I really want some 20's on my 2011 E 350 and want the 245/35/20 size up front. After all my research many hours online and a few phone calls to Tire shops and Dealers - I think I can get it done. So the only issue is the Strut plate that rubs in the way. I talked to a dealer service manager and after all the warnings in regards to warranty and etc. he mentioned that that piece can be shaved or bent sligthly without any performance issues or really any issues at all. Apparantly the plate is a stable piece that does not move and holds as a protective barrier for the bottom of the Strut/Spring and shaving of or bending a 1/4" to 1/2" should not affect anything (plenty of extra material to still provide protection). I am going to try to have the shop shave down the plate and install wheels with 245/35/20 tires and see what happens. I wanted to hear all of your thoughts. I did see the picture of
JP2369's hammering of the plate (picture attached). I don't think its that big of a deal and the amount of time and money saved on 35's VS 30's and protecting those front rims and having a bigger side wall is a BIG factor for
20's. Any updates on this from anyone would be appreciated and thank you MBTRIO for getting back to me with your thoughts. Let me know what you thinka nd what you would do in this situation. And for those who somehow got the 35's to work let me know how please. Thank you in advance to all.

 

sorry - forgot 20 X 8.5 in front with 43 offset - 245/35/20 -

 

I'm running 225/35/20 with at 35 offset on the front. Im thinking you can get away with 235/35/20 with a 43 without any mods. Not certain but some of the experts here will help you out.

 

You guys are nuts for shaving/bending/hammering pieces of this cars underbody. I said this last time someone said they're doing this, but I will NEVER buy a Used Car again! For the piece of mind if nothing else.

 

I agree.......who says it's OKAY to bend and mangle underbody parts???

INSANE

 

Totally agreed Hyp. To each their own, but I hope you leave a note when you sell the car (or return it to M-B)!

 

Personally, I would stay away from any "modifications" of this nature.

If 245/35-20 tires do not fit upfront, I would not cut or bend anything there to fit them.

When I tried fitting 245/35-20 on (an aggresive offset of ET32) 20x8.5 wheel, the tire was in slight but constant contact with that plate. With more appropriate offset (for W212) wheel - ET43 - the contact should be even more pronounced. I know that there are several people here who say they run this tire size, but they do not say what was needed to accomplish this. I do not see how a 245/35-20 tire can be fitted without some modifications or running a really aggresive offset of less then 30mm - et25 or about there should work since tire should be far enough from that plate, but I did not try myself.

Furthermore, people who run 225/35-20 or 245/30-20 are playing with fire and sooner or later it will catch up. Better choice would be 255/30-20 or 235/35-20 - better but still not as good as 245/35-20(this size has right load capacity and high enough sidewall to protect rims and offer acceptable ride quality).

The last point. 20" wheels/tires will yeld decreased performance vs. 19" wheels/tires - primary reasons are mass and rolling radius(if going to 35 series tires, as one should). People with E550 will not realy feel it during accelaration, but people with E350 will for sure. I tried it on both and there is a clear difference in degradation on V6 cars. Both suffer from same longer breaking distances. The only reason I bring it up is that there are enough choices these days to select 19" wheels that look as big as most 20" wheels people put on their cars without all the associated issues with 20s. Finally, and its only me: if its a daily "driver" - only 19s, no 20s for sure; if a second car - then its up to you.

 

BUMP

 

Hey bro, were u able to pull off the 245/35/20s in front? if so what offset and did you have to modify anything? I feel 235/35 is simply not enough tire for new england roads. Thanks

 

I'm running 245/30/20 on my W212 on Montreal roads and it's perfect. If i had to do it again i would choose 255/30/20 though.

245/35/20 is 1.1" taller than stock.

 

So I was told by a member that he shaved a quarter inch off the plate and has no rubbing issues with the 245/35/20. I insist on this tire size because my last car had them and it was barley enough for the roads here in CT. Even with that size, I had to get a couple wheels fixed from Hartford potholes... Thanks everyone