Do I need any special adjustment to install the standard OEM size 215/55R16 "rim and tire" to my 99 E430 Sport? Will this be "plug and play"? I am planning to buy a set of standard OEM size rim with some serious snow tires for the New England area.

Thanks
Car Nut
99 E430 Sport

They should be fine. The standard 16" will fit with no work needed. If you need to buy the wheels, then I know that Victoria Tire & Wheel have OEM Mercedes-Benz E320 wheels for sale for $100 each. People sometimes have them on Ebay for about $100-$350 per set. Then all you have to do is mount snow tires on them. My personal favorite for this kind of application are the Michelin Pilot Alpin in 215/55/16s. They are H rated for the speed and handling, while still being a great snow tire. If you live in an area that is covered more then 1/2 the winter with snow, then you might want to go to the strictly dedicated snow tires, which will cost loosing the speed and handling quotient involved with the H-rated ones. For this purpose, you can go down to Bridgestone Blizzak MZ-01 or Dunlop Graspic HS-2. I know Tirerack has them and they both have drstically different prices. I would ask TireRack specialist before ordering. For the most part, I recommend the Michelins.

Get the OEM 16 inch wheel from the 97-99 E420/E430. It is called the 5 hole. www.aaarims.com sell them for $205 each. www.capitolwest.com sells a knock-off for $179.95.



[This message has been edited by Kevin (edited 02-01-2000).]

If you like the 5-hole, they have the replicas at Discount Tire Direct for $125. Victoria's has them for $140.

I contacted the Tire Rack, and a local MB dealer about the compatibility of the standard size tires for 99 E430 sports. They all have different opinion. One place said that the standard size will not clear the brakes. Another one said that the lug bolts are too long. Please I need some expert opinions here.

Thank you
Car Nut
99 E430 Sport

The 16" OEM wheels and tires from a regular E430 will fit perfectly on an E430 Sport. The only difference between the sport and non-sport is wheels, tires, body cladding, driving lights, shifter knob and sport badges.
The lug bolts, however, may be a different length. If you go with the OEM wheels be sure to get the OEM lug bolts. If the lug bolts are too long you can damage your brakes. Replica wheels may or may not require the same lug bolts as OEM.

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Bill Wood - Webmaster
MercedesShop.com, LLC

The replicas are not going to be the exact offset as the orginals. However, TireRack will give you the bolts needed to put them on. However, If you feel you might run into problems, take this oppurtunity to upgrae your car to E55 standard as far as wheel and tires are concerned.

Save the 17x8 that come with the E430 Sport, and put 235/45/17 winter tires on those rims, while getting yourself a nice pair of 18" wheels, with wider ones in the rear just like the E55.

For a car like this, I always suggest the BBS RX II (2-piece) which are 18x8.5 up front, and 18x10 in the rear. These 2-piece wheels would be lighter then the AMG monoblocks used on the E55. Due to less weight at the wheels, you will stop quicker and handle better then many of the other 18" combos.

For tires, you go with 245/40/18 up front, and 275/35/18 in the rear. This is what the E55 wears, but since your wheels are wider and lighter then the AMGs, it will perform better then the AMG 18" monoblock set-up. If you are interested and want some more help, let me know.

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99 Mercedes-Benx ML 430 V8 w/custom TV, Video, UHF, speaker system
93 190E 2.6
2001 C240 V6 - maybe

Will the 5 spoke fit the W124?

If you want a chance here it is. The AMG that are used in the E55, are also used on this SL500 that is selling the AMG monoblocks for $610 right now. They are 18x8 up front and 18x9 in the rear. You have less then 17 hours left to bid on ebay. Here is the link.
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261024663

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99 Mercedes-Benx ML 430 V8 w/custom TV, Video, UHF, speaker system
93 190E 2.6
2001 C240 V6 - maybe

Yal,
The 16" 5-hole should fit on a regular W124 provided the correct lug bolts are provided. (may or may not be the OEM's) I really wouldn't recommend trying to fit the E430 non-sport's size tires on there (215/55/16) as they are pushing it on the tall side. Instead I'd recommend 225/50/16 or 205/55/16. In any case, a call to Tirerack would probably be a good idea just to get a good/informed second opinion.

Hope this helps...Lee

Lee, Thanks...i'll be doing a lot of suspension fixes and a wheel upgrade this spring. As always this site has been a godsend!