okc329

Does anybody know why the BLUETECH cars are equipped with 16 inch wheels while the other models come with 17 or 18 inch wheels? What would be the consequences of putting 17 inch wheels on a new BLUETEC?

amdeutsch

The lower the sidewall, the rougher the ride. In General.

TPAbnz

Economy.

Untertürkheim

The Bluetec suspension in the US is not designed for larger wheels, this has to do with the US 211 cars having softer suspension than the ROW, and that neither the sport suspension nor Airmatic can be ordered on the Bluetec here (Airmatic being one feature I would very much like to have). 17" can be fitted with exchange of a suspension bushing.

http://www.mercedes-benz.de/content/...mbination.html

okc329

so you are saying that a new Bluetec has different bushings in the suspension than does the the E350 which has either 17 inch or 18 inch wheels depending on the model (Luxury or Sport)? That seems like an extra complication on the assembly line and for dealer parts stocking. Which bushing is it, do you know?

Diesel Benz

When you read the pdf from the link, I assume the 211.022 model equals E320 Bluetec in the US, if I'm not mistaken. The E300 Bluetec is the Euro model 211.024.

In any case, the part A211 323 02 44 is the rubber bumper at the top of the front strut, below the sprint retainer.

I guess this actually does not affect the wheel fitting, bigger wheels would fit too but the factory states these should not be used unless the rubber bumper is changed.

Unfortunately detali EPC seems to be out of order, I cannot post a link to the EPC parts diagram.

Untertürkheim

Diesel beat me to it, I would assume the standard setup on the US bluetec allows too much suspension travel for the larger wheels, which is why this part needs to be changed for 17" wheels.

okc329

I still wonder why this is the only E class that is equipped with 16 inch wheels and intended for the U.S. market.

lkchris

Wonder all you want, but you're better off with the 16s.

Any advantage to 17s is felt only by Bernd Schneider and the disadvantages are many and readily apparent to most.

Through 2006, the USA gasoline 211s came with the same 16s, at least the sixes did.

Diesel Benz

detali seems to be up and running again. It is part #70 in the figure. This '02 44 is listed here too but the data is old and not all current options for the part are listed.

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.asp...SGR=052&SGN=01

I would take the info seriously from the pdf Untertürkheim gave. You may ask him to help with the translation if the notes are not easy to read.

Untertürkheim

This post references this document, and will hopefully provide all fitment information for US diesels (although I would be happy to expand): http://www.mercedes-benz.de/content/...ne_Typ_211.pdf

There were two different E320 diesel models sold in the US:

2006 and earlier models were E320 CDI (I6, 5speed AT), this is the 211.026 model listed under "Variante 2" in the document. This model comes standard with 225/55/16 tires mounted all around. This model is approved (with the ***, I will translate the footnote later) for all size fitments where "2" is listed in the "varianten" column, which is all larger sizes.


The 2007+ US diesels, called Bluetec (V6, 7g-tronic) are the 211.024 listed in "Variante 4" This model comes standard with 225/55/16 tires mounted all around. This model is approved (with the ***) for all size fitments where "4" is listed in the "varianten" column, which is only the 245/45/17 size).

ALL US diesel models are equipped with Standard suspension and USA suspension.

Now, to explain the *** footnote:

17" and 18" wheel/tire fitments on cars with Standard Suspension and/or Code 485 (Comfort Suspension), Code 494 (USA Suspension) ALL US E-Classes have 494!, Code 482 (Larger Ground Clearance), is only allowed with the following modification: The standard shock absorber bushings (this part may have another name, but I believe this is the english name) on the front axle/shock aborber must be exchanged with part # A211 326 0268 (also listed as part # B6 647 0005), which are suspension travel-limiting parts.

There is no need to translate the rest as it does not apply to US diesel E classes. The bottom line is that the US suspension on the diesel (or non-sport, non-airmatic) E classes allows too much suspension travel for a larger wheel. This modification will fix that.

Diesel Benz

There must be some confusion with the body variant numbers. 211.026 is definitely the I6 CDI model, the oldest of the all. The number sequence is confusing, a bigger number does not mean a later model.

The 211.022 is the V6 CDI engine. The 211.024 is very new in Europe, this one is called E300 Bluetec.

Are you sure all the US Bluetecs are 211.024? I'm pretty sure there are 211.022 models sold in the US as E320 Bluetec but I'm not sure if they all are 211.022.

Edited: my interpretation is also backed up with this source that should be pretty accurate:
http://www.db-forum.de/attach/Start_MBBRV.html
(browse the baureihe info for 211).

lkchris

USA W211 with V6 diesel are all 211.022.

amdeutsch

Ralfie's forum.

Untertürkheim

You are right about the .022/.026, I have corrected my mistake.

The US Bluetec models are .024, and the US Bluetec is the EU Bluetec, even though the model numbers are different. The difference between the EU E320 CDI 211.022 and E300/320(US) Bluetec 211.024 is (besides the emissions system) the lower compression ratio in the bluetec, 16.5 instead of 17.7 in the CDI, and slightly less hp.

The Bluetec (211.024) was released in the US far before Europe, as the US was something of a "test" for the model before being released in Europe.

lkchris

USA W211 with V6 diesel are all 211.022.

MB Fanatic

I am running 18" rims from the E550 Sport on my E320 Bluetec. Don't see a problem as to why you can't run larger rims. Stockers are 16" so you get optimal fuel efficiency.

Diesel Benz

As I understand it, it isn't an issue with the tyre size in the sense that there would not be enough room in the car. But it could be that the the stock tyre has enough profile to face suspension hitting bottom, while the harder lower profile tyre might put the car body on too hard forces when the strut goes all the way in. The new bumper rubber might come in earlier and harder and soften the hit to the car body?

DerekACS

Since taking delivery, I have had 17" 5-twin spoke Almach alloys on my Bluetec and I have not experienced any issues whatsoever. These wheels were in fact an approved option offered by MB Canada for the E320 Bluetec.

I had Michelin Pilot Alpins installed on the original 16" wheels for winter use.
My car handles incredibly well with this set up on snow and ice.