Hi, I'm planning to purchase 17 x 7.5 AMG Monoblocks and I'm not sure as to what tires I should buy. My budget is around 150 a piece and I think I should be looking for 215s right? My driving is mostly in Northern Cali and the LA area so no snow, just rain. Also, my car is lowered so I'm not sure if that's going to fit perfectly or not. Thanks in advance.

Phil
87 300E

[This message has been edited by amgkid (edited 08-12-2000).]

Phil,

If at all possible, 16s will give you better performance. I just did a 16" upgrade to my car, and it is absolutely incredible.

Here is a brief summary (IMHO) of why 17s will not work well on a non-500E W124:

1) Performance - you gain nothing over 16s
2) Ride - it will suck (car needs more sidewall)
3) Tires - 205/50/17 needs a 7 inch rim, 225/45/17 needs a 7.5 inch rim AND a fender roll. 215/45/17 is just plain too small and would only work perfectly on a 7 inch rim.

16s, on the other hand, require very little compromise for a lot of gains. I put MXMs on my car in 205/55WR16 and love them. They are very predictable. Great tire. Nice and smooth, too. There is a reason MB used this tire as stock on 500Es...

Just make sure that if you do 16s, that you only put a 205/55/16 on if the rim width is 7 inches. If it is 7.5 inches, a 225/50/16 might work better (may rub too, though).

Good luck.

Daniel

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1988 Mercedes-Benz 260E (W124)
Debadged
Euro Headlights
1994/1995 Turn Signals and Taillights
16" x 7J 8-hole (Authentic MB)
Michelin Pilot HX MXM 205/55WR16

contrary to Dzinger, I had done a 17" setup of a 91 300E with H&R springs, 215/45 front, 225/45 rear with fenders shaven and the car is a looker with around 25% harsh on ride.(drove from north cal. to vancouver, b.c.)I used lorinser 7.5 rims. 16" does not have the looks and handling that 17" does.( I went that route, wasted $900.)

I agree with "cbernabe." The 17" rims look much better and the compromise in ride is marginal at worst.

My '87 300E has 225/45's all around with AMG 17"X7.5" Monoblock II's. Eibach lowering springs with the smallest spring pads and Bilstein Sport shocks. No rubbing problems unless I try speeding through a dip.




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'87 300E
'88 560 SEL
'98 SL 500
'00 ML 430

amgkid,
sorry you finally had to buy some amg's from someone other than that Al guy. Well, in my opinion I say you should definitely go for the 17's. Dsinger does know what he's talking about, but the look 17's give you are simply incomparable. And handling, i believe is phenomenol. I have 215/45/17 on 8.5 rims right now, and there are no rubbing problems at all unless i take a circle offramp with a full load in my car much quicker than the speed limit. I got some dunlop sp9000's from tirerack in 215 size and they are nice as hell. My abs has not turned on once in the rain at high speed, the cornering ability is awesome, and the tread look speaks for itself. And the price for the tires (a month ago)were less than 130. Pretty good for a Z rated maximum performance tire with a tread rating of 280. Best of luck to you. Ebay will never have my business again.

Ben

Beemaze has the correct setup for a 17 inch application. I would copy his if you want to do something similar. Still think 16s work better though. And my 16" (real) 8-holes look damn good on my car I think. I'll post some pictures soon. Just finished putting everything on today.

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1988 Mercedes-Benz 260E (W124)
Debadged
Euro Headlights
1994/1995 Turn Signals and Taillights
16" x 7J 8-hole (Authentic MB)
Michelin Pilot HX MXM 205/55WR16

I agree with 17" because I've seen 18" and they don't look as good as the 17" and I put 17" 7.5"(f)and 8.25"(r) with 215/45 and 235/40, the ride is a bit harsh than stock but no rubbing. I'll install H&R and Bilstein sport next week to complete the look and ride. stay tune..

Phil:

I've got a set of rims I'll be selling soon: 17" chrome AMG rims shod with 215/45ZR-17 Dunlop SP8000. I can bring 'em by your folk's restaurant some evening for you to take a look at. If nothing else, we could mount a couple to see how 17" rims will look/fit. Not sure what the offset is, but they fit my 1986 2.3-16V. Maybe some other members can offer advice on fitment of these rims to your 300CE. You can contact me through brian16v@hotmail.com -- I'm about a mile away from the restaurant, so I could meet you anytime after 6:30 (I work in Palo Alto).

Brian

I have just mounted 17s on my W124 (see "400E Wheels" string for conversation)and am in love. Absolutely great look on the car and the ride difference is marginal. My wife noticed, but said the slight difference was "no big deal." I have choosen a slightly different tire size;Sumi HTRZ II 205 50s to get a little (couple of mm) more sidewall. No rubbing - and I've tried! I'm using stock suspension heights, though.

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Ray
1992 400E

the tire size selection for 17" should be a 215/45-17 and we have put a sale price on the SP Sport 9000 to $117.00. That may be enough to help you make a decision. The Michelin Pilot Sports are $236.00 and the Pole Position from Bridgestone is $196.00

Thanks, Luke

Dunlop Sport 9000


Michelin Pilot Sport


Bridgestone S-02 Pole Position



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Luke Pavlick
Performance Specialist (ASE Certified Master Tech)
Please, call me to place orders (800-428-8355 ext. 362)
or mention my name for on-line orders
(click banner at top of the page
to visit Tire Rack web site)

I have always been a Dunlop SP SPort 9000 fan, just cause of the value of them. I think if you really push your vehicle, then you might want to consider abother tire, but I think you would be fine with them. Since your car is lowered, I would choose the 215/45/17's for the safe side, If I were gonna roll the fenders, I would try 225/45/17s especially since they are on a 17x7.5 rim, not anything wider. Just my 2 cents.

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Chirag (Charlie) Patel

- 99 Mercedes-Benz ML 430 V8 w/custom TV, Video, UHF, speaker system
- 93 190E 2.6 (4-sale) w/ an amp, equalizer, and CD-changer, integrated w. stock stereo for integrated cellular phone speaker system
- had a 93 190E m103 3.2, 5-speed trans,
- had a 88 300E 2.6
- had a 84 300TD w/275k+ miles
- 2002 S500/S600 - Maybe in a little more then a year