So I've got a nice spare set of staggered 16" OEMs from a CLK or SLK; I can't remember. I am wondering whether I can run them on my 2000 e320 4matic wagon. Typically I wouldn't really even consider it, but with 205/55/16s on the front and 225/50/16s on the rears, the tire diameter (24.9") and revs/mile (836) are identical or nearly so, for almost every tire I look at on Tire Rack. This being the case, would I be safe running this staggered setup on a 4matic? Did MB deliver any 4matics with staggered wheels? Thanks!

If the revolutions/mile are the same front and rear, I don't see why the 4matic or ABS would care.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

You can't rotate the staggered wheels front to back to equalize tire wear, so eventually the increased rate of front tire wear will create a front/rear tire diameter disparity. Whether it's enough to give the 4Matic system a fit is unknown to me.

Just to follow up. I talked to my local dealer service tech, and he said that the staggered wheels shouldn't be a problem for the 4matic system as long as the tires are almost the same size. And that if the car doesn't like it, it will let me know. If the wheels, or more specifically, the front and rear tires are significantly different in circumference (he thought more than 1") that the computer would sense wheel slippage and the traction control would kick in. So as long as I watch out for trac control engagement, I shouldn't be able to do any damage to the driveline. He did mention that it might show up at different speeds, although I put the staggered set on and it has run fine so far.

He also said that MB started running a staggered setup on the newer 4matic CLKs.

The uneven wear from not being able to rotate them is another issue, though.