‘95 .034 Sport Purpose Wheels / Tires / Suspension

[BTR]

Good day, y’all.

I am contemplating purchasing a set of AMG wheels, sized 16x7.5" w/42mm Offset, and 66.6mm hub bore, for my bone-stock ‘95 E 420. Seems like the size and offset are in a reasonable range to fit my car, and the wheels are reportedly in-spec for W124 (non-500 E/E 500) and W201 chassis automobiles.

Multi-part question for the 500Eboard Braintrust:

Are these wheels sized appropriately For a 1995 Mercedes-Benz E 420 (US-spec), with consideration given to the following?

Which is the maximum appropriate tire size which will fit with zero fitment issues, with both (i) stock suspension, and (ii) your favorite OE-quality sport suspension setup (shocks, struts, springs, sway bars; i.e., sportline or E 500 E suspension)?​

 

[gsxr]

Those wheels are the correct size/offset for your E420. A 205/55/16 tire would be ideal. Note the AMG wheel install docs for a nearly identical wheel (click here) show fender spacers and a light fender lip roll if you want to avoid rubbing while driving at 10/10 (max lateral G's, trail braking into corners, local autocross, etc). If you don't push that hard, there will be less concern with rubbing, even with a slightly larger tire.

You'll have fewer, or zero, issues at stock ride height. If lowered, it depends how much lower, if you rolled the fenders / added spacers, and how aggressive you want to get with tire size.

 

[BTR]

Those wheels are the correct size/offset for your E420. A 205/55/16 tire would be ideal. Note the AMG wheel install docs for a nearly identical wheel (click here) show fender spacers and a light fender lip roll if you want to avoid rubbing while driving at 10/10 (max lateral Gs, trail braking into corners, local autocross, etc). If you dont push that hard, there will be less concern with rubbing, even with a slightly larger tire.

Youll have fewer, or zero, issues at stock ride height. If lowered, it depends how much lower, if you rolled the fenders / added spacers, and how aggressive you want to get with tire size.

Thanks @gsxr. hmmm, perhaps I should hold out for wheels with a higher numerical offset to allow for wider rubber, as per 16x7” et 46 euro E 420 wheels on your wheel chart, and less chance of rubbing during 8-12/10ths cornering.

https://www.w124performance.com/images/W124_wheels/124_OE_wheel_chart.jpg

 

[gsxr]

It really depends on your intended use and driving habits. The 7.5 wheels should be a bit more planted when pushing hard, I'd prefer that if your aim is performance. The mods described in the document (spacers & lip rolling) will prevent rubbing.

A narrower wheel with higher numerical offset is an easier fix, but still may need the spacers/rolling when pushing the limits of traction.

Remember these are both less aggressive fitments than an 8.0-8.5 inch wheel, which are the reasonable limits on a standard 124 chassis.

 

[northNH]

FWIW My departed ‘94 420 with Sportline shocks and springs was nicely setup with 7.5 x 16 ET39 8 hole wheels (from I believe 210 wagon) and 215/55 Michelins without fender mods…Zero rubbing issues at any tenths I used the car.

I would use 3mm spacers with ET42, which may rub on shock tower if lowered.

 

[luckymike]

I just installed 16x7.5 ET41 with 215/55 Michelin tires on my '95 E420. It is slightly lowered in the front. No rubbing.

Pic shows fully loaded with camping gear.