any thoughts on offset of 3mm over reccomended?

[toby_tobias]

Just after a few opinions I have an e320 53 plate (w211) and am thinking of changing the wheels and tyres to 17" x 8.5j 255/45 with a 35mm offset. From 350SL (r230)

the mercedes wheel link on here suggests that for a w211 you need an 38mm offset on a 17X8.5j 255/45.

does anyone think 3mm either way is going to effect the cars handling??

I am only changing as my 16" wheels are flaking and need a refurb and the 17" wheels are going cheap?

thanks for any thoughts

 

[S80]

You'd be unlucky if 3mm made any material difference to the handling, though the smaller ofsset may reduce caliper-to-rim clearance, as well as inside tyre-to-wheelwell.

 

[toby_tobias]

thanks,

I was wondering if the extra 3mm is to clear a bigger caliper or something although I can't think an e320 estate has bigger brakes than a 350 SL! It's a bit odd as most mercedes seem to have a 35mm offset except the e320 s211/w211.

I cant try the wheels first as buying online and courier so it's a bit of a gamble

 

[S80]

Hi Toby,

Yes, I remember fitting different wheels to an old Citroèn which resulted in a caliper clearance of about 2mm Never had any problems, thankfully.

The caliper clearance is the only likely issue, as I can't believe wheelwell clearances would be that tight - bearing in mind possible slight dimensional differences between different tyre makes.

 

[toby_tobias]

Really confused by this as the offset on my current 16" is 33mm but a 17X8.5 can be 30 or 38 as 35 is between these to I guess it must fit?



size offset tyre
16x7 33 205/60R16 Mercedes-Benz
16x7.5 42 225/55R16 Mercedes-Benz
16x8 36 225/55R16 Mercedes-Benz
17x8 38 245/45R17 Mercedes-Benz
17x8 30 245/45R17 17x8 25 245/45R17 Brabus
17x8.5 38 245/45R17 Mercedes-Benz
17x8.5 30 245/45R17 17x8.5 30 255/40R17

 

[television]

If you have 16" wheels on a 211 the offset is

7j = 33
7.5j =42
8j = 36
All as in your chart, your car was not made for the 255 tyres, but if the tyres are not new then I would not worry, when you replace them, use a 245 x 45.

The SL wheels will sit a few mm further out(possibly) but that is fine, and you will have no problem with brakes as the wheels are larger. They bothe use 14mm bolts

 

[toby_tobias]

thanks Malcolm,

I think i will stick with my original plan of refurbing my flaky 16" wheels.

If anyone is interested there is a brand new set of 17" 5 spoke wheels with unused 255/45/17 dunlop tyres on fleabay going for 400 pounds. I was going to get them couried upto newcastle as seemed like good value even with a 50 pound courier bill.


item: 180343435570

 

[television]

There are always loads of SL wheels on Ebay,I sold a brand new set.

I do not blame you for sticking, the car will always look the way it was intended.

Do have yours finished in the chrome paints, they all look good in that, and same as a most new MB's