Rims/Tires Fitment Issues
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 41
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham, AL
2003 s500 (W220) Base
Rims/Tires Fitment Issues
I need a lot of help and I have read the comments for my question… so I am a sorry I’m advance.
I have a 2003 S500 with adjustable suspension.
I have 22’s and the front rim will not fit under the steering knuckle bolt.
Does anyone know a tire size that will fit (FOR SURE) a 22x9 et38 rim on the front of a S500?
I have a 2003 S500 with adjustable suspension.
I have 22’s and the front rim will not fit under the steering knuckle bolt.
Does anyone know a tire size that will fit (FOR SURE) a 22x9 et38 rim on the front of a S500?
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 490
Likes: 176
2021 Glb35 AMG (2013 GLK 350)
Wheel size for 2003 S500 shows 8.5Jx19 ET40 as biggest wheel size with 245/40ZR19 tires:
https://www.wheel-size.com/size/merc...udm-s-500--302
Using 245/40R19, you can go 245/35R20, 245/30R21, 245/25R22... R22 will give you thin 25 profiles.
You can check for fitment with below calculators. 22x9 ET38 shows 4mm closer to your strut than OEM spec, so you need wheel spacer to push your wheel out. You have to check your fender clearance too.
https://www.willtheyfit.com/index.ph...h=9&offset2=38
https://www.wheel-size.com/calc/?whe...cl=50mm&sr=0mm
I used 2 ET42 wheels in comparison to OEM ET51 on GLB35. One cleared to AMG brake caliper, other didn't and required a few mm wheel spacer. I had 10mm spacer in storage, so it worked with that...
https://www.wheel-size.com/size/merc...udm-s-500--302
Using 245/40R19, you can go 245/35R20, 245/30R21, 245/25R22... R22 will give you thin 25 profiles.
You can check for fitment with below calculators. 22x9 ET38 shows 4mm closer to your strut than OEM spec, so you need wheel spacer to push your wheel out. You have to check your fender clearance too.
https://www.willtheyfit.com/index.ph...h=9&offset2=38
https://www.wheel-size.com/calc/?whe...cl=50mm&sr=0mm
I used 2 ET42 wheels in comparison to OEM ET51 on GLB35. One cleared to AMG brake caliper, other didn't and required a few mm wheel spacer. I had 10mm spacer in storage, so it worked with that...
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 41
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham, AL
2003 s500 (W220) Base
Wheel size for 2003 S500 shows 8.5Jx19 ET40 as biggest wheel size with 245/40ZR19 tires:
https://www.wheel-size.com/size/merc...udm-s-500--302
Using 245/40R19, you can go 245/35R20, 245/30R21, 245/25R22... R22 will give you thin 25 profiles.
You can check for fitment with below calculators. 22x9 ET38 shows 4mm closer to your strut than OEM spec, so you need wheel spacer to push your wheel out. You have to check your fender clearance too.
https://www.willtheyfit.com/index.ph...h=9&offset2=38
https://www.wheel-size.com/calc/?whe...cl=50mm&sr=0mm
I used 2 ET42 wheels in comparison to OEM ET51 on GLB35. One cleared to AMG brake caliper, other didn't and required a few mm wheel spacer. I had 10mm spacer in storage, so it worked with that...
https://www.wheel-size.com/size/merc...udm-s-500--302
Using 245/40R19, you can go 245/35R20, 245/30R21, 245/25R22... R22 will give you thin 25 profiles.
You can check for fitment with below calculators. 22x9 ET38 shows 4mm closer to your strut than OEM spec, so you need wheel spacer to push your wheel out. You have to check your fender clearance too.
https://www.willtheyfit.com/index.ph...h=9&offset2=38
https://www.wheel-size.com/calc/?whe...cl=50mm&sr=0mm
I used 2 ET42 wheels in comparison to OEM ET51 on GLB35. One cleared to AMG brake caliper, other didn't and required a few mm wheel spacer. I had 10mm spacer in storage, so it worked with that...
The setup I have now in the front is 245/35r20 and I have less than an inch of clearance between the bolt and the top of the tire.
Now when it comes to spacers, I have no idea how to measure for how much clearance I might need. I know it will more than likely stick the tire out from under the fender a bit, but I am not sure what mm of spacer to get.
Current Setup 245/35r20
Current Setup 245/35r20
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 490
Likes: 176
2021 Glb35 AMG (2013 GLK 350)
It is easy to calculate wheel spacers:
In your case, you need to clear that bolt and if that is going to push your wheel out of the fender and if you have enough clearance under the fender esp when the car is lowered... Usually hubcentric spacers are recommended and mine came from Bonoss with the extended bolts, since the original bolts will not be long enough to hold it... Also a good way to check your spacers are good:
In your case, you need to clear that bolt and if that is going to push your wheel out of the fender and if you have enough clearance under the fender esp when the car is lowered... Usually hubcentric spacers are recommended and mine came from Bonoss with the extended bolts, since the original bolts will not be long enough to hold it... Also a good way to check your spacers are good:
I completely overshot my tire sizing. I bought 255/35r22 for the front. I have an adjustable suspension, but I didn’t account for the suspension components to be in the way.
The setup I have now in the front is 245/35r20 and I have less than an inch of clearance between the bolt and the top of the tire.
Now when it comes to spacers, I have no idea how to measure for how much clearance I might need. I know it will more than likely stick the tire out from under the fender a bit, but I am not sure what mm of spacer to get.
The setup I have now in the front is 245/35r20 and I have less than an inch of clearance between the bolt and the top of the tire.
Now when it comes to spacers, I have no idea how to measure for how much clearance I might need. I know it will more than likely stick the tire out from under the fender a bit, but I am not sure what mm of spacer to get.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 41
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham, AL
2003 s500 (W220) Base
It is easy to calculate wheel spacers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7ez5-yt-zg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LeFZsyGRrs
In your case, you need to clear that bolt and if that is going to push your wheel out of the fender and if you have enough clearance under the fender esp when the car is lowered... Usually hubcentric spacers are recommended and mine came from Bonoss with the extended bolts, since the original bolts will not be long enough to hold it... Also a good way to check your spacers are good:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK0bzjInqWU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7ez5-yt-zg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LeFZsyGRrs
In your case, you need to clear that bolt and if that is going to push your wheel out of the fender and if you have enough clearance under the fender esp when the car is lowered... Usually hubcentric spacers are recommended and mine came from Bonoss with the extended bolts, since the original bolts will not be long enough to hold it... Also a good way to check your spacers are good:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK0bzjInqWU
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 490
Likes: 176
2021 Glb35 AMG (2013 GLK 350)
Yes, you need to clear that bolt. Increasing the sidewall might be an issue even on the fender with the wheel spacers.
Good video for sizing wheels:
Good video for sizing wheels:
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 41
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham, AL
2003 s500 (W220) Base
@Serhan Thank You!
I will be sure to look at all these videos and see if I can get some understanding from them.
My brain is not mechanically inclined so I may be back with more questions.
I will be sure to look at all these videos and see if I can get some understanding from them.
My brain is not mechanically inclined so I may be back with more questions.
