17" wheels with CLS - experiences?

[Herlax]

I have a desire to go for a used CLS. More precisely a basic CLS 250 Shooting Brake from 2013 with the 2.1L diesel. No 4 wheel drive. I have now E-model (W211) with 205/60R16 tyres. These tyres suit perfectly to my driving needs. Much of my driving is also on not so smooth country side roads (e.g. a bit coarse gravel). So, very low profile "autobahn" tyres are not for me. And I do not need to impress anybody with e.g. 20" rims.

If I calculated correctly higher profile tyres of size 225/55 on 17" rims would cause practically no error in speedometer readings in a CLS. And would suite my driving needs well. But is this doable? Or must I forget CLS as an option 'cause of my odd desire for higher profile (and relatively narrow) tyres?

 

[Gazwould]

What is Mercs recommended 17" wheel and tyre sizes ?

It's not what is calculated ( big issue here as real world is different ) but what is recommended by the manufacturer to keep insurance leggit etc .

 

[Herlax]

What is Mercs recommended 17" wheel and tyre sizes ?

It's not what is calculated ( big issue here as real world is different ) but what is recommended by the manufacturer to keep insurance leggit etc .

I am not sure if this is Mercedes statement but have not found any better: Vielspeichen Felge 17 Zoll CLS Baureihe C218 / X218 A21840105007X45

I know that there are many things to be considered when choosing rims and tyres that fit the car as they should. Even if the 17" rims displayed in the above link are engineered for CLS, 225/55 tyres can obviously not be used on those rims. The "collar" of the rim is obviously too broad for 225/55.

 

[Herlax]

What is Mercs recommended 17" wheel and tyre sizes ?

It's not what is calculated ( big issue here as real world is different ) but what is recommended by the manufacturer to keep insurance leggit etc .

This link gives the same info as the previous one. But here one can easily see the outlook of CLS on 17" and bigger rims: Cycle & Carriage - The CLS-Class Shooting Brake - Wheels

 

[m80]

'If' there are insurance compliance concerns my general rule is that if the cars manual details a size, for tyre pressure, then MB have stated that size is ok on the car.

Of course the VIN will detail the size of wheels the car was delivered with so the insurance 'might' argue that it has been modified due to that.

There is the option just to tell the insurance of the modification.

But I have increased the profile on tyres I've fitted to earlier cars for the same reason as you, a smoother and less back jarring ride.
In fact as the speedo is more often optimistic this brought the speedo to a near perfect reading (using GPS for confirmation).

You may have used something similar, but anyway,

Alloy Wheel & Tyre Fitment Calculator. Offset, Tyre Stretch and Speedo Error | Will They Fit

Alloy Wheel & tyre fitment calculator - it calculates inset, poke, speedo error, tyre stretch and loads more.

www.willtheyfit.com

Tire Size Comparison

Tire size comparison the easy way. Use our tire size comparison calculator to compare diameter, width, sidewall, circumference and revolutions per mile.

tiresize.com

 

[Herlax]

I have a desire to go for a used CLS. More precisely a basic CLS 250 Shooting Brake from 2013 with the 2.1L diesel. No 4 wheel drive. I have now E-model (W211) with 205/60R16 tyres. These tyres suit perfectly to my driving needs. Much of my driving is also on not so smooth country side roads (e.g. a bit coarse gravel). So, very low profile "autobahn" tyres are not for me. And I do not need to impress anybody with e.g. 20" rims.

If I calculated correctly higher profile tyres of size 225/55 on 17" rims would cause practically no error in speedometer readings in a CLS. And would suite my driving needs well. But is this doable? Or must I forget CLS as an option 'cause of my odd desire for higher profile (and relatively narrow) tyres?

The replies so far give information and indicate quite well what options I presumably have. The safest way is to go by-the-book: 245/45 R17 on CLS specified rims. I will anyhow ask a very experienced professional tyre dealer whom I trust. If he has an idea to go safely for more high profile tyres.

Thanks for all your comments so far.

