I tried browsing through some responses on this topic and have to admit to feeling stupid (offsets, 205/65/15 vs 205/60-15 vs 225/50-16 and 205/55-16, etc etc).

I want 3 season tires with good wet weather performance, good handling, good ride, and good wear. I have been running the standard contis and am ready for a change.
Winter driving / car washes / etc have made my OEM wheels ugly, and I want to save them for winter tires. So I want nice looking wheels that are easy to clean (it's a wagon, so I don't want anything racy). And I want something cheaper than the outrageous prices for a new set of OEM wheels.

however, I tried to purchase a set of ATP type 8 wheels (15 inch) from the Tire Rack for winter, and the lug nuts supplied (two sets, Brian made sure the second set were "correct") were just a tad too long and after two trips to the dealer had to return them (sadly).

That sort of put me off of the whole aftermarket wheel thing. Note that the dealer did not charge me for trying to make the ATP's fit, they only charged me to mount the snows back onto my original OEM wheels, so I don't think they were out to screw me (there were more than 2 hours of labor I didn't pay for while they were trying to get the ATPs to fit onto the car). Furthermore, I have had no problems with the OEM wheels since.

So, does anyone have any wheels that they know will fit a 95 E320 wagon (preferably 16", but 15" will do nicely)? Should I just give up on aftermarket wheels and stick to OEMs?

And what tires / sizes should I get? I do intend on purchasing from Tirerack again as they were most helpful.

Thanks for all of your help.

Look at TireRack, Bekkers (for some OE and some repro's). Probably stick to 16" w/225/50/16's (Yokohama AVS db's, Bridgestone Potenza RE 730's; actually, they both may be all-seasons, now that I think about it)--I gotta tell you, though, racy or not, I saw a set of 17" Evo II's on a wagon, and they looked AWESOME! (Bekker's, about $325 each.) --Mitch

One option might be to look at a set of OE 8-hole Sportline rims (15" X 7"), as they can be had from dealers for around $165 per (and that's for an original MBZ rim). If your dealer wants more, let me know because my dealer also offers free shipping.

I run 16" X 7.5" Mille Miglia replica '97 E420 rims on my wagon. These particular aftermarket wheels are pretty much of equal quality to my AMG or OE rims. Really nice rims, and I paid maybe $120 for them per. Talk to Luke at Tirerack; if you'd like to see the rims on my wagon, advise of your email and I'll send you a picture.



[Edited by Michael on 03-21-2001 at 06:25 PM]

__________________
"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo

I have a set of four (4) chrome 15-hole 6.5x15 ET49 Mercedes wheels, with 205/65HR15 Michelin XGT-H4 tires (30% left), and one (1) MINT non-chrome 15-hole 6.5x15 ET49(Pirelli P6 195/65VR15) Mercedes spare. $550 for all.

Check out:
http://www.silcom.com/~neilv/sportline/index.htm

I'm also contemplating selling either:

1) 16x8 ET34 8-hole Mercedes (non-chrome) wheels off a 500E with 205/55WR16 BF/G KDWS with 98% tread left. $1300 w/tires; $800 wheels only;

2) 17x8 ET34 8-hole Compomotive wheels (non-chrome), looks just like the 16x8 ET34 8-hole Mercedes wheel. One needs refinishing for $120. Make offer.

Thanks,
:-) neil

I ended up Borbet Type-Es (5-spoke, 16"). Seem a little racy for my fuddy-duddy tastes (and it's a wagon), but maybe I'll adjust. The tires I went with the Bridgestone Potenza RE 730s 205-55-16s. They are much better than the old Contis.
Rain or sun, haven't engaged the traction control (or ABS) at all in my limited testing. And the wife didn't notice any ride quality / noise difference <g>.
Thanks for the help.