E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

Wheel Width

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Aug 16, 2004 | 06:44 PM
  #1  
DavidNJ's Avatar
Thread Starter
Super Member
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 758
Likes: 1
From: Warren, NJ
'05 E320 CDI;'04 S2k;'94 Supra TT;'10 QX56;'38 Buick;98 Port City Offset Late Model
Wheel Width

MB ships W211s with 8" and 8.5" wide front wheels. Will 9" wide front wheels also fit?
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2004 | 07:07 PM
  #2  
Harris's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,439
Likes: 1
Tight. If you are going to put 245 tires in the front anyway, why bother getting a 9" front wheel? 8" or 8.5" is good enough!!
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2004 | 08:37 PM
  #3  
scorchie's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,559
Likes: 4
From: Las Vegas, NV USA / London, UK
GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
Originally Posted by DavidNJ
MB ships W211s with 8" and 8.5" wide front wheels. Will 9" wide front wheels also fit?
It depends on the model (airmatic or not, 4matic or not), and the diameter. But 9" wide definitely fits on my E55. I've run the back wheels from my C43 (18x9" ET35 with 265/35R18 tires) on the front of my E55 with absolutely no rubbing problems. Incidentally those wheels/tires are very similar to the stock E55 wheel/tire size (18x9" ET39 with 265/35R18 tires). If you look in the E55 forum you can see that recently Dr. Chill also tried a similar experiment with similar results. (Mine was sort of a forced experiment when I had a blow out on a front tire after I first got the car, and had to walk home to get my CLK to bring the E55 a spare tire from the C43. After getting home I replaced the other side with the same tire so they matched until I received the replacement from TireRack.)

-s-
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2004 | 08:43 PM
  #4  
DavidNJ's Avatar
Thread Starter
Super Member
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 758
Likes: 1
From: Warren, NJ
'05 E320 CDI;'04 S2k;'94 Supra TT;'10 QX56;'38 Buick;98 Port City Offset Late Model
They would be 9x18 35mm offset with 245/40-18 tires, probably Falken ST-115s.

Car is E320 CDI, kein Airmatic.
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2004 | 08:57 PM
  #5  
scorchie's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,559
Likes: 4
From: Las Vegas, NV USA / London, UK
GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
Originally Posted by DavidNJ
They would be 9x18 35mm offset with 245/40-18 tires, probably Falken ST-115s.

Car is E320 CDI, kein Airmatic.
Are you going to bring them on the plane with you?

I don't know anyone who has tried this with a non-Airmatic car... if I see one in the next few days I can try it, but I think it should fit OK. Is there a reason you can't get 8.5" (which would be recommended for your tire size choice)?

Just as a note, at the price point you're looking, I would recommend a look at the Bridgestone Fuzion line... they are pretty quiet and stick pretty well, even in rain.

I would run 9" wide wheels in front if I could find a matching 11" rim for the rear, in a style I like.

-s-
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2004 | 10:02 PM
  #6  
DavidNJ's Avatar
Thread Starter
Super Member
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 758
Likes: 1
From: Warren, NJ
'05 E320 CDI;'04 S2k;'94 Supra TT;'10 QX56;'38 Buick;98 Port City Offset Late Model
I know from the Supra, getting 10+" wide wheels with the right offsets is the land of $1000 each custom three piece wheels.

These wheels are just available at an attractive price. I am a little leery about going to 18" wheels because of their adverse affect on ride. However, especially on a white car, I think they make a significant enhancement in appearance.

Also the stock '05 wheels are painted and look painted. That, coupled with a tendency to get dirty, seem to make them less attractive.
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2004 | 10:49 PM
  #7  
DavidNJ's Avatar
Thread Starter
Super Member
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 758
Likes: 1
From: Warren, NJ
'05 E320 CDI;'04 S2k;'94 Supra TT;'10 QX56;'38 Buick;98 Port City Offset Late Model
What is the offset of the stock wheels?

Thanks,

David
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2004 | 04:56 AM
  #8  
scorchie's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,559
Likes: 4
From: Las Vegas, NV USA / London, UK
GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
Originally Posted by DavidNJ
What is the offset of the stock wheels?

Thanks,

David
Depends on which wheels.

I think the AMGs are 18x8 ET30 and 18x9 ET39. I suspect all of the stock wheels fit into the area between these two offsets, inclusive.

-s-
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish

 
story-3

7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 18, 2004 | 12:26 PM
  #9  
DavidNJ's Avatar
Thread Starter
Super Member
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 758
Likes: 1
From: Warren, NJ
'05 E320 CDI;'04 S2k;'94 Supra TT;'10 QX56;'38 Buick;98 Port City Offset Late Model
Thanks Scorchie,

Those offsets make sense. However, didn't MB have an 8.5x17 available on the W211? Or were all the wheels 8x16 or 8x17 with a 30mm offset?

