E class wheels on a C class

[iain]

Hi,

Would the 16" Elegance wheels of an E class fit my C class (W202)? I've checked and the offset of the wheels I'm looking at ar E45, but what does this mean?


Thanks

 

[LANDR0VER]

ZERO OFFSET

The hub mounting surface is even with the centerline of the wheel.

NEGATIVE OFFSET


If the hub mounting surface is on the brake side of the center line of the wheel, it is considered a negative offset or "deep dish".

POSITIVE OFFSET

The hub mounting surface is on the street side (the side you see) of the center line of the wheel. Positive offset wheels are generally found on front wheel drive cars and newer rear drive cars.

 

[niva441]

Landrover is right, the critical dimension to manitain is the ground offset, it is very important for establishing steering and braking characteristics /stability, additionally bearing loads are affected. Although as an aside, many manufacturers alter it across model ranges so the outer wheel face always fills out the wheelarch and lower spec models don't look like the wheels are tucked away and hiding in the wheelarch. However they do simulation and testing to prove specifications.

Not knowing what the ground or hub level offsets are for a W202, I'd measure the rim width and compare it to the E class measurement. Then measure the distance from the inside edge of the wheel rims to the mounting faces.

For the wheels to give the same offset the difference in distance from rim to mounting face should be equal to half the difference in rim width.

Note this assumes that the combined rim and tyre diameters are the same.

 

[Myros]

offset

the offset on a w202 is ET37, on the standard 6 1/2 J 15 or 16 dia wheels. to make the e class et 45s fit properly, ground track-wise, you'd need to space them out by 8mm. Commercially available spacers can be had in 10mm thickness, which really won't upset the apple cart. You need to get ones which are hub-centric, and that are TUV certified for front wheel use. You will also need longer wheel bolts, by the same margin as the spacer thickness.
Eibach do the right kind of spacer, and the wheel bolts should be ball seat,17mm head, 12mm dia and 1.5mm thread pitch.
Google will help you find your nearest tuning parts supplier, I ended up sourcing from Scotland and Northern Ireland by mail order.
You might find it easier and simpler to check ebay and this forum for wheels which fit your C class in a more standard way.

 

[pascal]

Myros has described it nicely.

But I would also like to add that MB recomends only up to 7" (7J) for the front without body modifications on the 202.