CLK-Class (W208) 1998-2002: CLK 200, CLK 230K, CLK 320, CLK 430 [Coupes & Cabriolets]

Tire sizing for w208

Old Nov 4, 2016 | 07:04 PM
  #1  
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Tire sizing for w208

I'm still learning about the possibilities when it comes to tire sizes on a w208.

I've researched what tire size to go with, but there are still questions before I spend the money to get new tires.

A little background before the questions:

01 clk320. Factory suspension

New wheels: 18x8(.5?) 32 and 18x9(.5?) 34 TSW wheels

Questions are:

Will 235/40r18 work on the front without rubbing?

Will 255/35r18 work well for the rear too?

The tires that are on the wheels currently are 225/35r18 and 245/40r18, but need to be replaced. They also seem too small/narrow

Also, the factory lugs that go with the OEM 16" alloys are too long. Is there a certain length needed for TSW merc wheels?

I'm still new to the Mercedes world, so bare with me here

Last edited by Moabbnd; Nov 4, 2016 at 07:39 PM.
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Old Nov 5, 2016 | 02:59 AM
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Also, if anyone has any photos showing the tire size I listed on their car, that would be very helpful. I Don't want the stretched look, and frankly the 225 and 245 look a little stretched.

So far, I found that 235/40r18 will work well for the front and 255/35r18 will work for the rear
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Old Nov 5, 2016 | 07:07 AM
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'97 S500 Coupe, 2016 AMG S63 Coupe, 2007 Audi Q7
http://fitment.tsw.com/alloy-wheels-...el=CLK320+W208
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Old Nov 6, 2016 | 02:51 PM
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I got the correct lugs and was able to test fit the wheels with the current tires. The 245's in the rear rub the plastic liner somewhat, but that's an easy fix. Was this similar to anyone else's experiences with 245/255's? The 225's in the front fit well. I still need to get new tires and de-chrome the lips. Not my style

Don't mind the weird lighting and dirty car
Attached Thumbnails Tire sizing for w208-img_20161106_115335.jpg  
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Old Nov 6, 2016 | 03:38 PM
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An important issue in the selection of your tires, is to make sure that the total circumference of the new set up is not more than a percent or two, greater than the factory recommended set up (e.g. wheel and tire size).

Reason being, are way more than your speedometer/mileage being correct. The wheel speed sensors, provide important inputs to numerous vehicle computers (e.g. transmission, braking, cruise control, electronic stability / traction control programing, not to mention speed sensitive power steering, radio volume etc.).

There tire size online calculators to insure that all the above keeps working properly.

Also see http://www.alloywheelsdirect.net/inf.../mercedes-benz
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Old Nov 6, 2016 | 06:47 PM
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Tire sizing for w208-image-3995568430.jpg

These are tsw interlagos, 8.5 and 9.5 18" with 245 and 265 tires. The front barely rubs on the steering box bolt at full steering lock, which isn't much of an issue. The rear wheels were only available with 40mm offset which allowed the tire to slightly rub the inner plastic liner. I put 12mm spacers and now they slightly rub on the outer plastic liner when suspension hits a big bump. 8mm spacer would be better, but I couldn't find hub centric spacers that thin. When I get new wheels I will be sure and find rears with 32mm offset to eliminate the problem.
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Old Nov 7, 2016 | 02:25 AM
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Thanks serndipity

I'm going from 205 55 16 to 255 35 18 in the rears. This should be fine as it's what I'm seeing with other w208s. 205 55 and 255 35 have the same height, just one is about 2" wider, which shouldn't set off any warning lights.

I'll post the final pictures after I get some tires
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Old Nov 7, 2016 | 07:14 AM
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These are my sizes you have listed. I have had 235 x 40 x 18 in the front and 225 x 40 x 18 and both work fine. I prefer 225 x 40 as it gives it a little stretch look. It shouldnt rub but you can also add spacers, ive added 10mm to the front and 20mm to the rear with no rubbing.
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Old Nov 9, 2016 | 07:59 PM
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I feel like I've been on a scavenger hunt trying to find correct length wheel bolts for the rear. I found out today that the rears (27mm shank, 24mm of thread after wheel mounting surface) are too long and protrude into the ebrake assembly, causing the car to stay still.

I have 5mm spacers coming in tonight for the rear. This would ideally bring the threaded length to 19mm with the wheel spacer installed.

Is this an ideal length to have your wheel held on by without hitting the ebrake?

