w210 diesel: best snow tire / wheelset prices

[JHZR2]

Hi,

My father has a 96 E300D. It is a w210 with p215/55R-16 tires. He is considering buying snowtires and new wheels.

I got a brand new saab recently, and thought about getting snows, as I drive a LOT. The dealer had a special on Saab OE 10-spoke wheels and goodyear eagle ultra grip GW3 (Euro tires, I believe) in p215/55Hr-16 for $850 for the set.

We are looking for OE wheels, or at least similar MB wheels, and good tires. Another option that we would take is steel wheels and MB hubcaps (Im sure there is a Euro or Canadian steel wheel and hubcap option for the w210).

Any suggestions? Id like to be close to the price I paid for OE alloys and same size tires on my SAAB.

Thanks!

JMH

[aklim]

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=113704

This will give you what I discoveed on the wheels. I was trying to sell them but since no one seemed interested, I was wondering if I could make them work on my E300 too

[JHZR2]

appears that the offset and the lug spacing (I believe the portion with the 'j' is the lug spacing, and the ET is the offset. are both wrong. Thanks for the info!

JMH

[aklim]

Originally Posted by JHZR2

appears that the offset and the lug spacing (I believe the portion with the 'j' is the lug spacing, and the ET is the offset. are both wrong. Thanks for the info!

JMH

I measured the bolts, center to center, like you are going to torque them in a star pattern and they measure about 4.24 inches apart. Not sure if that tells me anything but it would seem to me that the lug pattern is similar.

[JHZR2]

yeah, makes sense...

What did you end up doing, or are you still searching for tires and wheels?

Id have to imagine that most MB wheels are pretty similar... If I recall correctly, the forged CLK 320 coupe wheels fit on w123 cars, and thats quite a difference in automobile!

JMH

[aklim]

The Michelin Alpins were used for 1 season but since I didn't want to sell the wheels and tires because shipping was a little more difficult, I decided to take the tires off if someone wanted my C280 wheels.

Now, I am trying to see if the C280 will work for the E300. You see, the C280 has a tire width of 205 and the E300 has a width of 215. The difference is 10mm which is slightly less than half an inch. Yes, 205mm is over 8 inches but I was going on the assumption that the rims are 7 inches but the tire after being mounted made out the difference.

[JHZR2]

I read one time that in other countries, they use VERY narrow tires to cut through the snow better.

I assume with all the electronic controls, the transmission shift points may get screwed up unless the speedo gets re-calibrated.

Why not try the wheel on a front wheel and see if it will spin and clear the caliper without issue. If you put narrower and smaller tires on, even if it has a different offset, etc., it shouldnt rub, and snow tires arent for performance driving anyhow...

JMH

[Luke@tirerack]

have you seen this thread ?