19" Wheels & Tires
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 59
Likes: 1
From: Columbia, SC
Mercedes C230 Sport Sedan
19" Wheels & Tires
Guys,
I have a C230 Sport Sedan with 225x45 front and 245x40 tires on 17" diameter wheels. A set of wheels I really like are 19". That means I run 225x35 on the front and 265x30 on the rear.
A 30 series tire is like a rubber band in side wall height. I'm afraid of damaging the wheels and tires on pot holes, etc. Plus it seems the ride quality would be unpleasant as well.
Anybody have any experience with 19" wheels and tires?
I have a C230 Sport Sedan with 225x45 front and 245x40 tires on 17" diameter wheels. A set of wheels I really like are 19". That means I run 225x35 on the front and 265x30 on the rear.
A 30 series tire is like a rubber band in side wall height. I'm afraid of damaging the wheels and tires on pot holes, etc. Plus it seems the ride quality would be unpleasant as well.
Anybody have any experience with 19" wheels and tires?
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 385
Likes: 5
From: Richmond California
2021 GLC300 4Matic
my recommendation is that if you get 19's you need to learn to drive a bit more careful on roads you are not familiar with.
with 19's you do feel the road a bit more than with stock tires but it makes the car look so freaking good.
good luck!
with 19's you do feel the road a bit more than with stock tires but it makes the car look so freaking good.
good luck!
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 506
Likes: 1
From: Argyle, TX
10 Tahoe LT, 07 Silverado Z71, 99 BMW R1100RT
I have 235/35-19 in the front and 265/30-19 in the back in my 05 and while the ride is somewhat stiff, for sure, but they sure look damn good. 
Not sure how many and how big potholes are around where OP is from, but the roads here in DFW area are pretty bad, too, and avoiding potholes etc. is pretty much already second nature for me.
Hence I'm not worried about any damage to the tires or wheels. Not even my 16-year old has been able to do any damage yet.
And no matter what size wheels/tires you have, you can still damage them if the pothole is big enough or if you have enough speed when you hit it. So, just get the wheels you want and like. But if you are really worried about damage, then continue with the stock ones.
Not sure how many and how big potholes are around where OP is from, but the roads here in DFW area are pretty bad, too, and avoiding potholes etc. is pretty much already second nature for me.
Hence I'm not worried about any damage to the tires or wheels. Not even my 16-year old has been able to do any damage yet.
And no matter what size wheels/tires you have, you can still damage them if the pothole is big enough or if you have enough speed when you hit it. So, just get the wheels you want and like. But if you are really worried about damage, then continue with the stock ones.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 258
Likes: 10
From: Derby, KS
2005 MB C230K Sport Sedan & 2011 MB C300
I’m rolling on 19x8.5 FR and 19x9.5 Rear iForged 3 pc wheels. 235/35/19 on the front tire size and 265/30/19 in the rear. My suspension is Eibach springs with bilstein sport struts/shocks all around. The ride is stiffer than usual and with the sidewall being thin you can feel EVERYTHING on the road. I can bare it. No one really drives my car except me and I make a mental image of the roads that I drive on.
I still keep my stock wheels stacked in the garage for when the KS winters come around and for when I take cross country road trips. The 19’s are pretty much in town/city wheels. Occasionally, I’ll leave them on if I travel out of town to a nearby city (like 2-3 hrs away) where I know the road conditions are safe.
The only bad thing? My rear tires are Federal SS595 which are just SUPER NOISY. The wheels and tires came with the car when I purchased it and were brand new so I thought id keep them on there and wear them down.
I still keep my stock wheels stacked in the garage for when the KS winters come around and for when I take cross country road trips. The 19’s are pretty much in town/city wheels. Occasionally, I’ll leave them on if I travel out of town to a nearby city (like 2-3 hrs away) where I know the road conditions are safe.
The only bad thing? My rear tires are Federal SS595 which are just SUPER NOISY. The wheels and tires came with the car when I purchased it and were brand new so I thought id keep them on there and wear them down.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
...a panty dropper...
I am running a 225/35 front and 235/35 rear on staggered 19s 8.5/9.5 and I have only slightly bent one wheel so far with that setup hitting a pothole at night on the 405. But if you just avoid them then your golden. I also have a spare set of rims for if this set gets damaged and needs repair. Just a thought if your going to get some wheels you want to keep looking good.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 59
Likes: 1
From: Columbia, SC
Mercedes C230 Sport Sedan
Lots of good comments. I love the look of the 19" mesh with the fake multi-piece look, but it really seems the 18" would be better. I could save my 17" in case of a bent wheel, but I was planning to sell them to help offset the cost of the new ones. I'll have to think about this some more. Appreciate all the insights from everyone. Thanks a million.
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