why on the tirerack website it said an (w124) E420 can only clear 18 x 8's while the (W124) E500 can clear 18 x 8.5 or 18 x 9's all around?!?! I thought both car shared the same body? Could someone explain please? Also, what would be some good rim/et/tire size combos for the E 420, I know I want 18's and is really having wider tires make that much of difference in performance?? The car will be lowered with H & R springs bilstein sport shocks. Would like to order everything soon so Please help me out guys!!

 

the 500 has bigger fender flares, thus far making it possible to have larger tires,

im running 18X8 on my 420 and they look good, its a good size.


yes wider tires make a Huge diff. than skinny tires,

Mark

 

Yup, Mark is right.

The 500E as wider fenders and quarter panels opposed to the E420. Which would allow for wider wheels and tires. Although, I have seen 500E's with 9.5 and 10" wide wheels in the rear.

Personally, I would like to consider the 500E a one of a kind and entirely different than the standard W124's.

 

Yeah, the 500E can gobble up fat rims, even with the widen track and lowered stance as compared to a generic W124....I've put on my 10" SL rear rims on the front; with no rubbing !! No problem running 9s or 9.5s even with a 275 wide tire in front.....someone is recently rolling on 10.5 rears on a 94' E500 I've seen, custom 19" Brabus jobs. Jeff from Cali. I think. That's meat.

Well, truth be told that the 500E has more in common, suspension wise to a R129 SL than a W124....really, all/any SL rims fit on the 500Es. And the brakes are SL500 or SL600 vintage depending what year.

Unfortunately, the regular bodied W124 E420 is limited to the rim width...but that shouldn't stop someone from widening or rolling their fenders to fit fatter stuff under there. The 420 can welcome the extra traction it provides.