egtgrant

For those of you that have upgraded your rims or tires on the 204, what have you gone with, size-wise?

What is the largest diameter wheel that people have used?

What is the widest tire sizes that people are using?

Was your goal in upgrading to improve looks, straight line performance, or handling (or some combination)?

Pics?

RLE

<<For those of you that have upgraded your rims or tires on the 204, what have you gone with, size-wise? What is the largest diameter wheel that people have used? What is the widest tire sizes that people are using? Was your goal in upgrading to improve looks, straight line performance, or handling (or some combination)?>>

I have decided to upgrade my C300 (when it shows up) by changing to the 18" AMG wheels with some decent tires. No Dunlops, Pirellis, Michelins or Continentals.

Anything bigger looks like a ricer and ruins the ride.

GPI

Will you be buying the rims from the dealer?

kickR

So contis and michelins arent decent enough? Or are you saying that you want decent tires but not top brand ones?

egtgrant

I agree... In my mind, too big (diameter) doesn't look good and ultimately, degrades handling and comfort. That being said, I am still mildly curious about upgrades done with pure cosmetics in mind - I like seeing how people have customized their cars.

I mainly interested in the types of packages that people have put on their cars with the intention of improving handling/performance.

MaBenz

17 inch (6 spoke) versus 18 inch (5 spoke)?

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I need some advice please. I'm about to place an order for a C350 (metallic black) and can't decide on the 18inch versus the 17inch rims. They only had the 17inch to test drive and i love it even though the ride was a bit stiff.

My Questions:

1. How much better does the car look with the 18inch wheels?
2. Will the car's ride be stiffer with the 18inches?
3. During wet and/or snowy conditions which would perform better? the 17 or the 18? And if I do get snow tires which is actually better the 17 or the 18s?

Thank you.

RLE

<<So contis and michelins arent decent enough? Or are you saying that you want decent tires but not top brand ones?>>

No, they are not. Contis never were and Michelin is coasting on it's name.

I will be buying Bridgestone RE050A Pole Positions which I now have on my C320 and my Porsche. I previously had Bridgestone S0-3s on the C320 which at the time were the best rain tires I had ever driven on but have been superceded by the RE050As. Quieter and smoother than any of the OE MB tires, great cornering power on wet pavement and wet braking is as dry braking.

They have utterly transformed the Porsche. Quieter (it needs it) and tire noise on rough pavement and tar strip thumping is greatly reduced.

I buy from Tire Rack online which is now controlling retail tire prices across the country because of their volume. Previously I bought the S0-3s from Discount Tire and told them I wanted to pay Tire Rack prices to to which they agreed.

BTW, I've been a member of PCA for decades and I don't know anyone who has ever liked Dunlops or Contis. MY C300 will come with 17' Michelins which will be easier to sell than Contis.

egtgrant

1. Personally, I like the way the 18s look better than the 17s
2. Yes. Smaller sidewall will equate to a stiffer ride
3. Width, tread pattern, and tire compound are more important than diameter for rain and snow. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the width is the same for both the 17s and 18s. Generally, somewhat narrower tires are recommended for snow tires.

MaBenz

I've actually been trying to find out if the width is the same or not on the 18inch versus 17inch but can't.

Peyton

Width is the same on both tires... 8.5 inches. the BMW is 8 and the Lexus is 7.5 I THINK. I found that out by going to lexus.com and comparing the IS to the other 2.

MaBenz

Thanks Peyton.

I'm thinking with everyone's advice here is to get the 18inch wheels and just buy a 2 pairs of snow tires for the winter.