Widening Wheels?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: Bay Area California
W211 E55
Widening Wheels?
Hey guys, I got a set of SL65 wheels 19x10 that I want to widen to maybe 19x12, so I can run a 295 in the rear. I'm aware I could pull the fender (it's already rolled) but with so much free space on the inside I figure why not move inward and make a wider wheel? I called Memory Fab but they don't do it, I would like to keep the work here in northern CA but willing to send them out if someone has experience/recommendations with a company. Let me know, thanks guys!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: Bay Area California
W211 E55
I could fit a 285 if I pull the fender, the 19x10 ET28 will not allow it. I will look into that shop, any idea what they charge? I'm ok with a 19x11.5" that would be awesome!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 71
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From: Bay Area California
W211 E55
Wheel werks the store chain, widens wheels? I was surprised memory fab doesn't, seeing as they can make custom barrels and all. Maybe they just don't want to. Would you guys pay to pull your fenders (flare them a bit) or pay to widen the wheels?
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Joined: Feb 2013
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From: AZ
C32, C55, 08 E63
If it was between pulling the fender or widening the wheels I'd go with the wheels. Too much risk in damaging the fenders when pulling then, unless you are looking to do metal work and respray the car... Plus it may effect resale.
You should be able to fit a 295 on a 11" wide wheel no problem. I was running a 325 on my corvette on a 11" wheel and it wasn't excessively bulging out.
You should be able to fit a 295 on a 11" wide wheel no problem. I was running a 325 on my corvette on a 11" wheel and it wasn't excessively bulging out.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2011
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CL65
A 285/30/19 is a stock tire size for a SL65. There is no need to widen the wheel for tire fitment of a 285. You can adjust the wheel placement outward with a spacer if you feel the need to widen to fit larger tires than a 285. I had a pair of CL65 wheels widened from 9.5" to 10.5" with 305/30/19s and a 15mm spacer. I realize we aren't comparing the same car, but it should give you an idea of what can fit on different size rims. I used Weldcraft as well; be sure the wheels are not bent otherwise they may refuse to do the work. I was able to fit without any body work or fender rolling.
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From: Bay Area California
W211 E55
I understand with the tire sizes, I had a 285/30/19 when I was at stock height but with 3 people in the car it would rub. Now that I lowered it, I had to put a 275/30/19 on it to clear after rolling the fenders. Without a fender pull, i cannot go out aby further. Although I don't mind a little stretch, I want a bigger foot print. Here's some pics to give you an idea.
I would like the setup to look like this.
I would like the setup to look like this.
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CL65
A wider rim will not give you a wider footprint, only stretch the sidewall. If you are rubbing with a 285 on the inside you could add a wheel spacer to bring the wheel further out to be flush with the body. However, if its lowered, as you have it shown in pics, it doesn't look like you have much space before it will rub on the body. If you are rubbing on the outside then the stock wheel offset is your enemy and will always be an issue regardless of the space you have on the inside to widen. I hope that helps. Here is a link to see pics of the welds on my wheels if you are interested.
https://mbworld.org/forums/cl55-amg-...-lsd-305s.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/cl55-amg-...-lsd-305s.html
Last edited by RaceHorse; May 31, 2014 at 08:32 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: Bay Area California
W211 E55
Man racehorse your wheels look great! Thanks for all the pointers guys, I'm going to stop by a shop that professionally pulls fenders, and I'll let you guys know what happens. He said he will have to see the inner fender design but that he should be able to pull it and not damage the paint or fender. I'm thinking like a 10-15mm pull. I'll post pics if all works out.
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This place is a joke.
Man racehorse your wheels look great! Thanks for all the pointers guys, I'm going to stop by a shop that professionally pulls fenders, and I'll let you guys know what happens. He said he will have to see the inner fender design but that he should be able to pull it and not damage the paint or fender. I'm thinking like a 10-15mm pull. I'll post pics if all works out.
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From: Sleepy Hollow, IL
65 Chevelle Wagon w/ C5 frame, 08 ML63, 04 S600, 04 E55,(sold) 00 ML55,(sold) 98 C43-55K Swap
I pulled the fenders on my S600. I gained 1/2-3/4" and it was no easy task. It is some seriously hard steel. 3 layers in spots. I got a little greedy and it started to cause distortion in my quarter panel about 10" away from the lip. Luckily I have a very experienced paintless dent guy at my work and was able to fix my f up. He even remarked about how much pressure was on the metal. I would only expect 1/4-1/2 to be gained on a w211 and that won't be easy. On my e55 I have 285/30-19 Pirelli p zeros (they suck) on 19x9.5 hre's and they don't rub but damn there close.
Best pic I have of the fender pull.
Best pic I have of the fender pull.
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CL65
I pulled the fenders on my S600. I gained 1/2-3/4" and it was no easy task. It is some seriously hard steel. 3 layers in spots. I got a little greedy and it started to cause distortion in my quarter panel about 10" away from the lip. Luckily I have a very experienced paintless dent guy at my work and was able to fix my f up. He even remarked about how much pressure was on the metal. I would only expect 1/4-1/2 to be gained on a w211 and that won't be easy. On my e55 I have 285/30-19 Pirelli p zeros (they suck) on 19x9.5 hre's and they don't rub but damn there close.