 

[Herlax]

'If' there are insurance compliance concerns my general rule is that if the cars manual details a size, for tyre pressure, then MB have stated that size is ok on the car.

Of course the VIN will detail the size of wheels the car was delivered with so the insurance 'might' argue that it has been modified due to that.

There is the option just to tell the insurance of the modification.

But I have increased the profile on tyres I've fitted to earlier cars for the same reason as you, a smoother and less back jarring ride.
In fact as the speedo is more often optimistic this brought the speedo to a near perfect reading (using GPS for confirmation).

You may have used something similar, but anyway,

Alloy Wheel & Tyre Fitment Calculator. Offset, Tyre Stretch and Speedo Error | Will They Fit

Alloy Wheel & tyre fitment calculator - it calculates inset, poke, speedo error, tyre stretch and loads more.

www.willtheyfit.com

Tire Size Comparison

Tire size comparison the easy way. Use our tire size comparison calculator to compare diameter, width, sidewall, circumference and revolutions per mile.

tiresize.com

m80, I truly appreciate your experience based comment. Thanks!

 

[BigJase88]

The replies so far give information and indicate quite well what options I presumably have. The safest way is to go by-the-book: 245/45 R17 on CLS specified rims. I will anyhow ask a very experienced professional tyre dealer whom I trust. If he has an idea to go safely for more high profile tyres.

Thanks for all your comments so far.

It's all relative though. The sidewall 45 or 55 is a percentage of the width.


Also what width in J are the rims. As this determines what width of tyres you can fit


See below table




Having narrower tyres on wider rims also negates the look for me. Stretched tyres are not a good look plus then you open your wheels upto kerb damage as will offer less protection

 

[Gazwould]

You may have used something similar, but anyway,

Alloy Wheel & Tyre Fitment Calculator. Offset, Tyre Stretch and Speedo Error | Will They Fit

Alloy Wheel & tyre fitment calculator - it calculates inset, poke, speedo error, tyre stretch and loads more.

www.willtheyfit.com

Tire Size Comparison

Tire size comparison the easy way. Use our tire size comparison calculator to compare diameter, width, sidewall, circumference and revolutions per mile.

tiresize.com

There is a massive flaw to these calculators as tyre manufacturers from make to make and even model don't keep to the width and aspect ratio stated on the sidewall , there's manipulation !

 

[SpikyMikey]

Factory 17's listed here:
Mercedes CLS Class Shooting Brake Alloys (X218) - Alloy Wheels Direct

 

[m80]

There is a massive flaw to these calculators as tyre manufacturers from make to make and even model don't keep to the width and aspect ratio stated on the sidewall , there's manipulation !

How do we overcome that?

 

[Gazwould]

Just go with the recommendations and measure speedo accuracy with GPS.

I had a big surprise between a compatible 16" and 17" wheel and tyre to hand , both tyres just on the wear bars .

Plus sizing = rising of significant chassis ride height I've mostly found .

 

[Herlax]

I have a desire to go for a used CLS. More precisely a basic CLS 250 Shooting Brake from 2013 with the 2.1L diesel. No 4 wheel drive. I have now E-model (W211) with 205/60R16 tyres. These tyres suit perfectly to my driving needs. Much of my driving is also on not so smooth country side roads (e.g. a bit coarse gravel). So, very low profile "autobahn" tyres are not for me. And I do not need to impress anybody with e.g. 20" rims.

If I calculated correctly higher profile tyres of size 225/55 on 17" rims would cause practically no error in speedometer readings in a CLS. And would suite my driving needs well. But is this doable? Or must I forget CLS as an option 'cause of my odd desire for higher profile (and relatively narrow) tyres?

Educated by this discussion I am now much more knowledgeable about the principles concerning tyres. I will stick to the by-the-book tyres of 245/45 R17 on official CLS rims. Our vehicle inspection engineers might refuse to accept any tyres that are not mentioned in the official vehicle license document. Even if tyres were brand new and technically by engineering standards. Finland where I live is known to follow the rules no matter if they make sense or not.

From my point of view this case is closed. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.