[W126 Coupe] Wheel overload

[Paul Samarin]

Yes, this is something you can spend a million hours on; I might have 
spent about that much time.  Others will have to answer the offset 
question, but I'll post these comments from my memory:

245 is the width of the tire (in millimeters);
The second number is the height, expressed as a relationship to the 
width (it might be a percentage, but I'm not sure).  So, 245 x 35 would 
be, say, sidewall height = 35% of 245 millimeters, and 245 x 45 would 
be height = 45% of 245 millimeters.

I have 275 x 35 x 18 on the rears and narrower on the front (but I 
don't remember exactly the size.)  I think the 17's are a better choice 
for most people; I'm pretty sure you won't be disappointed.  You might 
find that 245 width is too wide for the front for your taste.  It's a 
little harder to steer with wide tires up front.

I'm in So. Cal.  You're welcome to give my car a test drive if it's 
convenient for you.

Paul

On Jan 21, 2005, at 12:41 PM, Frank Alderete wrote:

> I am in looking for wheels to replace the stock 15's on the 91 SEC. 
> I've
> gone back through the archives and have decided to look for 17x 8 AMG's
> mounted with 245/45/17 tires...or is it 235/45/17, I don't understand 
> how
> the 2 sizes affect the car. It appears the wheel offset should be 
> 17mm, but
> I have also seen the offset specified as ET35. Is ET35 the same as 
> 17mm?