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I recently bought 20" Vossen wheels for my 2013 CLS550 RWD.
The Specs are:
FRONT 20x9 - 255/30/20
REAR 20x11 - 295/25/20
Not so sure about the offset used by the shop
However, after driving around for a couple of hundred miles, I do not feel too comfortable with the ride quality of the car. I asked a well reputable shop if I can go for something like 245/35/20 Front and 285/30/20 Rear, but he said it won't work and I can only go a bit wider in the back but thats about it.
Is this true, because I have read on here that people are running 245/35/20 and 285/30/20 on their CLS550's.
Obviously I would hate tire rubbing or inner wall damage more than the ride discomfort, but if its not a problem than would love to make the change.
Please share your tire size experiences and if you have any advice, please let me know. Thanks.
I'm running 245/35/20 on 20x9's and 285/30/20 on 20x10's.
You can run 285/30/20 on an 11" wheel with no problems....do a search on google and you'll find people with that tire size and wheel size. I found a pic (below) that shows this exact setup.
It will have some stretch in it....sidewall to wheel, but it doesnt look extreme.
I'm running 245/35/20 on 20x9's and 285/30/20 on 20x10's.
You can run 285/30/20 on an 11" wheel with no problems....do a search on google and you'll find people with that tire size and wheel size. I found a pic (below) that shows this exact setup.
It will have some stretch in it....sidewall to wheel, but it doesnt look extreme.
Thanks so much. Please if its possible post a pic of your front wheel so I can see how much stretch would it be if there is any.
Ok so yesterday I spoke to another reputable shop and they confirmed that I am maxed at front. I cannot go 245/35 or 265/30. The reason is it will hit the upper control arm. I physically checked and literally there is no room. My index finger won't fit in properly while the car is on and in sport suspension (which i keep my car in). The only thing I can do is go wider in the back to 305/25. n That's it.
I believe CLS63's can harbour bigger diameter wheels than CLS550's. There maybe a little difference because everyone who have confirmed running taller tires are CLS63 owners.
I am running a 265/30/20 in the front with Vossen vfs5 20x9 et25 up front with no issue at all for about six months. I just wonder why you shop say that is a problem.
I suggest you to check the offset of your wheels first.
Ok so heres what sup.. I checked the offset and its +32 in front and +42 in rear.
I also went ahead and got the 245/35/20 in front and 285/30/20 in rear - michelins ps4s. I just could not take the rough ride anymore. BUT now I have some issues. I can't explain what exactly is happening because I am not too familiar with the suspension and shocks parts so I've attached some photos.
*first four pictures are of front left side wheel turned all the way to the left.
*last four pictures are of front right side wheel turned all the way to right.
I saw this at the shop and the guy told me its just touching the plastic and that should not be a problem. Although IF I hear or feel serious rubbing, I can go back to him and can add 3-5mm spacers to make it better.
Let me know what you guys think. I had them put on today and drove about 20 miles on highway and road back home and just too nervous to drive more.
Would it be ok to leave it like this or should I get the 3-5mm spacers. Would the spacers even work?
Also, when the wheels are straight, the plastic is sitting on top of the tire just like that. But while driving I do not hear any crazy rubbing sound.
Thanks for all the help guys.
Last edited by Acidic Reflux; 06-24-2017 at 11:00 PM.
With 7mm spacer on a et32 wheel will bring the wheel equivalent to et25. That will equal to the same as what I have on my car. I will think it should solve or at least reduce the problem. Another thing is when you use 245/35/20 to replace 255/30/20, the diameter of the wheel is 0.8 inch bigger or 0.4 inch on the upper side of the wheel, this is also part of the reason for your problem. If you try the 7mm spacer and still have problem rubbing the boot, you should consider go to 265/30. 265/30 will have more rubber than the 255/30 thus the ride will be a little better. However, in your case, I thing about 3-5mm may not be enough to solve the problem. If they have the spacer there for you to try, try it and than go up with the number.
245/35-20 front with 285/30-20 rear is what I and many others use on C218. The key is the offset. With 245/35-20 on 20x9, I use spacers to "make" it et20. One can easily use et25 as well. If using 7mm flat spacers (to push et32 to et25), make sure to select good quality hub centric spacers. Using it with 7-9mm longer bolts, you'll be just fine.
Based on your pictures, I would use 10mm spacers for et22 or 12mm spacers for et20.
In your case, a pair of good hub centric spacers with proper length bolt should be fine because you only need to space it out for about 10 or 12mm the most. In the situation that you need to space it out for more, I will not go for spacers. Of cause, get something has the correct offset will always better because the spacer also mean extra weight.
In the back, space it out will close the gap and make it look better. A 285 on a 11" will not have rubbing problem on both in or out either with et42 or et32. But if you have a wider track in the back than the front, you will create more under steer which is quite serious on this car even from the factory. But it is really depends on personal preference between the look or the handling.
Agree with all the posts here....and for reference, my wheels are et25 in the front and et33 in the rear and have zero issues (remember I have those same tire sizes...only difference is my rear wheels are 10").
I would definitely go with a 7mm spacer in the front and would recommend a 10 for the rear. Effectively putting you at et25 and et32 as previously stated by someone above.
Agree with all the posts here....and for reference, my wheels are et25 in the front and et33 in the rear and have zero issues (remember I have those same tire sizes...only difference is my rear wheels are 10").
I would definitely go with a 7mm spacer in the front and would recommend a 10 for the rear. Effectively putting you at et25 and et32 as previously stated by someone above.
Do I need to put spacers in the back too? Rear wheel is fine and not rubbing against anything. But I'm just worried that it might look out of shape if the front wheel is spaced out.
I use 20x10 et30 rear wheels with 285/30-20 tires. Your wheels are 20x11 et42 which is about identical outboard position to my 10" wide et30 wheels. I would NOT use rear spacers at all in your case, only the front spacers as specified above.
The point of post #21 is that 20x11 et42 rears will match the look of 20x9 et25 fronts perfectly.
The outboard difference will be exactly as the set up I'm running - 20x9 et20 & 20x10 et25(sorry, not et30 I posted earlier) - which is 8mm. While in OP's case, both front and rear will be 5mm more inbound vs. my setup, the difference of front to rear is still identical 8mm by which rears will be wider than fronts. If 10mm spaces are used in the back to "make" 20x11 et32, rears will stick out of the fenders by 5mm or so.
Ok so i'm having absolutely no luck with my wheels.
This is what the guys at the shop been trying and showing me at the same time.
5-7mm spacer did not work. Still rubbing the boot on full turn.
10mm not possible because the hub won't fit.
12mm thought almost saved the day but on the turn, its now rubbing the wheel walls.
I'm seriously thinking going to 19's. Today I'm going to try 265/30/20 and 305/25/20 on Michelins. If they even fit and make the ride better I'll keep it, if not 19's is it for me.
06-05-2017, 10:01 PM
20" Wheels - Tire Size Help !!
