c_dude07

Hi there. I bought my Super Sport Edition new back in 2007. After having driven it for four years I am now considering upgrading the standard 17 inch rims to 19"s.

Has anyone had any experience increasing wheel size from 17 to 19 in this model? What I want to know specifically is whether or not the car will look sufficiently dropped or like a beach buggy .

I am guessing it would loom pretty silly and I would have to get new suspension to drop it which I am loath to do. I am pretty chicken **** when it comes to messing with the engineering of the car

All comments are greatly appreciated! Cheers.

c_dude07

After trolling through the forum the last couple of hours it seems installing the 19s for SSE (Super Sport Edition) models should be relatively hassle free. I'll give it a go and see how it goes

Midnight Koop

is that the spare in the front? i've always loved the look of the spare tire...

anyway, i went from:

16's on stock(non-sport) suspension

to

17's with amg sways and lowered on H&R coilovers
(huge improvement in handling)

to

18's with same suspension setup as 17's
*handling/driveability was much better on 17's, but decent
-I'm going to raise the rear a tad and install a rear camber kit and possibly thicker sways to improve...

I can't imagine what driving on 19's must be like... but you can make them fit. I just imagine they take all the fun out of driving.

just make sure to lower your car.... and you might want to look into a camber kit. i have one that i need to install eventually...

c_dude07

Thanks for your comment man. Yes that is the spare and I agree it looks pretty cool. The affect on handling is one of my major concerns also as the SSE handles very nice in stock form. But I really love the look of the cars in the picture thread and think its about time I pimp it a little. One member on this forum by the name of "hcalvarez" has installed 19s on his SSE with the stock suspension which should be the same setup that mine has and it looks great so thats why I'm leaning towards the 19s. That way I wouldnt feel the need to drop it and mess with the stock sport suspension.

You guys are so lucky to have so many options for places to go to mod your cars. Customizing Benzs or expensive euros for that matter in Sydney Aus is virtually non-existent I would say.

mskembo

HCalverez said that 18s are a little stiffer of a ride than the 17s, but 19s are a lot stiffer. I wouldn't go past 18, because I really like the way a Benz rides!

phister

FYI SS = sport sedan not super sport. SS on Chevy's mean super sport.

c_dude07

This is the last of the w203s before the introduction of the w204. I know because he salesman was offering my the 204 but I really preferred the look of the w203

It was marketed in Sydney as 'Super Sport Edition', came in only three colours, Irdium Silver, Cubanite and Black and black interior only.

Heres a link dude:
http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...257264000A7369

c_dude07

Thanks bero, now I'm having third thoughts about the 19s haha.
Bugga!

phister

I guess they labeled it as super sport in sydney for the 07 since it's the last year of the W203 but the 07 sport sedan here came with same wheels and options too. Guess its just a marketing thing they do. Like how Honda has the Si civics here while the UK and Japan have the better Type R versions.

Moreira_C230

what ^^^^ said. 19's will look sharper (depending on what wheel you get, IMO certain setups in 19s look blingy) but 18's will ride much nicer and give the car a look a bit closer to stock. Then again if you are looking to differentiate yourself and stand out, go for the 19s. It really is up to personal preferece. Some people are willing to give up a bit of ride quality and increased road noise for the look, some aren't. Either way it all comes down to what you like.

W.e you decide to do, take some pictures and let us know. Enjoy the search!

c_dude07

Thankyou beros for all your comments.
I might have to go 18s unfortunately because I often chaufer 100kg ballers in the back so that in itself may destroy my car if I run 19s heh.

Just so envious of all your rides dayam. Sucks big time to be in Sydney.
Will post some pics when I install the rims.

Cheers.

BlkBenz8

I have the 2007 sport sedan with 19s and coilovers, no problems what so ever.

billbillw

FYI,
putting 19"s on won't make the car look dropped at all. In fact, putting larger wheels on without physically lowering the car usually does make the car look like a 'buggy'.

Personally, I wouldn't put anything larger than 18"s on a W203. 19" wheels will ruin the ride, get worse gas mileage, make the car slower (accelerating), and have tires that cost almost double what your stock 17"s cost. Personally, I love the '07 sport wheels and wouldn't change them out for anything, except may for some authentic Brabus.

draz.amg

don't waste your time with 19s. what's the point of 'standing out' if your car feels like a box on wheels? i switched from the stock 17s to 19s and the ride comfort is much worse. the car is slower and the mileage is worse.

if i was you id go with 18s and a good aftermarket suspension e.g. kw v2s or pss9.

anonymousmoose

Nice car C-Dude. What did of w203 is it? c200, c240 etc?

