Hello all! I am looking to install 18" wheels on my 99 E320 (Starmark just expired). Have it narrowed down to a couple of amg styled wheels and a black multi-spoke w/polished lip. Not sure whether to get staggered sizes or not, Alignments have not been very kind to me in the past and have ruined 2 sets of conti-extreme contact and pro-contact tires. I'm leaning toward non-staggered just because of front to rear rotation.

A popular local euro/specialty performance shop recommends against oversize wheels AND directional tires because of future problems that they can create.My argument is that if a larger dia. wheel is available with the AMG E55 why shouldn't it work on the same body E320. They feel that thereis additional modifications done to the cars that have the larger dia. wheels.

All of the wheels I am looking at indicate they will fit my E320. My local dealer couldn't confirm if the E55 wheels would fit an E320, but they told me to contact a salvage yard for cross-fitment.(which told me they ARE interchangeable)

....Sorry for a long rambling post, but I dont want to get these wheels if they will cause suspension or other problems. Only looking to use these in the summer anyway Thanks in advance!

 

E55 take offs from 2005 are fitted to my 99 E320. They will fit....but.....as the ET for 99 are
about ET37, and the E55 fronts are 31 and rear 38 (from memory), the front will be getting very
close to the fender lip.

I currently have #3 spacers in front, as well as Bilstein Sport shocks, and Vogtland lowering springs.
On rare occasions, a large bump will case the front tire to touch the lip of the wheel arch. I had to
roll the insiee of the lip and to keep firmly damped shock. Any thoughts of having comfort or OE
shocks will result in even more scraping.

No problem with the rear, also Vogtlands and Bilstein....and #4 spring pad.

So to answer your question, it'll depend on the wheel and tire specs...as well as any lowering you
may have performed, and spring / shock modifications. Look for ET and specs stamped on the
back side of the spokes. If wheels from the E55 are from w211, then you'll have to deal with
the issue of different diameter and different ball seat sizing....as well as potential change in bolt
shank length.

 

Thanks for the info!
I do not have any suspension mods so what is the widest 18" tire I can use without any mods. Was thinking of putting 235/40/18's all the way around, maybe 265/35 in the rear but not sure. Dont want tires to rub or affect ASR.

 

http://www.alloywheelsdirect.net/mer...l_fitments.pdf
http://www.1010tires.com/WheelOffsetCalculator.asp
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

check out the info on these sites. good info and will help in number crunching. 235/40 sounds just
perfect. but then again, it comes down to devil in the details here. make sure the offset is as recommended.