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I have been looking to buy a R231 2013 and looked in the boot below the floor and saw the centre position of the battery and the connections. It looks like the battery can be moved a quarter turn anticlockwise to relocate it to the RHS of the boot floor space. This will leave a 24 inch space front to back to store the spare from a Mercedes R class. It is the supersaver spare on an 18 inch rim with just 2 1/2 inches Of tyre. Spare reference is A2514000002. It has 5x112 bolt cetres and a 66.6 centre as the R231. I think an 18 spare should clear the brake calipers. It is a 195 rim with 2 mm offset. I have no photos, as I do not own the car yet. The offset on the car alloys is 47 mm so should not foul inner suspension. Would anyone with a R231 like to check this out on their car for space if battery moved and clearance of such a spare when fitted. The R class spare is available on ebay, just search on the number above. Thank
EBay listing https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/A25140000...8/274423767524
it shows as not compatible but I think that is because it will not fit in the boot (trunk) for you guys...I am in UK
Last edited by PaulSkipton; Aug 29, 2020 at 12:12 PM.
Reason: New information
I have been looking to buy a R231 2013 and looked in the boot below the floor and saw the centre position of the battery and the connections. It looks like the battery can be moved a quarter turn anticlockwise to relocate it to the RHS of the boot floor space. This will leave a 24 inch space front to back to store the spare from a Mercedes R class. It is the supersaver spare on an 18 inch rim with just 2 1/2 inches Of tyre. Spare reference is A2514000002. It has 5x112 bolt cetres and a 66.6 centre as the R231. I think an 18 spare should clear the brake calipers. It is a 195 rim with 2 mm offset. I have no photos, as I do not own the car yet. The offset on the car alloys is 47 mm so should not foul inner suspension. Would anyone with a R231 like to check this out on their car for space if battery moved and clearance of such a spare when fitted. The R class spare is available on ebay, just search on the number above. Thanks
You need to confirm that the overall diameter is the same or very close to the tires on the car.
I have been looking to buy a R231 2013 and looked in the boot below the floor and saw the centre position of the battery and the connections. It looks like the battery can be moved a quarter turn anticlockwise to relocate it to the RHS of the boot floor space. This will leave a 24 inch space front to back to store the spare from a Mercedes R class. It is the supersaver spare on an 18 inch rim with just 2 1/2 inches Of tyre. Spare reference is A2514000002. It has 5x112 bolt cetres and a 66.6 centre as the R231. I think an 18 spare should clear the brake calipers. It is a 195 rim with 2 mm offset. I have no photos, as I do not own the car yet. The offset on the car alloys is 47 mm so should not foul inner suspension. Would anyone with a R231 like to check this out on their car for space if battery moved and clearance of such a spare when fitted. The R class spare is available on ebay, just search on the number above. Thank
EBay listing https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/A25140000...8/274423767524
it shows as not compatible but I think that is because it will not fit in the boot (trunk) for you guys...I am in UK
R-class deflated (at 24" as stated above) spare will easily fit in the boot (maybe even under the floor as stated above), but once inflated it can never (at 29.5" diameter) be fitted on any SL. If one wants to pursue an inflatable "option", then R230 SL55/63 spare will do (R230 SL500's spare won't fit massive front calipers of R231).
R-class deflated (at 24" as stated above) spare will easily fit in the boot (maybe even under the floor as stated above), but once inflated it can never (at 29.5" diameter) be fitted on any SL. If one wants to pursue an inflatable "option", then R230 SL55/63 spare will do (R230 SL500's spare won't fit massive front calipers of R231).
many thanks for your info guys. I will have to think again. Looks like nothing will fit under the floor. Shame they had to move the battery to the boot. All that wasted space!
I see that the SL R 231 came with a 17 inch alloy option so I assume this 17inch spare will fit over the brake callipers. The inflated diameter should be OK
It looks about 23 inch deflated diameter so should fit in the boot. I would also consider moving the battery anticlockwise (the leads seem to be long enough) to position it to the RHS of the boot like in the R230 in order for this spare to fit in the lower area below the boot floor.
I would appreciate you experienced views please. Paul in Skipton North Yorkshire UK
Last edited by PaulSkipton; Sep 5, 2020 at 10:08 AM.
