20" Kahn's on 2001 CLK 430 Cabriolet

[CameronCLK430]

I have been seriously considering upgrading my wheels/tyres to 20" x 9" Kahn RSX all round with 245/20 x 20 tyres. To make maters worse I would like to lower the suspension by at least 30 mm though 50 mm would be preferable.

Anyone ever attempted fitting 20" wheels or know if it's even feasible ??

Thanks guys.....this is my first post.

 

[Flash]

Project Kahn alloys are very unique and would look nice...

I would imagine that fitting a set of 20" alloys and lowering the suspension further will drastically reduce the quality of the ride and possibly result in rubbing issues if you already have a sports suspension setup.

 

[aka$h]

I had 19's on mine a while back, I veyr much doubt the wheels you want will fit, the problem will be at the front, I was running 8.5"19 with 235 35 19 tyres, and that was really the limit. Probably worth getting intouch with elite and see what they say.

 

[CameronCLK430]

Thanks for the comments guys...the wheels do look rather terrific don't they.......I've been looking at wheels for ages and very few take my fancy........I want something different but not out of place....classy I guess and since Bentley use these Kahn's it maybe the right choice. I have been playing around superimposing wheels on photo’s of my car and it just looks so right.

I would have preferred 19" and would have used exactly the size you suggest aka$h but 20" is the smallest they come in.

Whilst accepting that the ride would be stiffer (no bad thing as it handles like a sponge !!) I can't see how they wouldn't fit. The outside diameter would be the same though and the width would only go up by 20mm......10mm if I fit 235's. I can see that lowering it would increase the chances or rubbing but the car looks like it's on stilts and has about 80mm clearance from tyres to arch.

Lastly, who or what is elite aka$h.

Further comments on my wittering is gratefully received.

 

[Howard]

Hi there, what spec is it ? Avantgarde ?

We have a CLK 430 Avantgarde and it handles fine, the Avantgarde suspension set up is typically 20mm lower and a bit stiffer than the other specs ....

Which Kahns do Bentley use ? , a pal of my fathers supplies the wheels to Bentley, he owns the UK subsidiary of BBS .....

 

[CameronCLK430]

Hi Howard, yes I have the Avantgarde too but find the handling scary soft in corners. That triggered me to think about suspension and wheels but to be honest it's cosmetic too as the present setup has too much wheel arch and not enough rim. Maybe I should be checking the shocks though I don't think the problem lies there.

I have a photo of a Bentley that is for sale locally (I'll try to attach it) which I think looks fine. It has Kahn RSX's fitted....not sure if they are stock though. I've also seen some adverts for Brabus S-Class, Porsche 911's and Brabus Bentley Flying Spurs.

 

[wallingd]

Ooo nice. But I would have thought vehicles like the current generation of supersaloons + coupes are more accomodating with massive wheels anyway, as opposed to a vehicle which can be seen with sizes as small as 16 imo.

 

[andyb]

Quote
"I have a photo of a Bentley that is for sale locally (I'll try to attach it) which I think looks fine. It has Kahn RSX's fitted....not sure if they are stock though. I've also seen some adverts for Brabus S-Class, Porsche 911's and Brabus Bentley Flying Spurs"

Those cars are modified by these guys .


http://www.v12specialistcars.com/

They look really good especially the CLS

Andy b

 

[CameronCLK430]

My original tyres are 225/45 x 17 so have an outside diameter of 634 mm. So that’s a cylinder 225 long by 634 diameter. The replacement tyres could be 235/30 x 20……that’s 649 diameter. Putting aside the bolt diameter, pitch circle and offset (which I believe to be 37mm) the only change would be an increased width of 10mm and a small increase in diameter of 15mm which the wheel arches would easily cope with..........I would have thought.

The ride, even if nothing else is changes, would be stiffer but the sidewall would only reduce form 101 to 71 so shouldn’t turn it into a cart.

I’ve attached a before and after photo and would welcome all comments…..good and bad.

As you can see I’ve thought about this but I’m happy for someone to tear my logic apart and put me right.

 

[CameronCLK430]

Opps....didn't manage the attachments in the last post. I'll try again.

Opinions welcome.........................

 

[GRAV888]

It would look good if it worked, but I would also be tempted to go for a brake upgrade as well, to make it look right.
That's a lot of wheel to only have a tiny set of discs IMO

 

[C240Sport97]

tansanite blue is a great colour for the CLK

Opps....didn't manage the attachments in the last post. I'll try again.

Opinions welcome.........................

 

[CameronCLK430]

Thanks....brakes are not something I had considered at all but I'll look into it and add it to the "to-do" list. Lowered suspension and 20" wheels something I see it on a lot of American CLK's and can't think of a reason for not doing it here.......other than cost of course.

 

[simbad]

Your after picture looks awesome.
The CLK is really let down by that huge gap at the arch. It's the one thing that bugs me about mine.
I say if your logic says it will fit and you can afford it, go for it.
Out of interest, have you priced up the mod? what cost are you looking at?

 

[Ryan S]

Hi Cameron,
Are you local to Aberdeen? I'm sure I've seen your CLK on the A96 before.

Cheers,
Ryan

 

[stats007]

Sorry but that looks like a bling Rover 45.

 

[benny]

A bling rover 45 with BMW style wheels.

BUT IM I BIG FAN OF HUGE WHEELS!!!

The 20's on my w202 which practically everyone i have ever spoke to said that they will never fit, Fit and no rubbing!

 

[CameronCLK430]

Thanks Guys......I have a rough idea of the cost to lower the car and add the Kahn’s.....it's not cheap so I don't think about it too much........then again I don't think it looks cheap either and that's exactly what I want to avoid. Simbad, I thought is was just me that thought the gap round the back wheels was excessive and ugly….you obviously have very good taste.

Unfortunately, I have realised that the smallest 20" tyre available are 245 mm wide and the max I can put on the front is 235 mm. So either it's back to the drawing board or I need the front arches flared......now that's a whole other debate.

I'll decide which way to go after a trip to Turriff Tyres who seem to be the font of all knowledge in this area.....and you're probably right Ryan......if the car you seen had the top down and was going just a ‘fraction’ over the speed limit that would have been me.......probably my girls too.......what a great summer it has been for a rag-top !!!!!!!

 

[aka$h]

If yuo do lower the car, use good quality springs, H&R are very good. If the spring is too soft it will cause more issues.

 

[fuzzer]

Just remember ... 20 " wheels cost an absolute fortune to keep in rubber..

Mine just cost me £340 a tyre to replace

Fuzzer

Owner of 20" wheels.
Busking to pay for tyres.