. The only difference would be the tyre could be "dead" as the rubber probable has the same age as the vehicle. Mine at least is like that 
Just good to get me home or to the nearest repair shop at a "Daisy and her Chauffeur" type speed 
Just good to get me home or to the nearest repair shop at a "Daisy and her Chauffeur" type speed
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Bolingbrook Illinois
1999 C43 Amg
You were right the tire is 215. The other side which came from another car is 225.
So it's safe to say I could use the spare RIM as a regular rim for the front?
So it's safe to say I could use the spare RIM as a regular rim for the front?
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Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Yes as a spare, but only to get you home or to the repair shop. Not 100% safe to drive with different sized tyres, specially on the front.
I did have a blowout (my fault) as I clipped a curb at a certain speed. The tyre went bang and flat immediately. Managed to slow down and park in a safe place to change wheel. Used the spare 17" on the front replacing my blown 18" Got to destination without any problem or warning lights, etc. Don't know what would happen if it was the rear which blew and then had to use the spare in narrow 17"
I did have a blowout (my fault) as I clipped a curb at a certain speed. The tyre went bang and flat immediately. Managed to slow down and park in a safe place to change wheel. Used the spare 17" on the front replacing my blown 18" Got to destination without any problem or warning lights, etc. Don't know what would happen if it was the rear which blew and then had to use the spare in narrow 17"
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Bolingbrook Illinois
1999 C43 Amg
I guess I didn't make myself to clear. I won't be using the TIRE. I will be using the RIM/WHEEL. In the USA we call the silver aluminum rim and the black rubber tire.
I want to use the rim and will be putting in the stock tires 225/45/17 for the front.
My concern was that the spare rim/wheel would be less of quality since there was a sticker there that said SPARE ONLY. Hope you guys see what I mean? As far as tires yes I will be putting on the oem size tires.
Thanks for the help.
I want to use the rim and will be putting in the stock tires 225/45/17 for the front.
My concern was that the spare rim/wheel would be less of quality since there was a sticker there that said SPARE ONLY. Hope you guys see what I mean? As far as tires yes I will be putting on the oem size tires.
Thanks for the help.
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
You should have no problem using the rim. I can't see MB use inferior quality wheels as spares. Never would happen.
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Bolingbrook Illinois
1999 C43 Amg
That's what I needed to know thanks guys!!
Also, what are the benefits of using the 18" wheels over the 17stock? Besides looks that is.
-18s are heavier
-so you loose speed a bit
- loose mpg a little
- rougher on pot holes, maybe?
Do 18s give better road traction?
just trying to decide to keep my 18s or use 17s instead. The rims and tires I have now are big and heavy.
Fronts are 235/40/18 with spacers
Backs are 275/35/18 also with spacers
Would love to keep the 18s bit with no spacers. The rims I have are from an S class which I think are the wrong ones for the c43?
Also, what are the benefits of using the 18" wheels over the 17stock? Besides looks that is.
-18s are heavier
-so you loose speed a bit
- loose mpg a little
- rougher on pot holes, maybe?
Do 18s give better road traction?
just trying to decide to keep my 18s or use 17s instead. The rims and tires I have now are big and heavy.
Fronts are 235/40/18 with spacers
Backs are 275/35/18 also with spacers
Would love to keep the 18s bit with no spacers. The rims I have are from an S class which I think are the wrong ones for the c43?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 324
From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
That's what I needed to know thanks guys!!
Also, what are the benefits of using the 18" wheels over the 17stock? Besides looks that is.
-18s are heavier
-so you loose speed a bit
- loose mpg a little
- rougher on pot holes, maybe?
Do 18s give better road traction?
just trying to decide to keep my 18s or use 17s instead. The rims and tires I have now are big and heavy.
Fronts are 235/40/18 with spacers
Backs are 275/35/18 also with spacers
Would love to keep the 18s bit with no spacers. The rims I have are from an S class which I think are the wrong ones for the c43?
Also, what are the benefits of using the 18" wheels over the 17stock? Besides looks that is.
-18s are heavier
-so you loose speed a bit
- loose mpg a little
- rougher on pot holes, maybe?
Do 18s give better road traction?
just trying to decide to keep my 18s or use 17s instead. The rims and tires I have now are big and heavy.
Fronts are 235/40/18 with spacers
Backs are 275/35/18 also with spacers
Would love to keep the 18s bit with no spacers. The rims I have are from an S class which I think are the wrong ones for the c43?
You forgot to mention that you loose out on acceleration between 17" and 18". The 18" are mainly just for the looks and great for thinning your wallet as Kowalski just said above
