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I know this has been discussed in bits and pieces but I'm wondering how many of you running 20" wheels are experiencing any rubbing? I recently purchased an e350 bluetec that had TSW interlagos already put on by the prior owner.
I'm thinking of going down to 19"' not only for hopefully a little smoother ride but also the bottoming out in the wheel wells is a little disconcerting.
Since I didn't buy the wheels, I'm not certain of the wheel size but but did notice a small spacer was there when I took off the wheel. I don't believe the car has been lowered at all. the tires are:
Front: 245/35/20
Rear: 275/30/20
Rubbing only occurs in the front. Do these tire sizes sound ok?
Well looks like I'm answering my own question here but a number of people on this forum suggest against running a 245/35/20 setup in front.....citing the rubbing issues I'm speaking of.
I am running 20" Vossen CVTs with 245/30/20 and 275/30/20", lowered on H&R Sport springs and have not had any issues with rubbing or bottoming out. I just came back from a Lose Angeles to San Jose, Ca. trip taking the 5 freeway there and route 1 to 101 back through Carmel with my mom, wife and 7 year old daughter and a truck full of luggages and snacks for the road. Hit those route 1 on sport mode and even raced a few E350s and BMW 435 and kicked butt on the straight away and taking on those corners at a safe, but thrill speed that looked and felt like it was on rails and again, no rubbing issues. The only think I can think of if it had spacers which my didn't need and then difference in tire sizes.
Let me know what you came up with and post some photos. Good luck.
I know this has been discussed in bits and pieces but I'm wondering how many of you running 20" wheels are experiencing any rubbing? I recently purchased an e350 bluetec that had TSW interlagos already put on by the prior owner.
I'm thinking of going down to 19"' not only for hopefully a little smoother ride but also the bottoming out in the wheel wells is a little disconcerting.
Since I didn't buy the wheels, I'm not certain of the wheel size but but did notice a small spacer was there when I took off the wheel. I don't believe the car has been lowered at all. the tires are:
Front: 245/35/20
Rear: 275/30/20
Rubbing only occurs in the front. Do these tire sizes sound ok?
2 things may cause the front to rub. It's either your offset of your wheels or tire sizing. What is your wheel specs?
The issue you are seeing with the rubbing is the tires
The recommended tire sizes should be
245/30/20
275/30/20
This is what we have used on Davids car ^ above.
Personally 20" wheels look great on the car.
The problem is you cant run that setup on a 4matic! You need the 245/35 in the front to keep the rolling diameter almost the same..... Hence why I haven't done 20's on my e550 yet....
I really think 20" wheels are at the extreme for the w212 chassis. Sure they look AWESOME. But are they really practical unless you live in So Cal or some other location that has glass smooth roads....
The problem is you cant run that setup on a 4matic! You need the 245/35 in the front to keep the rolling diameter almost the same..... Hence why I haven't done 20's on my e550 yet....
I really think 20" wheels are at the extreme for the w212 chassis. Sure they look AWESOME. But are they really practical unless you live in So Cal or some other location that has glass smooth roads....
Take care,
George
I have an E550 4matic with 20x9 with 245/30/20 and 20x10.5 with275/30/20 with no issues and the car handles a lot better now.
I have an E550 4matic with 20x9 with 245/30/20 and 20x10.5 with275/30/20 with no issues and the car handles a lot better now.
Wow... According to my calculations the 245/30/20 has a rolling diameter of 25.79" The 275/30/20 has a rolling diameter of 26.49". So that's a discrepancy of 9.73%. I was advised that the 4matic transfer case will tolerate a 3% discrepancy in rolling diameter.
The engineer in me is reluctant and thinks that you are going to damage / prematurely wear out your transfer case with your setup.
It may be fine for the time being, but what happens when the front wheels are constantly turning 10% faster than the rears, and they are mechanically linked.
1. Actually the difference (0.7") is well within recommended 3%: ( (26.5 - 25.8) / 25.8), however for 4matic the recommended difference is only 1% or 0.3" (in this case its a "massive" 2.7% or 0.7"). So while 245/30-20 front and 275/30-20 rear would be "OK" (but not for me) for RWD, its certainly not OK for 4matics as per MB long term. Mercedes does use staggered on some 4matics - CLS & E AMGs (255/35-19 front and 285/30-19 rear which is within tolerance - 0.3" or 1%).
