Staggered Wheels on 2010 E550 4Matic
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2011 E550, 2008 SL55 AMG
Interesting - the MBUSA site is mute on this. I know my (non-4Matic) 2011 E550 came with staggered 18" AMG wheels. Maybe staggered fitments cause problems with 4Matic. Sadly, model year 2012 E550 buyers are stuck with 4Matic.
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CLK550
Spoke to my MB tech and he said staggered set up should not affect 4matic system.
Not sure whats the best set up would be:
255/35/19 & 285/30/19 E63 sizing i believe.
or
245/35/19 & 285/30/19 give identical overall diameter, what is important for the 4matic sytem.
Not sure whats the best set up would be:
255/35/19 & 285/30/19 E63 sizing i believe.
or
245/35/19 & 285/30/19 give identical overall diameter, what is important for the 4matic sytem.
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2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
What would be the reason for MB to build this beatuful car with the staggered wheel setup but then not include it in the 4-wheel drive equipped models? Are they just stupid or would there be a real reason for it? I don't think they are stupid.
The reason is that the staggered wheel setup that they use on the rear wheel drive cars gives too much wheel diameter difference between front and rear.
Now, what the hell has this to do with anything? Well, to my understanding MB use a very simple spring loaded "disk brake" as differential locking between the axles. If the front and rear wheels have diameter difference this disk brake will wear out, i.e. the different speed between the axles will make the middle differential to work at all times. Constant movement at the differential then wears the locking disks out. It is kind of if you drive the car with foot on the brake.
Last edited by Arrie; Dec 9, 2012 at 01:02 PM.
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2012 W212 E350 Bluetec
What would be the reason for MB to build this beatuful car with the staggered wheel setup but then not include it in the 4-wheel drive equipped models? Are they just stupid or would there be a real reason for it? I don't think they are stupid.
The reason is that the staggered wheel setup that they use on the rear wheel drive cars gives too much wheel diameter difference between front and rear.
Now, what the hell has this to do with anything? Well, to my understanding MB use a very simple spring loaded "disk brake" as differential locking between the axles. If the front and rear wheels have diameter difference this disk brake will wear out, i.e. the different speed between the axles will make the middle differential to work at all times. Constant movement at the differential then wears the locking disks out. It is kind of if you drive the car with foot on the brake.
The reason is that the staggered wheel setup that they use on the rear wheel drive cars gives too much wheel diameter difference between front and rear.
Now, what the hell has this to do with anything? Well, to my understanding MB use a very simple spring loaded "disk brake" as differential locking between the axles. If the front and rear wheels have diameter difference this disk brake will wear out, i.e. the different speed between the axles will make the middle differential to work at all times. Constant movement at the differential then wears the locking disks out. It is kind of if you drive the car with foot on the brake.
Staggered wheels on AWD cars have been around as long as AWD has.
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2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Staggered setup has been around on AWD cars for long time but usually these cars are equipped with far more sophisticated central differential locking system than what MB use in the E models. These systems do not care if there is a speed difference between the axles.
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From: NM
2023 AMG EQS
What would be the reason for MB to build this beatuful car with the staggered wheel setup but then not include it in the 4-wheel drive equipped models? Are they just stupid or would there be a real reason for it? I don't think they are stupid.
The reason is that the staggered wheel setup that they use on the rear wheel drive cars gives too much wheel diameter difference between front and rear.
Now, what the hell has this to do with anything? Well, to my understanding MB use a very simple spring loaded "disk brake" as differential locking between the axles. If the front and rear wheels have diameter difference this disk brake will wear out, i.e. the different speed between the axles will make the middle differential to work at all times. Constant movement at the differential then wears the locking disks out. It is kind of if you drive the car with foot on the brake.
The reason is that the staggered wheel setup that they use on the rear wheel drive cars gives too much wheel diameter difference between front and rear.
