Hello everyone!

I am looking to upgrade to 17" wheels soon. I like the Carlsson 1/6 style in particular (AMG is becoming very common on the new cars).

My question is: What type of tires have you been happy with (or not so happy with), and how many miles should I expect to earn out of a set with nimble, yet not extreme driving habits? Also, what are the opinions with Z rated versus a more touring style tire?

Thanks for any comments you may have.

Jerry Faszer

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05 E55
03 E500

Search the forum for all kinds of info on wheel/tire selection. What are you trying to achieve? Handling, looks, both? How willing are you to sacrifice ride quality with a +2 wheel change?

I just ordered rims (16's) and tires from tirerack. Luke was very helpful in suggesting a different rim than the one I had in mind originally after I told him that my car would be carrying business clients much of the time. A picture of those rims on a 300E exists in another thread.

Mille Miglia rims

I agree that the AMG's are more common, but those buyers are interested in preserving a certain authentic Mercedes appearance. What's your priority?

minman,

I am trying to achieve an overall more unique appearance, and feel form the run of the mill 300E. I have driven my friend's 93' 190E 2.6 Sportline w/ 17" AMG 203's. I like the overall feel of his car better for when I am just driving around, enjoying my car. My goal has never been some sort of MB rice burner.

Unlike you, I do not carry clients, only friends occasionally; therefore ride quality is not of top priority and only needs to meet my own standards.

Eventually I plan on H&R springs, with Bilstein sport shocks, but that may change slightly after I work out my wheel situation. I am not trying to make this into my fathers Carerra 4, just simply preserve the integrity of the car with several of my own mods to add to the performance/ cosmetics.

Yes, I do plan on purchasing from tirerack.

Also, I have searched the forum but my main question still remains as to tire suggestions, and tire life as a result of a larger rim.

I appreciate all of your comments.

Thanks,
Jerry Faszer

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05 E55
03 E500

Problem with the 17s on a W124 that's not a 500E is that no wheel was really made for it. Therefore, none of the offsets are correct (although they will work). BUT, it makes the wheels stick out and just look ridiculous. All 17s on W124s do. Not to mention, ride quality is horrible. I'd go with 16's. There are a few wheels that were W124 specific and have the correct offset (one is mine, the other is the AMG Aero I, I believe). If you have any questions, don't hesitate.

Dan

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1988 Mercedes-Benz 260E

Steel wheels.....ET49
Alloys (6.5X15).....ET48

what is the offset on a w124?

I am just curious whos car (yours?) did you ride in with 17s. I have 18x8 on my 124 and they DO NOT stick out at all. The fronts are alomst flush being set back a bit, and the backs are set in more. The ride quailty is great in my car and it has been lowered (w/ Eibchs) and has big wheels and tires. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being stock) I would give it a strong 8-8.5
I would go for the 17s the 1/6s were one of my choices too. For tires I would reccomend SO-3 pole possitions (if you have the money) \
Look the post I made in "Looking for chrome monoblocks" or something like that should be on this page.
Subman

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Factory trained Mercedes-Benz Technician
Look At My Website
-2002 C32
(E420 has passed away)
The best way to contat me is e-mail.

The correct offset changes with the width of the wheel.

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1988 Mercedes-Benz 260E

Yea, I already knew that.
Check out the pics of Dcragic's car he has 17 monoblocks and it looks great, or pics of Hipower's car.
Subman

__________________
Factory trained Mercedes-Benz Technician
Look At My Website
-2002 C32
(E420 has passed away)
The best way to contat me is e-mail.

Subman,

I feel very honored because you choose my 300E to give JFAZ the idea about how the 17' wheels looks on a W124. Thanks !

Dan ( DSinger ),

You are the first person that I know who thinks that 17' wheels on a W124 looks "ridiculous", but of course this is again a matter of "personal taste".

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"

Back to the tires, my car is using Pirelli P7000 225/45/17 and so far I do not have any bad experiences with them. Tirerack has a very informative section about tires in their website where you can read testimonials from users and compare. Good luck !

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Ernesto Molina

1993 500E Pearl Black / Alpaca Grey
2001 E55 AMG Brilliant Silver/ Anthracite
2007 SL55 AMG Black / Anthracite

Hi-Power
Well your car looks great!! I have seen other pics of your car and you should take out your Orange signal bulbs and put a light cote of white paint on them, this way you will get rid of that egg look (see my post at MBworld to see how it looks, you posted there too).
Any plans to do a hood upgrade to your car, and the trunk lid of course. That would make it look great.
Subman

__________________
Factory trained Mercedes-Benz Technician
Look At My Website
-2002 C32
(E420 has passed away)
The best way to contat me is e-mail.

when I asked "what is the offset" I meant what is the offset for a w124, not a dictionary definition of the word "offset"...cheers

Hey Subman,

Thanks again for your great advises. I am laughing about the "egg look" on my clear blinkers, believe it or not I like them that way ! But of course I will never say "no" without trying it, I will do it and see if I like it or not...

The next upgrades I have for the future are Hella euroheadlights, adapting a Zebrano / Leather steering wheel I've got from germany and replacing the weather seals ( the fabric ones ) on the doors... The interior of my car is my proud ( I will post some pics soon ) it's immaculate !

About other modifications like hood and trunk, I think I will leave my 300E like that for now. I already have my hands busy on my current project "my wife's E420 1995" and you know that it takes you some time and lots of money !

"Egg look" I like that... sunny side up ? :p

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Ernesto Molina

1993 500E Pearl Black / Alpaca Grey
2001 E55 AMG Brilliant Silver/ Anthracite
2007 SL55 AMG Black / Anthracite

Well in that pic it does not look that bad. You can also use that shoe white stuff, but that will take a few coates.
Keep us posted on the 420, I would like to know what you are doing to it.
Subman

__________________
Factory trained Mercedes-Benz Technician
Look At My Website
-2002 C32
(E420 has passed away)
The best way to contat me is e-mail.

17"x7.5" with an ET of 35 will not stick out at all. My car has 16" wheels with 7.5" width and an offset of 35, and they do not stick out at all.

17's can work fine.

Alon

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'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon