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Fitting HRE FF04 FLOW FORM Documenting my experience
There's many threads popping up regarding wheel fitments, as this platform provides some challenges due to the c63 front suspension being fit into the more narrow front fenders of the c43. I'd like to document my experience in hopes it helps others, as i've benefited from the knowledge gained by reading other forum members posts documenting their experience fitting different wheels and tires. After a lot of back and forth i've decided to move forward with the HRE FF04 Flo Formed wheels, specs below. The car is lowered on H&R springs and is not a daily driver. I'm currently running the factory 5 spoke 18's with 15mm H&R spacers, which bring the wheels pretty flush, 20mm spacer in rear would be more ideal to my taste. I'm now moving to below setup:
HRE-FF04 in Tarmac Black
FRONTS: 19x8.5 ET 47
REARS: 19X9.5 ET 45
Tire choice i've gone with is 225/40/19 for fronts and 255/35/19 for rears. Michelin Pilot Sport 4s's.
My reason for selecting the tire choice which I have is because my preference is for a slightly stretched tire on a wheel and after looking at pictures of various wheel/tire combinations, I felt the 225/255 combo would look the best. Also, i'm hoping the more narrow tire will tuck and align with the wheel well. Conversely this could also create too much wheel gap, but i'm hopeful that being lowered will prevent this worse case scenario.
Now I know the 19x8.5 ET 47 wont fit without a spacer, per HRE 20mm is required. So i've purchased a set of spacers from H&R for the front. The spacer type I purchased is the DRA Series Trak Spacer Mfg Part # 40556654SW. This is the style where the spacer bolts to the hub with flush bolts and then you are able to reuse the bolts which come with the HRE Wheels to mount the wheels to the spacer, vs having to buy longer bolts for the other spacer type. I've gone through the process of buying longer bolts when i added the 15 mm spacers to the factory 18's and i didn't want to have to buy another set of bolts again, an the DRA spacers were only $50 more than the DR series.
Wheels will come in in approx 1 week and I will have them mounted up with the 20mm spacer to confirm fitment prior to the tires being mounted.
Based off HRE’s advice I went with a 20mm spacer and liked the version of H&Rs which allows me to bolt the spacer to the hub and then bolt the wheel to the spacer- just seems more solid. Also, with this setup I don’t nees to buy longer wheel bolts. Below are pics of the spacer. You don’t realize how big 20mm is until you hold it in your hand (no that’s what she said jokes). They look good in annodized black but are heavy. I believe the HREs are around 21lb front and 24lb rear in 19x8.5/9.5 and I’m guessing the spacers and bolts are 5-10 lbs.
wheels look sick, can't wait to see them on the car.
So the wheels bolt only to the spacer? ...and the spacer is mounted to the hub? Still confused on why you prefer this type of spacer. I get it that you don't want to buy longer bolts, but aren't you already spending 4 racks on wheels & tires anyways? not trying to be critical, just curious.
thanks for writing this up and sharing your pics & experience..
wheels look sick, can't wait to see them on the car.
So the wheels bolt only to the spacer? ...and the spacer is mounted to the hub? Still confused on why you prefer this type of spacer. I get it that you don't want to buy longer bolts, but aren't you already spending 4 racks on wheels & tires anyways? not trying to be critical, just curious.
thanks for writing this up and sharing your pics & experience..
most spacers in 20mm+ thickness come in this DRA style. You are extending the hub with this style. I have used them, don't prefer one of the other, really. You can't use a typical tire iron to access the bolts but the spacers are much easier to align and install if removing the wheels frequently.
most spacers in 20mm+ thickness come in this DRA style. You are extending the hub with this style. I have used them, don't prefer one of the other, really. You can't use a typical tire iron to access the bolts but the spacers are much easier to align and install if removing the wheels frequently.
Fitted the wheels today and am overall very happy with the look. I may consider going a bit lower and switching from H&R springs to the adjustable H&R VTFs. Pics below: sorry for poor quality but wanted to get some up right away.
Fitted the wheels today and am overall very happy with the look. I may consider going a bit lower and switching from H&R springs to the adjustable H&R VTFs. Pics below: sorry for poor quality but wanted to get some up right away.
Looks sick on your car. Much better than the advertised photos.
The car looks excellent. Threads like this help me show other C450/C63 owners what's possible with the FF04's so I appreciate you greatly for documenting everything.
looking good! Your car definitely needed some nice wheels with all the other mods.
Looks like that would be a super practical set-up otherwise.
Thanks man! It took me a while to finally pull the trigger on wheels for this car. I just couldn’t make up my mind. I was worried the black on black would be too much but am happy with the outcome.
Looking good! Thanks for documenting your experience and sharing your photos! Love it!!
It was my pleasure, I’m very happy with the quality of the wheels. My only complaint is that they ship with silver wheel bolts! I could have cried. If you guys want to show me some love and offer a nice discount on a set of proper black matching lugs that would be awesome
All- if I wanted to throw a 15 mm spacer on the rears would I rub? Current specs in rear are 19x9.5 ET 45. 15 mm spacer would bring ET to 30. Lowered on H&R springs. Thanks!
All- if I wanted to throw a 15 mm spacer on the rears would I rub? Current specs in rear are 19x9.5 ET 45. 15 mm spacer would bring ET to 30. Lowered on H&R springs. Thanks!
Any update on this? I was thinking the same of running 15mm rear. Also, were you able to use the stock lug-bolts with the HRE wheels? R14 ball seat
I have FF11 on order
Any update on this? I was thinking the same of running 15mm rear. Also, were you able to use the stock lug-bolts with the HRE wheels? R14 ball seat
I have FF11 on order
These are conversations you should be having with whoever sold you the wheels. Most aftermarket wheels are conical not ball seat. Most aftermarket wheels come with bolts.
15mm would not work IMO. This application looks a bit anemic because the tire is stretched and the car is not that low.
Corvette Grand Sport, Mercedes C43 sedan, Jeep Grand Cherokee
Originally Posted by p_sean
Any update on this? I was thinking the same of running 15mm rear. Also, were you able to use the stock lug-bolts with the HRE wheels? R14 ball seat
I have FF11 on order
Out of curiosity, any regrets on getting the FF04's? Do you notice any difference in the way the car drives or handles? Those spacers seem like they get rid of any weight advantages you save over stock. Anyone know what the stock wheel weight is?
Out of curiosity, any regrets on getting the FF04's? Do you notice any difference in the way the car drives or handles? Those spacers seem like they get rid of any weight advantages you save over stock. Anyone know what the stock wheel weight is?
spacers are made out of aluminum - and usually lighter than an extended hub would be that is required either way. these wheels are flow formed not fully forged.
I've seen you post multiple threads - you're not getting good answers because you're not asking good questions.
the car will handle differently, marginally, you're changing geometry, wider wheels and tires usually give a more planted feel. this set-up is probably much lighter than OEM Alloys with heavy runflat tires. I'd guess somewhere around 10 lbs per corner when using DR style spacers. DRA style spacers are not as light as they could be. I'd recommend a different style - the standard DR type.
04-17-2018, 09:05 AM
