Fried Chicken

Not on the highway, not with this car; no sir, no how, no way.

I don’t even know what an AMG would be like. The road noise is nonexistant. The steering provides good feedback, the ABC suspension keeps you planted and confident, the engine effortlessly delivers whatever speed you ask of it, the wind noise is barely audible, and the excellent sound system drowns that out anyway.

Maybe some cars struggle at 100mph, but not this car. It begs to go faster. If we had the autobahn here, I would cross the country at 150mph.

This car is amazing. My license fears for its life.

Benzman33

Really? I know you have an S500 and I have an S430, but I personally feel unless I'm on the park way that, it could be faster. In the Audi I tap the gas and Im going 65. The other day I had to pass someone (Yes I was being a dick) I taped the gas and I was going 82, in a 45.... The Benz I feel idk. Just not as light as the Audi....

Fried Chicken

Maybe it’s the ABC suspension or the S500 vs S430. The car doesn’t feel “light”, but at highway speeds it just goes and goes and goes.

Benzman33

That could be it, don't get me wrong, I love my S class. But I will sell it one day. Idk maybe i'm just not a Mercedes guy.... I do agree at high way speeds it does go. I go to Long Beach LI a lot and I always find my self doing 85-90 on the park way and not realizing it....

Welwynnick

Here's a few tips to make it an even better cruiser.

Use the smallest wheels and tires possible, and make sure they're not bent anywhere.

Fit asymmetric tires, the latest versions possible. Old tires are noisy.

Make sure the engine, transmission, suspension, steering and differential oil levels are absolutely right.

Run a bead of RTF along the leading edge of the seal across the top of the windscreen. Works like magic.

Nick

Benzman33

Smallest wheels? Man, Big rims are what these cars are made for. You gotta show out when you go out....

Welwynnick

I beg to differ, I think that's what many BMW's were made for, and maybe the W221. The W220 conveys a message of understatement. Over-tiring a car almost invariably spoils it IMHO. I used to have a stock S500 that ran on 16's. They looked small, and they didn't grip much, but they made all the roads feel like they were carpeted. When cruising fast on a long journey, they were perfect.

Nick

mcguirja

What is RTF and leading edge of the seal - is that against the window directly?

I like 18's on this car albeit never tried larger. I have 17's for winter and 18's for summer.

Welwynnick

My apologies, I meant RTV; black silicone rubber sealant. It kills the wind-noise from the top of the screen.

275/40's on 18x9 or 18x9.5 all round are a fantastic fitment.


Nick

mcguirja

Thanks for the information

Yes, I've seen your wheel and tire thread and like the set up you've got.

Back to this thread: I do find these cars easy to drive at speed. I've done a number of long runs on the highways between Toronto and Florida and have consistently "averaged" 75 mph over that distance (so do the math and think about what high speed would be consistently required to reach that average )

James

Benzman33

Your S class is silver so you blend in more..... You're not going to get pulled over like us black cars...

Benzman33

16inch is very small. I have the stock 18's on it now and I'm not very happy to be honest. This car calls for bigger rims. I personally feel that it makes the car look newer...

Fried Chicken

I sometimes get the feeling police are scared to pull over black S-Classes.

I mean, if I were a police officer in the middle of nowhere, I wouldn’t touch those for fear of waking up dead.

kraut56

No, the 220 runs better on 17 inch; anything larger just punches your hemorrhoids (if you have any).

I know, because on my E350 with 18 " low profile tires it runs like a brick sh#thouse. Wish I could change tire size (not tire brand).

wallyp

Wheel size/tire size often becomes a very clear trade-off between stylin' and performance...

tusabes

My s430 with stock 225/60/16 rides far better than my Amg package cl500 with 245/45/18 front and 275/40/18 rear , which is the factory Amg sport package size

Welwynnick

I've tried 16, 17, 18, 19 & 20 on my cars over the years, and it boils down to a trade between sidewall height and ride comfort. 16's sponge away everything. 245/45/18 all round are a good compromise.

I strongly feel that staggered wheels make everything worse, and a square configuration is always best.

There is a big win to be had with tires, though. The tires that were fitted when these cars were new are positively agricultural compared with modern asymmetric designs, which have much lower intrinsic road noise.

Wide tires are acceptable on smooth surfaces if you use modern tires.

Low profiles are acceptable if you drive on roads with unbroken surfaces - ie: no bumps that are shorter than the tire contact patch. Concrete and potholes are no-go zones for 20's.

Nick

Benzman33

That is true, plus my tint is super dark LOL

Benzman33

How is that no? I was stating my opinion...... If you have hemorrhoid issues you should see a doctor and not complain about rims....

Welwynnick

18's on an E-class are different to 18's on an S-class. The S-class wheels are one size larger diameter, so other things being equal, the tire will be 5% higher profile.

Nick

kraut56

Hehehe!
No, I don't have any; I was just trying to give a comment about smooth and soft tires vs hard flat solid rubber wheels.

BTW: the 18" Nokian (can't spell the rest of their name) snow tires on my E350 seem smoother than the Conti summer tires of same size.

But, fuel mileage sucks - not that I care, but it's very noticeable.