Luke/ALL:

If wheels fit a 1984 190E (8V), are they sure to fit a 1986 (16V)?

Background: 6 years ago I sold my 1984 190E (8V) and kept the 16"x7" AMG Aero wheels (with 205/50ZR-16). Now, I plan to paint/polish and install them on my 1986 190E (16V). The 16V is currently running 17"x7.5" chrome AMG Aeros ("flat" face) and are shod with 215/45-17 tires.

Thanks for any info!

Brian

They should fit fine. The only problem people run into is fitting some 16v fitments on regular 190Es. The 16s would fit. Since you mentioned having 17s, you say you run 215/45/17, but I have heard alot of 16v can take the 235/40/17, have you ever thought about that. It might be a nice option if you can do it. The 235/40/17 I think require 17x8. I would look into it and see what TireRack has to say.

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99 Mercedes-Benx ML 430 V8 w/custom TV, Video, UHF, speaker system
93 190E 2.6
2001 C240 V6 - maybe

Chiragp:

Right now the decision is purely a financial one.

[1] Tho' the wider tires would look waaay cool, I don't want the chrome rims; I want to stick with the AMG credo: "monochromatic"

[2] Selling the chrome 17" wheels will more than finance the 16" paint/polish/new tire venture (plus some left over for Eibach springs on 4 corners and Koni shocks up front).

Thanks for the feedback tho'

Brian

You have an interesting idea which should work fine. I'm a little curious about changing from 17" wheels to 16" wheels. The tire sizes mentioned should not cause any problem. There are some discrepancies in the tire sizes that have been mentioned. That you should be aware of:
205/50-16 = 24.1"
215/45-17 = 24.6"
235/40-17 = 24.4"

recomended 17" size
215/40-17 = 23.8"
Luke

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Luke Pavlick
Performance Specialist (ASE Certified Master Tech)
The Tire Rack
(click banner at top of the page
to visit Tire Rack)

Well I was always confused by MB, because for the 190E the stock tire is 185/65/15. Calculated options:

Stock:
185/65/15 ~ 24.5-24.6

Recommended replacement:
195/60/15 ~ 24.2

MB recommends as well:
205/55/15 ~ 23.9

So I guess the 190E can handle the whole range, but then you got the 16" tire sizes:

205/50/16 ~ 23.9-24.0

215/50/16 ~ 24.5

225/45/16 ~ 23.9-24.0

So the 215/50/16 is a good option for those who want a wide tire as possible on 16s with stock suspensions. The BFG Comp TA VR4 are decent here. I had them on my other 190E and I loved um because their wear was also very decent. The 225/45/16 can easily rub and are suggested for those who have some fender work, i.e. Evo II.

For 17" We have more options:

215/45/17 ~ 24.6

215/40/17 ~ 23.7-23.8

225/40/17 ~ 24.1 (only in the Nitto NT 555 by Discount Tire Direct, don't know if TireRack can get them for you, might want to check)

235/40/17 ~ 24.4

Now the 235/40/17 only work for some 16v and those who have the Evo II. They have the extra fender area for the 17x8s and the wider tires work well here. The 215/45/17 are the stock sizes recommended, however if you have any suspension mods, the tire could rub since the height is the same and width has increased. So the next size recommended size is the 225/40/17, which there is only 1 tire choice (It isn't a bad tire either,) so most go to the 215/40/17.

And for those who can find 18x7.5 in a proper offset, you will find them wearing:

215/35/18 ~ 23.9

285/30/18 ~ 24.7-24.8
Only 2 choices, the new BFG Scoorchers with the colored tread or the Nitto 450s which are much cheaper. The 285/30/options are for the Evo II with 18x10 (extremely low offset, single digits w/o spacers.) That is the ultimate wheel setup combined with H&Rs and no pads, the best you can get.

Hope this helps

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99 Mercedes-Benx ML 430 V8 w/custom TV, Video, UHF, speaker system
93 190E 2.6
2001 C240 V6 - maybe

Chiragp/Luke/et al:

I think I'm going to go with the 215/50VR-16 BF Goodrich Comp T/A VR4s. Can't beat the (Tirerack) price of $62.00 each. I'm going to e-mail you Luke and see if I can't get a mercedesshop.com member discount on the 4 tires and Eibach Sport Spring Kit

Brian

PS -- Thanks everyone for the information and options.