Club 80-90 Forums

Hi, running 8 x 18 inch Mercedes alloys, but not really happy with the tyres. Does anyone run 235/50 or am I asking for too much sidewall! Should I play it safe and go for 235/45? Any recommendations - what are people running?

235/50/18's are 6.13%(40mm) bigger than the standard 14" set up so you're gearing would be altered.

235/45/18's would be the better option as they're just 2.61%(17mm) larger.

Saying that though if you're van is lowered by more than 50mm you run the risk of tyre to front wheel arch contact.

Sorry I can't recommend any particular brand of 18" tyre.

I have 245/45/18 on the rear and 235/45/18 on the front, the van is lowered by 70mm and I've had a bit of contact with the arch when it's fully loaded and you hit a bump whilst turning, it's ok when empty as it's just an empty van 99% of the time.
I think that wide on the front of a lowered camper would be a pain.

The camper is standard hight. Bought the wheels of eBay and the back tyres were too good to bin! The fronts however have started to crack a bit on the sidewall. They are too low profile really and border line for weight limit. Fancied going for the up in the air look! Do you think the 235/50 would make too much of a difference on the drive ability with regards to gearing?

Hi Danviell
I was thinking of getting a set of 18/7.5 - 18/8.5
With a et37/34 mono block AMG alloys
Have you had to make any adjustment ie spacers / studs
I'm sorry don't know enough about tyres
Many thanks jim

Hi Jim. Fitted stud conversion on front, longer studs at the back (had a job to find any long enough, got some for a bay window in the end) and 10mm spacers all round. Very close at front to the top wishbone - took a chunk out of one of the front wheels when hitting a pothole so now fitted some extra 3mm spacers all round.

Bigjcc55 wrote:I have 245/45/18 on the rear and 235/45/18 on the front, the van is lowered by 70mm and I've had a bit of contact with the arch when it's fully loaded and you hit a bump whilst turning, it's ok when empty as it's just an empty van 99% of the time.
I think that wide on the front of a lowered camper would be a pain.

Hi Bigjcc55.

With 245 on the rear, how much space do you have between rear siding door and the rear wheel.?
I was looking at some Audi A5 wheels, and have the cash, but a little concerned that 245 and et29 would mean the rear door would hit the rear wheel....

Thanks in advance.

I've got loads of space from the tyre to the door, the wheel is closer due to the shape of the spokes, I think mine are around 28mm offset or there abouts, this size of tyre gave me slightly longer gears.

Wheels are a 57mm offset with brickwerks 25 mm adapters, and are 8" wide.

Bigjcc55 wrote:
Wheels are a 57mm offset with brickwerks 25 mm adapters, and are 8" wide.

Thanks BigJ.

Just for clarification - those wheels have 225 tyres on?
I think the Audi wheels are 245, i.e. 8.5 inches wide...

Offset a little less too - which doesn't leave me much room for error...!!

I appreciate the pictures, it gives me something to work with - thanks

No problem, the rears are 245 fronts are 235.

Bigjcc55 wrote:No problem, the rears are 245 fronts are 235.

OK BigJ - thanks again...!

Cool get some pictures up when you get them fitted.