omair05

hey, ima newbie so i have a quick question.

i have a 1999 E320 and i'm going to upgrade the stock 16's to these:

Size (front) 18x8.5
Size (rear) 18x8.5
Offset 37MM
Bolt Pattern 5X112MM

i was juss wondering wat size tires would be good so no rubbing or ne other problem will occur?


thanks

Whitey

235/40 x 18" or 245/40 x 18" all round if you want to rotate your tires. Either of those up front, and 255/35 or 265/35 up back if you want better handling (can even space out the rears by 5-10mm for a staggered look). Without excessive lowering, u should not have any problems with those offsets.

omair05

thanks Whitey for the help...lets c how this turns out!

jimmydagreek

Good job Davey-boy...

E55 KEV

That 245/40/18 will not work up front on 18X8.5 et37. The tire will rub inside. It would rub on W210 E55 and also a regular E-Class. That 18X8.5 et37 goes inward to far for 245/40/18 tire. The infamous nut:

Whitey

Hahaha, how many times have you posted your nuts?

I beleive it would be close on stock height of a regular E but it should work- especially when you guys have them set higher than in Asia and Europe in the first place. In any case, I personally don't prefer to have anything more than 235 up front to maintain agility in the turning (and save a bit on gas !), at least for non-AMGs.

oofie910

so what's the best solution to this? im thinking of putting also 245/40/18 on my e...will spacers work?

Whitey

What's the offset of those wheels? Anything with less than ET35 (if you're offset is more, then yes, sapcers will fix it) will definitely not give you a problem but like I said, 235's up front gives you more responsiveness in turning.

E55 KEV

If I were building a set of custom rims for my E55 and using 245 width tires I would look for:

18X8.0 et25 thru et34
18X8.5 et25 thru et28

Here is a offset calculator:

http://www.mindspring.com/~toy4two/offset.html

Whitey

So Kev, given your famous nut, do you know exactly how far (say, compared to the std 8" AMG wheel) one can afford to go on the inside before it hits? Admittedly, when I choose my wheels and tires, the fender alignment is the first thing I consider and luckily so far, no nut problems - touch wood

oofie910

the wheels im looking at are 18 x 8.5 et 35mm...so i guess spacers are my only chance if i want to use 245/40/18... i want to use 235/40/18 but i dont want to compromise the ride on it....the ride on my e46 is already harsh...no need for another tough car.

Whitey

235 at 8.5" ET35 should be no prob, I had that set up once before. You will probbaly not notice any differences in ride quality between 245 and 235/40. If I remember correctly, 235/40x18 replicates the OEM wheel diameter more closely, hence more accurate speedo readings anyway. In any case, I think you can get away with the 245 without the need for spacers if you have not lowered your car (I'm also assuming Kev's concern applies to your car's current setup).

oofie910

yep, no lowering as of now...im trying to get the 245s just so i can fill up the wheel well, which in turn, IMO, will only need a little bit of lowering. im trying to save the "ride" of this car so i dont think ill be lowering it too much, even though it won't look as great as a lowered car. thanks for the replies....although sorry to the original poster for jacking the thread.

E55 KEV

If my setup is any indication it would rub with you push the wheel inward more than 4mm. So 5mm and above would rub.

My setup was only a 4mm change - from 18X8 et31 to 18X8 et35.

Whitey

Mmmmm, here's a "manual" computation:

1) If you went from 8" to 8.5" wide wheels, that would take it bring it in 0.25"= approx. 6mm (1/4" each side);and

2) With ET35, you bring it back out 4mm EDIT: take it in by a further 4mm!

Net: 2mm further in (i.e. less than 4mm), hence that should work in oofie910's case. EDIT: 10mm further IN! (but definitely worked for me on 235's - see below)

In Omair05's case:

1) 8.5" ===> 6mm in; add
2) ET37 ====> 6mm in

Net: 12mm further in.......too far in!

But with 235's as opposed to 245, that brings it in 5mm (on each side) ====> net 5mm in i.e. > 4mm, won't work (based on Kev's info).

But that's all assuming:

1) The height of his car is the same as E55 (which it is not)
2) The E55 nut part is exactly the same on his regular E (is it Kev?)

However, it also depends on the shoulder design of the tire since different tires have different shoulder widths (I think Kev taught me that a while back ).

Based on the above, 245 MAY not work for Omair05 but on stock height, he might be able to get away with it. 235 is a safer bet, whilst 225 will definitely work but too stretched, at least for my liking, and the speedo will be off.

Since there's a few uncertainties, I would suggest trying the 245 first (if 245 is what you insist on). Then if it does rub, use a 5-10mm spacer to space out the front wheels (but that will make the front's appear too far out compared to the rears, so you might have to space out the rears as well).

I trust you will agree with this analysis Kev?

Whitey

Hang on, I went from 18x8 ET31 (AMG II's) to 18x8.5 ET35 without any probs, but that's with 235s....so yep, 235's will defintiely work, even when lowered and it means 5mm further in worked for me.....strange Kev, what gives? Tire shoulder design?

E55 KEV

Yeah, it is strange, check out my last post concerning JamE55's miracle fitment:

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w210/85895-w210-suspension-help.html

Whitey

And I responded......but in James' case, his is an E55, so negates my earlier qualification (at least in his case).........mmmmm, maybe he's not telling everything....that president of the BS Club, lol