R320 staggered wheels, yah or nah???
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R320 CDi Sport
R320 staggered wheels, yah or nah???
Just looking at a set of 19" staggered wheels for my r320, is this advisable as I have read on Google not to do this, can't understand why as the circumference is the same. Thanks in advance.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2020
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2009 R230, 2009 R350
I just purchased a '09 W251 and was about to buy a set of wheels off FB Market place, but was informed by the seller that you CAN'T put a staggered set on an AWD vehicle because it will damage the differential. Have no idea how valid or accurate that statement is so if anyone knows definitively, please share.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 15
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R320 CDi Sport
I just purchased a '09 W251 and was about to buy a set of wheels off FB Market place, but was informed by the seller that you CAN'T put a staggered set on an AWD vehicle because it will damage the differential. Have no idea how valid or accurate that statement is so if anyone knows definitively, please share.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 59
Likes: 24
2009 R230, 2009 R350
Agreed, and a staggered set (in most cases) looks better aesthetically than a static set in my opinion. But I really don't think tire width size difference from front to back would be an issue. I know it's an apples to oranges comparison, but I have a SL-550 with a stock set of staggered 19's and no issues. Just for what it's worth..
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R320 CDi Sport
Agreed, and a staggered set (in most cases) looks better aesthetically than a static set in my opinion. But I really don't think tire width size difference from front to back would be an issue. I know it's an apples to oranges comparison, but I have a SL-550 with a stock set of staggered 19's and no issues. Just for what it's worth..
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Joined: Nov 2017
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
2006 R500
If your R320 is RWD, no problem. If it is AWD, you will damage the transfer case. It doesn't matter if the wheel diameter is the same, what matters is the tire diameters are the same. You can go 18" wheel front and 19" wheel rear and not damage the transfer case as long as the 18" front tire has more sidewall height to make it the same overall diameter as the rear tire, for example. Or you can go wider rear and narrower front as long as the front has a higher aspect ratio to make it the same overall diameter.
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R320 CDi Sport
If your R320 is RWD, no problem. If it is AWD, you will damage the transfer case. It doesn't matter if the wheel diameter is the same, what matters is the tire diameters are the same. You can go 18" wheel front and 19" wheel rear and not damage the transfer case as long as the 18" front tire has more sidewall height to make it the same overall diameter as the rear tire, for example. Or you can go wider rear and narrower front as long as the front has a higher aspect ratio to make it the same overall diameter.
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Joined: Nov 2017
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
2006 R500
Tip: 295/30/19 has the exact same diameter as 255/35/19. 245/35/19 is almost the exact same (less than 0.5% difference) diameter as 285/30/19.
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Thread Starter
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R320 CDi Sport
Yes, it will damage the transfer case over time if it is not the same. The real question is how long will it take. It might be a 5000 miles, or it might be 150,000 miles. Given that the difference in size is only 1.2%, your transfer case will probably go a long ways (with regular maintenance) before noticeable damage. Your traction control might react prematurely due to the difference in tire speed, but that probably does not matter in most scenarios.
Tip: 295/30/19 has the exact same diameter as 255/35/19. 245/35/19 is almost the exact same (less than 0.5% difference) diameter as 285/30/19.
Tip: 295/30/19 has the exact same diameter as 255/35/19. 245/35/19 is almost the exact same (less than 0.5% difference) diameter as 285/30/19.
Thanks for your help, really appreciate it.👍🏻