Best pic I have of the fender pull.
Best pic I have of the fender pull.
Trying to get 1/2" to 3/4" on the S or E can't be any easy task considering the back doors (with a bunch of extra bends in the body) are only a few inches away from the wheel arch. I would think you have half a chance with a coupe since you have a greater distance to lose the difference. Its a matter of how bad you want something and how much time, energy and money you are willing to throw at it.
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From: Georgia
E 63S Wagon Renntech, E55 Renntech, SL65, SL 55 030, ML, bunch of old ones--they come, they go...
I wouldn't do it under..
Any circumstances. You're going to cut open a wheel that is only fair quality at best (no matter what people say here, they simply are not very good), add weight (they are already too heavy), reduce strength, and ultimately make them even less round than they are....so you can get a tiny bit more cross section? On a car that has over 600ft/ lbs of torque? Have you never seen a wheel break or come apart?
This is not some hot rod put together in the back of some guy's shop. if you want more meat on the rear, do it right and buy a set of quality wheels and tires and have a skilled tire guy do the install for you. Wow.
This is not some hot rod put together in the back of some guy's shop. if you want more meat on the rear, do it right and buy a set of quality wheels and tires and have a skilled tire guy do the install for you. Wow.
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Sleepy Hollow, IL
65 Chevelle Wagon w/ C5 frame, 08 ML63, 04 S600, 04 E55,(sold) 00 ML55,(sold) 98 C43-55K Swap
Trying to get 1/2" to 3/4" on the S or E can't be any easy task considering the back doors (with a bunch of extra bends in the body) are only a few inches away from the wheel arch. I would think you have half a chance with a coupe since you have a greater distance to lose the difference. Its a matter of how bad you want something and how much time, energy and money you are willing to throw at it.
It also allows me to easily fit my E55 drag radial set up too
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2014
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From: Bay Area California
W211 E55
Any circumstances. You're going to cut open a wheel that is only fair quality at best (no matter what people say here, they simply are not very good), add weight (they are already too heavy), reduce strength, and ultimately make them even less round than they are....so you can get a tiny bit more cross section? On a car that has over 600ft/ lbs of torque? Have you never seen a wheel break or come apart?
This is not some hot rod put together in the back of some guy's shop. if you want more meat on the rear, do it right and buy a set of quality wheels and tires and have a skilled tire guy do the install for you. Wow.
This is not some hot rod put together in the back of some guy's shop. if you want more meat on the rear, do it right and buy a set of quality wheels and tires and have a skilled tire guy do the install for you. Wow.
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This place is a joke.
Here's my thread on Weldcraft:
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...weldcraft.html
They do top notch work. A lot of high HP Mustang owners use Weldcraft and not a single failure that I can find. I had the wheels powdercoated afterwards. Haven't taken any good pictures yet.
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...weldcraft.html
They do top notch work. A lot of high HP Mustang owners use Weldcraft and not a single failure that I can find. I had the wheels powdercoated afterwards. Haven't taken any good pictures yet.
Last edited by E55Greasemonkey; May 31, 2014 at 11:39 PM.
Thread Starter
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From: Bay Area California
W211 E55
A little update, I stopped by the fender shop, he said he needs me to mount the conti 285's on so he can pull it to clear. He took a look and said he can probably pull 10-15mm and has done a w211 before so it shouldn't be a problem. I wanted him to roll my fronts but I caught my tire on it when turning one day and tore the inner fender lip, so if he rolls it, the tare will spread to the outside . Boo! Oh well. I will keep you guys updated one I get them pulled. Until then, I'll just roll these when I want more traction!
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From: SE MI
2005 Mercedes E55 AMG
Hey guys, I got a set of SL65 wheels 19x10 that I want to widen to maybe 19x12, so I can run a 295 in the rear. I'm aware I could pull the fender (it's already rolled) but with so much free space on the inside I figure why not move inward and make a wider wheel? I called Memory Fab but they don't do it, I would like to keep the work here in northern CA but willing to send them out if someone has experience/recommendations with a company. Let me know, thanks guys!
http://www.ericvaughnmachine.com/Home_Page.html
Here's a Cobra wheel that I had narrowed to 5" (from 9") and that's something Weldcraft would not do because of the natural barrel taper of a cast wheel. Eric thought outside of the box and used a 3-piece wheel barrel for the backside, allowing him to get to the 5" I requested.
Can't say enough good things about my service.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 71
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From: Bay Area California
W211 E55
Wow that looks great! Yeah I will check him out once he's back from vacation, thanks for the heads up! I will still pull my fenders for now but think it will still be a sweet addition to widen these rears.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 71
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From: Bay Area California
W211 E55
So I got my 285/30/19 continental conti-sport contact 5P's mounted up. I lifted the vehicle a bit but still rub bad on large bumps. I'm at the shop now getting the rear fenders pulled, finger crossed he can pull them correctly and get at least 10mm. I also got a rear camber kit but don't want to mess with it yet until I see if this fender can be pulled a bit more. The guys Subaru is pretty clean, slammed on bags with varrstoen wheels
