Staggered Wheels on 1990 R129- issues?

[Benz Mondi]

My neighbor just gave me his old set of AMG Monoblocks from his CLK. They need to be refinished at about $125 per wheel. They are a staggered set. I've checked with the offset calculator at 1010tires.com and there are only differences of between 6-9 mm, which is about 1/4 inch or so. I don't expect any issues with rubbing.

Before I plunk down the money for the work, are there any ride/steering issues with this staggered set up relative to the stock 15-holers I have now?

Currently: 8JX16H ET34

Staggered set:
Front: 7.5JX17 ET37
Rear: 8.5JX17 ET34

Thanks,

AL

[97 SL320]

Here is what is on my 97 SL320 Sport ( AMG trim package )

AMG monoblock ( Thick 5 spoke ) wheels from 97 SL320

8 * 18 ET 31 5 3/4" calculated Back spacing 245-40-18

9 * 18 ET 35 6 3/8" actual backspacing 275-35-18

The tire width does cause the car to be a bit nervous at lower speeds and it does tend to pick up grooves in the road. ( I'm running front toe out for better turn in mind you . )

Staggered sizes really aren't the issue, it is tire width that make the car camber lead.

My car is 702 smoke silver ( Goldish ) and I painted the wheels body color with semi polished lips ( that mid gray that aluminum gets when hit with 240 ish grit paper ) The factory gray centers / machine turned lips were too disruptive for the car. Thick 5 spoke Monoblocks are solid looking and don't need flash to look good.

I'm guessing your car is 702 as well.

[Benz Mondi]

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

Here is what is on my 97 SL320 Sport ( AMG trim package )

AMG monoblock ( Thick 5 spoke ) wheels from 97 SL320

8 * 18 ET 31 5 3/4" calculated Back spacing 245-40-18

9 * 18 ET 35 6 3/8" actual backspacing 275-35-18

The tire width does cause the car to be a bit nervous at lower speeds and it does tend to pick up grooves in the road. ( I'm running front toe out for better turn in mind you . )

Staggered sizes really aren't the issue, it is tire width that make the car camber lead.

My car is 702 smoke silver ( Goldish ) and I painted the wheels body color with semi polished lips ( that mid gray that aluminum gets when hit with 240 ish grit paper ) The factory gray centers / machine turned lips were too disruptive for the car. Thick 5 spoke Monoblocks are solid looking and don't need flash to look good.

I'm guessing your car is 702 as well.

I'll be checking to see if mine is a 702- though I believe you are correct. Can you post a picture of your car/wheel combo?

I'm having the lips refinished due to curb rash and clear coat issues from the previous owner. They want to charge me $200 more to paint the center spokes on all four wheels whatever color I want.

Thanks.

[97 SL320]

For the paint number, look at the data plate between the cooling fans in front of the AC condenser / front bumper cover ( it might be partly hidden, the paint code is near the bottom )

You can also have the dealer parts dept pull the data "card".

After sanding and clearing the lips, the clear coat started to lift almost immediately. The clear was apparently not rated for bare aluminum, the clear on the painted centers is fine. At some point I'll paint the lips in a medium gray silver that has very fine metallic to mimic the polishing lines. ( A gray / silver that is darker then the Argent wheel paint commonly used on domestic car / truck steel wheels. )

Try this pic.

[Benz Mondi]

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

For the paint number, look at the data plate between the cooling fans in front of the AC condenser / front bumper cover ( it might be partly hidden, the paint code is near the bottom )

You can also have the dealer parts dept pull the data "card".

After sanding and clearing the lips, the clear coat started to lift almost immediately. The clear was apparently not rated for bare aluminum, the clear on the painted centers is fine. At some point I'll paint the lips in a medium gray silver that has very fine metallic to mimic the polishing lines. ( A gray / silver that is darker then the Argent wheel paint commonly used on domestic car / truck steel wheels. )

Try this pic.

Here's a pic of my polished lip set up on my... you were right paint #702 Smoke Silver (goldish/champagne looking actually) SL. I had 18's on my previous 93 300SL and decided that I was more comfortable with the look and added height of the sidewall in 17's. This will do for now. I might go with 1/2" spacers all around- maybe. It drives fine, though once I'm done refreshing the suspension with new bushings, springs and struts, to OEM spec (not the firmer aftermarket spec), I'm thinking I'll really like it then. Your idea of color matching the wheel spokes with the same 702 paint is something I'll likely do next.

Thanks.