17" or 18" Wheels on an SLK.

[DRSLK]

I am going to get new wheels but cannot decide what size to get.
Can anyone advise and also are there mods required.

 

[Tony]

In theory, if you get 7.5J front and 8.5J back then it shouldn't matter, from the point of view of bodywork mods, whether you get 18" or 17", because the rolling radius will be the same due to the lower profile tyres on an 18". However, the Mercedes alloy wheels catalogue says that bodywork mods are needed for 18". Maybe the tyre shape is different, or more likely Mercedes are wrong. I know there are members who've fitted 18" wheels with no mods and don't have problems.

The 18" wheels are going to make your ride much harder than 17". The other problem is that I think you'll need to lower the springs to make it look right with 18" wheels. I don't understand this - must be some kind of optical illusion, where the bigger wheels and lower profile tyres emphasise the space between the wheels and the bodywork.

 

[DRSLK]

Tony,

Although it may "Look" better with the 18" wheels, I don't want to compromise the ride quality. I actually bought the car from the dealer with the wheels upgraded to 17's and it looks great.
I think that it wil be 17's again.

Thanks for your views.

 

[brabus_wanabe]

18"

im running 18's on my eclass they ecen fit a c class so they should fit one thing you cant put any wider than 235 on the back any larger they just rub but im modifing my arches to fit 255 on the back 235/40 r18 i run just now

 

[LeeJSquire]

Are you adding Merc alloys, or going for another manufacturer? If so, which type?
LJS

 

[brabus_wanabe]

wheels

merc amg 18"s fit they were on mine before but sold them and bought a set of chrome bsa's from germany because they not available to uk but any wheel should fit if you get the right offset. bsa does a whole range of wheels to suit mercedes.