Pros and Cons Of Low-Profile Tires
Senior Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 268
Likes: 1
From: VA
2002 C320
You bent 18"s 3 times? Man thats pretty insane bending 3 rims in one year. I don't think I can do that even if I tried.
I don't know about what kind of rims you had but I think if you get good rims (maybe forged) you will be good. What kind of rims did you have?
I mean the w204 sport (My rental (free of charge
) since my w203 is in the shop) has AMG 18" stock. That's a W204 C300 coming with 18" stock rims. I think if MB is putting those rims out factory then you don't have anything to worry about especially 18".
I think 18" are whatever but if you said 19" I would say maybe.
Not trying to be rude but what kind of rims did you have that bent 3 times in one year??
I don't know about what kind of rims you had but I think if you get good rims (maybe forged) you will be good. What kind of rims did you have?
I mean the w204 sport (My rental (free of charge
) since my w203 is in the shop) has AMG 18" stock. That's a W204 C300 coming with 18" stock rims. I think if MB is putting those rims out factory then you don't have anything to worry about especially 18".I think 18" are whatever but if you said 19" I would say maybe.
Not trying to be rude but what kind of rims did you have that bent 3 times in one year??
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 44
From: Los Angeles, CA
2015 C400 Tenorite Gray
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,537
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2006 C350 Sport 6MT
I think it all matter what type of rims you have. I just got Lorinser LM5s and they are cast aluminum and I know they are going to bend quickly. My friend has LM5 on is CL600 and he has already bent them he hit a pothole on the freeway.
I think it depends if they are Forged or not.
I think it depends if they are Forged or not.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,022
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From: Los Angeles, CA
2015 C400 Tenorite Gray
I'm very critical of ride quality & it's no accident that Benz stopped at 17" with Sport Pack on these cars - It's the largest size that does a reasonable job of maintaining Merc ride comfort. It's also effected by tyre choice. Michelin will give you the most comfortable ride with low profile tyres because they have the most pliant sidewalls in the tyre industry.
I would never go lower than 40 profile under any circumstances. The V6s are a little more tolerant of lower profiles because of the extra weight.
I'm going 17 X 8.5 ET30 rear with 245/40 & 17 X 8 ET30 front with 235/45 from my standard 16" 225/50 - stock set up & suspension. SA stock is lower than US cars especially in the front.
This is all very personal but no one must tell me that 19" wheels with 30 or 35 profile tyres don't screw up the ride quality. They do - period - It depends what you are prepared to tolerate.
I would never go lower than 40 profile under any circumstances. The V6s are a little more tolerant of lower profiles because of the extra weight.
I'm going 17 X 8.5 ET30 rear with 245/40 & 17 X 8 ET30 front with 235/45 from my standard 16" 225/50 - stock set up & suspension. SA stock is lower than US cars especially in the front.
This is all very personal but no one must tell me that 19" wheels with 30 or 35 profile tyres don't screw up the ride quality. They do - period - It depends what you are prepared to tolerate.
Next up is Koni sport kit. Found a price of $560.54, install of $250.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 661
Likes: 0
2007 c230
You bent 18"s 3 times? Man thats pretty insane bending 3 rims in one year. I don't think I can do that even if I tried.
I don't know about what kind of rims you had but I think if you get good rims (maybe forged) you will be good. What kind of rims did you have?
I mean the w204 sport (My rental (free of charge) since my w203 is in the shop) has AMG 18" stock. That's a W204 C300 coming with 18" stock rims. I think if MB is putting those rims out factory then you don't have anything to worry about especially 18".
I think 18" are whatever but if you said 19" I would say maybe.
Not trying to be rude but what kind of rims did you have that bent 3 times in one year??
I don't know about what kind of rims you had but I think if you get good rims (maybe forged) you will be good. What kind of rims did you have?
I mean the w204 sport (My rental (free of charge
) since my w203 is in the shop) has AMG 18" stock. That's a W204 C300 coming with 18" stock rims. I think if MB is putting those rims out factory then you don't have anything to worry about especially 18".I think 18" are whatever but if you said 19" I would say maybe.
Not trying to be rude but what kind of rims did you have that bent 3 times in one year??
this can all be solved by slowing down lol
MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
Likes: 18
From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
I ended up going with 235/35/19, Nexen N3000 tires after vacillating. I was leaning towards 18" but the rims I wanted only came in 19". It doesn't seem like ride quality has been compromised and these tires are pretty quiet. Handling is very good. I have only had them since last Thurs and have driven the 405 and 110.
Next up is Koni sport kit. Found a price of $560.54, install of $250.
Next up is Koni sport kit. Found a price of $560.54, install of $250.
those do come in 18" btw. lot of different manufacturer produce those 1/16 replicas.
if you are closer to Walnut, CA I would recommend you a shop called TWS. shop is small, but they know their stuff.
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
I ended up going with 235/35/19, Nexen N3000 tires after vacillating. I was leaning towards 18" but the rims I wanted only came in 19". It doesn't seem like ride quality has been compromised and these tires are pretty quiet. Handling is very good. I have only had them since last Thurs and have driven the 405 and 110.
Next up is Koni sport kit. Found a price of $560.54, install of $250.
