Rims Without Lowering?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Rate Thread

Aug 27, 2005 | 01:44 AM

Diesel

Thread Starter

Member

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 242

Likes: 5

From: Canada

Mercedes 2019 AMG S63, 2015 E250 Bluetec. Previous: '18 E63S, '07 E63, '10 S550, '15 S550, '10 GL350

Rims Without Lowering?

Hi All

Im usually on the W124 forum, and Im sure this has been answered here somewhere, but I will still ask

For a 2003 E320, what is the best rim and tire option in terms of size without requiring a drop? The car is running the 16 inch factory rims and tires. I would like to go either 17 or 18 inches.

Thanks

Diesel

Aug 27, 2005 | 01:59 AM

DWP

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 1,586

Likes: 1

From: Sacramento

'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500

I'm not quite following the question. I haven't read anything here about any combination of wheels and tires that requires lowering the car. The question usually is, "how large a set of rims can I install and still lower my car?" I'm hardly an expert on the subject, but from what I recall from other posts, people have gone up to 18" wheels with a 1" drop, or 19" wheels with a 1/2" drop, or something like that. But I could be wrong. An E320 lends itself to "conventional" lowering methods, unlike the E500.

Aug 27, 2005 | 08:18 AM

birdman-c

Almost a Member!

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 47

Likes: 0

Take a look at the picture below - these are the 18" AMG's on my car without being lowered...

Attached Thumbnails

Aug 27, 2005 | 06:44 PM

Diesel

Thread Starter

Member

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 242

Likes: 5

From: Canada

Mercedes 2019 AMG S63, 2015 E250 Bluetec. Previous: '18 E63S, '07 E63, '10 S550, '15 S550, '10 GL350

Thanks for the replies. DWP, I dont want to drop my car, I want to go to a larger rim diameter but where the gap between tire and wheel well is still acceptable. There is a certain point where the gap between the tire and the wheel well looks bad if you go to a larger rim size, and don't drop.

Birdman, thanks for your picture. Those 18's look nice. Can anyone one tell me what are the rim and tire size options for the E320 in 17 and 18 inches.

Thanks

Diesel

Aug 27, 2005 | 11:36 PM

khaug

Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 339

Likes: 0

From: Michigan, USA

'05 E320 CDI, '07 VW Touareg V10 TDI, 2007 Porsche GT3

The gap between the tire and wheel well is dependent on tire size as well as rim diameter. When upgrading tires and wheels, you should strive to keep the overall diameter of the tire/wheel combination the same as original. This is important from the standpoint of function as well as cosmetics.

I upgraded the 225/55x16" tires and wheels on our CDI to 245/40x18". This is a factory optional size, so I had no concerns about tire rub or diameter. In fact, the circumference of the 245s is within 1/8" of the originals. If you decide to go with 17"s, the proper tire size is 245/45x17, which should also maintain the original diameter.

Aug 27, 2005 | 11:44 PM

birdman-c

Almost a Member!

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 47

Likes: 0

If it is any help - the tires in my picture are as follows:

Front 245/40/18 - Rear - 275/35/18 - No lowering.

Aug 28, 2005 | 02:35 AM

Vader55

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 2,319

Likes: 1

From: OC

AMG E55, Stage 1, Strait Pipe from Primary Cats

My opinion is to drop it 1 inch for 18's or keep your stockers....don't go half way...

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Verdad Gallardo

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Verdad Gallardo

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Verdad Gallardo

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Verdad Gallardo

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Verdad Gallardo

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Verdad Gallardo

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Verdad Gallardo

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Verdad Gallardo

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Verdad Gallardo

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Verdad Gallardo

Aug 28, 2005 | 07:11 PM

birdman-c

Almost a Member!

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 47

Likes: 0

I disagree - on the E Class W211 lowering is not necessary at 18"

Aug 28, 2005 | 07:26 PM

#10

Vader55

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 2,319

Likes: 1

From: OC

AMG E55, Stage 1, Strait Pipe from Primary Cats

Quote:

Originally Posted by birdman-c

I disagree - on the E Class W211 lowering is not necessary at 18"

Nothing is necessary I agree but if you could stick your fore arm in between the wheel well and the tire than it needs a drop. Unless you are on the east coast where road conditions will not tolerate it.

Aug 28, 2005 | 07:45 PM

#11

birdman-c

Almost a Member!

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 47

Likes: 0

I don't think you have seen an unlowered W211 with 18" AMG's on it in person. The pictures don't do it justice as it is on an incline with the parking brake on. Looks just like a stock E55.

Jul 26, 2007 | 12:54 AM

#12

LBDOC

Newbie

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 3

Likes: 0

From: LONG BEACH, CA

2003 e320 sedan

birdman, can you send me a pic of your e320 with your 28

Jul 26, 2007 | 08:14 AM

#13

mbuskuhl

Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 490

Likes: 3

From: Dallas, TX

sold - w211 e320, f250, rx7 race car

Quote:

Originally Posted by birdman-c

I don't think you have seen an unlowered W211 with 18" AMG's on it in person. The pictures don't do it justice as it is on an incline with the parking brake on. Looks just like a stock E55.

