C200 Elegance S-Reg (W202) Wheels/Tyres

[UniqueTouch]

Hi all,

I have a C200 Elegance on an S-Reg 1999 (W202) and really want to upgrade the wheels.

It currently has standard Mercdes 15" Alloys on there with 195/65/15 Tyres. I think these were standard with the car.

There are 2 sets of wheels I am interested in and have to make a decision by tommorrow night as to which ones to get.

Choice 1:
Wheels: Original AMG Alloy 7.5Jx17H2 ET35
Tyres: 225/45/17

Choice 2:
Wheels: Replica AMG Split RIM Alloy 8Jx18" ET35
Tyres: 225/40/18

I have worked out the tyre sizes by using the Tyre Calculator

Can someone tell me if the wheels will fit without any problems and if the tyre sizes I have specified are correct for them. If they are wrong please let me know what they should be.

Will it ruin the smooth ride I currently have or play havoc with the suspension. I don't think it would as I think you could upgrade to 17" alloys when purchasing the car from Merc. I would prefer the 18" as it would fill the arches better hopefully.

I am grateful for your help with this.

Many thanks in advance

 

[pascal]

I am not to sure about post 99 (facelift 202), but previous to that, the amg option was indeed 17" 7.5 front and 17" 8.5 rear, but the front required modification, according to mb.

This was the spec IN '97

B6 6 02 0083 .... FRONT: 7.5 J X 17 ET 35 WITH 225/45 17" TYRES (body modification required)

B6 6 02 0085 ...... REAR: 8.5 J X 17 ET 30 WITH 245/40 17" TYRES

 

[UniqueTouch]

Thanks Pascal for the info.

I'm surprised the front require body modification for 7.5Jx17 - I thought the 18s may need but was sure the 17s would just bolt straight on considering my car still has the stock suspension (i.e. not sports or lowered).

What does the 'body modification' involve?

Thanks again

 

[c13tay]

For the last 3 weeks I have been alternating 2 sets of wheels on my 202.

1st set - 7x15 AMG's with 205/50/15

2nd set - 7.5 x17 Alessios with 235/40/17 (see pic in gallery for idea of how they fill arches)

My car is also on standard suspension.

I have to say that the 17's look a lot better but (and its a big but) the ride IS affected. Very harsh and tends to "slap" over grids, potholes etc. Also on the motorway tramlining is very noticable.

Im considering trying a set of 16's as a compromise (secretly still love 17 AMG's though)

Forgot to say - looks like my front arches have been rolled slightly

Chris

 

[UniqueTouch]

Thanks for the input Chris.

I am now very confused - I've done a search in this forum for w202 18 and a lot of people have said they go on fine without any probs.

From what you and Pascal have said, it seems I'm going to have problems just putting on the AMG 7.5Jx17"!

Does anyone have a set of 18s on their w202 that can comment?

Do you know how/where I can get the 'arches rolled' - what does this actually involve?

Thanks

 

[c13tay]

If you have it done "properly" they use a special machine/tool

this comprised a st of rollers which are run around the arch gradually applying increasing pressure which, in theory gently folds back the inner lip of the arch (hope that makes sense) If done properly it can be done without damaging paint too !!

As i said mine have been rolled but think it may have been a precaution rather than a necessity. My 7.5 x 17 are fitted with oversize tyres (235/40) and It doesnt look as if they would make contact if the suspension was fully compressed.

Will have to check but cant remember whether they are et 35 or 37, its one of the two

 

[UniqueTouch]

Thanks Chris for info about rolling the arches.

So, in theory going by what you have, if stick I with 225/45/17 and 7.5x17 I should be ok (without rolling arches).

Now just need to find out if the 225/40/18 and 8x18 will clear the suspension.

The main reason i am aksing is because I am watching a set of 17" and 18" on ebay and they both finish tomorrow morning. I'd rather get the 17" AMG but if the price is too high then I'll have to go the 18" AMG Split RIM Replicas (as long as they fit!).

Don't you hate it when you can't decide what to do in times like this!

I really appreciate the advice you guys have given me - this is a great forum!!

Sony

 

[c13tay]

probably the 17's i was looking at as well !

Given up for now - going to buy some cheap 16's to see what they look like

 

[UniqueTouch]

Chris - just checked the one I am watched and noticed that you had bidded on it so it's the same one. How come you have given up?

I'm keeping an eye on them but the price is creeping up slowly.

These at the other set I have been looking at.

 

[c13tay]

Been looking at AMG's on ebay for a while now and the prices vary greatly.