Now, what the hell has this to do with anything? Well, to my understanding MB use a very simple spring loaded "disk brake" as differential locking between the axles. If the front and rear wheels have diameter difference this disk brake will wear out, i.e. the different speed between the axles will make the middle differential to work at all times. Constant movement at the differential then wears the locking disks out. It is kind of if you drive the car with foot on the brake.
Are staggered wheels are optional for the E550 4Matic from Mercedes?
Does Mercedes use the same 4matic system on all their vehicles?
BTW you guys are off topic... and the Topic that you are bringing up has been discussed many times before... Do a search!
Back on Topic... I have staggered wheels on my 2011 E550 and No, it does not void your warranty.
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From: NYC
CLK550
Really?
Are staggered wheels are optional for the E550 4Matic from Mercedes?
Does Mercedes use the same 4matic system on all their vehicles?
BTW you guys are off topic... and the Topic that you are bringing up has been discussed many times before... Do a search!
Back on Topic... I have staggered wheels on my 2011 E550 and No, it does not void your warranty.
Are staggered wheels are optional for the E550 4Matic from Mercedes?
Does Mercedes use the same 4matic system on all their vehicles?
BTW you guys are off topic... and the Topic that you are bringing up has been discussed many times before... Do a search!
Back on Topic... I have staggered wheels on my 2011 E550 and No, it does not void your warranty.
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Joined: Nov 2012
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From: Boston Area
2021 Mojave Silver E450, 2024 Black on Black Jaguar F-pace P400, 2011 335d (RIP), 2010 E350 (sold)
Normally I wouldn't comment on a topic like this, but this time I feel I have to. There are TONs of discussions out there describing why using staggered wheels are bad for 4matics (maybe it is just the C and E I'm not sure). Whether or not is voids your warranty is not the point, it is bad for the type (older technology) of AWD that is used on these cars.
I read that the standard staggered config that is used on the RWD E's will have 1 tire revolution difference in something like 140 m driven. You wear out the discs in the differential by doing this, it is not me I have seen this several times, you should look it up before you decide to change your wheels.
The point that Mercedes has this option on the non 4matic (I even believe it is more common than non-staggered configs - possibly even standard with the 18" wheels) and doesn't even offer it as a special order on 4matics is not something to be blown off. This and the fact that MB uses an older technology for their 4matic is not off point. It explains why you shouldn't put staggered wheels on these cars.
I read that the standard staggered config that is used on the RWD E's will have 1 tire revolution difference in something like 140 m driven. You wear out the discs in the differential by doing this, it is not me I have seen this several times, you should look it up before you decide to change your wheels.
The point that Mercedes has this option on the non 4matic (I even believe it is more common than non-staggered configs - possibly even standard with the 18" wheels) and doesn't even offer it as a special order on 4matics is not something to be blown off. This and the fact that MB uses an older technology for their 4matic is not off point. It explains why you shouldn't put staggered wheels on these cars.
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2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Well, it is not exactly the same diameter but within 0.5 mm it is so close enough.
But how about the fir of the 285 wide wheel in the back? Sure it will not rub?
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Really?
Are staggered wheels are optional for the E550 4Matic from Mercedes?
Does Mercedes use the same 4matic system on all their vehicles?
BTW you guys are off topic... and the Topic that you are bringing up has been discussed many times before... Do a search!
Back on Topic... I have staggered wheels on my 2011 E550 and No, it does not void your warranty.
Are staggered wheels are optional for the E550 4Matic from Mercedes?
Does Mercedes use the same 4matic system on all their vehicles?
BTW you guys are off topic... and the Topic that you are bringing up has been discussed many times before... Do a search!
Back on Topic... I have staggered wheels on my 2011 E550 and No, it does not void your warranty.
Well,
If you ever run in situation that your AWD becomes useless due to non-existent central differential lock (like on snowy roads in mountains) and then you take your car to MB dealer with the complaint please leave those staggered wheels ON so we can see what they tell you about fixing it under warranty. I personally think you would be digging in your own pockets.
