What is the correct offset for 16x8 wheels on a W124 1988 300TE wagon, so that there is minimum rubbing due to 225/50 rubber being so wide (lowered & fender roll doesn't help)?

Thanks,

:-) neil

My guess would be around ET35. Do you know what offset is your current wheels?

My 6.5x15 wheels have an offset of 49mm.
The 500E wheels measure 8x16 ET 34mm.

Unfortunately the rims stick out just a tad, my mechanic and I thinks the offset should be closer to 36-41 mm.

Neil

I've been told and read here many times that you just can't get 8's to fit a W124 without sticking out beyond the wheel well or without serious flaring of the fender (more than just rolling). I could be mistaken. I would love to know otherwise.

__________________
Al D.
1988 300TE
Anthracite/Grey MB Tex
205/55/16, 16x7.5 Lorinser 15-hole
'95 S-500 corners
50% tint all windows
Kleen Wheels

Veru true, 16x8s don't mix to well, except for maybe in the rear.

__________________
Chirag (Charlie) Patel
--------------------------------------------
- 03 Mercedes S600 Sport TTV12
- 97 Acura NSX-T
- 99 BMW E36 M3 w/500+ HP
- 04 Lexus RX330
- 04 Dodge Dakota Quad 4x4 V8

4 Sale:
- 99 BMW M3 E36 Coup with Dinan SC, Upgraded to an RMS Stage 3 with Aftercooler, 12psi, and 500+hp @ flywheel.

Neil

I just wanted to understand you correctly. You have installed the 500E wheels with 225/50 on your 300TE and it rubs with rolled fender? What kind of tires did you used? Sometimes picking a tire with a rounder profile and narrower tread (like the SP9000) would clear a tight fitting.

From my understanding. Look at my post "will these fit my car"

In that post you will see that i have a set of 16x8 34 mm offset 8 hole wheels.

Now if I put them on my car, apparently they will stick out around 2 inches from the fender wells.

i of course decided that I wasn't going to waste my time on a test fitting of them, though I might just try it anyway to see.

If they stick out majorly, I'll post a pic for you to see how much they do stick out.

I think for 8 inch wheels you would need a lower offset than 34.

My car has 16x7.5 ET35 wheels right now, which are near flush with the wheel wells from a look down the side of the car.

I think that the et 34 would stick out definately by at least a half inch or more.

Hmm I did have a site that you could plug in offset and size against factory size and offset and it would tell you how much it would stick out or so. I have no idea what I did with that site link though.

Alon

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

The 16x8 ET 34 8-hole 500E wheels had BF Goodrich G-Force KDWS 225/50ZR16 tires installed.

All four fenders were rolled. Around town, they would not rub.

At 65+ mph on roads with dips, they would rub.

I replaced the tires with 205/55ZR16 and they don't rub, and they are fairly flush.

What offset for a 16x8 or 16x7.5 wheel would allow me to run 225/50ZR16 tires?

Thanks,

Neil

Ke6...,

I just mounted Lorinser 16x 7.5's with 205/55/16's. The offset is ET 34 and they are as "flush"with the top most fender lip as they can be. 225's wouldn't be that much different. While the front's are flush, the rear still has enough room for an 8 to fit.

To have 8's fit all around you might consider installing wheel well trim rings all around that have been painted or powder coated to match. Perhaps visually this could give you the additional "flare" coverage needed...just a thought.

__________________
Al D.
1988 300TE
Anthracite/Grey MB Tex
205/55/16, 16x7.5 Lorinser 15-hole
'95 S-500 corners
50% tint all windows
Kleen Wheels

Al- what do you mean by having room for all "8" ?

My 300TE is lowered with H&R springs, and SportLine bushings, shocks, and swaybar in the front.

225/50ZR16 still rub in the front even with the fender roll, but only during dips at 65+ mph.

I think they are OK in the rear, but would still like to know what offset (either than 34mm) would be better, esp. for the fronts.

Neil

My car currently has 16x7.5 et35 wheels, and they have 205/55/16 and they are ok.

You shouldn't have a problem with the 225's on a 16x7.5 wheel with an offset of 35mm.

If I could fit those 16x8 et34's on my car without rolling or wheel well mods, then I'd do it.

I'm not a tech, but I hope that helps

Alon

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

Neil,


Have you been able to isolate where the rubbing happens (e.g. inboard, outboard of the wheel, the fender rim itself, etc.)? I'm assuming that it rubs at the front wheels. Sounds like you just need about 1/2 an inch somwhere. Was the car perfectly level after the Sportline upgrade. If not, perhaps changing spring pads might give you the room.

Regarding the Sportline upgrade, what was the labor/time charge for it?

Worst case, I'm sure the car looks great even with slightly smaller rubber. I'm in the SF Bay Area and I've got am '88 TE also. If your close by, I love to see what you've done with your Sport Wagon!

__________________
Al D.
1988 300TE
Anthracite/Grey MB Tex
205/55/16, 16x7.5 Lorinser 15-hole
'95 S-500 corners
50% tint all windows
Kleen Wheels

You can check out the our car at:
BEFORE SPORTLINE:
http://www.dhc.net/~pmhack/mercedes/300te882.htm
AFTER SPORTLINE:
http://www.silcom.com/~neilv/sportline/

Labor was about $450 to change front bushings; shocks; and swaybar; plus rear springs.

Someone mentioned a Mercedes or AMG fender spacer kit.
I'd like to hear more, and get a part number and/or service bulletin.

TIA,

:-) neil

hey al,

Do you have a pic of your lorinser 15 hole wheels? I didn;t know there was such a wheel for a 124, also where did you purchase them.

Momentum,

I got them used from one of the members of this forum. I will forward a pic soon. I think they look good on my 1988 300TE. Just a hint of a Sport Wagon. After I Sportline my wagon, though, I'll probably switch to 17's and see if I can live with the harsher ride that 17's give. Send me your e-mail address. I haven't taken the time to figure out how to attach pic's to this forum yet.

Thanx.

__________________
Al D.
1988 300TE
Anthracite/Grey MB Tex
205/55/16, 16x7.5 Lorinser 15-hole
'95 S-500 corners
50% tint all windows
Kleen Wheels