Yes... it's French, but ....
Need Help and suggestions - wheel and tire clearance
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 92
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From: Houston, TX
04 CLK 320, 04 BMW 530I, and 09 HD FLTR
Need Help and suggestions - wheel and tire clearance
I just purchased a set of wheels through ebay and a set of tires from tirerack for my 04 clk320.
The wheels are 19" x 8.5" front ET 32 / 19" x 9.5" rear ET 35 (stamped on the back of the wheel). The vendor said it would fit no problem.
The tires are Goodyear F1 DS G3: 235/35-19 front / 265/30-19 rear.
I took the wheels and tires to a local Firestone dealer for mounting and balance and installation. They took off one front and one rear wheel and placed the new wheels on the hubs to see how they fit. Eventhough the wheels did'nt rub, they said that there was not enough clearance from the rim to the shock in the front and the rim the the plastic in the rear. They would not mount the tires because they said that this setup would not fit. They recommended that I should only place 8.5" in the rear and find 8" in the front (which I have not seen anywhere on this site).
Is the Firestone mechanic being too cautious, or is there a chance that I would need spacers or something else to make this work. Last choice would be to return everything and start over.
Please give me your opinion....
The wheels are 19" x 8.5" front ET 32 / 19" x 9.5" rear ET 35 (stamped on the back of the wheel). The vendor said it would fit no problem.
The tires are Goodyear F1 DS G3: 235/35-19 front / 265/30-19 rear.
I took the wheels and tires to a local Firestone dealer for mounting and balance and installation. They took off one front and one rear wheel and placed the new wheels on the hubs to see how they fit. Eventhough the wheels did'nt rub, they said that there was not enough clearance from the rim to the shock in the front and the rim the the plastic in the rear. They would not mount the tires because they said that this setup would not fit. They recommended that I should only place 8.5" in the rear and find 8" in the front (which I have not seen anywhere on this site).
Is the Firestone mechanic being too cautious, or is there a chance that I would need spacers or something else to make this work. Last choice would be to return everything and start over.
Please give me your opinion....
Last edited by JuicedMB; Jun 15, 2008 at 08:02 PM. Reason: grammar correct
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: virginia beach
clk 500 (wifey's); 350Z roadster (daily driver); 350Z coupe (track car)
Even with such a lot of offset in the rear, it does not surprise me that you may have issues. IMHO a big part of the problem is the tires. Eagle F1's have a very "square" shoulder.
Here is my experience
https://mbworld.org/forums/wheels-tires-suspension-brakes-forum/243555-what-reasonable-amount-camber.html
Here is my experience
https://mbworld.org/forums/wheels-tires-suspension-brakes-forum/243555-what-reasonable-amount-camber.html
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 92
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From: Houston, TX
04 CLK 320, 04 BMW 530I, and 09 HD FLTR
Even with such a lot of offset in the rear, it does not surprise me that you may have issues. IMHO a big part of the problem is the tires. Eagle F1's have a very "square" shoulder.
Here is my experience
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=243555
Here is my experience
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=243555
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: virginia beach
clk 500 (wifey's); 350Z roadster (daily driver); 350Z coupe (track car)
Oops! Sorry, I misunderstood 
While I am far from being an authority on this stuff, I would have to agree with you. With those sizes and offsets, these wheels should fit.
Unfortunately' you may only know for sure if you go ahead and have the tires mounted, so you can assess things with the car sitting on the ground rather than on a lift.
Again though, to maximize your chance of success, I would NOT use those F1's.
Hope things work out OK.
While I am far from being an authority on this stuff, I would have to agree with you. With those sizes and offsets, these wheels should fit.
Unfortunately' you may only know for sure if you go ahead and have the tires mounted, so you can assess things with the car sitting on the ground rather than on a lift.
Again though, to maximize your chance of success, I would NOT use those F1's.
Hope things work out OK.
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Dallas, TX
2012 CLS63
Your offsets and widths are correct. Unless you are really low you shouldn't have a problem. Like reserved said mount the tires and try em on. Most of us are lowered with the same offsets and widths and the wheels work perfectly. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Houston, TX
04 CLK 320, 04 BMW 530I, and 09 HD FLTR
I will let you all know how it goes... Thanks for your help.....
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 92
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From: Houston, TX
04 CLK 320, 04 BMW 530I, and 09 HD FLTR
Well, I had the tires mounted and balanced on the wheels and installed the wheels today. They fit great, no problem with rubbing at all. Now, all I need is to lower it. I haven't decided between Eibach or H&R.
My fiasco with Firestone shows that many tire store focus more on the standard run or the mill setups. Their so called "MB expert" was a loser.
Anyway, thanks for your help.....
My fiasco with Firestone shows that many tire store focus more on the standard run or the mill setups. Their so called "MB expert" was a loser.
Anyway, thanks for your help.....
Last edited by JuicedMB; Jun 21, 2008 at 09:05 PM. Reason: grammar correct
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,323
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From: Dallas, TX
2012 CLS63
Well, I had the tires mounted and balanced on the wheels and installed the wheels today. They fit great, no problem with rubbing at all. Now, all I need is to lower it. I haven't decided between Eibach or H&R.
My fiasco with Firestone shows that many tire store focus more on the standard run or the mill setups. Their so called "MB expert" was a loser.
Anyway, thanks for your help.....
My fiasco with Firestone shows that many tire store focus more on the standard run or the mill setups. Their so called "MB expert" was a loser.
Anyway, thanks for your help.....
Were your MB Experts...lol 
Sounds great, now you know what you have to do now!!! PICSSSSSSS!!!!!
Jon
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Houston, TX
04 CLK 320, 04 BMW 530I, and 09 HD FLTR
Over bumpy roads you can notice a difference, but it is not annoying by any means. The road noise is actually the same or less than the stock 16"s (Continentals).
I like to feel of the wheels when cornering also. The rear seems to hold the line better now.....
I like to feel of the wheels when cornering also. The rear seems to hold the line better now.....
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 92
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From: Houston, TX
04 CLK 320, 04 BMW 530I, and 09 HD FLTR
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: The Jersey Shore
Garage Temporarily Empty
Here is the before....
Attachment 133589
Here is the after....
Attachment 133590
Attachment 133591
Definitely needs to be lowered......
Attachment 133589
Here is the after....
Attachment 133590
Attachment 133591
Definitely needs to be lowered......
When you lower the car, you will notice such a difference with it's look..... There is so much more of an aggressive stance when it's down and inch and a half.
I used Eibach, but I went with them because I got a deal on the price. Either one you choose will work out for you. It's just personal preference.
-Chris
