Question regarding offset.

[Shacks]

I am going to the Alps and I have bought myself some 2nd hand 225 55 16 winter tyres that are on steel rims for my S211. My original plan was to swap over the tyres on to my alloy rims but now I'm wondering would these steel rims fit OK on to my car. My alloy wheels have an offset of 42 whereas the steel rims are the same size but have an offset of 47. Could I fit these steel rims to my car or would I need to do something first? I'm guessing that I will have to get new bolts as the bolts for the alloy wheels will probably be too long for the steel rims. Your help and guidance will be much appreciated. Steve

 

[sinewave]

All the info you require is in the sticky's!

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/wheels-tyres/127856-screen-wheel-offset-et-calculator.html

 

[Shacks]

Thanks but I had already seen the sticky. My question was that the steel rims have an offset of 47 whereas my original alloys have an offset of 42; would this cause a problem or not. I know that the tyre would be 5mm closer to the centre of the car, would this be an issue. I have seen mention of spacers being used; would fitting 5mm spacers be the answer? I haven’t tried fitting the rims & tyres to the car yet and will probably do this soon but it would be nice to be aware of possible issues before I start. Thanks Steve

 

[V12]

What's the part number on the steel rims? I doubt they'll fit over the brakes.

 

[gIzzE]

5mm is nothing, put them on and see if they clear the brakes.

You will probably find the only issue is the steel rim is narrower so it will look a bit funny sitting deeper in the arch.

 

[V12]

It's not just the offset but also the shape of the wheel. Massive generalisation but when you get higher offsets you also sometimes get wheels that are shaped to fit over much smaller brakes.

 

[mazza]

Thanks but I had already seen the sticky. My question was that the steel rims have an offset of 47 whereas my original alloys have an offset of 42; would this cause a problem or not. I know that the tyre would be 5mm closer to the centre of the car, would this be an issue. I have seen mention of spacers being used; would fitting 5mm spacers be the answer? I haven’t tried fitting the rims & tyres to the car yet and will probably do this soon but it would be nice to be aware of possible issues before I start. Thanks Steve

Its only a problem if the inner wheel touches the shock absorbers or any other parts. Check the clearance!

mazza

 

[Shacks]

Thanks for the replies but as I was going to be driving to the Alps, I decided that I could not take a risk of something going wrong if I fitted the winter tyres & steel rims so I decided to swap over my summer tyres for the winter ones on my original alloys. I'm back now from the Alps and only once did I come close to losing the car on a hairpin so for the peace of mind etc, I think i made the right choice.