W203 swopping to 17", slight problem encountered

[clarkyboy]

Evening all,

Bought some 17 wheels that were originally from a SL500 R230 (2003) for my 2001 c270 as part of plan to have two sets of wheels, one for winter tyres, one for summer.

The 17 inch wheels I have bought are 8" wide, with 35 offset.

However, having been up to local garage tonight a couple of problems have emerged which I would appreciate some help with if anyone knows the answers.

Firstly, the bolts off my 16 inch wheels are about half an inch too long. Does anyone know the right sized bolts I require?

Secondly, as far as garage could tell when one new wheel was on (but not tightened up obviously) the edge of tyre will be uncomfortably close to front suspension. Is it simply a case of getting some spacers? Offset for car is specified as 35-38 (but on 7" wide rims), would fitting 5mm spacers do the trick?

All help gratefully received.

Ian.

 

[markjay]

What tyre size, and will they be staggered (presumably not, given that the wheels are the same width all around)?

 

[clarkyboy]

Hi markjay

Tyres that came with wheels are 255/45/17 all round.

Ian

 

[horgantrevor]

Im not sure on the length of the wheel bolts but yes they are a stock item

And spacers will fix the problem of the wheel bring too close inside but they may stick out a little more

 

[markjay]

W203 original fitments for 17" wheels are either 225/45 R17 91W all around, or 225/45 R17 91W at the front and 245/40 R17 91W at the rear.

255/45 R17 sounds like massive tyres and to my mind far too big for the vehicle, unless you want to modify it in other ways (wider wheel-arches?).

Also, I would have thought that 245 wide tyres should really be on 8.5" wheels, not 8".

 

[clarkyboy]

Just been out to check, yes wheels are 8.5". Two of tyres do not have too much life in them; is it worth (or even possible) changing for 225 and put these on the fronts; or have I not really bought suitable wheels?

 

[markjay]

245/40 on 17" / 8.5J / ET30 to ET34 / should be OK for the rears.

But 17" / 8.5J are not an official fitment for the front... the maximum OE for the front is 225/45 on 17" / 7.5J.

So I can't say if 17" / 8.5J wheels will actually clear the wheel arch or not.

 

[npuk]

Tyre sizes are completely wrong for your car. Fitment chart below shows what offset you need for a 8.5J rim on a W203 and the tyre size.
Alloy Wheels Direct Ltd | Fitting Chart Index

 

[clarkyboy]

Thanks for replies to date.

Have had a reply to an e-mail query I sent to Chris at Alloy Wheels Direct and salvation may be at hand!

Have purchased bolt pack 4 from their site and he suggests that with 225 tyres on the front we will not need spacers. Not a disaster as two of the 245 tyres (were on the rear) on wheels I bought are quite near wear bars so will get two new ones at 225 and put these on the front, which Chris says will then not need spacers.

Fingers crossed, will report back when I have the bits.

Ian