definitive wheel fitment guide for w124 pdf
#127
Junior Member
Offset?
[QUOTE=AMGDave;3230758]Just a reminder, everyone, that list is NOT complete and NOT comprehensive!!
The rear of a W124 can use wheels at least a half-inch wider than the fronts, but that is not shown in the list. And those wheels in the list wider than 8.5" are really for the 500E only (note the "wide wheelarch" comment).
In general on a standard (non-500E) W124, the max width possible without hassles is 8.0 front, 8.5 rear, with the proper offset & tire size (225 on a 7.5, 235 on an 8.0, 245 on a 8.5). Beyond that, you'll have clearance issues, especially on lowered cars, and/or when cornering hard, and it will be worse on 1990-up models with the wide side mouldings (will need to trim the wide moulding at the inside of the front fender).
The 18x8 and 18x9 wheels mentioned in the post above would require massive fender rolling (see the AMG docs I linked to above) and also the fender spacer kit shown in the photo above. If you're thinking about making these work by fitting skinny little narrow tires, forget it. Just get smaller wheels if you're going to use smaller tires. Unless you want to look like a ricer or BMW, with "stretched" tires, lol....
So keeping my 1994 E420 stock, I can put 18" x 8" front with 235 tires and 18" x 8.5" rear with 245 tire but whats the offset I need to look for so if these wheels Im looking to buy, mayneed spacers, Ican factor that in.
The rear of a W124 can use wheels at least a half-inch wider than the fronts, but that is not shown in the list. And those wheels in the list wider than 8.5" are really for the 500E only (note the "wide wheelarch" comment).
In general on a standard (non-500E) W124, the max width possible without hassles is 8.0 front, 8.5 rear, with the proper offset & tire size (225 on a 7.5, 235 on an 8.0, 245 on a 8.5). Beyond that, you'll have clearance issues, especially on lowered cars, and/or when cornering hard, and it will be worse on 1990-up models with the wide side mouldings (will need to trim the wide moulding at the inside of the front fender).
The 18x8 and 18x9 wheels mentioned in the post above would require massive fender rolling (see the AMG docs I linked to above) and also the fender spacer kit shown in the photo above. If you're thinking about making these work by fitting skinny little narrow tires, forget it. Just get smaller wheels if you're going to use smaller tires. Unless you want to look like a ricer or BMW, with "stretched" tires, lol....
So keeping my 1994 E420 stock, I can put 18" x 8" front with 235 tires and 18" x 8.5" rear with 245 tire but whats the offset I need to look for so if these wheels Im looking to buy, mayneed spacers, Ican factor that in.
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harleyk oz (03-21-2019)
#128
Member
Ok, ran into a snafu, not happy leaving well enough alone I bought some near pristine 17" C36 AMG Aero II wheels. Staggered, 7.5" in front 8.5" in the rear.
I did the AMG mod to the front fender so its a non issue.
Today I went to fit the rims on just to see the clearance, the rear wheel is nearly flush with the fender edge, that means on a bump the tire will rub and maybe even wrinkle the fender....which would be mega bad. My car (94 coupe) is lowered with H&R springs. Am I screwed or will a rear fender roll make this work?
I hope to run 225 45 17 in front and 245 45 in the rear. I can also run 40 series but would rather have a little more meat so as not to perpetually have to straighten my rims every time I take the car out. Thanks in advance.
I did the AMG mod to the front fender so its a non issue.
Today I went to fit the rims on just to see the clearance, the rear wheel is nearly flush with the fender edge, that means on a bump the tire will rub and maybe even wrinkle the fender....which would be mega bad. My car (94 coupe) is lowered with H&R springs. Am I screwed or will a rear fender roll make this work?
I hope to run 225 45 17 in front and 245 45 in the rear. I can also run 40 series but would rather have a little more meat so as not to perpetually have to straighten my rims every time I take the car out. Thanks in advance.
