Improviz

I desparately want to upsize, because I'm sick and tired of traction issues!!

Ronald

Two of my friends have the AMG Style I multi-piece rims

8,5x18 ET 25
10x18 ET 25

which are really wide and look great, but require quite some fender work. However, they can be fitted by most Mercedes-Benz dealerships.





Inden Design also offers 9,5x18 and 11x18 BBS rims, but I don't think they look good on a CLK 55 and fitting them requires even more effort.



There are also some 8,5x18 / 10x18 rims from Carlsson and if you want to avoid any fender rolling, get 8,5x18 / 9,5x18 rims from Brabus (single- or multi-piece).

Ronald

ndabunka

He was asking what are the largest TIRES, not wheels guys. He also asked for options that DO NOT require modifications to the wheel wells. I think the answer to this depends on the actual BRAND of tire selected but for a CLK55, I think you can put on T1 275's, If they are S-03's then the largest you can go is 265. But I think we need Luke (from Ture rack) direction on this. Maybe a search on the wheel section ould provide the details. I think he said he already had the 18" wheels so I think he wants the tire sizes...

Ronald

Sorry, the subject said "tires/wheels" so I thought that the word 'wheels' included rims as well.

However, if you want to go for 275's (which I think is too wide), you would need wider rims as well.

Ronald

Improviz

Get in both wheels *and* tires without having to roll the fenders.

I know that the E55 rims are 18x9, which would allow me to fit a 275-series, but I'm not certain that even these would fit without mods to the fenders.

Otoh, I'd be willing to roll the fenders a bit if it's fairly easy and doesn't cost a bunch of $$. I've never done it before and am not sure what's involved, so any info on this would also be greatly appreciated!!

I really don't want to get any larger than an 18" rim to keep from ruining the ride quality.

Ronald

I don't think fender rolling is such a big deal. Why don't you just get a quote from your local Mercedes-Benz dealer for the AMG 8,5 / 10 x18 rims including tires and fitting?

Ronald

Improviz

I am thinking of putting the E55 rims/tires on the rear only, staying with the 17s on the front. Again, I do not wish to suffer a significant degredation in ride quality, and am thinking that by going with the 18s on the rear only this will help.

Also, the rims will match design-wise, so I will not have to replace the fronts.

So, does anyone know whether the E55 wheels/tires for the rear fit without rubbing?

Ronald

Don't even start mixing rim sizes!

Ronald

Improviz

So long as the sizing is OK, it won't hurt anything. Plus, I feel that the 17's adequately fill the front wheel wells, while on the rear they're a bit too small. Going to a slightly larger size will help this imo.

Thanks for the suggestions, though!

ndabunka

It's done all the time on the Vette's. 17's on front and 18's on rear. No problem. Since you have a CLK55, the wheel wells are ALREADY rolled (Feel inside the fender near the top of the arc) so you don't need to do anything. You may have a problem with the E55 rims however as I believe the offset is slightly different than the CLK's. Therefore you will probably need spacers.

bodyart27@aol

I don't think anyone has definitively proven that the 55's are pre-rolled.... though I guess I can sart "feeling-up" a bunch of cars and see how they feel

Seriously though - I've heard that before, but no one has been able to confirm. I thought w/ 18s - 265 was the limit. Any 55 owners out there gone bigger with no issues?

lee2375

55 fenders are rolled - no doubt.

widest I have put is a 18x10 with a 265/35/18 - anything more is unnecessary.

Larry Sonsini

There is at least one person on this forum that has a 235/275 Carlsson 1/5s 18" setup on his CLK55. Only rubs on harsh dips. no fender mods.

ndabunka

Larry - Good to know your 235/275's fit with no mods but we also need to know WHICH tires you have. This is because the manufacture's 275's from one mfg to another are not the same proportions. WHICH brand (and model) of tire do you have? I can see Toyo T1's fitting but Pontenza S-03's probably don't work.

Larry Sonsini

not my car...and I can't remember what tire brand he's running, definitely not toyos nor bridgestone

Chappy

Ronald, are these from the R129 SL?

Other than fender work, are there any other modifications necessary?

Thanks for your help.

Ronald

Hi Chappy,

yes, these rims were originally made for the R129 SL. The amount of fender work depends on your local safety regulations. In Germany, some modifications are necessary.

Ronald

Chappy

Thanks!