My Budget C124 Project

[BRN9121]

Hello folks,

I am looking at buying a 1995 E220 Coupe that needs work. The C124 chassis was something I have always wanted to acquire and convert to AMG style.
Having said that, I will be on a budget and so I will be looking at aftermarket parts only, genuine parts are out of the question.

On that note, there is a vendor out in the far east that sells aftermarket AMG look wheels. Having considered many options and doing my due diligence on what is suitable for the car, I have concluded that to stick to as close to factory recommended spec wheels as possible. This vendor has these wheels in 17x8J ET25 only (squared setup). I am hesitant to go with ET25, I wanted ET30 to be safe and play with spacers later on.

What are your thoughts? Would ET25 work? The car is a regular fendered car. Also, would you consider a staggered 8" and 9.5" setup on that offset?

I will need all the advice and experience sharing I can get from everyone here. Would really appreciate it.
Thanks all in advance. I attach picture of the car, and the ebay link to the wheel in question.

New 17x8 Aero Classic Mercedes AMG Design Silver 5x112 (4 wheels) | eBay

 

[gsxr]

8.0 ET25 is pretty aggressive on a standard 124, but can be made to work with fender spacers, rolled fender lips, etc per the AMG wheel install documents.

DO NOT try to fit a 9.0 or 9.5 rear wheel. It will poke outside the fender.

 

[195910]

ET25 is waay to much on a standard W124. ~ET35 is about as high as possible.

I have seen a set of period correct 17 inch Lorinsers if you need a set, might still be there. Needs restoration of course.

 

[BRN9121]

8.0 ET25 is pretty aggressive on a standard 124, but can be made to work with fender spacers, rolled fender lips, etc per the AMG wheel install documents.

DO NOT try to fit a 9.0 or 9.5 rear wheel. It will poke outside the fender.

Thank you for that. Yes, the Mercedes document states that the recommended sizes are 17x8 ET30 or ET28.
The question is, how much fender work would be required for these to fit with no issues?

Can I safely follow the attached document below?

ET25 is waay to much on a standard W124. ~ET35 is about as high as possible.

I have seen a set of period correct 17 inch Lorinsers if you need a set, might still be there. Needs restoration of course.

Thank you Doc, but I am adamant on the AMG OZ type design.

 

[gsxr]

For 8.0 ET25, I would use the document below (8.5 ET30). The wider 8.5 wheel has the outer lip approximately 6mm further outward compared to 8.0 ET30. Your selected wheel will be 10mm further out vs 8.0 ET30. Note that the fender lips need to be folded flat and pushed outward substantially, along with fender spacers, and a strut travel limiter.

https://www.w124performance.com/docs/mb/wheels/AMG_124_wheel_installation/wheel_install_17x8.5_ET30.pdf

I agree with 195910, this is definitely pushing the limits on a standard-body 124, and I normally wouldn't recommend it. However if the car is not significantly lowered (i.e., not below normal Sportline ride height) and not driven aggressively (think autocross or road course), you may not get any rubbing. Maybe. Possibly.

NOTE: With clearance this tight, the tire sidewall shape will be critical. Some tires with a 'square' profile may rub, while the same size tire with 'rounded' sidewall profile may not rub. Normally you would use a 235/45/17 tire on an 8.0 wheel, but again due to the super tight clearance, I'd consider a 225/45/17 tire.

 

[gsxr]

Also, in the photo below, IMO that car is too low. There is zero air gap above the tire. This is just asking for problems with the tire rubbing while cornering, or when hitting bumps. On a standard 124, I prefer about 14.0" from fender lip to wheel center. The picture above looks like about 13" which is basically sitting on the suspension bump stops. The ride will also suck.

 

[BRN9121]

Awesome info, really appreciate it.
For this purpose alone, I was considering adjustable coilovers.

 

[gsxr]

Awesome info, really appreciate it.
For this purpose alone, I was considering adjustable coilovers.

Search the forum for prior discussion on coilovers. Up front, coilovers put substantial stress to the strut tower, which was never designed to support the full weight of the car. In the rear, it's always a hybrid that's basically just an adjustable coil spring with standard shock. Other than ability to fine-tune ride height to the millimeter at each corner, I have a hard time seeing the value in coilovers...

 

[BRN9121]

Great, thanks.
I was doing some calculations, current setup ( above photo of the car in my initial post) on the car is 7.5x17 Monoblock 2's with ET35.
It's currently on 225/45's all around.

Calculation below on poke