Wheel Fitment Issues
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Orange County, CA
2008 W204 C350
Wheel Fitment Issues
So disappointingly, tonight I was unable to fit my new OEM 16" wheels (not the 15" saucers but the later ones often seen on face-lifted w124's).. When I bought my car it had chromed w210 wheels I am not particularly fond of and would like to get rid of ASAP. Upon leaving the tire shop I heard grinding noises and realized the wheels were hitting the suspension, I had fitted what I thought was an okay tire size: 215/55/16 all around. Long story short I had to take them off and put on my old wheels to drive home. This does not make any sense to me as these wheels were indeed offered on these cars starting in 1990 I believe? The shop recommended I try some spacers but I wanted to see if this has happened to anyone else? Is there something different about the 16's I need to account for when installing them?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Orange County, CA
2008 W204 C350
when? where?
i'm going to try, we've got guest from around the country coming over to my house this weekend, so i won't be able to if it's on sunday.
hopefully it's on saturday (am-early pm works great for me)
i'm going to try, we've got guest from around the country coming over to my house this weekend, so i won't be able to if it's on sunday.
hopefully it's on saturday (am-early pm works great for me)
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Youngtimer
the 16" wheels were from the s class, the e class had the same style, but 15".
having said that, people put the s class wheels on all the time, so i'm not sure what happened with yours... did you see where they were rubbing against the suspension?
having said that, people put the s class wheels on all the time, so i'm not sure what happened with yours... did you see where they were rubbing against the suspension?
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Glendale, AZ
'95 E420 SE
rubbing on the SUSPENSION can only mean one thing.....your wheel offset is too deep and you will have to run spacers to decrease the offset.
Last edited by ShanMan; Jan 15, 2008 at 04:48 PM.
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Thread Starter
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From: Orange County, CA
2008 W204 C350
Wheels are 7.5 x 16 H2 ET51 
Ah ha, I didn't know it was the S that got the 16s and the w124 still had 15" versions of these... Although still I guess it should fit.
These are the exact wheels I'm trying to fit:
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/pts/501301878.html
They're wrapped with Conti 215/55/16s
thanks again
Edit:
Okay this info should help, I don't know what the offsets are but:
These are the current wheels I'm running:
Which are 16x7.5 also..
Looks like the w124 versions of the 8-hole were 15x6.5, however if a 7.5 width already fits shouldn't there be no problem?
I got the info and pic from here:
http://www.wheelcollision.com/merc6.htm
Ah ha, I didn't know it was the S that got the 16s and the w124 still had 15" versions of these... Although still I guess it should fit.
These are the exact wheels I'm trying to fit:
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/pts/501301878.html
They're wrapped with Conti 215/55/16s
thanks again
Edit:
Okay this info should help, I don't know what the offsets are but:
These are the current wheels I'm running:
Which are 16x7.5 also..
Looks like the w124 versions of the 8-hole were 15x6.5, however if a 7.5 width already fits shouldn't there be no problem?
I got the info and pic from here:
http://www.wheelcollision.com/merc6.htm
Last edited by stephensocal85; Jan 15, 2008 at 03:53 PM.
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Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 890
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From: Boise, ID, USA
300D, 500E, E420
Most S-class wheels don't work well on the E-class due to the offset issue. Your tire size is fine, but the offset is all wrong. You'll either need hubcentric spacers for these wheels, or you'll need to get the correct wheels. If you use the S-class wheels, you should also use special bolts that have an M12 thread with an M14 ball seat. The S/SL wheels use M14 bolts with a larger seat, shaped differently...
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Orange County, CA
W124's
Anyways, It's on Saturday and starts at 12PM and will probably go until 7PM.
It's in Santa Ana on Westminister and Harbor. You have my number and Aim - hit me up for more details.
Thread Starter
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From: Orange County, CA
2008 W204 C350
BUT, the good news, is that Saturday, I'm scheduled to take delivery of my W204 I ordered way back in November 2007. =)
I don't know where I put your number though, IM me w/ it. Thx.
