C Class Coupe Tyre Selection Help (W203)

[350_Coupe]

ok, i've been a bit slack recently, and not got tyres for my refurbished Brabus rims, mainly because i've had building work going on, and figured if i was gonna run over a nail or screw, sods law says it'll be when i fit new boots .... so, considering swapping them out now for a few months, then switching back to new winter tyres.

However, i'm not sure on the size to select for the front, here's what i have currently....

Rear 245/40 R17's on 8.5" Rims ET34
Front 225/45 R17's on 7.5" Rims ET37

Now the setup i'm considering

Rear 255/35 R18's on 9.5 Rims ET35 (this is MB approved and all good)
Front 235/40 R18's on 8.5" Rims ET35 with 5mm spacer, giving ET30 (this is not so normal, and MB recommend 225 tyres, the spacer is to clear the callipers, and standard MB supplied)

225's on 8.5" rims is the minimum you want, and will give a little tyre stretch and i don't think will fill the rim as well as 235's However, and whilst i know this combination has been used, i'm not sure if it will clearance the inner wheel arch trim at the front and rear on full lock.


Can anyone help shed any light, anyone tried this ?

I'd like to fit (and will be on the rear) Contisport 5P's - however they don't make a 225/40 R18 - only 235, if i drop to 225, i'll have to fit Contisport 5's not the P range to the front.

 

[350_Coupe]

Just a follow up on this.....

I ended up with 255's on the rear, had some rubbing on one side, very very minor, and possibly because the inner arch felt thingy was dislodged and rubbed.
On the front, i ended up with 225's, i had to use the 5mm spacer, that pushed them out a little further than i was hoping, and meant i could not get away with 235's without them rubbing on the front and back of the inner arch trim when on full lock, without the spacers the tyres would not have cleared the suspension struts.

Both show some signs of tyre stretch, and i would say the ideal for the car would be 9" rims on the rear and 8" on the front with the correct offsets to give the filed out look in the arches, or the original 7.5's and 8.5's, with the ET 30 offset on the rear.


As it stands i'm happy, they look really good, and seems to give it a slightly different handling characteristic when cornering, seeming slightly sharper/responsive.

 

[C200Coupe]

Just to say - this fitment works also with genuine 18" AMG style III staggered wheels. 8.5J and 9.5J in the rear with no need for spacers.

 

[350_Coupe]

yeah, different offsets on the amg's

one thing though, 225's on the 8.5 fronts is a little stretched, i've got 255's on the rear, but to fill the 9.5's 265's might be worth considering if u have the clearance