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From: NYC
CLK550
Well,
If you ever run in situation that your AWD becomes useless due to non-existent central differential lock (like on snowy roads in mountains) and then you take your car to MB dealer with the complaint please leave those staggered wheels ON so we can see what they tell you about fixing it under warranty. I personally think you would be digging in your own pockets.
If you ever run in situation that your AWD becomes useless due to non-existent central differential lock (like on snowy roads in mountains) and then you take your car to MB dealer with the complaint please leave those staggered wheels ON so we can see what they tell you about fixing it under warranty. I personally think you would be digging in your own pockets.
E63 has 285s in the back, i am sure they will fit E550
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Tesla Model S P100D
I've actually heard it is a bad idea to mix and match tires with different tread patterns even if the tires are the the same diameter as that might not be optimal for the type of traction control and AWD we have in our cars. It does not mean it will not work but I think the car's systems will be working harder to compensate. Stagerred wheels takes this to a whole new level + you will not be able to rotate your tires properly. Personally I would never mess with the tire setup of my E550 4MATIC. Like someone else said I think there is a reason Mercedes does not offer it.
This discussion is one more reason why I'd never touch a car modified to change critical factory specifications with a 10 foot pole if I'm looking to buy a used car.
This discussion is one more reason why I'd never touch a car modified to change critical factory specifications with a 10 foot pole if I'm looking to buy a used car.
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From: NM
2023 AMG EQS
Vossens VVS-083 20x9 Front 20x10.5 rear
Nitto Invo 245/30/20 front 295/25/20 Rear
The only things that are more amazing that your ignorance on this subject is your persistence on displaying it and your reluctance to learn.
Did you answer the questions I asked you?
Did you search the forum?
Here are a couple more questions for you...
Why does the CLS550 4Matic have staggered wheels?
Why does the C300 4Matic have staggered wheels?
Answer those two questions along with the ones that I already asked you then maybe you might be able to gain some credibility.
Until you answer those questions.. STFU!!!
If you dont care about this subject enough to look up the answers then.... STFU!!
And I mean that in the nicest way possible. I love you!
They do offer it!
And yes I agree... I do not buy used cars for that same reason. Modified or not, because they could have made changes and returned it back to stock before the sale.
Nitto Invo 245/30/20 front 295/25/20 Rear
Well,
If you ever run in situation that your AWD becomes useless due to non-existent central differential lock (like on snowy roads in mountains) and then you take your car to MB dealer with the complaint please leave those staggered wheels ON so we can see what they tell you about fixing it under warranty. I personally think you would be digging in your own pockets.
If you ever run in situation that your AWD becomes useless due to non-existent central differential lock (like on snowy roads in mountains) and then you take your car to MB dealer with the complaint please leave those staggered wheels ON so we can see what they tell you about fixing it under warranty. I personally think you would be digging in your own pockets.
Did you answer the questions I asked you?
Did you search the forum?
Here are a couple more questions for you...
Why does the CLS550 4Matic have staggered wheels?
Why does the C300 4Matic have staggered wheels?
Answer those two questions along with the ones that I already asked you then maybe you might be able to gain some credibility.
Until you answer those questions.. STFU!!!
If you dont care about this subject enough to look up the answers then.... STFU!!
And I mean that in the nicest way possible. I love you!
And yes I agree... I do not buy used cars for that same reason. Modified or not, because they could have made changes and returned it back to stock before the sale.
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 703
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From: Boston Area
2021 Mojave Silver E450, 2024 Black on Black Jaguar F-pace P400, 2011 335d (RIP), 2010 E350 (sold)
The only things that are more amazing that your ignorance on this subject is your persistence on displaying it and your reluctance to learn.
Did you answer the questions I asked you?
Did you search the forum?
Here are a couple more questions for you...
Why does the CLS550 4Matic have staggered wheels?
Why does the C300 4Matic have staggered wheels?
Answer those two questions along with the ones that I already asked you then maybe you might be able to gain some credibility.
Until you answer those questions.. STFU!!!
If you dont care about this subject enough to look up the answers then.... STFU!!
And I mean that in the nicest way possible. I love you!
They do offer it!