Super Member
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From: marlboro, nj
Mercedes benz 1991 300ce(RIP), now an 89 300ce
Something rather important just came up, and I don't think I can go to the meet. Wayy sad I can't go. Who knows, maybe I'll be able to make it to the later part of the meet.
BUT, the good news, is that Saturday, I'm scheduled to take delivery of my W204 I ordered way back in November 2007. =)
I don't know where I put your number though, IM me w/ it. Thx.
BUT, the good news, is that Saturday, I'm scheduled to take delivery of my W204 I ordered way back in November 2007. =)
I don't know where I put your number though, IM me w/ it. Thx.
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,450
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From: British Columbia, Canada
1987 560SL
I am wondering about rubbing on fronts. How "close" are yours?
Can't take car for test-fit, unfortunately.
Super Member
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From: Boise, ID, USA
300D, 500E, E420
18x8.5 ET35 should work ok on a 500E, the flared fenders will easily accept an 8.5 up front, and that offset is ok. Not likely to rub at all, either. I have 18x8.5 wheels on the front of my E500 with 255/40/18 tires, and no rubbing. Don't try this on a standard W124, though.
BTW - side note about using S or SL wheels on a W124... those cars use M14 bolts, with a larger ball seat. I would strongly recommend using M12 bolts (needed for the 124) which have an M14 ball seat (needed for S/SL wheels). They are available from RAD USA Direct in assorted lengths (you'll need to double-check the length you need also.)
BTW - side note about using S or SL wheels on a W124... those cars use M14 bolts, with a larger ball seat. I would strongly recommend using M12 bolts (needed for the 124) which have an M14 ball seat (needed for S/SL wheels). They are available from RAD USA Direct in assorted lengths (you'll need to double-check the length you need also.)
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From: British Columbia, Canada
1987 560SL
Thanks Dave;
Yes, I was worried about rubbing with my 35 offset.
Out of curiosity, what is the offset of your wheels?
Also, TireRack recommends a 245/40/18 tire. Do your 255's fit better?
What is the difference in actual outside diameter between 245's and 255's? is it negligible?
Yes, I was worried about rubbing with my 35 offset.
Out of curiosity, what is the offset of your wheels?
Also, TireRack recommends a 245/40/18 tire. Do your 255's fit better?
What is the difference in actual outside diameter between 245's and 255's? is it negligible?
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: British Columbia, Canada
1987 560SL
I think I know the bolts you're talking about - I saw them in a diagram in the 500 factory supplement. I'll have to investigate that further with my wheels.
Thanks
Thanks
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From: Boise, ID, USA
300D, 500E, E420
I wish I knew what the offset is. They are custom 3-pc wheels from iForged, so there is no "ETxx" marking on the back, and since I didn't order them, I don't know the specs. 
About tire size, the originally had 245-40-18 tires on there. But I got a good deal on a set of 255's, which were factory fitment on the new SL600, on an 8.5 wheel. Either one fits fine, but don't go any smaller than the 245.
In the rear I have 18x10.0 with 285-35's, had previously been 275-35... same reason as the fronts, also from the SL600 wheels. (I've got the 2007 SL600 wheels for sale, if anyone is interested btw... rears are 9.5 wide.)
About tire size, the originally had 245-40-18 tires on there. But I got a good deal on a set of 255's, which were factory fitment on the new SL600, on an 8.5 wheel. Either one fits fine, but don't go any smaller than the 245.
In the rear I have 18x10.0 with 285-35's, had previously been 275-35... same reason as the fronts, also from the SL600 wheels. (I've got the 2007 SL600 wheels for sale, if anyone is interested btw... rears are 9.5 wide.)
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2008
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200E Estate
can I squeeze into this rubber?
Could anyone let me know how I could run 265/35 R18s on a std W124? They are beautiful AMG alloys with new tires being offered gratis! so far from charts and one feedback it's not looking possibly - any suggestions?
Many thanks
Many thanks
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: STL
95 e320...sold the rest
Yeah, you could, on the rear end of a E500...but like AMGDAVE said, nothing larger then 8" wide will fit the standard w124
