luckytruck

hi guys, i finally bit the bullet and got me some 20 inch rims. i will post pics on Tuesday after install.

the front is 20 x 8.5 offset 32. i am planning to go with a 245/30 r20 tire as everyone has said that this is the ideal size. for the rear, i was looking at either a 285 or 295 both being /25 r20.

i know everyone is saying that 285 is the correct tire, but i just wanted to know if i could squeeze a 295 in there for added width and sidewall.

if i go with the 295, the overall diameter of both the front and the rear will be exactly the same: 25.8 inches

if i stick to the 285, the overall diameter in the rear will be slightly less than the front: 25.6 inches.

i plan to install my rims and tires on Monday, so i kinda need quick input. I have an eibach lowering spring kit. will i be in danger of rubbing with my two young kids in the rear if i go with the 295?

thanks in advance.

i am almost done bugging you guys about wheels and tires i have the wheels already, now i just need to get the tires.

andy

155

I'm almost certain you'll rub with the 295's. Get the 285's and call it a day. You won't care about the 0.2 of an inch when you're rub the inside of your fenders. In fact, my 285's rub with my 10" rims

gaazmon

my tires are 8" x 17" and it came with 245s. Shouldn't you be using 255 up front? just wondering. but 245 should still be ok. just depends on the look you are going for.

PHDZINE

This is atually my dilemma right now. I believe with the right offset it could work. I spoke to Aicona wheels and they said they could do it...and that extra 10mm is actualluy .39 of an inch but its more of a WOW factor than anything!

luckytruck

the 245s are actually pretty okay in the front. i don't want to risk going 255/35 as i might start rubbing.

i am undecided what to do with the rear. as a temporary tire, i have a 275/30 r20 there with no spacer. as soon as i can find a shop with a pit or a lifter the keeps the springs compressed (like the kind for alignment), i will take a peek in the back to see what kind of clearance i have on the inside.

i tried sticking my head under there last night and almost got stuck, that's how low the rear of my car is......or is that how big my head is? hehehehehe

the 275 looks okay in the back, a little bit stretched though. if i put 5mm spacers, it would look nice and flushed for the vip look. but i heard that there were no 5mm spacers that were hubcentric???

andy

andy

parobk

Any update to this thread. When I searched for 20's on TR, they recommend a 245/30/20 in the front and a 285/25/20 in the rear. Issue is that a 295/25/20 in the rear actually puts the rolling circumference dead even front to back. I have a stock '04 E500 4-Matic (not lowered) and just need to know if that extra .3937... of an inch will fit! Thx!

e50zero

i would suggest the 275/30 for the rear just to have a little more sidewall to protect the wheels but it you really want a wider tire then 285/25 is the way to go.

parobk

OK - trying to make sense of all the posts and information regarding wheels, staggered, 4-Matic, sizes, airmatic, what fits/doesn't, etc. My best guess is that this config will work (I've seen it elsewhere on here on an 'Estate' with 11's), but you don't know until you try! So I suppose someone has to try!! Wish me luck

20x8.5 Front 245/30/20
20x10 Rear 295/25/20

Hopefully with some of the text herein, I can also help others who land here by way of search terms!

Will post photos next week!


P.S. Says "newbie", but I've been here a while. Had to reset my account due to email issues that I could not figure out!!

2004 / E500 / 4-Matic / airmatic / 295/20 / 285/20 / tires / wheels / rubbing / 295 / 285 / 20" / rims

parobk

Fit by about 3/16" from inner fender well...