#129
Junior Member
I bought 18" wheels all the same all the way around with low pro tires and rolled fenders. Very minimal rub on deep impact bumps so im thrilled. I dont know what to tell you about yours thoug. I got tired of trying to make things work.
#130
Member
Ok, ran into a snafu, not happy leaving well enough alone I bought some near pristine 17" C36 AMG Aero II wheels. Staggered, 7.5" in front 8.5" in the rear.
I did the AMG mod to the front fender so its a non issue.
Today I went to fit the rims on just to see the clearance, the rear wheel is nearly flush with the fender edge, that means on a bump the tire will rub and maybe even wrinkle the fender....which would be mega bad. My car (94 coupe) is lowered with H&R springs. Am I screwed or will a rear fender roll make this work?
I hope to run 225 45 17 in front and 245 45 in the rear. I can also run 40 series but would rather have a little more meat so as not to perpetually have to straighten my rims every time I take the car out. Thanks in advance.
I did the AMG mod to the front fender so its a non issue.
Today I went to fit the rims on just to see the clearance, the rear wheel is nearly flush with the fender edge, that means on a bump the tire will rub and maybe even wrinkle the fender....which would be mega bad. My car (94 coupe) is lowered with H&R springs. Am I screwed or will a rear fender roll make this work?
I hope to run 225 45 17 in front and 245 45 in the rear. I can also run 40 series but would rather have a little more meat so as not to perpetually have to straighten my rims every time I take the car out. Thanks in advance.
#138
Junior Member
I dont know if you have had any issues with your car but my project car (pictured above) had a wide array of issues and I have learned alot on resolving problems on these cars if you need advice on yours.
#139
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1988 Mercedes 300e wagon t, 1995 Mercedes e320 wagon
The tires is the pic rubbed only driving in and out of step drive ways, I did the amg nylon washer modification, and rolled the rear fender lip, right now the tires are 255/40/18 in the rear and 245/40/18 in the front, next week I will have 225/35/18 in the front and 245/35/18 in the rear.
#143
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1988 Mercedes 300e wagon t, 1995 Mercedes e320 wagon
I'm going to run alittle narrower tire the fronts are 245/40/18 I will be installing 225/40/18 they don't rub much now but after I change the tires there will be no rubbing.
#144
Member
You mentioned in an earlier post that you might try 35 tires. They are probably too low profile that might kill the look and compromise handling and riding comfort. There are lots of info on this site about wheel sizes for different models. I recall that 8.5 and 9 inches are probably the widest one can go on the W124, but such sizes are more suited for the E420 and E500. Suggest you research further before deciding one way or another. Otherwise, it can be a very expensive experiment.
#145
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#146
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1988 Mercedes 300e wagon t, 1995 Mercedes e320 wagon
One of my friends own a tire shop, so I will try on a couple different sizes before taking the leap to buy. Once I get the right set I will take a bunch of pictures for you guys.
#148
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1985 190 2.0l Carb (55k miles when joining) | 1989 W124 Kombi (88k)
Hello, really sorry if this has been covered before but....
What is the max tolerance in each direction from face of hub, or is there more to consider?
I've seen all the charts with compatible wheel sizes but if wheels I'm looking at on ebay are slightly outside those sizes is that a definite no or only probable?
While I'm on, anyone know off the top of their head if either of these will work without modifications and with what tyres?:
Option 1: Front and rear 16" dia 9j et 20
Option 2: Front 16" 8j et25, Rear 16" 9j et 20
Thanks! You may be able to tell that I'm a noob. I never thought aftermarket wheels would be so confusing...
#150
Junior Member
What kind of car wre you looking to put them on. I tried buying used ones but was told you run the risk of them being warped or slightly bent or having pin size holes causing slow leaks. Trust me, you only want to buy them once so your better off buying new unless you find wheels at a salvage yard in person. At least you can inspect them theouroughly. I had found a link on here somewhere about specs for the w124 but finding it now is impossible. So many posts through the years just adds to the difficulty in finding it easy. Goodle a search and it will narrow it down. Thats how I foundit but ended up buying new.