When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
This post is reference for anyone looking to put larger tires on a W212 since I didn't find much when I was researching.
I decided that I wanted larger tires to get a little extra ground clearance and to give the 18 inch wheels a little extra cushion. I have a 2011 E350 Bluetec, in this case with the 18 inch AMG wheels (I have snow tires on the stock 17 inch wheels). The Mercedes recommended size for the 18 inch wheels are 245/40R18, so I decided to put 245/45/R18 (about 1 inch larger diameter than stock, Conti DWS06+'s).
Driving home from the tire shop had some serious rubbing from the bottom of the front strut (very short drive so I wasn't super concerned), I've attached a picture of how it was contacting, this is with the other side of the car jacked up so more contact than normal driving. 245/45R18 without a spacer.
Luckily, I have some 20mm spacers which seem to have fixed the rubbing issue. (Will update if I find that it does end up rubbing under different driving conditions) Only thing is when going at a decent speed if you hit a large bump the outside of the tire just barely touches the outside of the wheel well/front quarter panel (had this with the spacers with normal 245/40R18s as well). I'm considering a small lift anyways so I'm also not super concerned about that, planning on taking it camping so the ground clearance would be good.
This is my wheel and tire with 18’s and the stock sized tire. A 1” taller tire will give you at best .5” more ground clearance. I don’t see it being worthwhile honestly.
^^^Wholly agree! If you really want a ride height taller than stock (not sure why), maybe try your 17s with a higher profile/narrower width tire. But again, why? ...for snow of course, but daily fair-weather driving?
Fwiw, on our 2014 I absolutely didn't want lower (already got a sports car for that and know the compromises!) but wanted more tread on the same rim (standard 18" wheels, not the AMG) so I use 255/40. Looks great and rides well. IMO, anyway.
Yeah I have kind of weird taste, mostly because I spend a lot of time in the back woods/mountians where I need every bit of clearance I can, but also spend lots of time on the highway for work. So this is my "one vehicle solution" so to speak (not ideal but I'm kind of in love with the turbo diesel sedan and love the W212 platform). 255/40R18s probably would have been the better decision, but I'm used to living with my questionable decisions on this car lol
To compliment your photo using 245/45R-18, here is a photo using 245/40R-18.
I was always wondering, how far thicker ( aspect ratio wise ) the tire is to be to get it touching the spring base of the MacPhearson strut....now I know.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4,245/40R-18, still brand new thickness. 2018 archive.
.
.
Wow, that tire gap to the spring base is a tiny bit less than 12.5mm or only 1.25cm or 1/2 inch.
If the front ones you use 235/45R-18, your tire wont kiss the spring base. 10mm less tire width is almost invisible anyway and will have practically zero handling bad effect compared to 245 wide.
20mm spacer is dangerous in my opinion and will produce bad handling.The suspension geometry will go bad.
==========
My E400 rear wheels get wider 265/35R-18 with 9J rear wheel and its too thin side wall, I hate that on my kind of bad road.
So I used 255/40R-18 instead when I replace the wheel with BBS CH-R 8.5J. Max size tire for 8.5J is 255.
With 255/40R I get 9mm extra sidewall height, compared to a 265/35R.
It's your car, it's up to you but putting higher walls could also affect your stability and render various unknown , hidden dramas too . I know, you most likely would not hit the race tracks to push the limits of your car but I don't see a point of putting higher walls .
My rear tires 265 / 35 /18 , trust me I don't long for to 245 / 45 /17s all round in terms of comfort levels
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
