The 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550 belongs to the final years of the CLK line, blending grand-touring comfort with V8 performance in a sleek coupe or cabriolet package. Buyers drawn to this car usually care as much about balanced road manners and appearance as they do outright speed. Tire fitment centers on a staggered 18-inch radial setup, with 225/40R18 used at the front and 255/35R18 at the rear. Available choices stay firmly in a modern performance-radial lane, with blackwall designs from BFGoodrich and Nitto across several series. The main decision is matching the correct front and rear sizes while confirming wheel width, overall setup, and how the car is being used today.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550 uses two primary tire sizes, and the difference is tied to position rather than separate trim levels. It runs a staggered radial setup on 18-inch wheels, with one size for the front and a wider size for the rear. The first step is confirming that your car still has the proper front and rear wheel arrangement before selecting a tire.
In 225/40R18, the 225 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 40 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 18 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550, this size is used at the front as part of the car's staggered 18-inch setup. Available options include blackwall performance tires from BFGoodrich and Nitto in series such as g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, g-Force Phenom T/A, and NT555 G2. Choosing this size correctly matters because front tire dimensions influence steering response, clearance, and the overall balance of the front-to-rear package.
In 255/35R18, the 255 indicates nominal width in millimeters, 35 is the aspect ratio, R means radial construction, and 18 denotes the wheel diameter. This is the rear tire size for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550, giving the car a wider rear footprint than the front. Blackwall choices are available from BFGoodrich and Nitto, including g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, g-Force Phenom T/A, and NT555 G2. It is important to treat this as a rear-position fitment and verify wheel width carefully, especially if the car has seen wheel changes or other modifications over time.
Sub-model fitment on the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550 is straightforward because the tire difference is front-to-rear rather than a change between separate trims. Checking position still matters, since the front and rear sizes are not the same even though both use 18-inch radial tires.
1
2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550 Base Front
The Base Front position uses the narrower member of the staggered setup, a radial tire sized for the front axle on an 18-inch wheel. Tire selection here is mainly about preserving the proper front fitment while comparing performance-oriented blackwall options across the available series and brands.
The Base Rear position uses the wider rear tire that completes the CLK550's staggered radial arrangement on 18-inch wheels. That makes rear tire choice just as important as front selection, especially when confirming wheel width and keeping the intended front-to-rear relationship intact.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550 Tires for Sale
Available 18-inch CLK550 tires focus on modern blackwall radial performance choices from BFGoodrich and Nitto. The product grid lets you compare front and rear fitments across series such as g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, g-Force Phenom T/A, and NT555 G2, along with differing rim-width specifications.
These FAQs focus on the staggered front-and-rear tire setup used on the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550, including size meaning, rim fitment, product selection, and the maintenance checks that matter before putting a V8 touring car back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550?
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550 uses a staggered tire setup with 225/40R18 at the front and 255/35R18 at the rear. Both are radial tire sizes designed for 18-inch wheels, and they are meant to work together as a matched front-to-rear arrangement rather than as a single all-around size.
That means the first thing to confirm is whether the car still has its correct front and rear wheel positions and widths. If a previous owner rotated wheels side to side, changed wheel sizes, or installed aftermarket wheels, the proper tire choice depends on the actual wheel setup on the car now.
What size rim does a 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550 use?
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550 uses 18-inch rims with both primary tire sizes. The front 225/40R18 and rear 255/35R18 are both built around the same 18-inch rim diameter, even though the rear tire is wider and lower in profile than the front.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so wheel width still needs attention before choosing tires. A CLK550 that remains on its proper staggered wheel setup is more straightforward, while any wheel change should be checked carefully to make sure the selected tire matches the wheel and clears properly.
Why does the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550 have more than one tire size?
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550 has more than one tire size because it uses a staggered setup. The front position takes 225/40R18, while the rear uses 255/35R18. Both sizes share the same 18-inch rim diameter, but they serve different positions on the car rather than representing separate interchangeable fitments.
