E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

Are 25mm rear / 15mm front wheel spacers too aggressive

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Old Aug 26, 2019 | 12:57 PM
  #26  
SLcharge's Avatar
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09 SL500, 03 E320 CDI Wagon
This is a good tire / rim calculator.

You just need the basic measurement on you car, and you can calculate any combination, see if they fit.

https://www.wheel-size.com/calc/
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Old Aug 26, 2019 | 12:59 PM
  #27  
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Hi All,
So am I missing something in terms of wheel bolt length? It should be really simple, right? Assume that your factory wheel bolt is 27.9mms, and round to 28mms for simplicity. If you put a 10mm spacer on your car, then the wheel bolt would been to be 38mm (=28mm (OEM wheel bolt length) +10mm (spacer length)). If you put on 20mm spacers, then you would need 48mm wheel bolts (=28mm (OEM wheel bolts length) + 20mm (spacer length). No?
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Old Aug 26, 2019 | 01:07 PM
  #28  
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09 SL500, 03 E320 CDI Wagon
Originally Posted by LexBrett2
I'm running airmatic and I do not plan to lower the car. Thoughts?
The trouble with Airmatic is that the cars have a tendency to sink, when left alone for a while. Therefore going to the edge of the fender, is not a good idea. The tire must be able to crawl up in the wheel arch. You can roll the fender, but then the inner plastic protection will not fit anymore, or be loose.
Also the Airmatic do lower the car during ride, so that a pot hole can damage your fender and tire. Worst case your tire explode.

I have a W211 Wagon myself, and due to the above, I stay inside the wheel arch.

Even if your car don't sink right now, it only need to do it once, and your fenders are ruined.

Try the wheel calculator, and measure out your car.
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Old Aug 26, 2019 | 01:08 PM
  #29  
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09 SL500, 03 E320 CDI Wagon
Originally Posted by LexBrett2
Hi All,
So am I missing something in terms of wheel bolt length? It should be really simple, right? Assume that your factory wheel bolt is 27.9mms, and round to 28mms for simplicity. If you put a 10mm spacer on your car, then the wheel bolt would been to be 38mm (=28mm (OEM wheel bolt length) +10mm (spacer length)). If you put on 20mm spacers, then you would need 48mm wheel bolts (=28mm (OEM wheel bolts length) + 20mm (spacer length). No?
You got it absolutely right, my friend.
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Old Aug 26, 2019 | 01:25 PM
  #30  
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09 SL500, 03 E320 CDI Wagon
Originally Posted by SLcharge
The trouble with Airmatic is that the cars have a tendency to sink, when left alone for a while. Therefore going to the edge of the fender, is not a good idea. The tire must be able to crawl up in the wheel arch. You can roll the fender, but then the inner plastic protection will not fit anymore, or be loose.
Also the Airmatic do lower the car during ride, so that a pot hole can damage your fender and tire. Worst case your tire explode.

I have a W211 Wagon myself, and due to the above, I stay inside the wheel arch.

Even if your car don't sink right now, it only need to do it once, and your fenders are ruined.

Try the wheel calculator, and measure out your car.

This is mine after 3 weeks.
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Old Aug 26, 2019 | 01:29 PM
  #31  
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W211 E350 SPORT / BMW E70 X5
Nice! Do you get any rubbing when it's down that low?

When i got them they had the bolts included but it was a couple years ago, they may have changed their policy. I would give them a call or shoot them an email and ask. I'm sure they'll take care of you!
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Old Aug 26, 2019 | 01:34 PM
  #32  
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09 SL500, 03 E320 CDI Wagon
Originally Posted by CLTW211
Nice! Do you get any rubbing when it's down that low?

When i got them they had the bolts included but it was a couple years ago, they may have changed their policy. I would give them a call or shoot them an email and ask. I'm sure they'll take care of you!
The car display's a red alert, " Car to low, don't drive ", and yes the tire is locked in the fender.

But the reason is partly that the tires are oversize 265/45/18.

Last edited by SLcharge; Aug 26, 2019 at 01:39 PM. Reason: Tire size added
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Old Aug 26, 2019 | 01:51 PM
  #33  
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What was the spacer size in the pic? 20MM?
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Old Aug 26, 2019 | 01:53 PM
  #34  
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[QUOTE=SLcharge;7838387]The trouble with Airmatic is that the cars have a tendency to sink, when left alone for a while. Therefore going to the edge of the fender, is not a good idea. The tire must be able to crawl up in the wheel arch. You can roll the fender, but then the inner plastic protection will not fit anymore, or be loose.
Also the Airmatic do lower the car during ride, so that a pot hole can damage your fender and tire. Worst case your tire explode.

I have a W211 Wagon myself, and due to the above, I stay inside the wheel arch.

Even if your car don't sink right now, it only need to do it once, and your fenders are ruined.

Try the wheel calculator, and measure out your car.[/QUOTE}

Sounds like running 20mm with airmatic could be dangerous. Looks like a smaller spacer would be better/safer. Maybe 10mm?
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Old Aug 26, 2019 | 01:56 PM
  #35  
SLcharge's Avatar
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09 SL500, 03 E320 CDI Wagon
Originally Posted by LexBrett2
What was the spacer size in the pic? 20MM?
No spacer, 18x8.5" rim, ET 32 only.
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Old Aug 26, 2019 | 02:04 PM
  #36  
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No Spacer in SLcharge's photo. 20mm in my photo
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Old Aug 26, 2019 | 02:53 PM
  #37  
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It just sounds like it is too risky for me to run spacers with airmatic.. My last car was a w219, cls500, and when airmatic failed, I was at least able to limp home. If the wheels locked in this situation that would be a disaster. My wife would once again tell me that I "always" break my car which would suck.
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Old Aug 26, 2019 | 11:35 PM
  #38  
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09 SL500, 03 E320 CDI Wagon
Originally Posted by CLTW211
I run 15mm front and 20mm rear on staggered 19's and no issues ever. I've had them on for about 2 years now. only problem is in the front you have to either get hubcentric spacers or make sure it's perfectly centered or you'll get some steering wheel vibration. Perfectly safe if torqued correctly though!
Nice car by the way. Those rims make it look aggressive. .
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Old Aug 27, 2019 | 09:32 AM
  #39  
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SLcharge I appreciate it! She may not be the fastest but she looks good lol even though i got a speeding and tint ticket last week
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Old Sep 18, 2025 | 02:54 PM
  #40  
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2003 mercades e320
where did you get these spacers? i’m looking to buy some

Originally Posted by tjts1
I have 20mm spacers front and rear with 16" wheels. Works fine.

looking to buy them for my w211 e320 it has the same wheels so shouldn’t be an issue i would think also anybody know a good lowering kit for these cars?
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Old Sep 18, 2025 | 04:24 PM
  #41  
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H&R makes good lowering springs for W211s!
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