E500/500E offsets

[Glen]

Consider:

The general consensus for larger/wider wheels for our cars is to use SL fitments, say 18 x 9.5 ET23 in back and 18 x 8.5 ET25 in front. Lets consider the back only, compared to stock 16 x 8 ET34:

18 x 9.5 ET23 will be 8mm closer to the shock housing and protrude 30mm further on the outside (flareside)

18 x 9.5 ET40 will be 25mm closer to the shock and 13 mm further outside

18 x 9.5 ET44 will be 29mm closer to the shock and 9 mm further outside

All measurements calculated at: http://toy4two.home.mindspring.com/offset.html

It seems to me that the SL fitment is too aggressive for a 500E, ie. the wheels stick out a bit too far for my taste.

Crawling under the car, it appears that there is at least 1.5 inches (38mm) clearance between the stock wheel and shock. Therefore, an ET40 or ET44 might make a good fitment. Can anyone offer any insight? Comments? What am I missing?

Thanks!

[yhliem]

I haven't actually gona and checked out the fitment on an R129, but just from eyeballing it, the fitment (on the fender side of the rim) appears to be closes enough as to not really be much of an issue. especially since the 500E comes from the factory on 500SL rims.

I imagine that, like any other wheel/tire/car combo, it's a matter of personal preference.

People should you R129 fittments as a guide only and remember that it's not absolute. If anyone's unsure about whether a particular combo will fit, do some research.

[Glen]

Thanks for the feedback. I think most will agree that the R129 will accomodate wider wheels than a 500E, especially in the back.

I started this thread because I'm looking for new wheels for my car. It seems that I don't have very many choices if I stay with the "popular" or "common" fitments. And I really do think that 18 x 9.5 ET23 (R129) is just a bit too aggressive for my taste.

Thanks

[Daesun]

How about 18x9.5 ET 35 in the rear? This is a pretty common tuner size that should work well on our cars.

-Daesun

[Glen]

Possibly. Which wheels have you seen in 18 x 9.5 ET35? I really want a simple 5-spoke design...given the choice and a small fortune, I like the Fikse FM5.

[Daesun]

I'm personally leaning towards the Brabus Monoblock VI, which comes in 18x8.5ET35 and 18x9.5ET35. Brabus, Carlsson, and Lorinser all offer ET35 for most of their wheels. This is rather convenient, considering the 500E/E500's stock offset is ET34 all around.

Simple 5-spoke? Carlsson 1/5 or 2/5 or Lorinser LM5 maybe? Another possibility is the 18" wheels on the W211 w/AMG styling (look like CL55 rims, only 1" smaller). I'm guessing they will be offered in 18x8 and 18x9, much like the W210 E55 wheels.

Fikse FM5s are sweet, but oh so expensive!

-Daesun

[need2speed]

Daesun, I don't mean to sound preachy BUT the general feedback from forum members who have tried has been that anything over a 17" wheel upgrade on the 500E/E500 produces unacceptable ride harshness. If you're gonna spend big bucks on top end wheels be sure you will enjoy them for a long while.

I've stuffed 17x10 ET 19 OZ Racing wheels into the back end of my E500 without any interference. That is nearly as large as the maximum factory recommended setup for the R129, which is 17x10 ET 17!

BTW, because offset is measured from the centerline of the wheel, the smaller the positive offset the more the rim projects past the face of the wheel. Also, according to OZ and BBS, there is no more than 15mm additional inside clearance to play with at the rear of the E500 so use one of the online offset calculators to ensure you don't have any problems with bigger/wider rims. Best of all, stick with wheel manufacturer recommendations

Have a look.....

[ItalianBenz]

Also Good points dean. People don't forgot. When the SL was produce,on the assembly line. Its base is a 124 chasis.

Just the skin on a 129 is different.

Thats why soo many item from a SL 129 will fit on a 124 chasis in a heartbeat no questions asked!.



I run 129 wheels, I have no problems at all.


Although I never looked at the offset. I'm going to check my brakes tommomrow, I will look to see what my offset is with those limited edtion silcer arrow wheels.



Guido

[Daesun]

Originally posted by Dean Albrecht
Daesun, I don't mean to sound preachy BUT the general feedback from forum members who have tried has been that anything over a 17" wheel upgrade on the 500E/E500 produces unacceptable ride harshness. If you're gonna spend big bucks on top end wheels be sure you will enjoy them for a long while.

Thanks for the heads up, Dean. I've rifled through the archives many times and am quite familiar with member testimonials reporting harshness w/18" wheels. However, I don't mind a firm ride too much. My CLK had an Eibach/Bilstein suspension with 18" Carlssons. It rode firm, but for me it was more than worth it for the added performance/aesthetics. I can't imagine an E500 with stock suspension and 18" wheels would ride worse than my previous car.

-Daesun

[Blue Devil]

Hey Dean,

Did you lower your car?

Maybe it's the angle of the photo but your wheel gap looks tight in the back or maybe you just went shoppin at Costco and loaded the trunk :p

Looks AWESOME!

Blue

[need2speed]

Daesun, I'm not too sure a comparison with your CLK is the right one. The stock CLK430 is available from the factory with a 17" wheel, making the 18" upgrade only a "plus one". My point is that the CLK's suspension, along with many other newer performance cars, was designed to accomodate owner's desires for BIG wheel upgrades....and the factory cashes in by providing the optional rims.

The W124 500E/E500 suspension, on the other hand, was designed around a 16" wheel without much thought (if any) to size upgrades. The 17" rims are "plus one" for the 500E. Anyway, I look forward to seeing your new look once you've decided

Blue, yes the car is lowered with H&R springs but, just as important was the time spent by my service tech in leveling the rear pneumatic suspension and dialing in the right alignment...corners as if on rails

[Daesun]

Originally posted by Dean Albrecht
Daesun, I'm not too sure a comparison with your CLK is the right one. The stock CLK430 is available from the factory with a 17" wheel, making the 18" upgrade only a "plus one". My point is that the CLK's suspension, along with many other newer performance cars, was designed to accomodate owner's desires for BIG wheel upgrades....and the factory cashes in by providing the optional rims.

The W124 500E/E500 suspension, on the other hand, was designed around a 16" wheel without much thought (if any) to size upgrades. The 17" rims are "plus one" for the 500E. Anyway, I look forward to seeing your new look once you've decided

I see your point. However, I had a CLK320, which came with 16" wheels, so it was a plus two fitment. Also, the E500 LTD came w/17" wheels from the factory. If somebody were to own one and buy 18" wheels, wouldn't that be a plus one for them? Anyway, even with a plus two fitment, I'll still be running 40 and 35 series rubber, which is enough sidewall to keep my spine happy. Of course, I'm also considerably younger than most 500E owners, so I don't have any little ones to cart around in the backseat.

-Daesun

[Blue Devil]

Dean,

Tell me more please...did you get new shocks too?

Did your tech do a 4 wheel alignment or was it just tinkering with the rear self-leveling?

What was exactly done to "level and dial" in the rear self-leveling? I am not familiar with what adjustments are possible with the pneumatics.

Thanks for sharing. I've always been considering the H & R springs too but I'm worried about the re-alignment requirements.

Blue

[need2speed]

Hi Devil: check out this previous thread for your answers....
H&R Lowering Springs

[Blue Devil]

Thanks Dean.

Obviously since you didn't mention it, you are not experiencing any "bottoming" out?