19 inch rims??
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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
19" wheels do effect ride quality at correct tyre pressures quite considerably. Don't let anybody tell you otherwise. It's a compromise that only you can decide whether you are prepared to make. Remember that the W203 chassis started life on the basic Classic models with 15" wheels - then went to 16" & finally 17" on Sport models with similar spring rates. Running a 30 or 35 profile tyre over a stock 55/60 profile will always effect comfort. You can't escape it.
I think that 19" makes a W203 look too short & squat side on but that's personal.
If you do decide to go 19" please don't fit undersized tyres & stretch them to fit the wheels to achieve fender clearance. Not only is this a dangerous practice as it runs the tyres outside their design parameters & can lead to high speed deflation, but it will also make the car even more uncomfortable because the sidewall can't behave as designed. With 19" fit the tyre with the softest sidewalls you can find like a Michelin PS2.
I think that 19" makes a W203 look too short & squat side on but that's personal.
If you do decide to go 19" please don't fit undersized tyres & stretch them to fit the wheels to achieve fender clearance. Not only is this a dangerous practice as it runs the tyres outside their design parameters & can lead to high speed deflation, but it will also make the car even more uncomfortable because the sidewall can't behave as designed. With 19" fit the tyre with the softest sidewalls you can find like a Michelin PS2.
MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
for most ppl stock is going from 17" to 18 or 19"...so the difference is not that much. from 17" to 19" the tire choice makes a bigger difference. i.e. my hankook v12 evo on the 18" is actually harder in ride then the Toyo T1R on 19" because of the stiffer sidewall.
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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 accept all that - I just don't believe that telling someone that 19" makes no difference to comfort is true. On stock SA suspension using same tyre (PS2's) apart from size I can feel the difference between 16 & 17"
It is no surprise that Benz stopped at 17" with the Sport/Sport Pack suspension. On the C55 they changed the progressive spring rates.
It is no surprise that Benz stopped at 17" with the Sport/Sport Pack suspension. On the C55 they changed the progressive spring rates.
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From: KC, MO
"annoyance" and "self-righteousness", amoung others...
I accept all that - I just don't believe that telling someone that 19" makes no difference to comfort is true. On stock SA suspension using same tyre (PS2's) apart from size I can feel the difference between 16 & 17"
It is no surprise that Benz stopped at 17" with the Sport/Sport Pack suspension. On the C55 they changed the progressive spring rates.
It is no surprise that Benz stopped at 17" with the Sport/Sport Pack suspension. On the C55 they changed the progressive spring rates.
Is there a spring or coilover setup (including the c55 suspension) I could go with that has the different progressive spring rates to make my switch to 18s in the spring more comfortable?
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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
You should be able to get different rate springs or you could have them made. You have a lot of options in the US. I would first drive a 350 with 18's on it & see if it bugs you.
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Joined: Nov 2010
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2004 C230 Kompressor Sedan 6MT
Not to hijack the thread or anything, but I have a couple simple questions.
I planned on getting a set of 19" wheels, but I found a deal on a set of 18"s that I can't really pass up... My question is, on a stock suspension (not sport, this is the Canadian Classic sedan model) on a C230K, what tires are best matched with 18x8.5 and 19x9.5? Also, they have an offset of 38mm and a hub bore of 66.6, so will that fit alright? Bear in mind I do not have overly large calipers.
Lastly, I plan to drop the car about 1.5" with a set of H&R or Tein coilovers. Will the same tires fit or will I need to modify some things? Thanks.
I planned on getting a set of 19" wheels, but I found a deal on a set of 18"s that I can't really pass up... My question is, on a stock suspension (not sport, this is the Canadian Classic sedan model) on a C230K, what tires are best matched with 18x8.5 and 19x9.5? Also, they have an offset of 38mm and a hub bore of 66.6, so will that fit alright? Bear in mind I do not have overly large calipers.
Lastly, I plan to drop the car about 1.5" with a set of H&R or Tein coilovers. Will the same tires fit or will I need to modify some things? Thanks.
