Would that be possible?

What 20'' wheel were you considering and with what offset and tire combination?

Eric

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'00 E430 w/ Solaris H-7's
Brabus 19'' Monoblock V, 2 piece
H&R Sport Springs

'99 SLK230 Sport

Everything is possible, it just depends on how much money you want to dish in to make it work; fender rolling, shorter brake lines, etc.

Are you going to drive the car or just look at it? Get 20 inchers if you are going to stop driving the car and it is for show! IMHO, that is just too much rim and not enough tire sidewall. Remember to get your teeth tightened after each drive. Smile.

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<LI>1998 MERCEDES-BENZ E430
<LI>OBSIDIAN BLACK METALLIC/BLACK LEATHER
<LI>XENON H.I.D. LOW BEAMS
<LI>DEBADGED (E430 REAR)
<LI>AMG CHROMED TIP DUAL EXHAUST
<LI>CARLSSON 1/6 CHROME (PLUS 1) WHEELS
<LI>SLK "WREATH" WHEEL CENTER CAPS
<LI>ALPINE CHM-S611 CD CHANGER
</UL>

I am thinking about using Brabus Mono V (9.5x20 all around), but I don't know what size of tire to use, either 245/40 or 265/35? Maybe 20" is too big for E430, but would I still able to just put them on and drive without bumping it into the fender? I think it's possible if I add wider fender flares. I don't know...

For both style and especially handling I wouldn't push wider than the E55's 18" sizes. If, for the sake of style, you needed more I would get a flashier rim in 18" or at most 19" sizing. On a normal suspension/bodywork E430 that is as much as you can really use. The E55 has rolled fenders from the factory, the E430 does not. Of course, the lower profile you go the worse the ride, treadwear, more fragile, higher cost, etc. I'd rather get a better tire in a taller profile than a cheaper tire in a lower profile but that is just my priorities. Don't push any wider than 245 section width in the front, and about 275 or 285 in back.

Hope this helps...Lee

Lee is right. Brabus also recommends 19'' as the max size with 235 or 245 width in front and 265 to 285 in the rear.

I'm constantly looking out for potholes that will eat my rims. Fortuately, Southern Cal. roads are pretty good. The ride on the 19'' is slightly firmer but yet still comfortable.

Eric

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'00 E430 w/ Solaris H-7's
Brabus 19'' Monoblock V, 2 piece
H&R Sport Springs

'99 SLK230 Sport

If you get 20" rims that have the proper offset, you will still have the problem of what tire size to put on the wheel. You need a calculated tire size of: 235/30/20 for the front or all 4 corners, or a 285/25/20 in the rear. Now I am not aware of any tire manufacturer that make those tire sizes.

My suggestion, don't go taller then a 19, and even 19 is not going to perform any better then an 18 wheel well except it will look better. You will also have less tire choices in a 19.

My suggestion, go with 18" wheels. Have 18x10 in the rear, and 18x8.5 up front. The set up should work perfect.
My preference is more on the conservative side, especially when it comes to tire wear and pricing, but I also want the best bang for the buck. So I always suggest the following:

AMG for the opriginal MB E55 look: 18x8 front, 18x9 rear.

BBS RXII 2-piece wheels with 18x8.5 front, 18x10 rear, one of the most lightest and best quality wheels money can buy.

for Tires:

275/35/18 for the rear - Pirelli P7000 SuperSport All-Season, They are about the cheapest tire you can get that still handle nicely and wear pretty decently = $197 @ TireRack
A better tire upgrade for the rear is the Michelin Pilot XGT Z4 = $252 @ TireRack

245/35/18 for the front - Michelin Pilot XGT Z4 = $218.

If you want ultimate performance traction and don't car about wear, then go with the Michelin Pilot Sports.


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Chirag (Charlie) Patel

99 Mercedes-Benx ML 430 V8 w/custom TV, Video, UHF, speaker system
93 190E 2.6 w/ an amp, equalizer, and CD-changer, integrated w. stock stereo for integrated cellular phone speaker system
2001 C-Class - Maybe