So I have a fake spare aka a doughnut...sigh ...I cant understand why a car with this kind of trim and options would cheap out on a spare ...Ok enough of my minor rant. So I have seen several matching full size rims for pretty good prices but are they all the same for 04 or does the AWD 17' have some specific offset or something?? If so how do you tell by a code number or stamping on the rim?? Sorry for the newbie question but I hate not havening a 'real' spare tire.

Thanks in advance...

 

It's not an AMG Benz...it's an entry-level premium car


But yes, a full-size spare tire is available as an option. Keep in mind, the trunk "foam" under the carpet is different to accomodate the higher hight of the full-size spare.

All the full size spare is, is a 5th wheel same as the other 4 that came OEM on the car.

The 17" wheels on your X, are the same as the other 17x7 wheels available 2003-2006. 215/55/17 tire.

 

ok so any 17" 6 spoke 04 matching wheel will work ...as there is nothing special on AWD vs RWD...That makes it easy

 

Correct. Any of the 03-06 17" wheels will work. All the same 17x7 rim with 215/55/17 tire

 

And a subtle nuance to consider: if your spare is new and unused and your tires are worn and you get a flat, you don't want to ride around on that new tire for a long time. Your tires will be different diameter/circumference and it will confuse the VDC. You'll probably have a SLIP light. And it will potentially put a strain on the differential.

 

The AWD system uses open differentials, so it can handle the slight difference in diameter on the same axle. No different than taking a turn. Comparing a new 215/55/17 to a worn one with a difference of 0.75" only results in a difference of 2" of rolling diameter. While that would be a huge issue for staggered tire sizes, it's only a difference of 5 degrees of rotation or so along a open differential. That's similar to taking a turn.

VDC can also compensate to a point as well. The systems are usually designed to compensate for differences in tirewear.