And yes I agree... I do not buy used cars for that same reason. Modified or not, because they could have made changes and returned it back to stock before the sale.
Did you answer the questions I asked you?
Did you search the forum?
Here are a couple more questions for you...
Why does the CLS550 4Matic have staggered wheels?
Why does the C300 4Matic have staggered wheels?
Answer those two questions along with the ones that I already asked you then maybe you might be able to gain some credibility.
Until you answer those questions.. STFU!!!
If you dont care about this subject enough to look up the answers then.... STFU!!
And I mean that in the nicest way possible. I love you!
They do offer it!
And yes I agree... I do not buy used cars for that same reason. Modified or not, because they could have made changes and returned it back to stock before the sale.
The following pic is taken directly from a build page for the C300. Look it up yourself, well, you probably won't do that because it could prove you wrong, so others, if you are considering doing this please look it up.
in case you can't see it from the pic, it says staggered wheels (option for rear axle) cannot be used on 4Matic vehicles.
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 703
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From: Boston Area
2021 Mojave Silver E450, 2024 Black on Black Jaguar F-pace P400, 2011 335d (RIP), 2010 E350 (sold)
I don't have a lot of time this morning, but I just did a build for a CL550 and i see the same thing but not hidden by a disclaimer. Just click any of the 3 wheel options, right there on the details page:
Option for rear axle cannot be used for 4Matic vehicles.
Option for rear axle cannot be used for 4Matic vehicles.
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Only MBs - the best or nothing
Forget mbusa.com. Just go to your local dealer and see what wheels/tires are on C300 4matics and CLS550 4matics. You will see they're staggered - 225/45-17 front and 245/40-17 rear for C300 4 (sport) and 255/40-18 front and 285/35-18 rear for CLS550 4. And if you do calculations you will see that front to rear are not even identical diameters (2/10" or 5mm less at the rear).
One has to undertand that even for non-staggered equiped AWD 4matics, MB builds in tolarences (I believe) of about 3/10" (8mm or so) to compensate for uneven front/rear ware - not everyone (I never do) rotates and they have to account for it.
Since MB uses only 265/35-18 tires on rwd W212 (and this tire is almost 1/2" shorter than front's 245/40-18), it can not be used on W212 4matics. But what they (MB) should have done was to use 275/35-18 (like was done on W210s) which would make front/rear close enough to be safely used on 4matics.
We, on this board, took it one step further by stating that if one uses identical front/rear diameters like i.e. 245/40-18 front and 285/35-18 rear (285s fit W212 rear without any issues with lower than stock offsets) on W212 they will have no AWD related issues. BTW 255/285 is perfectly fine as well as 255/295 (for 19"/20" with perfect rear offset for 295).
One has to undertand that even for non-staggered equiped AWD 4matics, MB builds in tolarences (I believe) of about 3/10" (8mm or so) to compensate for uneven front/rear ware - not everyone (I never do) rotates and they have to account for it.
Since MB uses only 265/35-18 tires on rwd W212 (and this tire is almost 1/2" shorter than front's 245/40-18), it can not be used on W212 4matics. But what they (MB) should have done was to use 275/35-18 (like was done on W210s) which would make front/rear close enough to be safely used on 4matics.
We, on this board, took it one step further by stating that if one uses identical front/rear diameters like i.e. 245/40-18 front and 285/35-18 rear (285s fit W212 rear without any issues with lower than stock offsets) on W212 they will have no AWD related issues. BTW 255/285 is perfectly fine as well as 255/295 (for 19"/20" with perfect rear offset for 295).
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 396
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From: NYC
CLK550
Forget mbusa.com. Just go to your local dealer and see what wheels/tires are on C300 4matics and CLS550 4matics. You will see they're staggered - 225/45-17 front and 245/40-17 rear for C300 4 (sport) and 255/40-18 front and 285/35-18 rear for CLS550 4. And if you do calculations you will see that front to rear are not even identical diameters (2/10" or 5mm less at the rear).
