putrid

I'll make this short.

Anyone ever tried 15" rims on a w163 2002?

15" ET37

(whats the smallest you can have on a w163?)
Alot of other heavy off-road cars do fit a 15 inch wheel, but I cant find any evidence that it will fit a w163.

gsfent

I doubt 15's will fit. I know my ML500 came with 17's. Can't speak to the 320.

Try Tire Rack and see what they have listed as alternative sizes. I would be surprised if there is anything less than 16's.

Regards,
Jerry

SpenserM

What trim of a 2002 w163?

If it has the smaller brakes (floating calipers and not the solid larger Brembo units) like on the 98,99, 320s and 430s....the newer 430s, 500s etc all had the larger ones, not sure about the newer 320s/3*0's
then AFAIK 15 inch may fit.

The smallest rims the w163 ever came with were 16 inch. There's a bunch of old w163 enthusiast websites that talk about what size rims and tires fit that have never mentioned 15 inch rims however IIRC I've never seen it specifically mentioned by anyone who said that not only they wouldn't fit but that they also tried it to make sure.

I was wondering this myself but haven't had the chance to check when I've had 15 inch rims around, your right there's lots of mud tires in 15 inches.

I've seen when people were trying to mount smaller rim's on other vehicles it required mild clearancing of usually the brake caliper, however the ML might need it on either the upper ball joint, lower ball joint, or outer tie rod.

I lost interest in determining if it's possible ever since I realized how inexpensive and available 16,17,18,&19 inch sized mud tires were from local dealers selling Chinese brands. And because I have the parts now to do the Brembo big brake swap.

Where I am it's only $700CAD for four 33x12xR17 tires, and a little bit more for larger sizes. I have a theory 37x13 inch tires (price shoots up to $1199) will fit with some massaging (read cutting/ bashing/removing parts of the plastic fender) and the offset of the 18x9 ML55 amg rims or the 17x8.5 ml430 rims. And a bit of a lift. The largest people have put on and posted about have been 35 inches based on my research...they say u do gotta do some massaging or they rub. And u lose some turning radius, 7% of ur torque for every inch over stock size of ~28.9 inch, the more "stable feeling" and not having the truck following all the ruts on city streets...but who needs all that any way offroad.

Did u Google "w163 15 inch rims"?

putrid

Thanks.
The reason I ask was I'm seeing a lot of other off-road vehicle got 15 inch. And I was able to pick up some used one for low prices.. (GL, Jeep, defender, Chevrolet?)

I could not understand how they could fit those big cars. But I think I found something out the other day. I believe they use ET0 or somewhere around there. That way it wont conflict with the caliper. And steel rims are probably thinner.

I think I just have to stick to 17".

SpenserM

I think it might also have something to do with them having solid axles aswell which dont have all those ball joints and stuff sticking out. And back then brakes were less of an importance.

When you talk about back spacing or offset you're just talking about if the back side of the rims face will rub on the caliper. This can be overcome with wheel spacers or preferably a different offset.

I'm talking about the caliper or ball joints making the hub area too wide and wont fit inside the rim.

If you have 15 inch rims, pull off a wheel and see if it fits and settle this question for once and for all lol!

putrid

If I had one, I would.

Again, thanks for your input