My E350 has staggered sized (wider rear) wheels, why ?

John Laidlaw

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My 231bhp C350 had 235 fronts and 255 rears.

My E250 has 245 front and 265 rears.

I'm fairly certain that all the AMG Line/Sport models get staggered wheels. Could be wrong though.
You're right Carl
 

John Laidlaw

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Ok had some time today and did a bit of googling- you are certainly correct!
One reason and the critical one in this question for having wider rear tires relates to traction and improved lateral (cornering) performance.
It's a surprisingly complex subject.
The technology has dramatically improved in the last few years and R&D continues apace, interestingly rubber has consistently remained the material that performs best despite huge advances in synthetic materials.
Cheers
....and most rubber these days is itself synthetic!
 

Craiglxviii

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....and most rubber these days is itself synthetic!

Nope. Rubber is rubber is rubber. Synthetic rubber is a different product and comes out of a horrendous process to make products like Buna, Viton, EPDM, & Silicone.

The main difference between them is that natural rubber exhibits better mechanical (strength) properties, while synthetic has better chemical resistance.

During tut war, synthetic rubber production increased to the point where it was 2:1 over natural, for the Allies. Most of that went into aircraft tyres and fuel bladders.

It gets confusing as there is tree derived natural rubber and synthetic natural rubber...

Automotive tyres tend to be s blend of the two, with the carcass being natural and the tread being synthetic.
 

John Laidlaw

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^ I was being a little general there Craig- you forgot stinking Butyl in your list of 'standard' synthetics.
And yip it's right about natural vs 'Synthetic' - my industry is associated with chemical transfer and containment (as well as oils and liquefied gases)
The majority of Tyres/Hoses/belts and such use SBR as their base material these days with tweaks and blends and compositing....
I'm still being general :)
 

Craiglxviii

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****** butyl. Yes I did.

You and your hoses! ;)
 

umblecumbuz

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Slightly lower power, but my S204 comes with wider rears, and the blurb justifies this because the Estate may carry heavier loads than the equivalent saloon which has same size tyres all round.

As I only carry a wheelchair, which takes space but does not qualify as a heavy load, I have kept the staggered wheels for summer and bought a set of same size wheels/tyres for winter.

Surely load-carrying must also come into the equation. When I cross Europe I carry heavy loads, and I have presumed up till now that the wider rears are then doing their intended job.

Umble
 
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Dewar

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My 231bhp C350 had 235 fronts and 255 rears.

My E250 has 245 front and 265 rears.

I'm fairly certain that all the AMG Line/Sport models get staggered wheels. Could be wrong though.


Hello C350Carl,

I think they all do have staggered wheels but my issue has always been, what do you then use as a spare when you get a puncture, because I also like driving in Europe and just don't fancy being caught out, but from the replies I've had, my worries have all been covered.

Dewar
 

LostKiwi

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I have an S210 (which is one of the biggest estates MB made) and they don't come with staggered wheels so I suspect thats marketing BS.

Think about vans for example - they often carry heavy loads but unless they have a twin wheel axle have the same tyres front and rear.

The load capacity of a tyre is governed by its load index stamped on the tyre and not its width. You can get high load index tyres in narrow widths and low index tyres in wider widths. Whilst there is some increase in load index through width there is also a decrease as profile decreases (i.e. 35 series tyres typically have a lower load rating than 60 series).
 

C350Carl

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Hello C350Carl,

I think they all do have staggered wheels but my issue has always been, what do you then use as a spare when you get a puncture, because I also like driving in Europe and just don't fancy being caught out, but from the replies I've had, my worries have all been covered.

Dewar

You can use a space saver/emergency spare wheel. You would just be limited to 50mph.

That's what I have had in both of mine.
 

Craiglxviii

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I have an S210 (which is one of the biggest estates MB made) and they don't come with staggered wheels so I suspect thats marketing BS.

Think about vans for example - they often carry heavy loads but unless they have a twin wheel axle have the same tyres front and rear.

The load capacity of a tyre is governed by its load index stamped on the tyre and not its width. You can get high load index tyres in narrow widths and low index tyres in wider widths. Whilst there is some increase in load index through width there is also a decrease as profile decreases (i.e. 35 series tyres typically have a lower load rating than 60 series).

I think you nailed it on the head with the cornering geometry issue. I also think Carl is correct with staggered fit on the AMG (and, at a guess V8s as my 215 came with standard, staggered setup).

Think about it, rear wheel car with higher power/ torque would need better tyre/ road contact maintained during cornering to prevent slip. That adds up to me.
 

EmilysDad

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I think you nailed it on the head with the cornering geometry issue. I also think Carl is correct with staggered fit on the AMG (and, at a guess V8s as my 215 came with standard, staggered setup).

Think about it, rear wheel car with higher power/ torque would need better tyre/ road contact maintained during cornering to prevent slip. That adds up to me.

My 451 Smart Fortwo has wider tyres (& rims) at the back ....... it has neither power nor torque :rolleyes:
 

Craiglxviii

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EmilysDad

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Power to weight though it compares quite well with the R320.
84bhp and 850kg vs 224bhp and 2200kg though you get bullied more cos you're small ...... like the Disco that forced itself in front of me last night cos it had to be in front of a ****** Smart
 

umblecumbuz

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Power to weight though it compares quite well with the R320.
84bhp and 850kg vs 224bhp and 2200kg though you get bullied more cos you're small ...... like the Disco that forced itself in front of me last night cos it had to be in front of a ****** Smart

Bigger tyres rule, OK!

Umble
 

C350Carl

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My E350 has no spare due to the Harman Kardon audio option (uses the spare wheel space) so I carry a can of repair goo (see amazon) not been an issue.
Touch wood!

I have HK in my E250 and have a space saver spare.
 

Frosty149

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Damn, I was told no spare by the lying, cheating, salesman and I believed him...
Feel a tw*t now, I'll have to investigate a skinny on the web.
I've always had an uneasy feeling about goo as a sole solution (pun intended)!
 


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