[texholdem]

My stock wheels are 16" with bolts patter 5x112mm with 215/55/16 tires.
I just bought a set of 17" wheels same bolt pattern and 225/55/17 tires.

Before I mount the new ones I'd like to have some questions answered:

1. Does the new set of wheels/tires fit my car ? (I know it is a bit late, should've asked before buying, but it was a good deal I can always re-sell them, although I'd rather use them).

2. Alignment necessary?

3. Other struts and/or spring needed?

5. What about the spare wheel, can the 16" stock wheel be used in case of a flat? (I am looking for a 5th 17").

4. Any paperwork needed, I am asking this since in Germany where I were living a long time, wheel and tire size is in your car registration (German: "Kfz Schein"); when you change them you need to get some kind of OK from the DOT.
Btw I don't have any kind of car registration except for title (German: Kfz Brief, which I keep at home) and insurance proof.

Please feel free to give other advices unrelated to the above questions as well. Thanks for your inputs.

 

[Kajtek1]

OEM for our cars is 215/55-16.
Your tires already have bigger diameter, while the replacement is going to be even bigger.
Check the tire manufacturer site for rpm. I remember our wheels should have 820 rounds per mile.
Different spare will work on limited service. Each time you put different tires on different wheels you have to be extra careful. Unless you drive above 130 mph like on autobahn, not critical and no law about it in USA.
Wouldn't worry about alignment and different springs.
What is the offset on replacement wheels?

 

[texholdem]

Yes the current tire size is 215/55/16 (stock). Typo corrected

 

[texholdem]

OEM for our cars is 215/55-16.
What is the offset on replacement wheels?

emailed seller, awaiting offset info. Is it somewhere on the tire or wheel? Thanks!

 

[e-420]

My stock wheels are 16" with bolts patter 5x112mm with 215/55/16 tires.
I just bought a set of 17" wheels same bolt pattern and 225/55/17 tires.

Before I mount the new ones I'd like to have some questions answered:

1. Does the new set of wheels/tires fit my car ? (I know it is a bit late, should've asked before buying, but it was a good deal I can always re-sell them, although I'd rather use them).

2. Alignment necessary?

3. Other struts and/or spring needed?

5. What about the spare wheel, can the 16" stock wheel be used in case of a flat? (I am looking for a 5th 17").

4. Any paperwork needed, I am asking this since in Germany where I were living a long time, wheel and tire size is in your car registration (German: "Kfz Schein"); when you change them you need to get some kind of OK from the DOT.
Btw I don't have any kind of car registration except for title (German: Kfz Brief, which I keep at home) and insurance proof.

Please feel free to give other advices unrelated to the above questions as well. Thanks for your inputs.

225/55- 17" tires are going to be way to tall. Correct tire size in a 17" rim is 235/45-17 to match the 16" factory rims/tires you have. If you do this tire diameters will be virtually identical. (slight variations from vendor to vendor on tire size but not much) I run the 215/55-16 with blizzaks and 235/45-17 in the summer. Tire diameter of the two is within 0.1" of each other.

You also need to check the offset on the rims. Don't recall what the 17's are supposed to be, do a search. If your not careful with offset you'll end up with rubbing and/or alignment issues.

And in my case, the 16" full sized spare can be used since the tire diameters are so close. You'll have to measure tire diameter to see if it will work in your case, once you get the correct size 17's.

 

[Kajtek1]

emailed seller, awaiting offset info. Is it somewhere on the tire or wheel? Thanks!

This is how it looks on the inner side of the wheel. Upper window shows the rim width, diameter and offset.

 

[texholdem]

WHEEL DATA
Rim Brand - Mercedes Benz factory wheels (OEM)
Rim Material - Alloy
Rim Structure - One Piece
# of Bolts - 5
Rim Width - 7.5J
Bolt Pattern - 5 x 112mm
Rim Diameter - 17"
Offset - 46

TIRE DATA
Tire Brand - Continental
Tire Size - 225/55R17
Model - Continental ContiTouring Contact
Load Index - 97
Speed Index - H (Max Speed Rating 210 Kilometers/Hour)

_________________________________________________

First problem: I cannot mount the wheels because the lugs are different as in the attached picture. My lugs are M12x61mm while the others are M14x65mm, measured from the cone; furthermore my lugs have a neck between the cone and the head.

My fault/stupidity that I did not do research on suitablility but fell in love with the nice wheels and made the impulsive purchase. Now I need to find suitable lugs, if there are any, to make it work. If not I have to sell them again although I still like them very much and hope to be able to use them.

 

[texholdem]

OEM for our cars is 215/55-16.
What is the offset on replacement wheels?

The offset is 46, does it say anything about fitment?

 

[Kajtek1]

Very likely you will need spacers.
The bolts have the same working length, while OEM have extended head. If the cone have the same radius they might work, but depends of the new rims the head might stick out.
That would be cosmetic thing.

 

[texholdem]

Very likely you will need spacers.
The bolts have the same working length, while OEM have extended head. If the cone have the same radius they might work, but depends of the new rims the head might stick out.
That would be cosmetic thing.

