Spacers to increase offset from 15mm to 20mm

[Horus]

I have a 1996 R129 SL and have purchased
19x8.5 with a 15mm offset for the front
19x9.5 with a 22mm offset for the rear

These are new Mercedes rims, I was told, buy a salesman of course, that these were made specifically for my car. From subsequent posts I have been informed that the 15mm offset in the front is too small and the rear offset is cool. what can i do and what merecedes are these rims for if not for my R129 SL?

Can I use some 5mm spacers to get up to a 20mm offset in the front. Is this safe, and are these the correct sized spacers for my application. What brand of spacers is the best and will I need new hardware to mount?

[Frank]

Adding a spacer will lower the offset, not increase it.

Have you fitted these rims ?

Horus - 7/28/2005 6:44 PM

I have a 1996 R129 SL and have purchased
19x8.5 with a 15mm offset for the front
19x9.5 with a 22mm offset for the rear

These are new Mercedes rims, I was told, buy a salesman of course, that these were made specifically for my car. From subsequent posts I have been informed that the 15mm offset in the front is too small and the rear offset is cool. what can i do and what merecedes are these rims for if not for my R129 SL?

Can I use some 5mm spacers to get up to a 20mm offset in the front. Is this safe, and are these the correct sized spacers for my application. What brand of spacers is the best and will I need new hardware to mount?

[Horus]

No I have not fitted the rims yet. I guess I didnt state the question well enough, what i ment to ask...

If the offset is too low resulting in the rims being too far inboard, adding a 5mm spacer would cause the wheel base to increase therefore a 15mm off set with a 5mm spacer would result in a wheelbase identical to rims installed with a 20mm offset. Is this correct? it seems that 5mm hubcentric spacers would be pretty safe. what brand of spacers are the best?

[Frank]

If the rims have a 15mm offset, adding a 5mm spacer will lower the offset to 10mm. The lower the offset, the more the rim sticks out towards the fender.

H&R makes the best spacers.

Horus - 7/29/2005 11:29 AM

No I have not fitted the rims yet. I guess I didnt state the question well enough, what i ment to ask...

If the offset is too low resulting in the rims being too far inboard, adding a 5mm spacer would cause the wheel base to increase therefore a 15mm off set with a 5mm spacer would result in a wheelbase identical to rims installed with a 20mm offset. Is this correct? it seems that 5mm hubcentric spacers would be pretty safe. what brand of spacers are the best?

[Horus]

Thanks, that is exactly what i thought. Cant wait to put these new rims on my SL.

[Frank]

Horus - 7/29/2005 12:24 PM

Thanks, that is exactly what i thought. Cant wait to put these new rims on my SL.

Try putting them on first and see if you DO need a spacer. 5mm spacers are not hubcentric so you might experience vibrations with them on.