cl_kruisin

Hi, all. I am glad to be part of the MB community, as I just purchased a 2000 CLK 430. I am now looking to hook it up with some new rims.

Correct me if I am wrong, but from what I understand the wheels are 17x7.5 in the front and 17x8.5 in the rear. Staggered widths provides some difficulty in finding a good set of aftermarket rims.

Today I went to the local Les Schwab Tires store to see what they offered for aftermarket wheels. They told me as large as I could go is 19". They also called around and said I could NOT go with a staggered set. So I could either run 7.5" on both front and back or 8.5" on both. Is this true? Is there any downside to running a NON-staggered setup?

My other question is about lowering the car. If I go with 19" how many inches will I be able to drop the car? Or if I go with 18" how many inches will I be able to drop it? If I was running 18's and dropped as low as I can go, does anyone know how much ground clearance I would have?

So my main questions are...

1. Can I run a non-staggered setup, either both 8.5" or both 7.5"?
2. How much can the lower the car on either a 19" or 18" setup?
3. Also, what is the wheel offset for a 2000 CLK 430? And do you have to run the exact offset as stock?


I appreciate anyone's advice. I wanted some expert advice from real Benz owners, rather than the local tire boy. I probably have more questions, so I will likely post again.

Thanks!

Tom

cl_kruisin

Hey I thought I would attach some pics of the different wheels I am looking at. Let me know what you think.

Wheel #1 - 19"x8" or 8.5"
------------------------------------------------------
http://www.superbuytires.com/wheels/LowenhartLD5.JPG


Wheel #2 - 19"x8" or 8.5"
------------------------------------------------------
http://www.superbuytires.com/wheels/LowenhartLD1.JPG


Wheel #3 - 19"x7.5"
------------------------------------------------------
http://www.superbuytires.com/wheels/AlbaBank.JPG


Wheel #4 - 19"x8.5" or 9.5"
------------------------------------------------------
http://www.superbuytires.com/wheels/MaidoMD1.JPG


Now the 18" Wheels...

Wheel #5 - 18"x7.5" or 8.5"
------------------------------------------------------
http://www.superbuytires.com/wheels/LowenhartLD5.JPG


Wheel #6 - 18"x7.5" or 8.5"
------------------------------------------------------
http://www.superbuytires.com/wheels/LowenhartLD1.JPG


Wheel #7 - 18"x8"
------------------------------------------------------
http://www.superbuytires.com/wheels/ZenettiSaphire.JPG


Wheel #8 - 18"x7.5"
------------------------------------------------------
http://www.superbuytires.com/wheels/AlbaBank.JPG


Wheel #9 - 18"x7" or 8.5"
-----------------------------------------------------
http://www.superbuytires.com/wheels/EliteBarb.JPG


Wheel #10 - 18"x7.5"
-----------------------------------------------------
http://www.superbuytires.com/wheels/AlbaBertha.JPG
http://www.albawheels.com/alba/image...nknown_707.jpg
http://www.albawheels.com/alba/image...aacura_s10.jpg


Wheel #11 - 18"x8"
-----------------------------------------------------
http://www.superbuytires.com/wheels/PlatinumSnyper.JPG



I'm leaning toward wheel #3 or #1 for 19". And wheel #10 for 18". Let me know which if any you guys like.

Thanks Again!

ndabunka

You might want to verify that those are public links. All we get is "Forbidden" when we selected them...The ones I can see are not to my taste (upper 30's). Maybe for a younger set...

cl_kruisin

Well actually, in short they belong on any car that they can be bolted to. A nice set of flashy chrome rims look a hundred times better than any set of plain jane silver rims that you see on 99% of all CLK's. Not to say all those silver rims look bad, just in my opinion, chrome rims look best. Again, I'm only 19 (but paid every penny of my CLK, myself ), so I don't expect most of you older Benz owners to like my style, but that's ok, since we obviously know what a good car is

But still my questions remain...


1. Can I run a non-staggered setup, either both 8.5" or both 7.5"?
2. How much can the lower the car on either a 19" or 18" setup?
3. Also, what is the wheel offset for a 2000 CLK 430? And do you have to run the exact offset as stock?


I appreciate any advice. Thanks!

hinhin7

1. Yes... of course you can run a non staggered set up. I think it would be better to go 8.5 all around. 7.5 is not wide enough for a CLK.
2. The lowering is really depends on how low you want the ride to be. Most people lower their cars between 1.5-1.75".
3. Just an example, I have a set of Brabus wheels (still sit in my garage, haven't got the time to put it on, but exams are over now.), they are 19x8.5F offset 35 and 19 x 9.5R offset 30. And remember when you buy tires for your wheels, the widest you can go (without modification) is 235 wide for the front and 265 wide for the rear.


Hope this helps. Good luck

davidhung78

yeah you can go staggered. I have 18x8.5f and 18x9.5r. the only downfall to staggered is that you cant rotate. with 18's you can slam the **** out of it(2.5-3")but I would go with 19's(another mistake I made)

Adonis

A few people in this forum have 19's but you have to do some re-search. I have 18's and I haven't had any rubbing problems. One important thing you need really focus on is wheel offset especially if you want 19.s. 20's won't fit unless you pull your fenders. Good luck. Oh, I couldn't access those links.

cl_kruisin

I really like the idea of running 18's and being able to slam the **** out of it. I am thinking of putting an air ride system on my CLK, so I can raise and lower it at will. THe problem is the wheels I like are only 7.5" wide at 18", which is way to skinny. I haven't decided at this point. I'm either going to go with 18's or 19's and an air ride setup or 20's and roll the fenders. I'm not entirely clear about what is involved in rolling the fenders, does anyone have any info on how this is done? Also, with 20's i'm not sure if air ride would be necessary, as I don't know how much you can tuck 20's. Thanks!

hinhin7

When you want to put on 19s or 20s and slam it down, are you willing to drive your CLK 430 (275 hp) slowly?
Cause when you slam it down to like less than 5" from the ground, I believe you should drive it very slowly.
Just my opinion.

cl_kruisin

Well that's what the air ride system is for. So when I want to drive around, I will raise it up to ride hieght and when I want to drive slow or park, lower it all the way down.

---Tom

xlouiex

Im having the same problem. I live in chicago and someone suggested the I go with 18s because of the pothole problem we have here in the windy city. Dont want to ruined a good wheel. If anyone has sugestions bring it I will appreciate it.

spshond

Here's my 2 cents: I had 19's stagered on my car and the problems I came across were:
1. Finding someone to do a correct alignment on my car
2. The price of tires is ridicoulous
3. Worrying about getting a flat on the highway and not having a spare available.
4. The noise level is aweful.
5. The ride quality was aweful.
6. The car looked great when parked or going at slow speeds, but when on the highway or around 45 MPH, I wanted 17" or at least 18" rims back on my ride.
7. Ide say stay at 17's maybe 18's and add a great suspension system so that you get that great handling and still have a great ride.