W124 Tires
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: NH
E420 W124
W124 Tires
Hello all,
I recently acquired a set of 18x8.5 rims for my car. I will like to get some advice on the widest tires I can use for the front and the rear. I do not mind the staggered look i.e offset.
Has anyone done this and found it necessary to do a lip roll and/or change of springs?
Please recommend the best tire size.
Thanks in advance.
I recently acquired a set of 18x8.5 rims for my car. I will like to get some advice on the widest tires I can use for the front and the rear. I do not mind the staggered look i.e offset.
Has anyone done this and found it necessary to do a lip roll and/or change of springs?
Please recommend the best tire size.
Thanks in advance.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Manchester, CT
What model W124, man? 225 seems to stick in my mind as the widest without fender mods. I'm probably wrong though on a regular 124.
500Es can run with a 255 in front and a 275 in rear without any mods (of course with correct offset rims and aspect ratios). I've seen 10 inch rims all the way around on the 124.036 chassis.
Doesn't your BrabusK50 come with fat rubber?
500Es can run with a 255 in front and a 275 in rear without any mods (of course with correct offset rims and aspect ratios). I've seen 10 inch rims all the way around on the 124.036 chassis.
Doesn't your BrabusK50 come with fat rubber?
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 31
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From: NH
E420 W124
Monoblock VI 2pc 18X8.5:p
You are right about the snow in NH. I just want to pimp the car and make it sweet and Y2K-compliant!
You are right about the snow in NH. I just want to pimp the car and make it sweet and Y2K-compliant!
Last edited by BrabusK50; Mar 4, 2003 at 05:41 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Manchester, CT
God bless...that's a toot sweet look for NH. Good luck with 'em.
Ever go to the Mass MBCA club events? Me neither...come to the CT hosted MB Hot Rod GTG on the Sunday of the Greenwich Concorse at the far parking lot. Usually first weekend in June...if you love cars and MBs; you should be at this show.
Ever go to the Mass MBCA club events? Me neither...come to the CT hosted MB Hot Rod GTG on the Sunday of the Greenwich Concorse at the far parking lot. Usually first weekend in June...if you love cars and MBs; you should be at this show.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: N. California
1994 C280, 2002 E320
I went thru this a few years ago with my 300E. I bought a set of 16" 8 hole replicas with 225/50's.
I was told this was the largest tire that would fit, and they were right. The annoying part was, you buy the larger wheels/tires for performance, right? Well, what good does it do you if they fit and work fine on the boulevard but then rub the outer fender lip during hard cornering. I bent and trimmed as far as I could without bending the exposed fender lip finish and they still rubbed.
I found my solution by noticing there was about 3/8" clearance on the inside of the tire between the tire and the strut. So, at my next tire change, I took the wheels down to my local machine shop and had 1/4" taken off the hub to move the wheels inward. Since then, I've had a couple different sets of 225/50's on the car and the rubbing is gone.
My guess is the wheel was made this dimension originally to accomodate larger tire sizes with 500E size fenders. I also would be careful to check the tire manufacturer's actual dimensions of the tire before you buy. They do vary, sometimes as much as 1" in overall width between brands and types. Obviously, given the close tolerances, this can make a HUGE difference.
In short, from my experience, given the distance from the strut to the outside trimmed fender lip, 225's are the max without major fender/flare/500E-style modifications. Of course, the rears are a different story, but I wasn't going for a staggered configuration.
I was told this was the largest tire that would fit, and they were right. The annoying part was, you buy the larger wheels/tires for performance, right? Well, what good does it do you if they fit and work fine on the boulevard but then rub the outer fender lip during hard cornering. I bent and trimmed as far as I could without bending the exposed fender lip finish and they still rubbed.
I found my solution by noticing there was about 3/8" clearance on the inside of the tire between the tire and the strut. So, at my next tire change, I took the wheels down to my local machine shop and had 1/4" taken off the hub to move the wheels inward. Since then, I've had a couple different sets of 225/50's on the car and the rubbing is gone.
My guess is the wheel was made this dimension originally to accomodate larger tire sizes with 500E size fenders. I also would be careful to check the tire manufacturer's actual dimensions of the tire before you buy. They do vary, sometimes as much as 1" in overall width between brands and types. Obviously, given the close tolerances, this can make a HUGE difference.
In short, from my experience, given the distance from the strut to the outside trimmed fender lip, 225's are the max without major fender/flare/500E-style modifications. Of course, the rears are a different story, but I wasn't going for a staggered configuration.
Last edited by richp; Mar 10, 2003 at 04:03 PM.