Also buying wheels "unseen" is always a bit of a gamble - descriptive words are always subject to personal oppinion ie what I think is "good condition" may be crap in someone elses and visa versa.

At the moment there are only a couple of sets of 17's on there so typically the price will be high.

When buying used wheels, I always have an overall price in mind, this has to include the price of a refurb (most second hand wheels will be marked in some way so if you wnat them perfect - its a refurb) and the price of tyres if they dont come with them.

Bear in mind that you can buy a set of AMG replicas, 17 inch, for less than £400 (about £370 last time I looked) and a good refurb will be approx 40-50 pounds per wheel and there you go

Dont know what the ones on e-bay are at at the moment but say they go for £300, i get them and they have a few scuffs - £200 for the refurb - £300 for tyres and you bargain ebay purchase has just cost me £800 !!

SECOND HAND WHEELS HAVE TO BE CHEAP - especially off e-bay if unseen.

 

[UniqueTouch]

Very, very true Chris!

Although the 17" AMGs have 'aparantley' been refurbed already but one has a minor scratch on it. No kurb marks on the rims. Still deciding wether tobid for these or not.

What's your take on the 18" replicas i posted?

Cheers again

 

[c13tay]

Nice but personally wouldnt go any bigger than 17 on a c-class - after all Mercedes/AMG thought it was big enough for the C43 etc - To my eye 17 looks right on the car

And

having experienced the loss in ride quality with the 17's, cant imagine it getting better with 18's

Also worth considering tyre prices - are 18's same sort of price as 17's ???

Has the seller indicated why they were previously refurbished ??? to be honest, hadnt noticed that they had been refurbed - wouldnt have bid if id known that - They may be good but not having seen them pre-refurb .......

I bought some replicas a couple of years ago for a 190 from a place called tyresave (on the net) They were excellent. Infact it was about 5 years ago - my friend still has the car and they are still spot on !!! - might go down that road again to be safe

Chris

 

[UniqueTouch]

Chris,

I'm thinking about going ahead with 17s after your comments.

I looked at tyresave and saw the pics of the replica for the Aero 2 which is the same wheel I am watching on ebay. Looks a bit crappy on the w202. I think I'll try and get my hands on a set of original 17" AMG Style IIs.

Now I'm starting to crave for them!!

 

[c13tay]

It was the ALUTEC DTM (similar to AMG traditional style) that I bought and would buy again (funds/wife permitting)

I thought the pics on the tyresave site looked ok - thats where personal taste comes in

Everyone in my office thinks my car looks great with the alessios - I dont !!!!

What did you think of the alloys on mine ??

 

[UniqueTouch]

I checked the gallery and saw your car and wheels. They look good.

As you say, this is where personal opinions differ - I think because of the kit (nice kit too!) you have on your car the AMG Style IIs would make it look much better.

Overall though, your car looks very nice and doesn't look out of place at all.

As soon as I get some new rims, I'll be posting my car in the gallery too.

EDIT: Just took a look at the ALUTEC DTM on tyre save...replicas of the AMG Style IIs...how close are they though to the original as the picture looks a bit photoshopped.

Cheers

 

[c13tay]

Thanks for that

Good luck with the bidding and hope you get sorted

Chris

As long as he hasnt changed his supplier then they are very good - came with polished rim too !!!! Dont know if it was his mistake, but when they arrived, there was a full set of wheel bolts and merc centre caps !!!

I think I will mail him to ask for an actual photo of one

 

[UniqueTouch]

Sorry you might have poste just before my edit...

Just took a look at the ALUTEC DTM on tyre save...replicas of the AMG Style IIs...how close are they though to the original as the picture looks a bit photoshopped.

Cheers

 

[c13tay]

Thanks for that

Good luck with the bidding and hope you get sorted

Chris

As long as he hasnt changed his supplier then they are very good - came with polished rim too !!!! Dont know if it was his mistake, but when they arrived, there was a full set of wheel bolts and merc centre caps !!!

I think I will mail him to ask for an actual photo of one

 

[c13tay]

Just had the auction end note from ebay - did you get them ?

 

[UniqueTouch]

lol, no - they went for way too much!! I stop bidding at about £520 but I reckon they must have gone for about £575 or £600ish as the minimum bid was £565 near the end. Oh well!

I'm going to but the 18" now I think as I've been looking for rims for a month and can't wait any longer.

Spoke to a few tyre/wheel shops and they said the 18x8 with 225/40/18 will go straight on with no rubbing although the ride will be harder but should still be quite comfortable (they reckon not much difference from the 17" apparantley).

What do you reckon?