1- I measured again:

- OEM lugs: M12x1.5 49mm (working (shank?) length from cone plateau), radius 22mm.
- New lugs: M14x1.5 53mm (from cone plateau), radius 25mm.

I am not very concerned about the radius, since the inner radius of the holes are only 15mm, so that the cone radius of 22mm should be OK. What I am uncertain about is the shank length of OEM lugs (4mm shorter).

2- Yes, the OEM lugs when mounting the new wheel stick out a lot, as in 1st pic; the 2nd pic shows OEM wheels.

 

[loubapache]

Tex:

This is not about the new wheels you bought but the lug bots for your current wheels.

That style of lug bolts (long head) is known to bend and shear off so Mercedes has discontinued them and replaced with shorter heads very similar to the other log bolts in your picture.

In the next picture below, you can see the discontinued and the new replacement bolts.

 

[Kajtek1]

I am using the OEM bolts with extended heads on thinner wheels from E420. They stick out, but I am not worry about it. Just make sure when you work on them to avoid bending forces that might break the head off like Lou pointed. I have 2 sets of those bolts and spending money on 3rd set is not my priority.
I don't know if you'd like to use the OEM bolts for cosmetic reasons and I wouldn't worry about slightly different radius as well, but the proper way to measure the bolt length is to see how much thread sticks out of the wheel. I think somebody explained it above.

 

[texholdem]

Hi Loub,

I see that you have the same OEM wheel as my 1996 E320. The offset of the new wheel is 46; do I need spacers? if yes how thick? Thanks.

Using spacer means also longer lugs considering the spacer thickness?

 

[texholdem]

I am using the OEM bolts with extended heads on thinner wheels from E420. They stick out, but I am not worry about it. Just make sure when you work on them to avoid bending forces that might break the head off like Lou pointed. I have 2 sets of those bolts and spending money on 3rd set is not my priority.
I don't know if you'd like to use the OEM bolts for cosmetic reasons and I wouldn't worry about slightly different radius as well, but the proper way to measure the bolt length is to see how much thread sticks out of the wheel. I think somebody explained it above.

I am going to measure how much thread sticks out. Is there any problem when using M12 bolts thru 15mm holes, is the wheel still centric to the hub and not sagging by 1.5 mm ?

Does the same torque apply?

Please forgive the many dumb questions! My first time changing wheels ever, until now I have only changed tires

 

[Kajtek1]

The wheel is centered on the small axle rim going into wheel center hole.
You have to use the torque for the bolts not for the wheels, so the 80 lb-ft from what I remember.
Smaller bolts on bigger holes with slightly different radius is some concern. I would keep on rechecking the torque every few miles after initial installation and on weekly bases if they hold.

 

[texholdem]

In the next picture below, you can see the discontinued and the new replacement bolts.

what kind of seat do the bolts have? ball seat or conical seat?

 

[Check Codes]

Those are S class wheels and tires.

You probably will not be able to use the stock tires. If the wheels are wide enough you can use 235/45/17. But give them a try.

You do NOT need spacers, that would only increase the issue.

I think you will be okay on fitment otherwise, but they'll stick out farther.



LUG BOLTS


Since the S class uses 14M bolts you will need custom lug bolts and you can get them from radusadirect.com

You'll need R14x12Mx1.5 in the proper length, which you may not be able to determine until you have the wheels.

Whatever you do, throw away those ones with the extended shaft above the ball seat. Those things will seize and break off, leaving you with a disaster waiting to happen.

 

[texholdem]

Thanks Greg,

I already have the wheels; after many feedbacks, I think my options are:

1. Use the wheels but change the tires from 225/55/17 to 235/45/17, and get the custom lugs.

2. Sell the whole thing and consider it a learning process on wheel & tire.


Thanks all!

 

[Check Codes]

Thanks Greg,

I already have the wheels; after many feedbacks, I think my options are:

1. Use the wheels but change the tires from 225/55/17 to 235/45/17, and get the custom lugs.

2. Sell the whole thing and consider it a learning process on wheel & tire.


Thanks all!

The wheels will fit. If you have them already with tires, try mounting them. If they don't rub, you're okay, otherwise you'll need smaller OD tires.

To get the correct lug drop one of yours through the new wheel. Make a mark on the threads at a point that is 3/4" from the mating surface of the wheel. Take the lug out and measure the length from the base of the ball seat to the mark, and that is your length, so then you can order correct lugs.

Then you can mount them up to see if you need smaller tires. It's only 1/4" difference in offset, so you may be okay, but that's the easiest way to tell.

 

[texholdem]

after spending the whole morning exploring wheel & tire websites and stores I am now inclined to give up on the object of desire and keep my stock wheel.

Whatever you do, throw away those ones with the extended shaft above the ball seat. Those things will seize and break off, leaving you with a disaster waiting to happen.

I am going to follow your advice and looking for replacements bolts; Without the extended shaft they will seat further back in the wheel holes, so that longer socket or extension are needed, I guess.
That would be R12x12Mx1.5 with the same shank length as the stock one.

Do the bolts have ball seat or cone seat?