The wheels I am looking at or 9x18 offset 35mm all around. I just wonder if they will work upfront, or for that matter, since they have 3/8" or so extra wheel sticking out,. whether they will clear the fender.

David von NJ
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2004 | 03:31 PM
  #10  
lig's Avatar
lig
Super Member
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 957
Likes: 1
was '03 E320 - now - '04 S4
I'm running the 18x8.5 +30 AMGs w/245s all around on a non-airmatic E320 (2wd)

No clearance issues at all - I don't think an extra .25 sticking out would make that much of a difference.

Surprisingly - the ride hasn't deteriorated one bit.

Having said that - my other car is an S2000 with 10K/10K coilovers so I don't mind a firm ride.

The stock 16" wheels made the car look a bit like a Camry.
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2004 | 07:46 PM
  #11  
scorchie's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,559
Likes: 4
From: Las Vegas, NV USA / London, UK
GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
Originally Posted by DavidNJ
Thanks Scorchie,

Those offsets make sense. However, didn't MB have an 8.5x17 available on the W211? Or were all the wheels 8x16 or 8x17 with a 30mm offset?

The wheels I am looking at or 9x18 offset 35mm all around. I just wonder if they will work upfront, or for that matter, since they have 3/8" or so extra wheel sticking out,. whether they will clear the fender.

David von NJ
I thought the original sport package wheels (later "appearance package" wheels) were 8.5" all around... but I can't really find anything to support that, so it's probably incorrect.

Since I've run a 18x9 ET35 up front (see earlier this thread) and Dr Chill has run 18x9 ET39 up front with Airmatic, it's PROBABLY going to work on your car... on the outside, where you're concerned (I would be concerned on the inside with an offset higher than 35).

Remember, it doesn't matter if the wheel sticks out or not. Only the tire. A wider wheel will make the overall width of the tire wider, but not the tread, which is usually the part that is more likely to come in contact with body parts (except in EXTREME lowering cases).

-s-
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2004 | 07:52 PM
  #12  
DavidNJ's Avatar
Thread Starter
Super Member
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 758
Likes: 1
From: Warren, NJ
'05 E320 CDI;'04 S2k;'94 Supra TT;'10 QX56;'38 Buick;98 Port City Offset Late Model
With the 35mm offset in front, did you use a 245/40, 255/40, 265/35, or 275/35?

P.S.
What is the cause of your AMC fetish?
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2004 | 07:57 PM
  #13  
scorchie's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,559
Likes: 4
From: Las Vegas, NV USA / London, UK
GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
Originally Posted by DavidNJ
With the 35mm offset in front, did you use a 245/40, 255/40, 265/35, or 275/35?

P.S.
What is the cause of your AMC fetish?
265/35R18... my rear tire size for both C43 and E55, on front.

AMC was one of the main drivers behind domestic compact car popularity in the US; they also arguably created several car types that are popular today: The small car with a big engine (Gremlin with 304ci V8) and the all-wheel drive station wagon/sport utility wagon (the Eagle/Spirit SX4), the two-seat 2-door sedan (AMX). AMC also originated the idea of a "warranty" for cars!

And, all their IP is now part of DCAG... so I can "stay in the family" by shopping new Dodge cars or classic AMCs.

Finally I can break off a little part of the G on an AMG badge and stick it on my Gremlin.

-s-
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2004 | 12:02 AM
  #14  
DavidNJ's Avatar
Thread Starter
Super Member
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 758
Likes: 1
From: Warren, NJ
'05 E320 CDI;'04 S2k;'94 Supra TT;'10 QX56;'38 Buick;98 Port City Offset Late Model
Aren't the 265/35's a little too short? Do 275/35s fit? By the way, what do you think of the Carlsson Diamond Edition finish?

And, as someone who was there then an actually thought about running IMCA (stayed in Showroom Stock Sedan because of $$$), I'm not sure I total agree with the Rambler decision. The AMX was a shortened Javelin. Both had engine and suspension limitations. The Gremlin was also a something or other that had its tail cut off.

The Pacer, 71+ Javelin, and Matador were interesting from a styling standpoint, however still had the chassis limitations. As collector car I don't think any have legs.

A NASCAR Matador is would be interesting, however that would be a Matador in name and sheetmetal only. As would a Trans-Am Javelin. These would be for vintage racing and I think a few are kicking around. There value is boosted by the Penske/Donohue/Allison connection.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:25 AM.

story-0
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production

Slideshow: Mercedes has never been afraid to experiment, and some of its strangest ideas turned out to be surprisingly successful.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-1
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look

Sideshow: A Middle Eastern tuner has transformed the Mercedes-AMG G 63 into an open-top special, replacing nearly every exterior panel in the process.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 15:29:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish

Slideshow: Six gift ideas your AMG loving dad or grad will cherish.

By | 2026-06-03 17:26:18


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

Slideshow: Sometimes AMG builds fast sedans. Other times, it builds twin-turbo V12 land missiles and six-wheeled off-road monsters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 17:59:58


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

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-8
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE