On Thu, Feb 4, 2010 at 2:34 PM, Matthew Thyer <matt_thyer@hotmail.com>wrote:

> When I was getting Zeno up on the tow truck bed this morning I noticed that
> there's not much space between the front wheel armiture and the tires.  I
> know I've got non-factory rims, wondering now if the PO didn't address this
> issue and I might need to invest in some spacers or new rims.  Wondering if
> I'd be happier with stamped 15" steel wheels than what's on there now?
>
> http://tinyurl.com/y96ebxx <-- What I've got today, new tires
>
> http://tinyurl.com/y8l4ne2 <-- What I'm considering
>
>
> --
> Matt Thyer
>

Matt,

Those wheels are just fine. They are forged aluminum alloys which original
cost thousands on Mercedes cars. They originally came with lugholes for 12mm
bolts and had to have been drilled for 14mm studs and bolts. They are
perfectly delighted to be on a Syncro and quite tolerable on a 2wd. Even
with tires, they weigh less than the bare 14" steel rims. Even worse for the
larger wheels. GoWesty looks to me selling South African steel wheels. I did
not look but they also used to sell 14" steel wheel centers welded onto 15"
rims. The latter will not fit big brake kits.

If I had to choose between steel or alloys, I would pick the CLK alloys you
have on there now. IIRC, the offset is arond ET37. You can always add
spacers up front if you want to correct the offset. It's very easy to just
get longer bolts. You shouldn't need longer studs in the rears. If you use
spacers up front, I have access to Wolfsburg billet caps for those wheels.
Pmail me.

Cheers,

--
BenT