So my mechanic replaced the front springs in my 190D 2.5 (both were snapped) and he also, without my permission, bought used rims for my car because he believes the ones I have on there (from a 92+ W124, the 8 hole ones) are causing the lug bolts to stick (they have been drilled out 3 times now). Well I got the car back yesterday after that work and $2200 in other suspension work (rear links, bushings, bearings, parking brake, ball joints, etc) and it was undrivable. The tires in the front were bigger than what I had but seemed to be correct spec for the rims that were put on but under braking or sharp turning, the tires rub on the fenders. That is an obvious safety concern for which I may decide not to go to him for business again.
I believe the issue is that he put in the wrong or worn out springs, he bought used ones from the junk yard when he bought the rims. Now from my research, it seems the 190D 2.5 had different coil springs in the front than other W201 cars, 201 321 23 04 vs 201 321 22 04. Is there anyway to tell which spring I have in there? Is there a part number on it anywhere? The car is currently over at the shop again, waiting for my approval to move forward on it.
Also, the rims that he bought, some off a W202, are in terrible shape (curb rash, flaking coating) and the front tires have to be replaced (just like the back tires on mine) and he has agreed that I don't have to pay for them if I decide not to put them back on my car. Now the question is, why would my rims cause issues with the lug bolts? I know many people have these rims on their W201 cars (or even bigger ones) and according to this they should fit (16x8 with a 34 or 35 offset, I don't remember at this point of the day): Mercedes-Benz Fitting Chart and Wheel Fitment Guide | Alloy Wheels Direct
They did not rub or anything when I had them on, and I want to keep them because they are in much better shape, look nicer imo, and will allow for the 400e brake upgrade. What would you suspect is causing my lugs to stick? I can think of a few different possibilities, one is that they were overtightened, although last person to tighten them before it went into the shop was me, and I did it at the factory spec 80ft lb, while my mechanic tightened the new ones to 70ft lb. My next guess is that the hubs are damaged (and I know at least one needs to be replaced because of bad threads in one point) and that is causing the issues. My mechanic seems to think the rims are the cause, that they are too wide but again I have heard of many people using these rims and having no issues. Any other ideas? I obviously don't want to have to purchase new tires for the crappy rims he bought or even pay for those rims since I did not okay the purchase.

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Current: 1975 450SEL, 83 300D, 88 Yugo GVX, 90 300D OM603 swap, 91 F150 4.6 4v swap, 93 190E Sportline LE 3.0L M104 swap, 93 190E Sportline LE Megasquirt, 03 Sprinter, 06 E500 4Matic wagon.

If the springs are not correct then the ride height might be too low. Can you see where the tyres are rubbing?

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!