Double J

Hi Guys,

I have a Mercedes CLK 320 Coupe 2003. The specs for the vehicle indicate that the wheels are:

7.5J x 17 ET36 Front
8.5J x 17 ET30 Rear

The tires are set for staggered setup at:

225/45/17 Front
245/40/17 Rear

My current tires are worn out and I am thinking about getting new tires. Also, I have a lot of scratches on my wheels and was thinking about changing them as well. I looked into getting them restored but the cost makes me think about just upgrading them altogether. Currently, I have the original wheels and I am using 225/45/17 on all four wheels.

I have been searching for new wheels and it is really difficult to get the same factory settings. Therefore, I was wondering if you could help me with the following questions:

1. Can I buy wheels that are 8 x 17 for all wheels (same in the front and back)? Will these fit on the car?
2. The offset on the wheels I am looking at 42 but the factory recommends 37 in the front and 30 in the back. Therefore, can I buy these 8 x 17 with 42 offset for my CLK320 on the front and rear? Here is a link to the ones I am looking at:

https://pmctire.com/en/replika-r169-...-mercedes.tire

3. What is the maximum flexibility in offset? Is +/- 5 ok? What about +/- 10? Please let me know whats the max without causing problems.
4. Can I buy 225/45/17 tires and mount them on these rims?

Really appreciate your help!

sailorben

https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...nt-thread.html

Yidney

There is no magic rule about how much difference in offset you can use. It's a function of what you want the car to look like - wheel set in or flush with fender - how wide the wheels are, and the physical structure of the car that you are trying to keep your tires from rubbing - e.g., the front strut towers. For example, if you go from 8.5 to 8 in the rear in wheels with the same offset, you will have moved the wheel away from the structure under there by about 1/4 inch, but also moved your wheel in from the fender lip about 1/4 inch. So you have room to play with offset. But going from 30 to 42 is too much. That's half an inch. You'd need spacers. Personally I would not put four wheels the same size on these cars (a "square" setup), and I would not put narrower wheels on the back, and I would not buy wheels that need spacers. If I had your car, I'd buy staggered 18s that require no spacers.

Kustom1911

Double J,

My wife has 225/45-17 (91H) Michelin Primacy MXM4's on 4 8" x 17" ET 35 wheels on her 04 CLK500. 8 mm spacers are required in the front for wheel spoke clearance to the large CLK500 calipers, I think your CLK320's calipers are smaller, if stock.

Tech specs on most 225/45-17 tires, show that they are rated for 7.0" to 8.5" wide rims.
The more wheel offset, including spacer width, the harder it is on wheel bearings, no problems on hers so far.

The advantage to having (a square setup) with non directional tread pattern is you can do regular proper rotations, and with maintaining proper tire pressures, and a good alignment, the tires can last a long time,
depending on how it is driven. She has been running this square setup for over 140,000 miles.

On my last "Tire Survey" of her 4 tires, the worst tire should go to approx. 78,000 miles, the best is 83,000 miles to worn out (2/32 tread depth)

Depends on what you want to accomplish.

Double J

Thanks Yidney and Kustom1911 for your responses.

Just to give you an idea about my objectives. I am looking to replace this car in the next year or two so I dont want to spend too much money, however I would like new wheels because of the scratches. I want to stay as similar to the stock settings outlined by the 17 inch sport package.

Therefore, I was looking at these wheels.

https://pmctire.com/en/replika-r169-...-mercedes.tire

Would anyone be able to confirm if these will fit on my 2003 CLK320 Coupe?

https://www.wheel-size.com/size/merc...m-clk-320-eudm

This is the website I am using to determine the original settings. Kustom1911 I agree with changing to a standard setup rather than staggered as I want these tires to last until I change vehicles. This is why I am worried if these wheels will fit. I will then goto Costco and buy 225/45/17 tires and have them install it with these rims. Do I need additional bolts or will Costco have these. Will I need center rings? Also what are spacers?

JakeMS3

Double J, I suggest reading the wheel fitment thread and also you can google wheel spacers and find everything you need to know about them. Also, don't cheap out on tires even if you plan to sell the car in a year or so, remember, that's the only thing between you and the pavement.

Yidney

If you are looking to replace the car, refinishing the wheels is the way to go. Here I can get ti done for like $150 per wheel.

Double J

Yidney, I can buy brand new wheels for $137. I would rather do that rather than refinish them at $150. Can you tell me if these wheels will fit on all four corners of my car?

https://pmctire.com/en/replika-r169-...-mercedes.tire

Jake, I am thinking about Pirelli P7's or the Kuhmo ecsta-pa31. Are either of these tires ok?

Audi Junkie

It takes a combo of; tires, wheels, spacers and the right bolts. I went through at least one or two of each to get my set-up correct.

As for running square wheels, I'd stick with 8" and 225/45-17 up front and maybe 235/45-17 in the rear, since it's the 6cyl. Otherwise, get the 245/40....but I think staggered tires on square wheels are ok if you keep the sizes closer than stock, which are 2 sizes apart.

degeja

My CLK500 owners manual has all wheels w/ 225/45/17 tires for winter tires.
In fact- when I bought my car used that's what was on the car.
The dealer had installed new winter tires- and had the used all season tires for me when I picked up the car.

The tires do fit on the wider rims on the back.

Audi Junkie

235/45-17 seems like it's going to work in the front. So, a square 235/45 set would fine for someone looking to do that. I just wanted something bigger/softer in front than 225/45, so I tried the 235/45.

For an 8cyl, I would try to run the stock 245/40 in rear. I would advise against 225 in the rear, not even with the 6cyl. 235 square all around.....yes.

19972007

I am having same upgrade issues on my 07 CLK350. So your saying it is ok to change up from 17" to 18" wheels and tires? There is a much larger selection of black wheels in 18's but I can't find any info on if this would fit let alone still offer a smooth ride. I'm fine keeping it staggered. Current specs: 66.6 bore 5x112 bolt 7.5J ET36 and 8.5J ET30 / 225/45R17 and 245/40R17 offset range: front 34-38 rear 28-32. I'm in Florida so snow or winter tires not necessary. Appreciate any help!