Mercedes M-Class wheel fitment — 163
Overview
The Mercedes-Benz M-Class (W163) is a first-generation body-on-frame SUV produced by Mercedes-Benz from February 1997 to December 2004. It was the company's entry into the mid-size luxury SUV market, positioned between the smaller GLC and larger GLS models. The W163 was manufactured in Tuscaloosa, Alabama at the Mercedes-Benz U.S. International plant and briefly by Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria from 1999 to 2002 for the European market. This generation featured a range of petrol and diesel engines including V6, V8, and straight-five options paired with manual or automatic transmissions. The M-Class was notable for being the first luxury SUV to feature electronic stability control and advanced airbag systems.
Mercedes M-Class wheel fitment
Start with the hub. The Mercedes M-Class 163 spec table gives the bolt pattern and bore; the second table is the aftermarket window for Mercedes M-Class wheel fitment.
| Bolt pattern (PCD) | 5x112 |
| Centre bore | 66.6 mm |
| Bolt / thread | M14x1.5 (bolts) |
| Seat type | radius |
| Factory setup | staggered |
| TPMS | direct |
| Run-flat | Yes |
Aftermarket wheel sizes — read per position:
| Position | Width | Offset |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 7.5J–11J | ET35–ET60 |
| Rear (staggered) | 9J–11J | ET35–ET58 |
Go wider and the offset has to rise with it, about 8 to 10 ET per extra 1J, or the wheel pokes past the arch. The fit-check settles the exact offset and any spacer.
Engines & drivetrain
| Variant | Engine | Fuel | Power | Drive, years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ML 230 | R4 M 111, 2,295 cc | 110 kW (150 PS) | AWD, 1997 to 2000 | |
| ML 320 | V6 M 112, 3,199 cc | 160 kW (218 PS) | AWD, 1997 to 2005 | |
| ML 350 | V6 M 112, 3,724 cc | 173 kW (235 PS) | AWD, 2003 to 2005 | |
| ML 350 | V6 M 112, 3,724 cc | 180 kW (245 PS) | AWD, 2002 to 2003 | |
| ML 430 | V8 M 113, 4,266 cc | 200 kW (272 PS) | AWD, 1999 to 2001 | |
| ML 500 | V8 M 113, 4,966 cc | 215 kW (292 PS) | AWD, 2001 to 2005 | |
| ML 55 AMG | V8 M 113, 5,439 cc | 255 kW (347 PS) | AWD, 2000 to 2005 | |
| ML 270 CDI | R5 Turbo OM 612, 2,685 cc | diesel | 120 kW (163 PS) | AWD, 2000 to 2005 |
| ML 400 CDI | V8 Turbo OM 628, 3,996 cc | diesel | 184 kW (250 PS) | AWD, 2001 to 2005 |
Source: Mercedes-Benz W 163, de.wikipedia.org.
Performance
| Variant | Power | 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 km/h) | Top speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| ML 230 | 110 kW (150 PS) | 12.3 s | 177 km/h (110 mph) |
| ML 320 | 160 kW (218 PS) | 9.5 s | 195 km/h (121 mph) |
| ML 350 | 173 kW (235 PS) | 9.1 s | 205 km/h (127 mph) |
| ML 350 | 180 kW (245 PS) | 8.7 s | 205 km/h (127 mph) |
| ML 430 | 200 kW (272 PS) | 8.4 s | 210 km/h (130 mph) |
| ML 500 | 215 kW (292 PS) | 7.7 s | 222 km/h (138 mph) |
| ML 55 AMG | 255 kW (347 PS) | 6.7 s | 235 km/h (146 mph) |
| ML 270 CDI | 120 kW (163 PS) | 11.6 to 11.7 s | 183 to 185 km/h (114 to 115 mph) |
| ML 400 CDI | 184 kW (250 PS) | 8.1 s | 213 km/h (132 mph) |
Source: Mercedes-Benz W 163, de.wikipedia.org.
Dimensions
| Length | 4,638 mm |
| Width | 1,840 to 1,895 mm |
| Height | 1,804 to 1,820 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,820 mm |
| Kerb weight | 2,120 to 2,230 kg |
Source: Mercedes-Benz W 163, de.wikipedia.org.
Body styles & production
| Body styles | Kombi |
| Produced | 2002–2005 |
Trim levels
Factory colours
History & notable variants
Development on the W163 began in 1992 after a joint venture with Mitsubishi Motors failed due to technical issues. It launched globally as the ML 320 in September 1997, earning accolades such as Motor Trend's Truck of the Year for 1998 and North American Truck of the Year at the Detroit Auto Show. Despite initial quality concerns, significant improvements were made by 2005 with a facelift that included updated styling and engine options like the ML 400 CDI and ML 350.
Reliability & owner notes
- Pros: First luxury SUV with electronic stability control and advanced airbag systems; Range of petrol and diesel engines
- Cons: Initial quality issues
- Common issues: Substandard quality at launch