I am considering The Lowenhart LD1 in a 18X8.5. It comes in either ET of 35 & 40. Which is the best fit for a 98 E430 with a OEM 17X7.5 & ET 41?

Will the fenders need to be rolled?


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<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>1998 MERCEDES-BENZ E430
<LI>OBSIDIAN BLACK METALLIC/BLACK LEATHER
<LI>XENON H.I.D. LOW BEAMS
<LI>DEBADGED (E430 REAR)
<LI>AMG CHROMED TIP DUAL EXHAUST
<LI>CARLSSON 1/6 CHROME (PLUS 1) WHEELS
<LI>SLK "WREATH" WHEEL CENTER CAPS
<LI>ALPINE CHM-S611 CD CHANGER
</UL>

I would go with the ET 35 since the AMG 18x8 have an ET of 31 and the wider 18x9 used on the E55 have an ET of 35, so the 35 should be fine.

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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

I would get the ET35 although you will have to roll the fenders.

My rears are 19"x9.5 with an ET 35. I also managed to fit a 5mm spacer back there with 265/30-19s. 275/30-19's will fit if I remove the spacers. If you go to 285/30-19's, you will have a slight speedo error. The other two tires are within the OEM specs (+/- .2 inch) of the 2000 E430's 235/45-17's.

Eric

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'00 E430 w/ Solaris H-7's
Brabus 19'' Monoblock V, 2 piece
H&R Sport Springs

'99 SLK230 Sport

I am not sure that you need to roll your fenders if you are going to be using 18x8.5 ET 35. I would ask TireRack and see what they say. I know 19x10 will fit in there with no modifications if someone desired. The advantage to fender rolling allows wheels with loer offsets to fit, giving the car a wider track.

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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

The fenders are rolled on the E55 with 245/40/18 on 18X8 up front and 275/35/18 on 18X9 in the rear.

Yeah, the reson the E55's are rolled is because it is a more aggressive suspension setup then the E430 Sport, and is lower then the E430 Sport. I know that TireRack lists only wheels in the WheelRack that fit in the wheel well of the stock model car without need of any modifications to the car to do so. So If 18x8 up front with 18x9 fit on the E430 Sport without any mods you should be okay. That my opinion however, and I thinks its always best to give TireRack a call, or drop an email to Shane or Luke.

Good Luck

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Chirag (Charlie) Patel

99 Mercedes-Benx ML 430 V8 w/custom TV, Video, UHF, speaker system
93 190E 2.6 w/ an amp, equalizer, and CD-changer, integrated w. stock stereo for integrated cellular phone speaker system
2001 C-Class - Maybe