Old Benz wheel help

[hotkarl124]

Looking at a set of 18x8 wheels off a '01 c240 to go on a '88 260e. Hub bore, bolt pattern are the same and all wheel fitment guides I have consulted claim the offset range is the same, though the seller doesn't know for sure what the offset on the wheels is. I'm concerned that 235/40 tires on the front may rub in some situations, apparently 225 would be the more ideal tire. Car is currently at stock ride height and I could deal with a little rub until I could afford some new rubber up front. As usually benzworld, and mb world have offered many contradictory opinions on the matter, some say lowered w124 running 235 still doesn't pose a problem, but others say it rubbed pretty bad. Figured I'd see if anyone on here could give me a more definitive answer. They are a good enough deal I might just have to go for it and get to rolling the fenders. New around here, thanks in advance.

[flippinvw]

First off, I have a '94 e320, so props for running a w124. With regard to the wheels, it will depend a lot on the offset. If it's lower than 30, you could have issues. Also, 18s are on the large side for a w124. Especially with stock ride height. My 124 is lowered and it still looked kind of like a rollerstake with 18s, so they were set aside and I now have 17" AMG wheels on the way. It can look good though with the right wheels, offset and ride height.

By the way, my car rubs with stock wheels and tires and it's only lowered 1.5". It may come down to what you consider "rubbing". Mine only rubs when I pull into driveways, etc., but not during normal driving, when the wheel is straight or near straight. Those other forums might be referring to the low-speed rubbing that I experience, which isn't a big deal (IMO).

[hotkarl124]

Thanks for the reply man, much appreciated. I've heard 17's are the way to go with these things but these are such a good deal, but they will be worthless to me if they don't work. I want to lower on H&Rs and Bilsteins when funds allow, or I have heard it in a couple places that e36 coilovers can be modified to fit w124. These are sort of my starter wheel if you will until I can afford the AMGs or BBS I really want, and probably won't mess with ride height until next summer. I just picked up the car in May for 700 bones, towed it home and got her running, it has been a labor of love to say the least. Still has a low rpm miss and rough idle, which is stumping me, I've replaced the plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor, OVP relay, luckily I have a donor 260 that the tranny failed in last spring so I have just been swapping stuff out like mad and the condition has improved but isn't gone yet totally, and I'm going to pull the motor eventually as the old one had only 130k and this new one has 190k. I'd love to see some pics of the e320, my family grocery getter is a '94 e320 wagon with 210k and still strong. I hit a deer a few months back, so the fender and hood are all crunched which really bums me out, the thing was/is so clean, one of the best looking wagons ever no doubt. Fitment guides claim ideal offset for 2001 c240 is et32 to 38, as with w124. I'm crossing my fingers, going to bring a jack and test fit one on the front tomorrow, I know the back won't have issues, I just hope it doesn't look like a roller skate as you described. I have a buddy who works at discount tire I'm going to get his opinion tomorrow and see what two skinnier tires for up front might set me back, thanks for your input though as well.

[hotkarl124]