Next up is Koni sport kit. Found a price of $560.54, install of $250.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 236
From: BC, Canada
2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
I also thought that anything over 17" (ie 18+") and a car actually becomes SLOWER because of higher rotating mass now more than offsets the reduced mass in the tires. Remember that moment of inertia (how "hard" it is to get something spinning) increases proportionally to the square of the distance from the axis.
And yes, lower profile = easier to curb, especially if you lend your mother your car.
I never noticed this before, but with 205/55/16, my rim sits almost over the top of a curb, so all scraping will be done to the tire. With 225/45/17, this isn't the case anymore.
Personally I stayed with 17s for cost reasons. Tires almost double in price for each inch you go over 16", and I'm cheap.
Oh, and your nice shiny wheels are also less likely to be stolen while you're out at the mall.
And yes, lower profile = easier to curb, especially if you lend your mother your car.
I never noticed this before, but with 205/55/16, my rim sits almost over the top of a curb, so all scraping will be done to the tire. With 225/45/17, this isn't the case anymore.Personally I stayed with 17s for cost reasons. Tires almost double in price for each inch you go over 16", and I'm cheap.
Oh, and your nice shiny wheels are also less likely to be stolen while you're out at the mall.
Last edited by slammer111; Nov 3, 2009 at 08:42 AM.
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,022
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From: Los Angeles, CA
2015 C400 Tenorite Gray
Glyn,
I can't really tell which is really surprising to me. Perhaps my nerve endings are going now that I am in my 40's.
Frank, I should have sent PM to you prior. Those are VMR wheels and I had to modify the centerbore on both sides; could not find a center cap for 57.1. I don't like replicas but the quality seemed descent and was within the budget for time being. This was the only source I had. I did get a decent deal, $1,400 out the door.
For suspension, it appears Koni Sport Kit is a good deal for the money. I looked at Koni FSD with Eibach but it does not appear they self-adjust.
The koni springs show that they lower the car 1.6” front and 1.0” rear. The Eibach springs show that they lower the car 1.2” all around and the rear ride height can be adjusted using the mercedes pad system.
I just want to close the gap so it looks good. I don't like the "tucked" Look. Walnut is about 33 miles from me but it sounds like its worth it.
I can't really tell which is really surprising to me. Perhaps my nerve endings are going now that I am in my 40's.
For suspension, it appears Koni Sport Kit is a good deal for the money. I looked at Koni FSD with Eibach but it does not appear they self-adjust.
The koni springs show that they lower the car 1.6” front and 1.0” rear. The Eibach springs show that they lower the car 1.2” all around and the rear ride height can be adjusted using the mercedes pad system.
I just want to close the gap so it looks good. I don't like the "tucked" Look. Walnut is about 33 miles from me but it sounds like its worth it.
Last edited by Nicholi2007; Nov 3, 2009 at 01:28 PM. Reason: damn grammar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 44
From: Los Angeles, CA
2015 C400 Tenorite Gray
Ok, after a week of riding on them, I do feel a difference. Perhaps the excitement affected my discourse?
Its not horrible but 18" probably would have been the better choice rather than 19". Gas mileage and acceleration seem worse. The C240 does not have much horse and I presume I'm making the engine work harder with the bigger tires. After all, I did go from 16" to 19".
I plan on getting a pulley and a C32 AMG air filter which should help. I wonder since I have wandered quite a bit outside the specs on tires how that affects gear ratio, shifting etc.
Thanks to everyone who has contributed their experience and insight.
Its not horrible but 18" probably would have been the better choice rather than 19". Gas mileage and acceleration seem worse. The C240 does not have much horse and I presume I'm making the engine work harder with the bigger tires. After all, I did go from 16" to 19".I plan on getting a pulley and a C32 AMG air filter which should help. I wonder since I have wandered quite a bit outside the specs on tires how that affects gear ratio, shifting etc.
Thanks to everyone who has contributed their experience and insight.
Last edited by Nicholi2007; Nov 6, 2009 at 03:39 PM. Reason: grammar
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Kenilworth, Cape Town, South Africa
'04 C 200 Kompressor
I'm very critical of ride quality & it's no accident that Benz stopped at 17" with Sport Pack on these cars - It's the largest size that does a reasonable job of maintaining Merc ride comfort. It's also effected by tyre choice. Michelin will give you the most comfortable ride with low profile tyres because they have the most pliant sidewalls in the tyre industry.
I would never go lower than 40 profile under any circumstances. The V6s are a little more tolerant of lower profiles because of the extra weight.
I'm going 17 X 8.5 ET30 rear with 245/40 & 17 X 8 ET30 front with 235/45 from my standard 16" 225/50 - stock set up & suspension. SA stock is lower than US cars especially in the front.
This is all very personal but no one must tell me that 19" wheels with 30 or 35 profile tyres don't screw up the ride quality. They do - period - It depends what you are prepared to tolerate.
I would never go lower than 40 profile under any circumstances. The V6s are a little more tolerant of lower profiles because of the extra weight.
I'm going 17 X 8.5 ET30 rear with 245/40 & 17 X 8 ET30 front with 235/45 from my standard 16" 225/50 - stock set up & suspension. SA stock is lower than US cars especially in the front.
This is all very personal but no one must tell me that 19" wheels with 30 or 35 profile tyres don't screw up the ride quality. They do - period - It depends what you are prepared to tolerate.
