W202 15" to 16" wheel help

[jp]

I've got a W202 C200 with 15 inch alloys that are a mess with tyres 185/65 - 15. I have been offered some 16" wheels off an SLK, apparently the same as fitted to the W202 sport models. The tyre dims are: 225/50 - 16. Will these just fit straight on? They will need new tyres so should I buy the size that are on? I am concerned about things like the speedo being incorrect and the car being less efficient?? Any comments/ help gratefully received. Thanks (PS: I've got this on the general thread as well, doh!)

 

[jp]

Is it something I said? Normally I post a question, no matter how banal, and some helpful member replies and the probelem gets solved. This is my first post with no answer after a day! Come on guys, you're usually brilliant...

 

[True romance]

Mate I'm having a similar problem, think its the start of holiday season. Google "tyre traders" think they have a conversion tool.

 

[turbopete]

from memory the usual size tyre on a w202 should be 195/65-15, however i have seen 185/65-15 before. there is a wheel/tyre website but i cant remember its name. however i did manage to devise a "rule of thumb" method which works on 99+% of applications. to go up a wheel inch you need to lower the aspect ratio by 5% ie your 185/65-15 tyre would become a 185/60-16 tyre. for every 10mm wider you drop the aspect ratio again by the same amount ie 185/60-16 becomes 195/55-16, 205/50-16 etc. both my cars had 195/65-15 standard which would take you to 215/50-16 tyre size. whether the wheels fit depends on the offset etc. this is something i know very little about im afraid. tyres may make the speedo a little out if your car is meant to have 185/65-15 tyres on (inside the fuel flap will tell you the sizes as will the handbook) but if its meant to have 195/65-15 tyres on, the difference will be almost unnoticeable

 

[stevesey]

225/50 will fit straight on no problems - standard 202 sport size is 205/55 * 16, 225/50s are fine (same radius). What width are the wheels - 7J all round or staggered (8J at the rear) - I'm running staggered 8J rears with 225/50s 16in all round at present.

N.B Point of detail - AFIAK SLK wheels of the right era are a very similar design to 202 sport wheels, but not identical. Differences being: SLKs were lacquered, not painted (although they may have been painted if refurbed), also the SLK version has a definite shoulder/edge on the spokes, where as the C class had a decent radius. You can just about see the difference on e-bay photos normally.

 

[jp]

Thanks Stevesy, I'm gonna get them. The car's same age as yours and really tidy apart from the messy wheels. I knew the forum would come good!!

 

[S.Speed]

Hi JP..
Just checked your new/old wheel and tyre dimensions and they are as follows..
185/65 x 15 = Rolling Radius of 310.75mm and a circumference of 1952.5mm

225/50 x 16 = Rolling Radius of 315.7mm and a circumference of 1983.6mm

There is a 1.59% difference which is easily within acceptable limits..

For any one else who is interested in checking out wheel/Tyre combinations visit the website below...

http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_size_calculators.html

 

[jp]

Thanks for all the help I really appreciate it.
I now have the wheels and before I put new tyres on I was wondering if I should stick with the sizes that are on there or is there a better size to use?
they look a lot wider than what's on at the moment.

 

[television]

Sorry you did not get any answers earlier,, some like me were away for a bit.

Find your car in the chart, and all tyre sizes are shown that will fit your wheels

http://www.alloywheelsdirect.net/information/fitting_chart/mercedes-benz

Ask again if you are unsure

 

[jp]

Hey Television you seem to know everything, thanks for the reply and the link!
seeing as how you said do ask:
two wheels are 8Jx16H ET36 Part# A202 401 13 02,
the other two 7Jx16H ET37 Part# A208 401 05 02.
they've all got 225/50 x 16 tyres on. The link you sent says they should have different sizes?
Hopefully they're going on my '98 W202 C200 elegance estate.
Any more advice very gratefully received ie: Don't fit them, stick with the orignals?!?!? Or: easy peasy, put them straight on (with new tyres!) and enjoy...

 

[television]

the 16" x 7j wheel uses a 205 x 55 x 16"

the 16" x 8j uses a 225 x 50 x 16"

This would be the correct combination for you car