Onizuka

Hi!!! I will be joining the W204 family soon either this month or next month!!
Already ordered some carbon fiber parts for the car...just thinking if I should get some 18" wheels or 19" wheels. I don't really want to lower the car.. The 19" looks nice but I am afraid it will make the car looks like a SUV and will give me a harsh ride. I have 18" on the W203 and it looks pretty nice and comfortable, but I am not sure if 18" will look too small on the W204. Any comments or suggestions????

ctgilles

18" looks okay in size without lowering. I have an S204 with Sports pack, AMG pack with 18" split spokes. Okay is okay, but okay isn't great.

To me, a 19" with perfect ET values but without lowering will look very nice. Lowering with Koni or Billstein or H&R will not ruin your ride, there's a H&R Supersport thread on the forums I suggest you read it.
Coilovers (PSS9 etc) will give you the best ride, but they come at a cost. So just buy Sport or Supersport springs and try it, it's not like you'll drop it that much so the ride will almost be unaffected. Maybe a bit harder but nothing uncomfortable! (eg. stock Z4 ride ) It will be a lot more planted on the road...

Unparalleled

What if you don't lower the car? Will there be much difference compared to if it was lowered?

Krytech

Are those 18's in your sig?? They look larger.

Are taking about the difference between 18" and 19" wheels?

Onizuka

Thanks ctgilles!

Yes Krytech those are 18".

mat2hu

19" and up are too big. 18" is perfect.

vic viper

The overall outside diameter of a 18 and 19" wheel are the same as long as you mount correct tires, so IMO a lowering is needed anyway.

jstaneff

Minor thing to consider. With a larger wheel, the tires comprise a smaller portion of the height. As such, while they compress due to the weight of the car, the combined wheel and tire don't compress as much as a smaller wheel of the same complete diameter. Hence, lowering the car may be asking for the wheel to rub.

2 cents worth.

vic viper

Eh, now you.ve lost me, if the tire dimensions and rim offset are correct the wheel wont rub, lowered or not.

Tire compression has nothing to do with it.