2. 245/35-20 actually does fit all 2010-11 E550s with standard airmatics and 2012-on with now optional airmatics only. There was a poster - KOPIERS - who claimed fitting 245/35-20 on facelifted 2014 E350 without any modifications.
3. Finally to be on a safe side, as stated numerous times before, 235/35-20 fits front and has almost identical diameter to 275/30-20 rears.
4. I will attempt to fit a narrow (smallest section width possible) 245/35-20 tire on front of 2014 E550 (non-airmatic) later this Fall. If I'm successful, I will report back.
2. 245/35-20 actually does fit all 2010-11 E550s with standard airmatics and 2012-on with now optional airmatics only. There was a poster - KOPIERS - who claimed fitting 245/35-20 on facelifted 2014 E350 without any modifications.
.
Is this fact or conjecture. I had some idiot wheel seller on ebay telling me I had to "shave" some suspension / strut nut but that it was no big deal and that he "does it all the time". I really have NO intention of taking a grinder to my car.
Also what happens when you lower the airmatic with links? Does the tire clearance still remain the same? Is it the height or width that contacts the suspsension, or the combo of both.
From what I hear a staggered CLS setup in 19" will bolt up to an E 4matic with no issue, despite the 255/35 front tire.
Well for certain the rubbing was the wrong size tires.....245/35/20 is just way too big for the front.
Just put on some new wheels, also 20", but made sure to have them wrapped in 245/30 this time and all is well.
Like the new wheels what are the offsets, manufacturer, Niche?
From the angles you took these pictures it looks nice the way it sits. Looking at the car from either passenger or driver side the way the 20" wheels sat on my ride before lowering was odd to me. After I lowered it I love the way they sit complement the large body. Also second to tech, handling was my list of things I disliked about the E350, after installing the HR springs, I am very satisfied with the way it handles.
The wheels are just Niche, no fancy name brand here, although I honestly liked the simple, classic style. As for the offset, I honestly don't know although was told I need a high offset wheel and these fit that bill.
I do know I'm running a staggared fitment with 8" in the font, 10" in the rear. Front fits perfect and the back is just a tad aggressive. That's really my only disappointment is I hoped it would appear to fit flush and the rear is just a tad out. The guys at Nitrous Garage said that if I did lower, it wouldn't rub as the wheels would somehow come in. Not sure if they were blowing smoke on that. Anyhow, I'll attach a pic that shows both the front and rear wheels
That looks more like a 9" wheel in the front. A 245 tire shouldn't be stretched like that on an 8" wheel.
When you lower the top of the wheel will tuck inwards a bit - it's called negative camber. The downside is that it will wear the inner edges of the tire at faster rate bc they carry an increased portion of the load.
The wheels are just Niche, no fancy name brand here, although I honestly liked the simple, classic style. As for the offset, I honestly don't know although was told I need a high offset wheel and these fit that bill.
I do know I'm running a staggared fitment with 8" in the font, 10" in the rear. Front fits perfect and the back is just a tad aggressive. That's really my only disappointment is I hoped it would appear to fit flush and the rear is just a tad out. The guys at Nitrous Garage said that if I did lower, it wouldn't rub as the wheels would somehow come in. Not sure if they were blowing smoke on that. Anyhow, I'll attach a pic that shows both the front and rear wheels
Nice, but if you compare my against your ride height, you can see IMO there is too much gap. You'll love it lower and can thank me later. Oh, there is one downside to lowering it. You'll get less time with your toy as your wife will be driving it more often. Lol.
The guys at Nitrous Garage said that if I did lower, it wouldn't rub as the wheels would somehow come in. Not sure if they were blowing smoke on that. Anyhow, I'll attach a pic that shows both the front and rear wheels
They are right...whenever and however you lower your ride (spring/coilovers/airbags/etc..), you will get negative camber. That means the top of the wheel will begin to tilt/tuck into the fender wells. The more you lower, the more significant the tilt/tuck. Although this will look better and pleasing to the eye, you sacrifice the longevity of your tires.
08-13-2014, 12:46 AM
what are the offsets, manufacturer, Niche? 
