I am contemplating a staggered setup on an 87 2.3 16v. I have 7.5 x 17s in front and would place 8.25 x 17s in the rear, with a rear tire size of 235/40/17 (the fronts are 215/40/17). I realize that the rear rolling diameters would be slightly larger than the fronts (2.19% larger than stock; 2.65% larger than the existing front rolling diameter), but I hoped that the variation would not be problemmatic. I chose not to do the 8.25s in the front since modifications (i.e., fender lip rolling) would have been required. Visually though, the rear wells could use a little more wheel and tire. A little more rubber on the road wouldn't hurt, either.

What do you think?

John

It shouldn't be that much of a problem, as long as you have the proper offsets. What I have seen many people do for a exe-pleasing staggered setup is to go with 17" up front and 18" in the rear. I believe the combo was 215/40/17 up front and 225/35/18 in the rear. It added a very aggresive look to the car. However, What I would do for the 17" staggered setup is exactly what you are thinking, and I am guessing you plan to do them with the EVO II wheels.

As far as the tires, there really isn't anything much to worry about. The car is rear wheels driver, so the rear size stock (185/65/15) are 24.5 and the 235/40/17 are 24.4, which is less then 1% error. You should be fine. As for the front, as long as the tires aren't too much smaller to confuse the ABS/ASR that the tires are slipping or something. 215/40/17 are close enough that they will not cause a problem.

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 (4-sale) w/ an amp, equalizer, and CD-changer, integrated w. stock stereo for integrated cellular phone speaker system
2001 C-Class - Maybe (if 190E sells )

Charlie:

fyi: the stock size for the 16v is 205/50/15. And, yes, I am planning to use EVO IIs. Thanks for the input.

John

True the stock tire sizes of 185/65/15 are for the regular 190E, but the Sportline and 16v used 205/55/15 as the main tire size, while leaving the option of snow tires to be used in 185/65/15. Therefore, I believe that the speedo hasn't been altered to handle 205/55/15 because it is only less then a 3% error. Usually, most manufacturers would calibrate it if the tire size has changed more then +/- .2" but the 185/65/15 was an awkward tire size and there wasn't much you could do in that range.

But if we were to consider 205/55/15 anyways as your tire size, then you would fine the 215/40/17 real close, and the 235/40/17 off by 2% which is still not that bad.

Just check your tires, cause I am not 100% sure of the 16v's tire sizes, but I am almost sure that the 16v and Sportline both shared the 205/55/15 tire size as stock.

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 (4-sale) w/ an amp, equalizer, and CD-changer, integrated w. stock stereo for integrated cellular phone speaker system
2001 C-Class - Maybe (if 190E sells )

205/55/15 was the US 2.3-16v stock size. I want to say AMG did some stuff with 225/45/16 F/R but I don't know the wheel offset or if any fender work was done.

Hope this helps...Lee

I run AMG 16 x 7.5 wheels, Aero 1 style. I use 225-45-16 on all 4 corners. Currently I run P-zero's. They fit perfectly. I have also tried Yoko's, very slight rub in the front, and an older Dunlop. No problems. The car has the AMG body so my front bumper may be slightly different.