All Seasons in 215/50/17 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Holson Adi · #1 07-30-2004, 03:23 PM

Changed it since i guess it's inevitable that 215/50/17s would rub on ET37 7.5" wheels.

I been browsing Tire Rack and 205/50/17s can actually be mounted on 7.5" wheels safely and a lot of them have high load ratings (93)

Is there a reason why Tire Rack recommends 215/45/17s instead?

Since I've read that 205/50/17s would definitely fit, which tires would you recommend?
I'm liking the Avon Tech M500, Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3, or the Goodyear NCT5

Any thoughts?

I want ride comfort and low noise more than anything else (the e420's not a sports car anyway)

or any other recommendations Luke or anybody else?

Quote:

I wanna put on a set of All-Seasons on my car (95 E420) and i've decided on 215/50/17

The two tires that I have in mind (looking thru TireRack's selection) are Bridgestone Turanza LS-V and Dunlop SP5000 VR

Thanks
-Holson-

ksing44 · #2 08-01-2004, 08:54 AM

I think you might be making a mistake with the 215/50/17 size. From quite a bit of reading on these forums and some limited personal experience I have determined that the taller profile/ larger diameter tires rub on the lower plastic cladding at back of the front wheels. This is true for 215/55/16 and should also be true for 215/50/17 tires. Based on the Tirerack Spec charts, the 215/50/17 is 25.5 inches in diameter. The stock size is 25.0 inches. I thought you were already well aware of this, because I remember that you struggled with deciding what tire size to get on your very nice new wheels. I have been struggling with this stuff too. I want to try 225/50/16 on my 16 x 7.5 ET37 AMG Monoblocks. They are virtually identical in overall diameter to stock 195/65/15 and my current set-up of 205/55/16. It sounds like the tires would fit for sure if I had ET41. My ET37 may be just a little too far out and cause rubbing on my fenders. It is only 4 millimeters, but it might be 4 millimeters too much. Taller tires that are 25.5 inches in diameter are definitely known to cause rubbing on the lower plastic cladding.

I want the fattest tires I can fit without rubbing, to get the most aggressive look possible.

E 220T · #3 08-03-2004, 08:07 AM

Holson, I tried 215/50/17 Michelin Pilot MXM4 on my E420, with AMG 7,5*17 ET42 wheels. They rubbed a little bit on the front of the wheels but it was not serious. Just had to be careful going over speed bumps. But the ride quality going from 225/45 Pilot Sports to Grand Touring All Season went up a lot, but as expected the handling of course suffered.

ksing44 · #4 08-03-2004, 08:50 AM

If he rubbed with ET42, then I think you will definitely rub with your ET35. As I remember, you have new 17 x 7.5 ET35 wheels. I also remember that they are very nice looking wheels. I think I like them as much as my AMG Monoblocks.

You might want to try the 225/45/17. They are about the same diameter as stock, but they are wider than your 215/45/17. They will have a greater volume of air to cushion your ride. If you do try the 225/45/17, I would love to know about how they fit and if they rub. If they do rub, I would like to know where and how often they rub.

My understanding is that H-rated touring tires should be more quiet and comfortable than Max-Performance tires in higher speed ratings. We asked Luke about it and he wrote that he would ask the powers at Tirerack about testing tires from different categories. Perhaps your best option is to keep the size the same and just change to Grand Touring tires in H-rated form.

My Michelin MXV4 Plus tires are definitely quiet and comfortable, but I want to try the Bridgestone LS, based on Luke’s recommendations. I am concerned about losing quiet and comfort, but I would certainly enjoy improved wet handling because the Michelins really are not confidence inspiring in the rain.

You might have been happier with 16-inch wheels. Your wheels look great, but a bigger wheel with a smaller profile tire definitely decreases comfort. In fact, I think air pressure in the tires is the biggest single factor that affects ride comfort, even more than springs and shocks. Are you running the W124 MB recommended pressures? They are quite low, compared to what many guys use in their cars. I run 29 psi at all four corners and I check and adjust the pressure with the season to account for temperature changes that affect tire pressure. The 29 psi adjusted in the winter can get to 35 psi on a hot summer day and of course as the weather gets cold you have to add a bit of air.

Holson Adi · #5 08-03-2004, 10:12 AM

Yeah I run the recommended 29(F) and 30(R) and the ride is frankly not bad -

I just think that 215/45/17s are such skinny tires for a 124.

since 215/5017s rub for E220T then they'll definitely rub for me (ET37)

I guess my choice is 225/45/17 - I actually want the Bridgestone Turanza LS-Z in that size or the Goodyear Eagle F1-GS D3

can't shell out the money just to 'try' the tires though...

the other size is 205/50/17 but .. not sure how that'd would look. 205s would reduce tramlining to nothing too I'd imagine. Which is one reason why I'm afraid of using 225s

ksing44 · #6 08-03-2004, 10:36 AM

Well at least the 215 is bigger than195/65/15 that came on the car. My 205/55/16 looks a bit wider, but I just love the look of a fat tire that fills the fender well. I want to try the 225/50/16, but like you it is an expensive experiment if it rubs and I have to get rid of the tires or do damage to my car.

Holson Adi · #7 08-03-2004, 03:38 PM

idea : get used tires...

just try them out

Holson Adi · #8 08-16-2004, 10:41 PM

Up, what about 205/50/17s?

The BMW OEM size for E46 Non-Sport-Package cars...

Luke@tirerack · #9 08-17-2004, 11:02 AM

225's and W124 chassis do not mix well and tend to rub alot

ksing44 · #10 08-17-2004, 02:16 PM

Thank you Luke. I was building up to asking you directly about 225/50/16 on my 16" x 7.5" ET37 wheels. I was just waiting until right before I was ready to order the tires from you. I guess it would be a risky experiment to try the 225s, but I would sure love to have fatter tires. I think the 225s would look awesome on my car, but I would hate it if they destroyed the plastic cladding behind the front wheels. I may have to play it safe and stick with the 205/55/16.

czwbkx · #11 08-22-2004, 12:33 AM

Luke, where do they rub? Inside, outside, or circumference? On what off-set? All? 41? 36? During cornering?