I've got the same sports edition. I bought mine this year pre-owned. I actually like the wheels that came with it.


Have you considered buying the actual AMG wheels or replica if your so inclined? I think it would look neat in this manner.

c_dude07

Love the car bero! Hawt!

c_dude07

That may be true for regular W203s but what about for us SSE owners who have factory lowered sport suspension already. A few members on the forum have installed 19s while maintaining the factory sport suspension and I think they look very nice. Not much gap between the wheel arch at all.

I do love the 07 sport wheels too, I only whish they were bigger and filled out the wheel wells better. Cheers mate.

c_dude07

Thanks for the comment bero. I'm really scared off by all the issues guys are having with rubbing and comfort.

c_dude07

Gday Anony!
Mine is a C180 unfortunately. Congrats on our purchase. The first cocnern I had with the W203 was reliability. I drove a W202 in 1998 new until 2007 and has no problems so I wasn't really trusting of a Merc assembled in South Africa. But so far no complaints. I too love the 07 sport wheels, I only wish they were bigger and I was considering those AMG rims but I don't want it to appear like a wanna-be C55.

anonymousmoose

C180 is similar to the C200 I have. Nothing unfortunate about a C180 . From what I read, the C180 is just de-tuned a bit. It's got the same engine and all. I bet you can tune the C180 to C200 specs. They are not fast engines but I for what I drive like (admiral slow some say) its enough and it does have good acceleration when its got momentum behind it.

I don't think buying AMG rims is a wannabe at all. I'm personally not a fan of putting C55 or C32 badges on a non-AMG car, but rims are ok. If my rims ever need replacing, I'd consider the AMGs. I'm not 100% sure but I assume you can option them with the car new if the buyer asked Mercedes.

I have had my car for about 2 months now, probably take a week or two. So far its been a dream to drive. I have/had an issue with the car pulling left but I think that is sorted now (haven't had a chance to do much driving since Friday when it was at workshop). Mine was purchased new in 2006 by the original owner, a MY2005 build.

I did a lot of research before buying my first German car. And from all the reading I did the post-facelift w203 seamed to have reports of the bugs ironed out. My other option I was considering was a BMW 3-series but the Mercedes came along at the right time for the right price.

Now that you've had a w202 and a w203, is the w204 next? I see a LOT of them around here in Perth. More than the w203 actually. Very popular in the upper-middle class area's. I also see a lot of the C63's around. A crazy large amount actually. For $165,385AU I am quite surprised so many are sold. They must be great cars. You don't see many w203 AMG's at all here.

Which country are you located in just out of curiosity? I'm in Australia, as my avatar indicates.

OneOfaKindTrini

I don't know if it was mentioned again but, Just to put you in the loop mercedes-benz does not make a Super Sport, they make a Sport Sedan.

anonymousmoose

Perhaps it differs between contenants

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/2EDA72A6CC4456EBCA257264000A7369

c_dude07

I'm from Sydney Australia
I have not considered the w204 at all mate. Not tempted at all. On the other hand have you seen the new C coup? Now that is tempting. Have you done any mods to your car yet?

vdubpower

did u sell your monarchs yet......what wheels are u getting in place of them...cheers

anonymousmoose

No mods and I don't plan to. I bought it from a reputable dealer with 55,000km on it here in Perth and added a good warranty with it. Mods will only cancel out my warranty anyhow. Plus I am very happy with the car as it is. The only thing I have done is added the Mercedes-Benz bluetooth adaptor and also a Mercedes AUX audio jack.

The C couple looks like a lovely car. A bit rich for me unless I wait years and purchase a pre-owned. Plus I bet loosing 2 doors will make the coupe cost a lot more too. I've always enjoyed the partiality of a sedan though. Either way, I most likely will be keeping the w203 until at least 2014 as that is when the lease expires.

I do really like the w204 with a factory sports upgrade.


And the new facelift version looks stunning IMO. Interior and exterior.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-evf06BQFY





Lastly, if you like the coupe, you might be interested in this:
http://www.insideline.com/mercedes-b...t-is-a-go.html