face118

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.

Luke@tirerack

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

face118

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

Luke@tirerack

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

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

mmgrad

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...

mmgrad

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.

mmgrad

235 & 265 is ok to fit on 18s, though 225/255 would be the best combination.

265 however is defintely too wide for a 8.5" wide wheel... minimum width wheel for a 265 tire is 9". There is just too much flex going on for the sidewalls for that size.

Oh, and wider tires won't exactly yield a better mileage or a quieter ride...

for a same model tire, a wider version would probably make it noisier. tire life won't be effected much, but the heavier tire would hinder the car's performance a little...

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?

mmgrad

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?

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.

trips

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

trips

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

Harris

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.

Luke@tirerack

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

Luke@tirerack

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

Harris

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.

B.I.C