Reason: More detail
I see that the SL R 231 came with a 17 inch alloy option so I assume this 17inch spare will fit over the brake callipers. The inflated diameter should be OK
It looks about 23 inch deflated diameter so should fit in the boot. I would also consider moving the battery anticlockwise (the leads seem to be long enough) to position it to the RHS of the boot like in the R230 in order for this spare to fit in the lower area below the boot floor.
I would appreciate you experienced views please. Paul in Skipton North Yorkshire UK
I do not know about U.K. specific brakes hardware, but it won't fit the front of US R231s. FYI, US R231 400/450 and 550 cars are/were equipped with 345mm or 360mm front rotors. Minimum wheel diameter was 18" for pre-facelift cars (because 345mm front rotors were standard, while 360mm front rotors were optional as a part of "wheels package") and 19" for facelift 2017-on (I think all US facelift 450/550 cars have 360mm front rotors). FYI early R230 cars had only just over 12" front rotors while late cars had 13". You need spare from R230 SL55/65 (do not recall if they had a collapsible spare or air compressor). As stated earlier in the thread, I'm using fully inflated compact spare from W212 E550 sedans or W218 CLS550s.
Thank you again for your help. I presume by “rotors” you are referring to the brake disc diameter. My car is a pre facelift SL 350. I am puzzled why a 17 inch wheel is listed as standard. Mine runs on 19inch alloys. Many thanks. I will investigate further.
Reviving the thread - a donut spare found for my 2020 SL R231. It barely fits but it does fit. Spare was bought on ebay and is 155 60/R18. I also had it mounted (for testing purposes) on my front left wheel - clears the brakes. My SL is a 450 SL with AMG "appearance only" package.
Very nice, Ron. Do you have a link for the listing in case they have more available?
From my experience, links to ebay listings change over time so instead I recommend you search this: "mercedes benz cls w218 spare donut wheel 155/60 r18" - the results will include smaller rims but you should be able to find current available rims for sale.
Ron
After reading the next reply I realized you are asking this question as if I did have a flat tire and were able to use the donut spare, how do you continue the trip with the flat original tire? This is a real problem as the original wheel will not fit in the trunk so my guess is you have to:
1. Drive away and use the passenger area / space to haul the wheel away or,
2. Find someone that can take the flat tire/wheel for you or,
3. Drive away with the trunk open (not liking it at all...) or,
4. Buy a good temporary rack that you can easily install and strap the flat tire to the rack. Probably the best solution of all above options.
Ron
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Unfortunately, not having a spare and no place to put a take-off wheel & tire are what make cars like this less than stellar choices for extended road trips, especially with a passenger. As an old guy, I remember when virtually every car came with a full size, matching spare—even true sports cars. If you had a flat, you changed it and were on your merry way. I guess the bottom line for those insisting on doing grand touring in these cars is to retain the run flat tires and to carry the “goop & compressor” or “TireFit Kit.”
After reading the next reply I realized you are asking this question as if I did have a flat tire and were able to use the donut spare, how do you continue the trip with the flat original tire? This is a real problem as the original wheel will not fit in the trunk so my guess is you have to:
1. Drive away and use the passenger area / space to haul the wheel away or,
2. Find someone that can take the flat tire/wheel for you or,
3. Drive away with the trunk open (not liking it at all...) or,
4. Buy a good temporary rack that you can easily install and strap the flat tire to the rack. Probably the best solution of all above options.
Ron
Wouldn't take risk damaging the car with a rack as the wheel weight is close to the max. capacity of the rack and any damage will cost more than the wheel.
We had the same scenario with a R230 SL and ended up driving with an open trunk. Something that should be OK for a short distance with one caveat. The trunk lid of the SL rise fully and taller than regular trunk lids. It will not stay down by default so a strap or two are essential to keep the lid down and the flat tire in. Otherwise this would be a recipe for disaster.
When I go for a weekend away/tour the boot/trunk is normally full of her indoors clothing, no space for a spare wheel, jack, wheel wrench, luggage rack etc.
When I go for a weekend away/tour the boot/trunk is normally full of her indoors clothing, no space for a spare wheel, jack, wheel wrench, luggage rack etc.
Ditto. Road trips usually include a full trunk. I do carry a slime kit, compressor, jack and lug wrench but realistically will call AAA as my first choice. If no cell service I'd attempt to reinflate the flat. Good reason to stay on interstates and other well traveled roads, I guess.
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