It looks like the OEM bolts and 16" OEM wheels have 17mm going into the hub


EDIT: Got the spacers installed, which made the bolts the correct length. All is good now. Getting the 225s and 255s put on tomorrow

Last edited by Moabbnd; Nov 9, 2016 at 11:05 PM.
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Old Nov 10, 2016 | 08:07 AM
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Originally Posted by Moabbnd
I feel like I've been on a scavenger hunt trying to find correct length wheel bolts for the rear. I found out today that the rears (27mm shank, 24mm of thread after wheel mounting surface) are too long and protrude into the ebrake assembly, causing the car to stay still.

I have 5mm spacers coming in tonight for the rear. This would ideally bring the threaded length to 19mm with the wheel spacer installed.

Is this an ideal length to have your wheel held on by without hitting the ebrake?

It looks like the OEM bolts and 16" OEM wheels have 17mm going into the hub


EDIT: Got the spacers installed, which made the bolts the correct length. All is good now. Getting the 225s and 255s put on tomorrow

The rear bolt lengths as you stated is important due to the internal brake springs etc.

But don’t worry too much as you can just cut the bolts down very easily with an angle grinder or hack saw.

The way I measure the bolts needed is I buy them to a good length, then use the old bolt as a guide by measuring the thread lengths used and then trim down the new bolts if required.

I think you will find that 19mm is just too long however install a couple first, then with the car level and in neutral with the brake off, rotate the wheel slowly and listen for any clicks, if there is none then you should be fine, if there is then trim down. You need to make sure you can get a about 4 good full rotations when tightening up the bolts so count them.
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Old Nov 10, 2016 | 11:09 AM
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I tested the rears last night. It seems to turn without noise thankfully. I'll keep on listening as I drive to see if I need to cut them down
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Old Nov 10, 2016 | 05:24 PM
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Got the tires on. The 255s fit well
Attached Thumbnails Tire sizing for w208-img_20161110_144951.jpg   Tire sizing for w208-img_20161110_145007.jpg  
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Old Nov 11, 2016 | 07:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Moabbnd
Got the tires on. The 255s fit well
Nice ! im glad you dont have any clicking and if its not clicking at all then you will be fine !

PS I always thing a cars rear look good nice and wide. I have 255 x 35 x 18 EY35 on the rears and have gone from no spacers to 5mm then 10mm then 15 mm and now on 20mm with no rubbing (Just !!) I could possibly got to 23mm if needed.
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Old Nov 12, 2016 | 07:57 PM
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The wider stance in nice. Being new to Mercs and wheel bolts (I've always had studs), I didn't realize that the TSWs needed hub rings. Had a nasty shake on all 4 going down the highway.

With the wheels and tires off until I get the rings, I wanted to lose the chrome. Much better IMO!
Attached Thumbnails Tire sizing for w208-tswblack.jpg  
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Old Nov 14, 2016 | 04:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Moabbnd
The wider stance in nice. Being new to Mercs and wheel bolts (I've always had studs), I didn't realize that the TSWs needed hub rings. Had a nasty shake on all 4 going down the highway.

With the wheels and tires off until I get the rings, I wanted to lose the chrome. Much better IMO!
The hub is what centralizers and hold the wheel on and I think is 66.6mm bore which is critical.
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Old Nov 14, 2016 | 08:38 AM
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clk55 amg
295 30 19 rear
235 35 19 front
Attached Thumbnails Tire sizing for w208-p1030663.jpg   Tire sizing for w208-p1030684.jpg   Tire sizing for w208-p1030660.jpg  
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Old May 3, 2019 | 07:54 AM
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Originally Posted by 2PRECISE
295 30 19 rear
235 35 19 front
Where did you get that front bumper from and what is the offset on those wheels Front and Rear?
I'm trying to purchase a new set as my last set of 20x8.5/10 5x112 cracked on me. The new set is 20x8.5 30et with a 20x10 40et? will that fit and would i need spacers to make it close to flush.
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Old Apr 29, 2021 | 03:49 AM
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Bringing back an old thread in case anyone is still interested.

My CLk55 came factory with 18" Monoblock Type 2 wheels.
Wheels are 8x18 ET31 front and 9x18 ET35 rear.
Factory-fitted tires were 225/40 fronts and 255/35 at the rear.

I didn't like the look of the rear offset so I opted to install 12mm spacers with extended bolts for them, along with upgrading tire sizes to the following:
Fronts: 235/40
Rears: 265/35
Brand: Hankook Ventus V12 Evo2

I also did full alignment by getting Castor, toe, and Cambers as close to the factory as possible.
I did that by preemptively replacing my front control arm bushings, and installing camber bolts for the rears.

It drives perfectly. The only issue I faced was that "only one bolt" at the rear right was scraping against the parking brake mechanism. Mechanic ground it down and it's all good now.



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