SL Alloys for my SLK - was it a good idea?

[EddieB]

Hello all!

I have just bought an SLK 230K (1997) which was in need of some brakes and new alloys. I got the brakes fixed by Kwik Fit (discs and pads all round for £400 - I hope I was not done). The alloys came courtesy of ebay - an excellent refurbed set of SL Avior 5-spoke alloys as below:

FRONT wheel size 8.5J x 18 H2 ET35 part number A230 401 04 02

REAR wheel size 9.5J x 18 H2 ET40 part number A230 401 05 02

I was told these would fit on my SLK though I have heard since that this may not be the case. I have been told they are fine though I would need to put on 225's on the front and 255's on the back (not the 255's and 285's that were originally meant for the wheels). I have also been told I will need a 10mm spacer kit to make it work. Worse still, I was told I was out of luck as they will be too wide.

Any feedback or advice would be much appreciated, thanks.

 

[jibcl500]

£400 !!!!!!!!!!!!!! I assume they where original parts at that price!!!!!!!!!!

jib

 

[EddieB]

Done up like a kipper

I wasn't sure if the price on the brakes was good or not!

I have done a bit of my own research, including a good link I found on this site to a webpage listing all the possible wheel and tyre combinations available for the SLK. It seems the front will be fine with 225's. The back will also be fine with 255's fitted, as long as the offset is 35mm and not the 40mm I have. If I read that right, I may need a 5mm spacer.

Question is, do I really need the 5mm spacer? If so, where would I get them?

I would appreciate any advice going, particularly from anyone who has attempted something similar.

Thanks!

 

[A210AMG]

Hello,

No point rubbing it in as the jobs done, £400 and quick fit.....makes my hair stand up.


Anyway, wheels...


Spacers can be bought from places like Demon Tweeks (they will have a web site..google it).

I think the AMG SLK32 had 255's on the rear or may have even been 245 with 225 on the front so that combination should be fine.

hope you get it sorted and post a pic or 2


thanks

 

[SimonRaf]

Was pricing spacers last week and they are about £6 each in a shop but cheaper on e-bay, Universal 5mm spacers x 4 £9.99 + Postage and Packaging..

 

[EddieB]

Spacers

I managed to get 5mm spacers which are for Merc only (not Universal) form Motorsport World. The price including delivery was £29.02. They look a nice product. They have problem with their supplier so I may have to cancel this and go for something else.

Does anyone know of the Universal Spacers are okay (I heard somewhere that they are not particularly safe)?

 

[Myros]

do not use universal spacers

you'll never get your wheels in balance. Merc wheels are hub-centric, and you need a hub- centric spacer. There are a few on the market, but I went for Eibachs when I needed 15mm spacers. They cost me about £135 for a set of four and are spot on. Remeber, if you are going to vist Germany in your car, and you have spacers fitted, you have to have a TUV certificate to prove they are safe ( or to get you out of jail if you are in a smash and accused of having unhomologated accessories on your machine). The TUV cert is a pretty good indicator of kit that is fit for purpose, and I'd rather have parts with one than without one.

 

[EddieB]

Thank you to all for your input.

Saturday is the big day. I'm getting new tyres put on the alloys and then get them slapped on the car. I found someone selling the very same alloys on Ebay and they had them on an SLK of the same year as mine. The do fit, and without spacers. I have the spacers on the way so may or may not use them.

I am hoping they will look much better than the original wheels (the chap with the alloys on ebay said they looked stunning on his car). I will post a couple of pics once the work is done.

Cheers, Eddie