Confused about W coding

[MarshMan]

Hi all,
I've only had my car about a week, and via this site am gradually learning things. One of the things I thought I'd sorted was the W coding, but today I've been confused again. My car is a 2003 C180K Classic SE, and I thought I'd discovered it was a W203, but then today this link:
Mercedes-Benz Fitting Chart and Wheel Fitment Guide | Alloy Wheels Direct
says that my car has W202 wheels (195/65R15)
Please help! I want to put some new tyres on it, but don't want to do that on blistered rims if they're the wrong size anyway.
Max

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Got a photo of your car?

 

[mersum1es]

See first 3 numbers of your VIN code...

 

[MarshMan]

Got a photo of your car?

Hi KH,
Here's the dealer's pic. If you need any other view let me know
Max

 

[Chrishazle]

2003 C class has to be a W203, as the 203 is 1999-2007, so maybe a previous owner fitted the wheels, found some that fitted and were cheap! My 2001 C270 was on 16" rims with, IIRC, 205/55 tyres.

In the back of your owners manual there should be a listing of wheel/tyre sizes for the car. I'd imagine that on 15" rims and 65 profile tyres the ride is quite soft, imprecise and wallowy - my current car is on 16's (205/55's summer, 225/50 winters) and is a bit too soft and imprecise for my liking, so I'll be trying 17's this summer.

To find out for sure what's on the car, take a wheel off and look on the inside of the spokes, you'll find all sorts of numbers including the MB part number, ET/offset, rim width (7J or 7.5J) etc. Between that and the info from the owners manual you can decide what you want to do next - many owners change wheels for (mainly) larger rims, but beware this as it can make the ride too firm and increaase tramlining. Also bigger, low profile tyres tend to be more expensive and prone to damage.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

As above, thats a W203 with W203 wheels.

What do the current tyre walls say?

 

[MarshMan]

195/65r15

 

[Stratman]

My W203 has the same wheels, factory fitted.

 

[MarshMan]

My W203 has the same wheels, factory fitted.

Thanks for that Stratman. I think I've learned that bubbling on these wheels is standard, is that right?
Max

 

[Stratman]

Mine are certainly bubbling nicely now.

 

[MarshMan]

Mine are certainly bubbling nicely now.

I'm assuming that it doesn't affect the actual rim to any great extent?

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Completely cosmetic