Glyn M Ruck

I have read the entire wheel & tyre thread but I'm a newb to the CLK. I also fully appreciate the effects of increased scrub radius on the front of a vehicle & can live with them - mainly an increase in tramlining & road induced camber pull. I can remedy the camber pull with a passenger side castor change (increase). I'm equally aware of the ESP requirement to keep rolling circumference of front & rear tyres within approx 2% of one another.

My 2009 came fitted with 8.5 J x 17 x ET30 wheels rear & 7.5 J x 17 x ET36 wheels front. I wish to stay with 17" for reasons of comfort.

As others such as splinter have done on the W203 forum (C32) I would like to de-stagger my wheels & fit 8.5 J x 17 x ET30 wheels on the front as well. I would appreciate any experience you may have in this regard. The car will not be lowered.

The next question is regarding tyre size. At ET30 can one run 245/40/17 on the front? Experience with such fiddling on the W203 tells me that 235 is the largest one can go on the front at ET30 without touching the strut with OE struts. With Koni Yellow struts on a 203 that have a larger dimple you can JUST get away with 245 tyres without touching. What is the situation with tyre size on the CLK - 235 or 245 max on the front? I don't want to roll fenders.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Kevwood

Some CLK's and C's come with matched wheels front/rear, for me, my custom wheels are 8.5 fronts - no problem. As for the 245's, you may get some rubbing. My 235's touched a tad when I mounted them (I am lowered though) until I heated and reshape the wheel liner by a 1/2". I'm now running 235's on the front, 30ET wheel, no problems whatsoever.

ahmadk

+1
The CLK and C are very close to each other

Mka77

I agree with Kev. The et30 on an 8.5" is fine with a 235. The 245 just might may rub a bit.

My 8.5" are et32 with 235's and do not rub any where, but run very close to the strut.

In your case, it's not fender clearance as most as strut and wheel liner.

Glyn M Ruck

Thanks guys. Yes on my 203 with 235 I had a very light touch on the passenger side fender liner. 235/45/17 cleared the strut fine. On test fit 245 Michelin PS2's did not.

Mka77. Do you know what your tyre to strut clearance is at the closest point? I thought the fender would be OK. Just wanted some confirmaton of no touch at full lock going over a bump or through a depression. Thanks!

Mka77

Glyn...maybe 5-8mm. It's sounds really close....but no rubbing.

Glyn M Ruck

Thanks - No that makes sense!!

ellcapitan

All I know (admittedly, not much) is that when I bought my '03, someone had done a tire rotation on it. The wider rims/tires were on the front... There was no rubbing, the car did not behave in any negative way, and I did not even know about it 'til after I had the car for almost a week, when I learned that it has staggered wheels and went out and had a close look. Not sure that any of this matters to you anyway, since my car only has the stock 16's... (But, at least I know you're good up to that point, LOL.)

splinter

Can share unequivocally that dynamic clearance between my (W203's) 245/40/17 & ET 34 tire-to-strut setup is essentially nonexistent.
Verified an honest ~¼”/6mm during initial (static) mockup fitment. Noticed some missing paint on the Macpherson struts during subsequent inspections though.

No real damage of course, but that margin is a wee bit too thin for my liking.
Note the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tends to measure toward the wide end of the sizing spectrum for stated/claimed section widths.

Long ago gave up on the otherwise prudent fore-aft rotation regimen.