AMGfan

like Loren (FlyByNight) did to his E55. I think he went about an 1" wider and could fit 305's...

Here's the deal...What if I want to go to 345/30/18 (yup go back to 18's)...which would be BFG drag radials...as my rear track? Do you think 2" or 2.5" would be enough modification to the rear quarter panels?

I'd probably go to 18" CCW SP18's again (wheel widths range from 8.5 to 13")...offset?

c32used

jangy

Holy snappers!! That would be so awesome to see. I have a spreadsheet that can figure out the offset so i'll post back in a bit. 345s are my ideal, but the fronts get topped at 275s and 9.5 inch rims. I wanna try 10s but just don't think it'll fit, even with stretch tires.

18" CCWs FTW!!!!

OXOJE55

Will love to see a E55 with that setup

supre55

Can you roll them or is it a re-fab?

AMGfan

At this point I have 285/19"s on the rear and they are pretty much rolled to the max as far as I can see without reshooting the panels...it will be a re-fab. From rote memory, Loren's (FlyByNight) E55 was a refab...I know he had to have a auto body shop reshoot the panels and spent about $2K for the job.

AMGfan

I just spoke with John @ CCW (owner) about my options with that wide of a track. He had some trepidations about going that wide given the wheel I want (SP18) given the offset (7 1/4 to 7 3/8) needed. I'd have to go to 12 to 12.5 width on the wheel with an offset closer to 7.5...the only forging he has that would match would be the Corsair series like the C10, C14, or C140.

httphttp://www.ccwheel.com/files/wheelprofiles.php://

He also stated if I went with 305's the look would be subtle but If I went with 345's the look would be pretty dramatic considering I would need closer to 2.5 to 3" widening of the fenders. I'm going to take my car over there when it is finished so he can work up some mockups so I have better idea of the dimensions I need to get to where I want.

I'll keep you posted with pics...

PS...He stated that if I went with Mickey Thompson 305's in the rear that the grip for the drag would be just about right. He also mentioned that there are "skinnies" for the front tire/wheel combo that would decrease the front weight about 40lbs...FYI for the drag racing oriented.

chiromikey

i think 345's are way overkill for handling/traction purposes...unless you just want that look. you don't even need 305's in drag radials. i run 255 mt d/r's and they offer more than enough grip with the increased output i have.

AMGfan

I run the 275's MT's now on 16" for the drag and you are right about that is pretty much all you need (which John @ CCW really hammered me on)...this is basically for aesthetics (just a wider look) and some added traction when I'm not at the track...OK mainly for the "look"...!

We are going to run through some mock-up flender flares this coming week at the shop where my car is and I'll have a better feel for what it'll look like...I'll take some pics. I'll take my car to John for the actual mockup fitment of the wheel after the car is done with my current mods.

NXtremeJeep

I think it's a cool idea and would make your e55 look very aggressive...kind of like the sl65 black series.

AMGfan

It would be aggressive but I want to make sure I can visually balance the front to the back somewhat. I currently have 255's up front and might take a stab at 275's up front (ala Jangy)...who knows...I've already got in my head to do it so it'll get done...in what form...up in the air yet until I due my due diligence.

chiromikey

since it's just for looks, i say go for it.

CynCarvin32

Flybynight did a wonderful job. His car looks great but thats partly due to the fact that it is very subtle and mild. Going 2-3 inches will be a bit wide I think. I would say go for it if you went for a flared front end as well to match (a la DTM and Black Series). That way you could get a 285 front or even a 295!

The car would look great and have some serious grip.

Just food for thought.

AMGfan

Cyn...that was a thought too...when I was talking about a visual balance. When we do the mockup of the flares I'll see what it will look like with and without a front flared fender. Damn...now I'm getting excited...

PS...Here is the pic of the CCW that might fit...I'd definitely get color scheme change to gunmetal/glossy black.

CynCarvin32

Talk about a beautifully simple wheel. If you went for flares front and rear with wheels like that I think you would have the best looking E55 ever to grace the planet. Im excited just thinking about the car!

wrxin17

I run 305's on 11inch wheel mine barely rubs and only rubs if you go fast over a huge dip....

ROCKETW19

That is gonna look very nice. I cant wait to see the mock up!

chiromikey

do you have any fender work done? i would also love to know what your offsets are.

jrcart

I'm not an expert in this department but wouldn't you have to go with longer axles as well? Going from a 285 to a 345 is over 60mm (about 2.5 inches)per side wider, even with an extreme offset you are not going to to get proper weight distribution and I think it is going to cause havoc on your wheel bearings as well. Don't think that your going to gain all kinds of traction just because you are stuffing wider tires under there. If you do luck out and gain some additional traction I'm sure it will be at the expense of handing, your turn in speed and feel is going to be greatly affected by a hange of this nature, especially if you do not increase the track on the front end.

AMGfan

We are discussing that, too. I'll let you guys know what we hammer out. The owner of the wheels I like is really pushing me towards not going more than 305's, which would be a compromise between my wish for a wider look and the mechanical feasibility of the project.