I’m contemplating purchasing some used SLK wheels and winter tires for my 1988 300E, but I’m concerned about the fit.
The set I’m thinking about are staggered; 8 ½ X 17 ET 30 on the rear and 7 ½ x 17 ET 36 on the front. Tires are Bridgestone Blizzaks 225 45 17. Also the seller states the lug size is 12; not sure what that means. I used an online tire size calculator and it appears that the diameter of the proposed tire/wheel is identical to the original equipment 195 65 15.
Will these fit my ’88 300E? Do I need spacers? Is the stud size related to a 12mm thread?
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Hey O.O.S., You've got alot going on here! Interesting idea. Couple of questions. You didn't say so, but I'm guessing you are planning ahead for 2014's Winter & looking to buy now while this set is a deal? What website did you use to check the plus sizes you are contemplating? I used Discounttire.com and it agrees with the tire size. I'm not sure about the staggered wheel sizes on snow tires. Got me scratching my head on that one. It will be interesting to see if some other PP member knows.

Hello Parshoot1,
Yes, planning ahead for next year, and a smokin deal on these if they work. Oddly enough I still have a small patch of snow still on the ground in my yard behind the garage in northern WI. The winter this year was the worst. The web site I used was the Miata one.
I appreciate your input and interest. I hope someone can give me a definitive answer.

O.O.S., My title is preaching to the choir, because as you already know, Bridgestone did figure it out when it comes to that tire. What snow? What ice? I got stuck in my office parking lot after our first snow of the season. Got on Ebay that evening, found a set of Michelin Artic Alpins for $300 and had them on within a week. What car is the current owner of the wheels and tires running this staggered setup on?

LOOK up your lug bolt size,then look up the other cars size. I no my w140 can fit 200 to2005 CLK wheels but not SLK,I can fit newer E Rims

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran

they are 12X40mm.

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran

Parshoot1 - Current seller states the last MB to roll these rims was an SLK. He got them from a friend to run on his C class but he claims the lug bolts don't fit?? By my read, the lug bolts are the same? Maybe he got his mechanics info wrong and it was the fit that was the problem.

Oldsinner - Thanks for chimming in. I looked up the lug bolts and it looks like both are 12X1.5. At least that's what the chart said. The chart aso said the only MB's to use 14MM was the W140 and the W163. Not sure what to believe. I used to trust what I read on the internet; now, not so much.