R129 rear wheel spacers

[RKC-benz]

I'm after some advice on wheels and spacers for my R129 SL320...

One day I may go out and purchase some fancy AMG wheels for it but I am wondering about an interim fix... Something cheap that does a job for little money but changes the look of the car.

The rear wheels seem quite tucked in to the body - they are 17 x 8J with 245 tyres, so not skinny by any means. What would be the view on putting spacers behind the rears to push them out by 10 or 20mm? Has anybody done this with good effect?

Am I just being an idiot?

 

[Abb]

Not being an idiot at all. I run 10mm spacers on the rear of my CLS, have ran 25mm on previous cars with no problems. Just make sure they are 'hubcentric' and are a decent brand.

 

[RKC-benz]

Not being an idiot at all. I run 10mm spacers on the rear of my CLS, have ran 25mm on previous cars with no problems. Just make sure they are 'hubcentric' and are a decent brand.

Thanks. How do you distinguish decent brands?

 

[BTB 500]

No experience with spacers but I certainly agree the rear arches look rather empty as standard. My car had 17x8.25 rims (ET 34) when I got it, the staggered AMGs are 10" at the rear (ET 25). You can get quite decent replicas of these, which might be another option.

 

[RKC-benz]

^^ I don't really fancy replica wheels ... I want to keep the car close to stock... I've tweaked and lowered my S124 but this is going to stay original.

Spacing the wheels by 20mm would have a similar appearance to wider wheels I think. But I'm waiting for someone in the know to tell me it's really wrong and that I'm an idiot...!

 

[RKC-benz]

^^^^ what's more, I want to get the full use out of the current tyres first...

 

[RKC-benz]

Bump - any specialists out there to advise?

 

[whitenemesis]

I've used spacers in my distant past motoring life, with no problems. Although I was always advised it's really only a fudge and one should really get the 'right' offset wheels. Some say spacers put additional loads on hubs and suspension but I doubt it's significant in normal road cars.

The other thing to consider is how one's insurance provider views their use?

 

[brucemillar]

Try and get H&R hub centric spacers. These ensure no vibrations and are also safe.

Sent from my iPhone using MBClub UK

 

[RKC-benz]

Try and get H&R hub centric spacers. These ensure no vibrations and are also safe. Sent from my iPhone using MBClub UK

Thanks - any view on size? 10, 15 or 20mm?

 

[tanuie]

Not being an idiot at all. I run 10mm spacers on the rear of my CLS, have ran 25mm on previous cars with no problems. Just make sure they are 'hubcentric' and are a decent brand.

+ 1 For Hub centric.

 

[brucemillar]

Thanks - any view on size? 10, 15 or 20mm?

Get a tape measure and measure from the top of your tyre side wall to your inner arch. That will give you an idea of how big a gap you need to fill. To avoid rubbing issues get somebody to sit in the back or push the back down for you.

 

[RKC-benz]

Get a tape measure and measure from the top of your tyre side wall to your inner arch. That will give you an idea of how big a gap you need to fill. To avoid rubbing issues get somebody to sit in the back or push the back down for you.

Good advice. Thanks. Except not so easy to get someone to sit in the back...

 

[rorf]

Leave as standard as in time the wrong off sets will cause wheel bearing wear due to incorrect loading.

Depends if you intend keeping the car for a long time