One has to undertand that even for non-staggered equiped AWD 4matics, MB builds in tolarences (I believe) of about 3/10" (8mm or so) to compensate for uneven front/rear ware - not everyone (I never do) rotates and they have to account for it.
Since MB uses only 265/35-18 tires on rwd W212 (and this tire is almost 1/2" shorter than front's 245/40-18), it can not be used on W212 4matics. But what they (MB) should have done was to use 275/35-18 (like was done on W210s) which would make front/rear close enough to be safely used on 4matics.
We, on this board, took it one step further by stating that if one uses identical front/rear diameters like i.e. 245/40-18 front and 285/35-18 rear (285s fit W212 rear without any issues with lower than stock offsets) on W212 they will have no AWD related issues. BTW 255/285 is perfectly fine as well as 255/295 (for 19"/20" with perfect rear offset for 295).
One has to undertand that even for non-staggered equiped AWD 4matics, MB builds in tolarences (I believe) of about 3/10" (8mm or so) to compensate for uneven front/rear ware - not everyone (I never do) rotates and they have to account for it.
Since MB uses only 265/35-18 tires on rwd W212 (and this tire is almost 1/2" shorter than front's 245/40-18), it can not be used on W212 4matics. But what they (MB) should have done was to use 275/35-18 (like was done on W210s) which would make front/rear close enough to be safely used on 4matics.
We, on this board, took it one step further by stating that if one uses identical front/rear diameters like i.e. 245/40-18 front and 285/35-18 rear (285s fit W212 rear without any issues with lower than stock offsets) on W212 they will have no AWD related issues. BTW 255/285 is perfectly fine as well as 255/295 (for 19"/20" with perfect rear offset for 295).
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From: NM
2023 AMG EQS
Funny I was thinking the same thing about you.
The following pic is taken directly from a build page for the C300. Look it up yourself, well, you probably won't do that because it could prove you wrong, so others, if you are considering doing this please look it up.
in case you can't see it from the pic, it says staggered wheels (option for rear axle) cannot be used on 4Matic vehicles.
The following pic is taken directly from a build page for the C300. Look it up yourself, well, you probably won't do that because it could prove you wrong, so others, if you are considering doing this please look it up.
in case you can't see it from the pic, it says staggered wheels (option for rear axle) cannot be used on 4Matic vehicles.
Yea... that's so cute... at least you kinda know how to look something up... How about you look at the stock wheels for the C300 4Matic and the CLS550 4Matic instead of the OPTIONAL wheels that Mercedes decides to put on their website...Look it up yourself, well, you probably won't do that because it could prove you wrong!
Or better yet... go into the C Class and CLS forum and ask the members what stock wheels they have on their 4Matic.
So many people on here know nothing about the things they feel the know everything about!
I love you too!
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 703
Likes: 68
From: Boston Area
2021 Mojave Silver E450, 2024 Black on Black Jaguar F-pace P400, 2011 335d (RIP), 2010 E350 (sold)
Yea... that's so cute... at least you kinda know how to look something up... How about you look at the stock wheels for the C300 4Matic and the CLS550 4Matic instead of the OPTIONAL wheels that Mercedes decides to put on their website...Look it up yourself, well, you probably won't do that because it could prove you wrong!
Or better yet... go into the C Class and CLS forum and ask the members what stock wheels they have on their 4Matic.
So many people on here know nothing about the things they feel the know everything about!
I love you too!
MB uses older technology for their AWD system and it is bad for it to have different diameter tires front and back. Is it really going to make a difference if there is a 5mm variance, probably not, I don't know, never claimed to be an expert. But what I am stating is what MB says, not what the guy that wanted to sell me a set of wheels said. I trust MB more, and I wouldn't want to have warranty issues should something go wrong.
The point that confuses me most is why would you want to put staggered wheels on an all wheel drive car? What possible value is there? Do you understand why they put em on the RWDs? Is it just appearance? If so, knock yourself out, get even bigger ones and bump out the fenders. Maybe even put the fatter ones on the left side for all the good it will do you.
