looking for straight answer - wheel offset required on AMG
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ML500 sport
looking for straight answer - wheel offset required on AMG
I have a 04 ML500 Sport (from what little I have been able to find out, this is an ML55 without the AMG engine or hood). I want to replace my aged and scarred 17 inch factory wheels with newer wheels. I found, bought and own a set of 20" ML63 style wheels, that are supposed to fit all M series. I believe that they may fit a ML320 or ML350, but they do not clear the front brake calipers on my 500 sport. If I had to guess, I would say AT LEAST 1/2" spacer would be required. I called the tire shop that I bought my stuff from and they said it should fit (I made this point obvious to them). They offered to send me spacers and lug bolts, while I am not thrilled with this idea, it will probably be fine. Not being able to measure accurately, and not finding this information so far, I am asking for help.
What offset does the standard ML series have (04) and what offset does the ML500 Sport have ? Am I also to assume that would be the same as a ML55 ? With this information, I can make sure I am getting the correct thickness spacers.
Unless somebody already has done this and knows what is needed.
The wheels I bought are 20x8.5 with 48mm offset.
What offset does the standard ML series have (04) and what offset does the ML500 Sport have ? Am I also to assume that would be the same as a ML55 ? With this information, I can make sure I am getting the correct thickness spacers.
Unless somebody already has done this and knows what is needed.
The wheels I bought are 20x8.5 with 48mm offset.
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 144
Likes: 6
From: Palm Beach County, Fl.
W163 ML500 w/Kleeman headers (gone but not forgotten); R63
I have a 04 ML500 Sport (from what little I have been able to find out, this is an ML55 without the AMG engine or hood). I want to replace my aged and scarred 17 inch factory wheels with newer wheels. I found, bought and own a set of 20" ML63 style wheels, that are supposed to fit all M series. I believe that they may fit a ML320 or ML350, but they do not clear the front brake calipers on my 500 sport. If I had to guess, I would say AT LEAST 1/2" spacer would be required. I called the tire shop that I bought my stuff from and they said it should fit (I made this point obvious to them). They offered to send me spacers and lug bolts, while I am not thrilled with this idea, it will probably be fine. Not being able to measure accurately, and not finding this information so far, I am asking for help.
What offset does the standard ML series have (04) and what offset does the ML500 Sport have ? Am I also to assume that would be the same as a ML55 ? With this information, I can make sure I am getting the correct thickness spacers.
Unless somebody already has done this and knows what is needed.
The wheels I bought are 20x8.5 with 48mm offset.
What offset does the standard ML series have (04) and what offset does the ML500 Sport have ? Am I also to assume that would be the same as a ML55 ? With this information, I can make sure I am getting the correct thickness spacers.
Unless somebody already has done this and knows what is needed.
The wheels I bought are 20x8.5 with 48mm offset.
Math is not my strong suit, but I think you need close to a 10-12mm spacer which is only about 1/2 inch to get the same effective offset with 8.5 inch wheels.
Your 8.5 inch wheel has 1/2 inch less on each side of the centerline. So in theory, your wheel needs about 12.5mm (about 1/2inch) less offset than a 9.5 inch wheel to keep the centerline in the same place. Then 52-12.5= 39.5. You have 48, or about 9mm too much offset.
Anyone else reading this, feel free to check/correct my math.
Spacers by themselves are no big deal, either get longer bolts or better yet, switch to studs. Much easier to hang a wheel.
But if you have a brake clearance issue because of wheel design, you will need to push the wheel farther out so it no longer contacts the brake caliper. That will require you to measure. I would take a SWAG that 20mm spacers would work, but just a SWAG.
Regards,
Jerry
