W209 Winter Wheels setup
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 60
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From: Toronto, Canada
CLK500
W209 Winter Wheels setup
Fellow CLK owners with winter wheels,
What is your current setup? Curious to know if we are able to go with a non-staggered setup instead of the stock staggered setup, also are 17" wheels necessary or can we go a size lower to 16"?
Appreciate any feedback.
What is your current setup? Curious to know if we are able to go with a non-staggered setup instead of the stock staggered setup, also are 17" wheels necessary or can we go a size lower to 16"?
Appreciate any feedback.
Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 223
Likes: 3
From: Orlando, Florida, USA
09CLK550Cab 61k miles
I run winters with my CLK500 cab. I got a set of used stock 17" wheels, staggered, 17x7.5 and 17x8.5, and stock tire sizes too, 225/45R17 and 245/40R17.
I should have gotten all four as the smaller 17x7.5 for TWO reasons:
1. The rear wheels spin easy in snow. Narrow is better
2. Rotation is key. You really need to be able to turn winter tires backwards so that the siping front edge can remain sharp. Four of the same size is best for this.
Directional tires are a big no-no for winter tires, because after ~3000 miles, they will actually try to slide on the snow. You need to be able to reverse the tires so that the cupping will actually help you instead of hurt. I've seen this first hand. Sliding all over in the snow, and then I reversed my directional tires and WOW much more grip!
I'm pretty sure 16" wheels won't fit. I visually measured for this and there is less than .5" clearance between the brake and front wheel. The rear has a LOT more room with the smaller brakes, so I'll bet 16" would fit fine, maybe even 15". Dunno.
And in case you weren't sure, the 7.5" wide wheels fit just fine on the rear, and in fact the 8.5" wheels fit on the front fine too, even with 255/40R17 tires! Lots o' options.
I should have gotten all four as the smaller 17x7.5 for TWO reasons:
1. The rear wheels spin easy in snow. Narrow is better
2. Rotation is key. You really need to be able to turn winter tires backwards so that the siping front edge can remain sharp. Four of the same size is best for this.
Directional tires are a big no-no for winter tires, because after ~3000 miles, they will actually try to slide on the snow. You need to be able to reverse the tires so that the cupping will actually help you instead of hurt. I've seen this first hand. Sliding all over in the snow, and then I reversed my directional tires and WOW much more grip!
I'm pretty sure 16" wheels won't fit. I visually measured for this and there is less than .5" clearance between the brake and front wheel. The rear has a LOT more room with the smaller brakes, so I'll bet 16" would fit fine, maybe even 15". Dunno.
And in case you weren't sure, the 7.5" wide wheels fit just fine on the rear, and in fact the 8.5" wheels fit on the front fine too, even with 255/40R17 tires! Lots o' options.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada
CLK500
thanks for the insightful information. I think I just might be going with the same size on all 4 wheels now for reasons you mentioned.
i'm suprised that 16"s wont fit on the front, are the brakes on the 500 that much larger than those found on the 350 where 16"s come stock?
i'm suprised that 16"s wont fit on the front, are the brakes on the 500 that much larger than those found on the 350 where 16"s come stock?
Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 223
Likes: 3
From: Orlando, Florida, USA
09CLK550Cab 61k miles
> i'm suprised that 16"s wont fit on the front, are the brakes on the 500 that much larger than those found on the 350 where 16"s come stock?
I believe that is why the 350, with the sport package, gets 17" wheels, but without it comes with 16" wheels.
As an aside, I saw an 08 CLK550, and it used 18" wheels. I checked the brakes, and they are the same size we have. The front rotors have a lot more clearance. Thus they moved to 18" for appearance and handling, not out of necessity.
I believe that is why the 350, with the sport package, gets 17" wheels, but without it comes with 16" wheels.
As an aside, I saw an 08 CLK550, and it used 18" wheels. I checked the brakes, and they are the same size we have. The front rotors have a lot more clearance. Thus they moved to 18" for appearance and handling, not out of necessity.
