Staggered Wheels with AWD

[hamersmt]

So i replaced my old w202 with a w203 estate 4matic, and it is in desperate need for new wheels (yes, the new buyer wanted the chrome rims)





After driving the car for 2 days stock, I threw on my 17x8 et44 Monoblocks i had sitting in the garage just for fun.




Here are the wheels i have prepared to go on once i get new tires, 18x8.5 et25 front, 18x10 et25 rear

The car will be getting lowered after the winter, (too bad its hard to come across the correct springs for a 4matic)








However here is the underlying question, is it alright to run a staggared setup with AWD? do the tires need to be the same diameter? or is it possible to run a shorter tire up front and a taller in the rear?

[TheSandeman]

if its anything like Audi/VW AWD systems, its best that you keep the wheel/tire diameter the same or under 5% difference.

[exexpat]

I've been running staggered on my AWD Jaguar. I just keep same tire size front and rear, so rear has more stretch. When you space the rears out more, it looks right also.

[hamersmt]

I've been running staggered on my AWD Jaguar. I just keep same tire size front and rear, so rear has more stretch. When you space the rears out more, it looks right also.

What size would you recommend? the fronts are currently 225/40 and i think i could go a little larger in diameter so i can fill some wheelgap once lowered

[Capt. Obvious]

Use this tool to figure out tire sizes:

http://1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp

Generally speaking, you want to keep the sizes within 3% or so with AWD cars.

Some good 18" combos are:

215/40 and 225/40

225/40 and 235/40

225/40 and 255/35

215/40 and 245/35

[hamersmt]

Use this tool to figure out tire sizes:

http://1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp

Generally speaking, you want to keep the sizes within 3% or so with AWD cars.

Some good 18" combos are:

215/40 and 225/40

225/40 and 235/40

225/40 and 255/35

215/40 and 245/35

thanks! this helps a lot! now if only i could find a set of springs/pads that will work on my 4matic ill be golden!

[a3 german]

well, I also have a w203 and Mercedes recomends to our cars 225 40 R18 all round, or 225 40 R18 in front and 255 35 R18 at rear wheels. I think you should have that in mind...

about lowering the car...It's a huge problem in w203... wheel gap in front is 3 or 4 fingers on Elegance Versions (like yours and mine) and 1 or 2 fingers at the rear.

I think that the only way to look good is (at least) -3cm at the rear and -6cm at the front...unfortunately there are no springs in the market that lower "so much"... your best bet is coils IMO. In mine I have dampers Koni sport and weitec springs, but in front I had to "compress" the springs around 2cm's to drop the front a little more... ride quality still good btw...

[C.Johnston]

I run staggered on my Subaru just keep the tire size the same and youll be fine.

[hamersmt]

well, I also have a w203 and Mercedes recomends to our cars 225 40 R18 all round, or 225 40 R18 in front and 255 35 R18 at rear wheels. I think you should have that in mind...

about lowering the car...It's a huge problem in w203... wheel gap in front is 3 or 4 fingers on Elegance Versions (like yours and mine) and 1 or 2 fingers at the rear.

I think that the only way to look good is (at least) -3cm at the rear and -6cm at the front...unfortunately there are no springs in the market that lower "so much"... your best bet is coils IMO. In mine I have dampers Koni sport and weitec springs, but in front I had to "compress" the springs around 2cm's to drop the front a little more... ride quality still good btw...

thanks for the input, i have to decide between coils for my s30 or for the benz and i think im gonna slam the s30 before i 'slam' my 'work truck' as i work construction and use my wagon for more than i should lol. how much of a drop did you get with the weitec springs? would it be horrible to cut a coil off the front to try and level the ride seeing as how the front always sits high?

[XwalkerX]

i never had a problem running staggard wheels on my porsche or any audis that ive owned in the past but as everyone always said just make sure to keep the rolling diamater within 5% so you dont smoke your diff.