Maximum Tire Diameter to avoid wheel rub

Mar 5, 2010 | 03:08 PM

njgilligan

Thread Starter

Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2010

Posts: 252

Likes: 1

From: San Francisco, CA

2001 CLK55

Maximum Tire Diameter to avoid wheel rub

Does anyone know the maximum tire diameter that will fit in the stock rear wheel well of a 2002 CLK430?

I am interested in buying a staggered set of Mandrus wheels (18x9.5 in the rear) but I'd like to stay at a 40 sidewall. The recommended tire size is 255/35/18 but I've heard from another post on this site that the 40 sidewall gives a much nicer ride quality than the 35.

Using the tire size calculator at the following link I learned the stock setup gives an overall tire diameter of 24.71". The setup I'd like to use has an overall tire diameter of 25.71" for a total height increase of 0.5" (radius) I fear this is too much travel to avoid wheel well rub under high suspension travel.

1010tire size calculator:

http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCal...?action=submit

If anyone has any input I would greatly appreciate your assistance.

Mar 6, 2010 | 06:57 AM

A1EK

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 1,232

Likes: 168

From: Glasgow, Scotland, UK

SL 350 R230 (3.7L with AMG Speedshift autobox)

Quote:

Originally Posted by njgilligan

You need to check your offset (the centre distance from the hub of the wheel) it would be on the wheel probably ET35. My wheels are this size, I have had 265 x 40 x 18" on my rears and they did rub a bit. However my car is lowered by 30mm and has no rear pads so about 45mm lower then your stock car height. With this in mind the tyres rubbed a little in two places, the inner side of the tire on the lining of the wheel well, and the where the bumper meets the body work theres metal joint. I then rolled my rear arches and grinded back the metal joint as well as part of the bumper. I then rolled the wheel wll lip flat too to make as much room as poss. This worked but ironically I decided to change the tires back to 255 x 35 x 18" as I thought the pther ones just looked too larger profile and did not suit the car at all. So I would say 260 x 40 x 18" should be a better fit for you. The height of your car should mean you wont have the rubbing issue on the metal joint.

As for the front I would say 235 x 40 x 18" if you have lowered the car, or you could go a bit wider if the car is at normal height.

Good luck

Mar 6, 2010 | 07:46 PM

njgilligan

Thread Starter

Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2010

Posts: 252

Likes: 1

From: San Francisco, CA

2001 CLK55

Thanks

I appreciate the fast response. I have the stock offset (35 i think) and the car is not lowered (completely stock so far), so it sounds like I should be okay.

How does the ride quality compare from the 40 to 35 sidewall? The roads are far from perfect where I live so I am concerned about going with too small of a sidewall.

Thanks again.

Mar 7, 2010 | 04:43 AM

A1EK

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 1,232

Likes: 168

From: Glasgow, Scotland, UK

SL 350 R230 (3.7L with AMG Speedshift autobox)

If your height is stock, then I think you wil be ok, but I would'nt go wider then 260 in the rears as they could still rub the liner, especially if teh tires have rim protectors in the design. The ride is a little more cushioned I think, but hard to notice to be honest.

I have just flattened my front wheel arches and sealed it for rust prevention. This way my 235's on the front do not rub on sharp cornering.