Ok so my Dad decided to give me his 1987 300E, but those 15" wheels just aren't doin it for me. The largest wheels i can get are 18"s, 8.5"width, and i need to know if there will be any rubbing, and if i can get them, how much could I drop the car.

Hey so if someone has done this or know it'll work fine post it please

Thank You

(p.s. this car needs a lot of work, so you'll be seeing my name quite often)

I say talk to luke @ Tirerack about that, also talk to chiragp, he has a 190e he has done extensive work to regarding suspension and wheels and rubbing.

Alon

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

Depends on what you want. If it is handling, lots of past threads indicate 15 or 16" rims (less weight) are best. Some past threads discuss what is the max you can go if you just want 'the look' and don't care about handling or ride that much - how wide/tall without fender roll, etc. LOTS of used 18" rims up for sale, and LOTS of 18" rims with curb damage at Brabus, according to a previous thread. (They damage easily, the tires cost a fortune compared to 15 or 16, and they are more weight.)

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John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E

I have a '93 300CE (essentially the same chasis as your 88 300E) and I have fitted 17" x 8" wheels with 225x45 tires. The offset on the rims is 42 cm. I don't have any rubbing problems, however, I doubt that you can put on a wider tire than a 225 without running into difficulty. Once you get up to this width, you have to be very careful about the offset of the wheel. Too little offset and the tires will stick out of the wheel well and lead to rubbing against the body panels. Too much offset and the wheels will rub against the suspension compenent inside the wheel well. Using an 18" wheel brings other complications. Your tire needs to be very low profile (hence very costly) in order to maintain something close to the stock diameter. Very low profile tires give a harsh ride and don't provide much protection if you hit a pothole.

Eric