alloy wheels

[c-class 280]

I have today been along to an independent alloy wheel supplier for a quote on AMG alloys for my c-class280 .
He explained very well the tyre sizes needed due to the rolling circle etc,
My normal tyre size is 195/65/15
For genuine AMG alloys { aero 2 } he said i needed 225/45/17 for 4 a quote of £1268.00
He also mentioned that i could have 245/40/17 on the rears.
Can anyone tell me if this would improve the handling of the car having larger wheels on the rear ?
Or will 225/45/17 be surfice ?
If anyone has had any problems on this subject please let me know.
If anyone knows of a cheaper quote,please let me know
kind regards
Olen

 

[Tony]

17" wider wheels will give you better road holding and also better traction usually - except in snow. The ride may suffer but not much. I've changed my SLK wheels from 16" to 17" (7.5J front and 8.5J rear) and the ride isn't noticeably different. Provided you stick with the correct offsets you won't have problems going to 17" (except with insurance who will want more money of course). The offset will be stamped on the inside of your wheels (probably 30 on the rear and 35 or 37 on the front). Try not to deviate from this. Genuine AMGs are expensive. You could do a Google search to find them as cheap as possible, or try ebay, but they're still going to cost. You can get cheaper replicas (style-alloys.co.uk for example sell them). Alternatively you can buy Mercedes alloys (they do a good alloy wheel brochure) which are much cheaper than AMG. The 17" alloys I bought are the ones they put on the C-class sport (Adharaz or something). They're 5 spoke and cost £550 for 4, although I think Mercedes have been increasing prices.

 

[colinlowe]

hiya 280, you need to be very carefull, i replaced the wheels and tyres on my 97 c36 with 18" replica splits, and had untold problems.
mine were 18x8 2253518 with37 offset on front and 18x9 2554018 30 offset on rear, it is easier on c36/43, as wheelarches were rolled from factory, allowing clearance, all my problems were at the front, its not all about offset==== the amg wheels are designed with a much deeper recess around the rear boss and spoke faces, to allow clearance for the front brake calipers, which fouled on mine, and i ended up having 3mm spacers machined from ally to suit. i can honestly say the car never felt as good, but they did look very cool. bite the bullet and stick with gen wheels. let me know and i will e-mail a pic of my c36 with these wheels.

 

[GrahamC230K]

The 17" sizes quoted are as were fitted by MB. You will have no problems at all.

The staggered setup (wider at the rear) gives the car a very nice visual stance and handles great.

 

[landover]

Try motorsport wheels for a quote.

 

[c-class 280]

alloys

Thankyou for all the advise.
I sent my original wheels to spit and polish in Kent,fantastic job.
Thet are the original elegance wheels with a twist.
total cost £231.00.inc.
By doing this i have done away with future problems normally associated with fitting after market wheels.
Thank you :lol:

 

[Tony]

Good point about brake caliper clearance, Colin. I hadn't thought of that.