I have not seen your car in person. I did sell my E55 wheels to a buddy who has a non-sport (read spring) 2004 E320. He put the wheels on it and it doesn't sit like a stock E55 and looks a little 4x4. He also put on 17" sport wheels before this and that didn't work either. All had factory tire sizes and were obviously factory wheels. For him it doesn't matter, he has kept the ride height stock and still uses the 18" E55 wheels.

My 2003 E320 sport (read Airmatic) came with 17" sport wheels, I lowered via STAR and went to 18" E55 wheels and then 18" E63 wheels. These cars really need a minor .5"-1" drop to sit right. As another post above said, don't do it half way and whatever you do stick with stock tire sizes IMO.

Jul 26, 2007 | 01:16 PM

#14

MARK CUMMINS

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 3,860

Likes: 3

From: Jacksonville Florida

209/W210 Estate /W211 modded by MBENZNL

I Installed the AMG Multipiece 19s on the Wifes W211 and it looks ok..Not like a 4X4...I Left it at the stock height as My Wife does Carrier landings on our driveway...I Learned this from her last MB and a couple of Front Bumper repairs

Jul 26, 2007 | 01:28 PM

#15

my06clk

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 1,578

Likes: 7

04 S430 (sold),05 X5 4.4i, 02 325i, 87 560SL, 85 Alfa Romeo

Quote:

Originally Posted by MARK CUMMINS

LOL... Carrier landings huh.. Thats a good one. I can just imagine..LOL..

Gotta love those wives though for keeping things interesting...LOL..

Heres a good one for you.

My girl got into a fight with a buzzard at about 80mph on a back road with a loaner one night. The drivers mirror lost, and I have no clue what happened to the bird. i think it disintegrated except for the body goo that was on the door. She said "The F&%$er just cam out of nowhere" LOL just like the scene in 40 Y/O virgin. I had to laugh at that one.

Apr 29, 2010 | 12:03 AM

#16

binioute

Junior Member

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 25

Likes: 0

e320

Hi Guys,

This post is very interesting for me because I would like to drop my e320 by 1 inch, but the thing is that I can not find any springs capable to drop only 1 inch or even 1/2 inch

Do you guys have an idea

Thank you

Apr 30, 2010 | 01:24 PM

#17

E92-Lighting

Former Vendor of MBWorld

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 660

Likes: 0

From: Irvine CA 949

BBS LM's 18's + Kics

i would drop it at the very least one inch and get 18's

Apr 30, 2010 | 02:00 PM

#18

WRC7732

Member

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 92

Likes: 0

From: Marietta, GA

2005 E320 CDI

Just did 18" AMG replicas on mine and couldn't stand the gap so I went with the H&R sport springs. great looking 1" gap all the way around and the ride is better that the stock springs.

i would recommend this route.

Apr 30, 2010 | 10:09 PM

#19

binioute

Junior Member

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 25

Likes: 0

e320

Quote:

Originally Posted by WRC7732

Thank you for your reply I agree with you you car looks amazing, can you tell me what model of H&R spring did you put?

Thank you

Apr 30, 2010 | 11:27 PM

#20

raymond g-

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 5,939

Likes: 178

From: Seattle WA

99 E320

Quote:

Originally Posted by binioute

presuming that your spring pads are #3 front and #2 rear, the most you can drop
by going to thinnest pad will be roughly .25" front and little more than .125" rear.
it is highly unlikely that you'll be able to get a net drop of .5" using spring pads
alone.

to gain a 1" drop, you would need to cut the spring. I did this on 211 springs
and it took about 1+ hr to remove 4 springs, 30 mins to plot and measure,
30 mins to cut all 4 springs, and 1 hr to reinstall springs. The cutting was done
using a cutoff grinder. one wheel took care of all 4 springs. heat build-up was
minimal.

May 1, 2010 | 01:40 PM

#21

AMG4EmE

Member

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 128

Likes: 0

From: So. Cal.

2008 W211

Before and After

BEFORE:
Pic of my stock W211 with AMG Sport package with factory OEM MB springs with OEM AMG 18's...

AFTER:
Pic of my W211 with H&R Springs and OEM AMG 19's...

I think both look fine and all a matter of opinion and what you are looking for...

BEFORE pic wheels for sale!!!

https://mbworld.org/forums/wheels-ti...-9-5-back.html

May 1, 2010 | 04:28 PM

#22

binioute

Junior Member

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 25

Likes: 0

e320

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMG4EmE

BEFORE:
Pic of my stock W211 with AMG Sport package with factory OEM MB springs with OEM AMG 18's...

AFTER:
Pic of my W211 with H&R Springs and OEM AMG 19's...

I think both look fine and all a matter of opinion and what you are looking for...

BEFORE pic wheels for sale!!!

https://mbworld.org/forums/wheels-ti...-9-5-back.html

I agree your car look amazing I think that HOUR spring drop little more then eiback.

Some body can confirm because I would like to buy some spring but with the minimun drop.

Thanks as always