sunrei

I did like the look of the 18", but since I read on this forum that it's a rougher ride, I kept the 17". My SLK is pretty rough and I was going more for comfort and 4 doors this time.

I think I also prefer the 6 spokes over the 5 because I don't like seeing very much of the break discs.

sunrei

Rogwp, that's good to know that the 2011 wheels are easy to keep clean. But why did you not have a choice about the wheels?

sunrei

Actually, the sales lady only offered me the wheels for $700. So not such a great deal?

sunrei

That's interesting...never thought about wheel design having function. (really mean this sincerely and not sarcastically like it sounds when I read that sentence back to myself). I always thought they were mainly for looks and very much something of personal preference/taste.

C300Kid

Are they actually offering the wheels for $700? I think they're just offering to swap the wheels on the car for $700..they're just gonna switch the wheels with a 2010 they have in stock and charge you $700 to do so..you won't gain anything but a different wheel design.

If they're offering you a full second set of wheels for $700 then that's an amazing deal..defjnitely take it.

C300Kid

Nah you're not crazy, I understand your reasoning. I was only saying the people that said the new ones are more grandpa looking were crazy.

haykf1

New wheels look like honda, mazda, toyota wheels to me. Old 6 spoke ones are much sportier MB and German looking. That the beauty of AMG designed wheels. New ones look very simple and will go out of date very quickly.

C300Sport

A lighter wheel willl handle better and allow for better acceleration while a really well designed will will act like a fan to draw air over the brakes and assist in cooling both wheel and brakes during heavy use situations...ie track days or coming down the mountain, etc

True, they look a little trendy (see below) but not bad or ugly...just not quite my style. I would like the new C300 five spokers if they didn't have the little ridge on the edge of the spokes...good grief i'm picky...lol

Very well said...never thought about it quite like that.

sirius9

Good point there!!!

Rogwp

Came with these wheels as part of the Special Edition package. The wheels were supposed to be for this edition, but now all the C350's get them?

snarlingchicken

+1.

Oscarmr

Or you can just keep the new style rims and use them on your winter tires.
Buy same rims as i have "18

sunrei

I get to keep the wheels that come standard with 2011s. But they are also offering me the 2nd set of OEM wheels that came standard on 2010s for an extra $700 (no tires). They say that the original prices of those wheels are 1948 EUR (without VAT). I've never shopped for wheels before so it was hard for me to believe that they were that expensive.

sunrei

It seems so. Could there be a difference between Canadian vs U.S. cars? What wheels come standard with the non-Special Edition package?

lithium332

The old ones are superior to the new. The old ones are more angular, sporty and more aggressive because they sort of look like blades. The new ones look a bit "fat" and honestly a bit ugly to me.

JimPap

Its worth the extra $700 for the OEM old ones.

I've spent a lot of time recently researching aftermarket wheels to conclude that its very hard to get the one's I like in an exact replacement fit. The one's I like vary in offsets from the OEM's. I'm over the top when it comes to maintaining the OEM's design goals and all I can think of is buying rims and tires that I don't like the ride and having too much invested in them to just junk.

So stick with the OEM's and get what you like.

sunrei

Thanks, everyone for your responses. I got a lot of helpful information and learned some things. I do want to maintain the OEM look as JimPap mentioned.

I will take the offer for the $700 set of wheels and use one set for my winter tires. I haven't decided yet which set I will choose as my winter wheels and which ones I'll choose to keep the rest of the year. Hopefully, it'll be an easy decision once I see them on my car.

My car will be ready 24 August as I've just found out that the factory will be closed for summer holiday the first 3 weeks of August.

snarlingchicken

Glad to hear you've made a decision! Personally I'd use the 5 spoke wheels for winters because snow is less likely to get stuck between the spokes, while the 6 spoke has more of a multispoke design within the 6 spokes themselves that may cause snow to be caught between em. Also I'd flaunt the older designs seeing as they're more sporty and the 2011s are a bit more tame. Depends on what sort of an image you want to give. But seeing as you're going through the trouble of paying $700 for these wheels, you may as well put em to good use

BenTrovato

Style has a lot to do with your own personal preference so get which ones make you happier.

Honestly, none of those rims are outstanding so you're better off saving the $700 and putting it towards other accents that can make your vehicle look a little sharper.

OneOfaKindTrini

I much rather the older ones, the new ones look like they belong on a C300.

NJBNZ

I think the new style looks terrible

sunrei

Yay! I got a call today. After 2 months of waiting, my car is ready for pick up! But I can't get off work until next Friday.

lithium332

Which style did you settle for?

sunrei

Hi Lithium, I saw the 2011 standard rims and I didn't like them. They will be my winter wheels. Purchasing the 2010 style rims at a discount and I'll keep those on most of the year.

lithium332

Good choice!