500E Wheels, Anyone using...

[allenjdmb]

the late style SL 5 spoke AMG in an 18"? this would be the OE wheel for sport package SL's from 99 up--the spec's look correct, but I'm a bit unsure as to clearance on the inside. Is the 245/275 setup correct for the 500E? Appreciate your response and any pix that you may have. Thanks, allen.

[need2speed]

Allen:

The 245/275 staggered tires will fit on your 500E (I'm running those sizes), but will your wheels? You can go from 8 to 10 inches wide at the rear and 8 to 9 inches at the front, as long as the OFFSET is correct. Try a search under "500E wheel offset".

Also, wheel manufacturer's BBS, RH Alurad and OZ, give tire and wheel size and offset recommendations for the 500E on their websites.

Regarding the AMG Styling II five-spoke wheel for the SL, which comes in sizes 8.5x18 ET 25 (front) and 10x18 ET 25 rear - NO, I don't think they will fit.

At the rear, they take up an extra 15mm on the inside of the wheel (over the stock wheel with ET 35 offset) and will likely rub your strut housing. The fronts will also cause problems. The most I have seen from an "factory approved" fitment for the 500E was 11mm inward extension at the rear and 5mm at the front.

It looks like the AMG Styling II monoblocks WILL fit, though. With 8x18 ET 31 fronts and 9x18 ET 35 rears, they JUST fall within those parameters.

Anyone else have an opinion?

[allenjdmb]

Yes, that was my concern also. I'm not sure exactly how much room there is to work with in the rear, although I think the front would not be too problematic. I do wish I could chat with someone who has tried it, thus the post. Thanks for your reply; I'm open to hearing about any interesting setups on the 500E, although the 18" mono is probably the safest route.

[mbsteve]

Allen,

Have you considered the 17" 5-spokes from the current CLK430? There was a thread in here not tooo long ago where someone had this set up. Depending on what you are looking for, the 17" set up will save you a few bucks and deliver a noticable improvement from the stock set up.

[allenjdmb]

should work for a standard 124. The 500 has substantially different brakes, geometry and fenders than the standard 124. That setup might work, but would require, I'm guessing here, close to 15-20mm worth of spacers (thats a bunch), which would also require lugs. Not to mention the load problem on the hub of the wheel....Would be a nice look though. Thanks for the info...

Allen,
MB Steve makes a valid point.
Mike Curcio has the 8.5x17 CLK 430 rims fitted all around. Looks gorgeous and he uses no spacers. Tirerack also confirms that the CLK430 wheel in 8.5 is a direct fit. I am about to order a set for my E500 too !!!!
Regards
farrukh