CLK 320 - 18'' Alloy Wheels - 18'' Alloys on CLK 320

[Sunner]

I have had conflicting advise about fitting 18'' alloy wheels on my CLK. Merc dealers only supply 17'' Alloys.

But alloy suppliers and centres such as www.tirerack and others offer 18'' even 19'' alloys.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Guy]

CLK 320 -  18''  Alloy Wheels

There is an 18" AMG wheel available for your car, which your dealer should know about. You can see it at

http://www.mercedes-benz.com/amg/e/fitting/generator.htm

I know it is very expensive, and you may want to consider looking at  wheels from Lorinser, Carlsson and Brabus, all of whom specialise in Merc aftermarket wheels. They all have websites which you should be able to find with a search engine.

The main thing to note is the wheel width and offset - if you stick to the (5-112 bolt pattern) 7.5 and 8.5 with 37 and 34 offset, they should go straight on without modifications - you can sometimes get away with a bit wider, but much more width requires wheelarch modifications, or 'fender-rolling' as they call it on the Tirerack site.

Its up to you to decide whether you want 18 or 19, but I can tell you that 19 will probably affect the cars ride, making it more 'thump' sensitive because there is so little sidewall give. Tyres go off more quickly too, and start to tramline sooner.

Hope this helps - good hunting.
(PS I went for Brabus 18")

 

[Guy]

CLK 320 -  18''  Alloy Wheels

The other sites I found I had bookmarked, so here they are -

http://www.carlsson.de/gb/home_set.html

http://www.brabus.com/homee.htm

http://www.lorinser.com/

Happy New Year !

 

[Sunner]

CLK 320 -  18''  Alloy Wheels

Hi,
thanks for the info. went to the Merc web site for CLKs
and the generator only has 17'' Alloys ??
http://www.mercedes-benz.com/amg/e/fitting/generator.htm  

 

[Guy]

CLK 320 -  18''  Alloy Wheels

Hi Sunner,

Click on ´more wheels´ (in red), and 2 more sets appear, the last of which is 18".

Guy.

 

[Sunner]

CLK 320 -  18''  Alloy Wheels

Thanks for the info Guy.

I have a few other questions.

For 18 ' Alloys is the any suspension alteration needed
(my Clk is the Elegance model - which does not have the sports suspension).

I have also been recommended Merc AMG Replica Alloys
from by Wheelmania. Any thoughts about replica alloys would be appreciated.

Also is there a loss in ride quality with 18'' Alloys.

Thanks in advance

 

[David Halsey]

CLK 320 -  18''  Alloy Wheels

With 18" wheels there will be degradation in the ride quality. There is so little tyre that vibration is bouynd to come through, but they look soooo good!!

Replica's are fine. all that lable means is that a repotable alloy wheel company has mimmicked an mb design

 

[Guy]

CLK 320 -  18''  Alloy Wheels

Sunner,
As long as the width and offset are as for MB recommended fitments, absolutely no mods are necessary - just bolt on.
You will notice a change in steering feel - more direct, less vague in straight  ahead position, and slightly sharper turn in; and as David says, you will feel a slight difference over bumps; but on smooth tarmac, if you can find any, lower profile tyres feel much more responsive and secure. Just my opinion.
I had a set of  larger diameter AMG replicas on a 300TE a few years back, and they transformed the car for me.
Also, they were better quality than the genuine AMG wheels I had on a C280; they were replaced free of charge after 18 months when they shed the lacquer and began to stain.
I don´t know wheelmania, but if you do, and you trust them, go for it!