As the title questions....
Want to know what width would comfortably fit, as to not have to worry about rubbing issues?
Want to know what width would comfortably fit, as to not have to worry about rubbing issues?
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widest 18" inch front wheel for 500e
- Thread starter Stevester 500E
- Start date
I'm running 18 x 9, with 12mm spacers on the front of my 500E. I'm not sure how much clearance there is between the rim and the strut, but your widest size of rim will be more be determined by the size of tyre you use, plus also the ET and any spacers, rather than the rim itself? For example a narrower rim with a wider tyre will have similar clearance consequences as a wide rim with a narrow tyre.
For front I am running with following: R18 10J ET difficult to say because the rims are 3pc and already have been custom rebuild, but on my calculation ET is approx. 2-5. Tyres I am using for: 235/40/18, I know about factory use 245, but I like more stretch. Sorry, do not have proper photo. If you can zoom it, you will see more. But on the road never had any problems or wheel/fender contact
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Sly,
You can easily run 255/40-18s on the front. I ran up 25K miles on my Michelin Sports.
It's was takeoff set from a 2004 500SL Launch Edition sizes 285/35-18 rear and 255/40-18 fronts. I purchased the set from Jeff/Captruff.
Anyway I ran the whole set for 25K miles with no problems or rubs at all. Note that my suspension is stock. At 25K miles they were getting very noisy hard riding so I downsized them out to 275/35-18 and 245/40-18 Michelin Super Sports on the same wheels.
The new next generation Michelin Super Sports that I am running now are super smooth and quiet. I love them. As far as appearance you can't visually notice the under 1/2" narrower tires.
In the two pics. The front end shot is the new Super Sports and the undercarriage shot is the old set of 285 & 255 tires on the car.
You can easily run 255/40-18s on the front. I ran up 25K miles on my Michelin Sports.
It's was takeoff set from a 2004 500SL Launch Edition sizes 285/35-18 rear and 255/40-18 fronts. I purchased the set from Jeff/Captruff.
Anyway I ran the whole set for 25K miles with no problems or rubs at all. Note that my suspension is stock. At 25K miles they were getting very noisy hard riding so I downsized them out to 275/35-18 and 245/40-18 Michelin Super Sports on the same wheels.
The new next generation Michelin Super Sports that I am running now are super smooth and quiet. I love them. As far as appearance you can't visually notice the under 1/2" narrower tires.
In the two pics. The front end shot is the new Super Sports and the undercarriage shot is the old set of 285 & 255 tires on the car.
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Thanks for the responses. They are all helpful.
I am considering having custom barrels made for the front wheels.
I have a set of centers from 18" AMG BBS wheels. I have heard that owners of these wheels are happy with how they fit and look on thevrears, but that the fronts don't go out far enough towards the fenders.
I don't recall anyone putting thevrears on the front to see if they fit properly and if the look appealing.
My goal on having custom front barrels is to increase the width of the wheel, increase the depth of the lip, and filling up the wheel well, but avoiding the risk of rubbing.
I am considering having custom barrels made for the front wheels.
I have a set of centers from 18" AMG BBS wheels. I have heard that owners of these wheels are happy with how they fit and look on thevrears, but that the fronts don't go out far enough towards the fenders.
I don't recall anyone putting thevrears on the front to see if they fit properly and if the look appealing.
My goal on having custom front barrels is to increase the width of the wheel, increase the depth of the lip, and filling up the wheel well, but avoiding the risk of rubbing.
I see a vote for 9” and one for 10”... I’d think 9.5” would be safe, put you in a 275/18/9.5 wheel. I personally think that’s a lot of wheel up front, and am not sure I’d go wider than 9”.
I have 18x8.5” all around, and while I’m sure I COULD do more, I’m not sure I’d LIKE it.
maw
I have 18x8.5” all around, and while I’m sure I COULD do more, I’m not sure I’d LIKE it.
maw
A huge factor not discussed here is what your intended use is when driving with the phat phront wheels. Cruising to Cars & Coffee (post-COVID) and car shows? Strafing canyone apexes? Track use? Etc.
Because you can fit some massively wide wheels and tires up there if you never get the steering wheel lock to lock, and never have the wheels turned much while braking hard, or hitting bumps. But if you want it to be 100% rub-free at the extremes, you're going to need to reduce your visual expectations.
Like the guys who show 9-10" rear wheels on a standard 124 and insist they don't rub. Gimme your keys for 5 minutes, pal, and I'll show you rubbing.
YMMV, etc, etc.
Because you can fit some massively wide wheels and tires up there if you never get the steering wheel lock to lock, and never have the wheels turned much while braking hard, or hitting bumps. But if you want it to be 100% rub-free at the extremes, you're going to need to reduce your visual expectations.
Like the guys who show 9-10" rear wheels on a standard 124 and insist they don't rub. Gimme your keys for 5 minutes, pal, and I'll show you rubbing.
YMMV, etc, etc.
@Stevester 500E,
I run a 9" wheel up front with 245 width tires. Mine are 18x9 ET+26 up front. Furthermore, I have added 3mm spacers for an "Effective" ET of +23m. If you used custom barrels, ET 23mm on 9" barrel would yield a LOT of phat lip, if that's what you are going for!!
Just to quote that statement, Marcus - and I agree, but here's the setup following my '92 upon purchase years ago. The description on the image is an extract of the approval attached to the registration card. 235/40, 265/35, H&R lowering springs, Red Koni up front and no rubbing, but the extreme stretch looks kinda awkward IMO.
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This is 3 pcs MAE wheels still sitting on the car, but the car has been driven only 5000 km since I got it in October 2007, so the tires are dried out now. But I would say it felt fine back in 2007 with fresh tires. I have in fact never driven a 500E with the stock 16" wheels, the closest I get is my Limited rolling on 245/45-17 on EVO II and H&R lowering springs. The entire setup on the 6.0 AMG car makes it completely different from the Limited, a lot more crisp/direct feeling. But I have to admit that the best feeling & handling on the street is in the Limited with the EVO II.
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@500AMM Yeah, I’ve heard this before from @Klink, which is what had me open to smaller than 18” wheels and tires, specifically the Evo II. Like you, he would know.
@gsxr, yeah I’m not into deviating from tire manufacturers recommendations for the sake of looks. Safety concerns predominate there, just because I’ve been known to double up a speed limit here and there. I need the rubber to be right.
Cheers,
maw
Thanks for the creds, but I won't call me a wheel expert, but at least something to share. Wheel setup is complex, it's so many parameters and playing factors giving a wide range of combos - which all in fact could feel fine on the same car. Next comes the small variations from car to car + individual perception & preference + driving style + even the climate you live in....it never ends.
+1 on that.
A funny side note;
As already mentioned this wheel setup came with the car so I guess it was the previous owners taste. The car was even fitted with 10 mm spacers all around, so the wheels where really sticking out! When I bought the car at the Swiss dealer I said it would be nice to talk to the PO if possible. The seller said the PO couldn't meet and "you may not like to meet him either..." Wow, just wow!
I too have the BBS 2 piece. Staggered 8.5 front and 10 rear. Once I find the right 500, I was thinking of putting the 10” rears on the front and upgrading the 8.5” front to 12” for the rears.
Have you decided what to do with yours yet?
I will probably go 9" ET 23 up front, yelling a fat lip. Rears, havent decided, but maybe a 9" wheel as well.
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