This matters because the correct tire choice depends on where the tire is mounted. A buyer replacing only two tires should match the position-specific size, and a full set should preserve the intended front and rear combination unless the car has been deliberately converted to a different wheel-and-tire arrangement.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550 tire?
Start with the correct position-specific size: 225/40R18 for the front and 255/35R18 for the rear. From there, compare radial tire series, wheel-width compatibility, and product details such as load figures where they are stated. On this car, selecting by position is just as important as selecting by diameter.
The next decision is how you use the CLK550 today. A car driven regularly may lead you toward one performance-oriented radial series, while a lower-mileage weekend car may put more emphasis on matching the overall look and keeping the front and rear setup consistent from the same family of tires.
What sidewall styles are available for 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550 tires?
The available tires for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550 use a blackwall sidewall style. That applies across both the 225/40R18 front size and the 255/35R18 rear size, so the appearance stays clean and contemporary rather than moving into whitewall, redline, or other vintage-style sidewall treatments.
Since the sidewall presentation is consistent, the real visual differences come more from the tire series and the way the staggered sizing fills the wheel openings. Buyers who care about appearance should still compare front and rear tire choice together so the car keeps a balanced look from nose to tail.
What brands offer tires for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550?
BFGoodrich and Nitto both offer tires for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550 in its 18-inch front and rear sizes. BFGoodrich options include several g-Force series, while Nitto is represented by the NT555 G2. All of these choices are radial blackwall performance-oriented tires for the staggered setup.
Brand alone should not make the decision. It is better to compare the exact front and rear size availability, the tire series character, and wheel-width specifications so the car keeps the proper matched stance and handling balance. That is especially important if replacing one axle first instead of purchasing a full set.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550?
A period-style choice for a 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550 starts with keeping the proper staggered 18-inch radial sizing: 225/40R18 in front and 255/35R18 in back. Because the available options are modern blackwall performance radials, the most authentic-looking approach usually comes from preserving the original size relationship and overall visual proportion.
Appearance on a car from this era depends more on stance, wheel fit, and sidewall profile than on vintage-style stripe treatments. A CLK550 that still wears its intended front-to-rear sizing tends to look more settled and correct, so wheel changes or oversized substitutions should be evaluated carefully before chasing a different visual effect.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550 restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550 restoration because this car uses a staggered layout rather than one universal size. Keeping the proper 225/40R18 front and 255/35R18 rear relationship helps preserve the car's intended proportions and prevents the finished restoration from looking mismatched at either axle.
That does not mean every restored example must use the same tire brand or series, but it does mean size discipline is important. Owners pursuing a highly original presentation should also compare wheel specifications and overall stance carefully, since incorrect wheel width or altered suspension can change the car's appearance as much as the tire itself.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550. The car's staggered 18-inch setup already depends on different front and rear tire sizes, so aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, lowering, spacer use, or body alterations can change the clearances that those tires rely on.
A modified car should be checked for actual wheel diameter, width, and tire-to-body or tire-to-suspension clearance before replacement tires are chosen. Even when the size code looks familiar, a changed wheel or ride height can alter what works comfortably on the car and what may rub under steering or suspension movement.
What should I inspect before driving a 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550 on new tires?
Before driving a 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550 on new tires, inspect wheel condition, valve stems, inflation pressure, and overall mounting direction if the tire design requires one. It also helps to check alignment condition and confirm that the front and rear tires were installed in their proper staggered positions.
A short initial road test should include listening for rubbing, feeling for vibration, and watching for any pull that could point to alignment or wheel issues. On a performance-oriented car like the CLK550, those early checks matter because a front-to-rear size mix-up or marginal clearance issue may not be obvious until the car is moving.
How should tires on a collector 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK550 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspection, and attention to age-related condition even if the car is driven sparingly. Sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven tread wear, or repeated air loss deserve attention whether the tires are nearly new or several seasons old.
Storage conditions matter on low-use cars, especially if the vehicle spends long periods parked indoors. Keeping the tires clean, moving the car occasionally, and avoiding prolonged exposure to heat, sunlight, and ozone sources can help preserve condition. The staggered setup also makes it important to keep track of which size belongs on each axle.
