Tires suggestion!

Aug 28, 2003 | 08:14 AM

face118

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From: New Jersey

00' CLK 430

Tires suggestion!

Hi everyone:

I just got new rims for my 00' CLK 430.

18"x8.5 all around.

What brand and size tires do you guys recommend? I don't need all season cause I already have a set of winter tires.

Thanks.

Aug 28, 2003 | 08:50 AM

Luke@tirerack

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From: SouthBend, IN USA

depends on the weather

225/40-18 would be the size ..... I like the S-03 Pole Positions but, there are also many other choices .... what level of performance would you like to have ????

tire search

Aug 28, 2003 | 09:34 AM

face118

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Joined: Mar 2003

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From: New Jersey

00' CLK 430

Tires suggestion

Thanks Luke, Can I go wider tires?

235/40/18 at front
265/35/18 at rear

I need the tires have more tread life and quiet.

I like S03 but they are pricey.
How about Toyo T1-S?

Thanks

Aug 28, 2003 | 02:16 PM

Luke@tirerack

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From: SouthBend, IN USA

depends on the weather

3 things about the sies you mentioned

#1.) 235/40-18 is taller than your car requires and may rub
#2.) 265's will not correctly fit an 8.5" wheel
#3.) staggered tire sizes on non-staggered wheels will upset the handling of the car due to variations in the sidewall deflection rates front to rear

225/40-18

Aug 31, 2003 | 09:32 PM

trips

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From: L.A.

02 c32

Hey Luke,

If staggered tires on non-staggered wheels cause disruptions in handling, why does my c32 have that set-up (225F/245R on 17x75.)? The reason I ask is I am going to buy some amg style 4 multipiece which come in 18x8.5 all around, and I was going to stagger the tires (225F/255R).

Thanks

Aug 31, 2003 | 11:53 PM

mmgrad

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From: So Cal

W213 '17 E43 ///AMG - W211, W208 no more

Quote:

Originally posted by trips
Hey Luke,

If staggered tires on non-staggered wheels cause disruptions in handling, why does my c32 have that set-up (225F/245R on 17x75.)? The reason I ask is I am going to buy some amg style 4 multipiece which come in 18x8.5 all around, and I was going to stagger the tires (225F/255R).

Thanks

Your C32 should most likely come with 17x7.5 front and 17x8.5 rear... i HIGHLY doubt that they are all 7.5 width all 4 corners...

Aug 31, 2003 | 11:55 PM

mmgrad

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From: So Cal

W213 '17 E43 ///AMG - W211, W208 no more

Ok... i just checked for you and this is what the MB site says... my theory confirmed...

Wheels Aluminum-alloy standard. Polished AMG double-spoke design. 7.5J x 17 front, 8.5J x 17 rear.

Tires 225/45 ZR17 front, 245/40 ZR17 rear, high performance.

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Sep 1, 2003 | 03:00 AM

trips

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From: L.A.

02 c32

You're right mmgrad, thx for the correction. The stock c32 wheels are staggered. What are your thoughts on using staggered tires on unstaggered wheels?

Sep 1, 2003 | 04:07 AM

#10

mmgrad

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From: So Cal

W213 '17 E43 ///AMG - W211, W208 no more

Quote:

Originally posted by trips
You're right mmgrad, thx for the correction. The stock c32 wheels are staggered. What are your thoughts on using staggered tires on unstaggered wheels?

I share the same sentiments as Luke in this matter, they just aren't a great idea. The 265 idea is definitely not a good idea for such a narrow wheel. And don't forget, the wider the tire, the more it costs too.

btw, Toyo T1-S tires are awesome... i had some on my honda with 18s, and they handles beautifully, granted the honda isn't anywhere near the performance levels of the V8 CLK.. but the tires still felt very solid.

Come to think of it, i actually had a pair of very very very new Toyo T1-S tires in 225/40/18 few months ago... sold them for dirt cheap also...

I think you better stick with same size tires all around... if you want it to be more flush in the rear, just add some spacers to the rear...

It just kinda sucks that you are upgrading your wheels & tires, but the rear tire width has been reduced... which, ends up reducing your amount of traction on the road...

How come you didn't get staggered wheels?

Sep 1, 2003 | 06:45 AM

#11

Harris

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Quote:

The C32 has 17x7.5 and 17x8.5 wheels with 225/45/17 front and 245/40/17 rear tires. That setup is matched perfectly!!

It is AMG who recommended to put 225/40/18 and 255/35/18 on the Style IV 18x8.5 wheels. If AMG can recommend it that way, I'm sure they must be okay. I would rather put 225/255 tires as suggested by AMG than to put spacers on the rear wheels.

The Style IV multi-piece is available on 18x8.5 and 19x9.5. BUT the 18x9.5 is specifically designed for the W209. It has an ET18 which will rub big time if put on a C32.

Sep 1, 2003 | 09:27 AM

#12

trips

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From: L.A.

02 c32

mmgrad, I would LOVE to get the staggered set-up, but the recommended size for the c32 is 18x8.5 all around, as Harris mentioned. Interestingly, the AMG website does recommend the staggered tires on this particular wheel setup.

Harris, do you think that w/ fender mods the 18x9.5 can fit on the rears? Or with ET18 the wheel is simply too wide towards the fender side.

Thanks

Sep 1, 2003 | 09:48 AM

#13

trips

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From: L.A.

02 c32

too wide on non-fender side also with that offset?

Sep 2, 2003 | 02:04 AM

#14

Harris

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Quote:

Originally posted by trips
....Harris, do you think that w/ fender mods the 18x9.5 can fit on the rears? Or with ET18 the wheel is simply too wide towards the fender side.

Thanks

Well, anything is possible in the car modification world. It really depends on how deep is your pocket. Our fenders are actually pre-rolled from the AMG factory, if you want to do some fender work in order to make it fit, it will be quite a big job.

Sep 2, 2003 | 09:26 AM

#15

Luke@tirerack

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From: SouthBend, IN USA

depends on the weather

Quote:

staggered tire sizes do work with staggered wheels but, not with the szme size wheels

Sep 2, 2003 | 09:27 AM

#16

Luke@tirerack

TR Moderator & Tire God

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From: SouthBend, IN USA

depends on the weather

Quote:

Originally posted by Harris
The C32 has 17x7.5 and 17x8.5 wheels with 225/45/17 front and 245/40/17 rear tires. That setup is matched perfectly!!

It is AMG who recommended to put 225/40/18 and 255/35/18 on the Style IV 18x8.5 wheels. If AMG can recommend it that way, I'm sure they must be okay. I would rather put 225/255 tires as suggested by AMG than to put spacers on the rear wheels.

The Style IV multi-piece is available on 18x8.5 and 19x9.5. BUT the 18x9.5 is specifically designed for the W209. It has an ET18 which will rub big time if put on a C32.

AMG does NOT recommend staggered tire sizes on non-staggered wheel sizes

Sep 2, 2003 | 12:28 PM

#17

Harris

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well, this is what's on their site: http://www.mercedes-benz.com/omb/amg...generator.htm# Find C-class (BR203) and click on the "more wheels" until it reaches the last page.