Need some help and suggestions. On a 1994 E-420, can I change the rims to 16x8, with 245/50HR-16 tires?. Will this work? will it damage the car in any way? Please reply.
Thank you.
Hernan J. Escobar
hescobar@bellsouth.net

[This message has been edited by hescobar (edited 06-17-99).]

Sorry, the widest you can fit inside the fenders of a normal W124 is 225/45/17 or 225/50/16. Speaking from experience the 225/50/16's really transform the chassis without making it a ballbuster. I ran 16x7.5 Borbet rims. 245/50/16 is a somewhat tight fit for the fenders of my 500E. You would have serious clearance problems trying to put that size on a E420. Not to mention 245/50/16 is the wrong rolling radius for that model. Go with the 225's. 16" or 17" is your personal preference.... Go to the Tirerack site (banner at top of screen) and check out "WheelRack". It is a Macromedia program that lets you see what wheels will fit on your car...on your car. If there is anything else we can do don't hesitate to ask.

Enjoy...Lee

Thank you for the advice. The tire dealer keeps telling me the 245/50-16 would work, but I always felt that they wouldn't. Thank you again.

Glad to be of help. I'm sorry but whoever told you that is A) confusing it with 225/50/16, or B)thinking you had a 500E, or C)flat wrong. If you have an E420 or any W124 but a 500E/E500 the widest section width tire you can fit under the stock fenders (without clearance problems) is 225. Be it 225/50/16, 225/45/17, etc. Do the math...245/50/16 is the wrong rolling radius. That size would be "taller" sitting next to a OEM tire or 225/50/16 tire. Think "tractor" look. Unless you have done 500E bodywork it wont fit. You can try, but don't be suprised if the fenders and tires compete for airspace, the tires try to rip out the wheel-well cladding, you can't turn the wheel more than part way to lock, they stick out making you look like a rice-boy, etc.

Look at the MercedesShop "Featured Cars" review of the 400E. In that review there are some pics of my old 400E that had the 16x7.5" Borbet rims with 225/50/16 tires. You can also call TireRack (banner at top of page), they have a detailed database of what aftermarket sizes fit what models. They should be able to take care of you.

Happy Shopping...Lee

Hey hescorbar I took some great advice from mercedes shop and went with the 225/45/17,s and the they look fantastic you should check out beckers for the AMG monoblock (copy rims) If you ask me they are probly made by the same people. Ronald Pantin (w124)

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Thank you for the information.
Regards,
Hernan Escobar

Glad we could be of help. If you need anything else please dont hesitate to ask.

Lee

What will fit under the fenders of a 500E in 17" or 18" rims? (say, 8" rims...)

Jim,
The 500E can take some wider tires in the rear than it can the front. I have heard that the SL "Sport" package will bolt right on. 245/45/17 should fit all 4 corners though. You will want at least an 8.5" rim width when you go wider and lower profile. I'm sticking with 235/50/16 on the OEM 16x8 wheels for now on my 92 500E. 245/50/16 is possible, but not recommended on the OEM rims. Tirerack even has info on 500E fittments so they are probably worth a call if your in the market for wheels, tires, or both. (banner at top of page) Specific sizes depend on how wide a tire you plan on putting on. If I were buying wheels and tires I would get AMG blocks, EVO II's, or BBS 17x8.5's with 245/45/17 Michelin Pilot MXX3's. Its always great to meet another 500E owner. Are the wheels/tires the first upgrade or have you done other fun stuff to yours?

Happy Motoring....Lee

I haven't performed any surgery yet, since I already have a black hole or two in my garage when it comes to track time. A friend did the RennTech chip and exhaust, but he wasn't impressed and went back for the 6-liter version. If I do anything (assuming Porsche doesn't import the GT3), it'll be brakes/wheels, followed by the two transmission upgrades and finally by a real motor.

Wow! Sounds like fun! Did your friend ever go through with the 6.0 rebuild? If I were doing such a thing to the 500E I might go for the Brabus 6.5 V8. Even in stock form the brakes are the least impressive characteristic about the car. Car handles great given good tires, goes like a raped ape (even in 5 liter form), but the brakes are not proportionally better (as everything else is) than the 400E brakes in my experience. All things considered the brakes are the least impoved over its lesser W124 siblings. Still a helluva car any way you slice it.

Keep in touch...Lee