Not finding the answer in archives, tire width

[brianw]

My 92 400E has Eibach/Bilstien Sport and 17x8 et35 rims. It currently has 215/45/17 Michelins and would like to try out the new Potenza's RE but wonder if I could fit 225/45/17 without rubbing?

Anyone fit a 225 tire with a 35 offset rim on a lowered car? Especially a 400E?

Thanks!

[DSinger]

1st off, 215 is WAY too narrow for a 8" rim. I think 7.5" is even too wide (that's why I have 225/55/16s on my W210). 215 is great on a 7" rim. I would definitely upgrade to 225/45/17 regardless of fender mods necessary. Would be very worth it.

[brianw]

I'll give the 225's a try on my next purchase, but I have a question. Where do you have your fenders rolled if it necessary?

[DSinger]

Never done it -- I'd try either dealer or bodyshop.

I've got 235/45 on my 17" Monoblocks. Theyre 7.5" with et 35. I get minimal rub on highway bumps and the ride comfort is awesome. But I'm gonna space the fenders per the AMG sport chassis conversion and also roll the rear lips a little more. And an alignment will do it. Off topic, but we just fitted 275/35/18 on the rear of my buds 300E. LOOKS and DRIVES MENTAL! Didn't believe it until I saw it. I'll go with that 18" setup next season.

Good Luck,

Bill
91 300E

[brianw]

Thanks for the info Bill! But here's my concern, I don't want rubbing of any form, and with an 8" rim am still not convinced they won't rub. Compared to your 7.5", would 8" lend itself to an increased chance of rubbing? I have also had no trouble with 215's on the 8" rim, and have not heard any reasoning behind why it may or may not be unsafe.

If your 235's have minimal rub on the 7.5, reasoning would suggest the 225 or even 235's would be ok on the 8", as rim width would play a lesser role in rubbing than would the tire width?

Any info is greatly appreciated!

I have a W202 w/ 18x8" wheels and I use 225/40/18 no problem.
As far as fender rolling, good luck finding someplace that even knows what it is. I called every body shop in NW Ohio and SW Michigan (including Detroit) and only one shop knew what it was but still didn't do it. TireRack loans out the fender roller and heat gun (you have to heat paint so it doesn't crack) for free (you leave a deposit, returned when they get back the equipment) but when I called two weeks ago, they told me there is a four month wait for it.

brianw,
Im interested in purchasing amg 5 star wheels 17x8 35mm offset. I plan on putting these on my 89 300E,...do you have any problems with your wheels??Any rubbing ..do they stick out a bit? I have asked several people regarding this topic and i have gotten mixed responses. Any help will be appreciated.

Thank You

[brianw]

riuscire7, I have had no rubbing problem. It has been lowered with Eibach, Bilstien Sports, 500E sway bars and no rubbing and they do not stick out of the wells. You can click on the "photopoint" in my signature to see a few pics I have included.

I was told by the on-line tire places, where I purchased everything, to use 215/45's on this rim to avoid any rubbing and that has been the case...no rubbing. I am considering the 225's next time.

By the way, I had an opportunity to inspect the AMG 5 star side by side with the replica's, and the replica's had a visually superior finish over $349 AMG rims. Personally I would rather have had the AMG to keep everything in spec, but could not justify the price for an inferior finish.

Jusy my experience!

brianw,
Where did you purchase your wheels? I found the replicas at a great price at Discount Tires for $157 ea. Im still deciding on what wheels to purchase...either the 5 star's or monoblocks from bekkers. I think both look excellent on w124's but im not sure which one i like better.

[dacia]

I am running 18x8.5 ET35 Brabus Monoblock IVs on my 86' 300E.
Pirelli 7000 SuperSport tires, 225 wide. The only reason I don't have rubbing problem at the back is because the previous owner had the lips rolled. The front only rubs if I bottom out the suspension. 215 tires on 8" wide wheels are the lowest you should be going. Multiply 8" by 25.4 to get the width in millimeters. It is 203.2 mm. Tire width is 215 mm. You have 6mm protection for your rims on both sides. Just enough, you don't want to scrape those expensive wheels.
If you go up to 225, the aspect ratio should be at 40 ie. 225x40x17 to maintain the rolling radius.
The formula for tire sizing:
diameter(in.)= (((section width(mm):25.4) x (aspect ratio:100)) x 2) + wheel diameter

Alex

[brianw]

Alex, thank you very much for explaining the reason for tire sizing! That was immensely helpful!

riuscire7, that's where mine came from, same price and beautiful wheels. Just do not say AMG. The choice bewtween those and the Mono's is a diffcult one. Personal taste. How about a set for winter and a set for summer. The mono's would keep more road grime off the brakes!

[brianw]

Ouch, The Tire Rack has no tire in the 225/40-17! hhmmm

[dacia]

Brian,

You can go to 225x45 but your speedo will be a bit off. You will actually go a bit faster then the reading would indicate. And if you are mathematically inclined the calculation for the difference in speed is easy.
I wanted to ask you how is the 400E. My 300E is getting a bit long in the tooth with that 240K miles on it, and I am looking at three 92' 400Es at the moment (miles are between 60 and 80k price is between 10,900 and 13,000 US$).
You know, horsepower is like money, can never have too much .
Could you share some of your experience with the 400E, good and bad.
Thanks in advance,

Actually I just a little calculation and the 224x45x17 is exactly the same as 195x65x15 which I beleive is the original tire size for your (and my) car.

Alex


[Edited by dacia on 05-26-2001 at 08:00 PM]

[brianw]

Sure, and thanks for the info Alex. When I started searching for another MB, I had the 260E at the time with about 280,000 miles and knew I would like to find the MB V8. With that said, I was not sure what to expect from the 4.2L other than the marque ride.

My first impression, after having stepped out of the 2.6 I6, was holy cow what do people do with 5 and 6 liter MB's? Noticeable torque and horsepower increases. Passing is, well, seemingly infinite. At 105mph it's only pulling about 3300rpm's and feels very, very solid, albeit yawning. The engine does run hotter than the 260 or 300 as expected. But highway driving is this cars forte. You just can't drive this car hard enough. I say that as a 4 liter owner and not a 5 or 6 liter owner!

I have only had my car since mid-December and have logged about 2,000 miles, so nothing negative to speak of. When I bought it I had it serviced from top to bottom with everything replaced, serviced and modded.

I have added a chip, K&N filters, vented/drilled rotors, SS brake lines, Bilstien Sports, Eibach springs, 500E sway bars and driving down the highway for 8 hours is a blast and a breeze.

I know this isn't very objective, but this is a fantastic car in my experience. I will be looking for a 500E next or an old sl depending on which car I get rid of next, but I really do like this 400. If you have been following the "quality" thread I agree my 260E seems to be more solid in most all aspects of fit and finish, but the drive of the 400 is something you just have to experience!

Let me know if you have any specific questions! The prices you quoted appear to be good prices for the mileage. As always, make sure to get complete records.

Hope this helps and good luck!