Ride Quality with 18" vs 17"
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 831
Likes: 13
From: N.C. USA
2015, ML250 BlueTEC
Conti Pro-Contact vs Conti DWS
Have 2013 C250 Coupe. At 11,000 mi. took off oem Pro-Contac and mounted DWS. Every feature of the DWS is improvement over Pro-Contact. Had DWS on previous EClass. Excellent wear. Always R&B every 5,000 mi. Have 18" AMG wheels.
Last edited by greasykid; Mar 23, 2014 at 02:28 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
2011 C300 Sport 4Matic, 2004 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro Ultrasport, 2010 Subaru Forester
I'm new to MB but figured I'd chime in here. Ride quality with any 18" size is a bit harsher but a lot depends on the type of tire you choose too. On my Audi A4 Ultra sport I have 18x8.5 wheels with 235/40 18's all around. I've had Conti Extreme DWS, Conti Extreme Contacts, Michelin Pilot Sports all the way down to cheap Kumho ASX all seasons, and now I'm going for Hankook V12s.
Conti DWS is a softer sidewall so it's a bit more comfortable tire. It's also a solid all season performer. I would highly recommend it. One thing to really consider in larger wheels is that width matters so much. The wider you go the more tram lining you'll have and there's always a compromise with that. I would stay within spec on an 18" upgrade if you want to maintain a good level of comfort (assuming MB has this car with stock 18" options). Maybe mirror the sizes they offer or what the c63 comes with. I'm too new and have to learn about the car myself so I don't know what the size should be.
Driving my C300 with the stock 17s and Contis is comfortable and mildly sporty, but I feel like steering input and the stiffness of the suspension is better suited for 18's. Almost as if the engineers intended 18's on this car but had to compromise.
When I take a corner, the suspension compression is quick and stiff but the lateral load/body roll up front is where it loses it. When I turn into a sharp corner I feel the compression of the front suspension sharply but the diameter of the wheel and conservative tire almost gives a feeling of over steer because the wider tires on the back catch the car and help it rotate, but the front just feels sloppy-likes it's just along for the ride.
I think wider 18's would clean that up a bit and make it a bit more fun without any other suspension mods. If anything, fix that turn in by taking the sharpness of the drop off away a bit. Even if the front is still heavy and leaning, 18's will help balance the feedback from the car.
Definitely something I am planning on this summer. 18's with a solid tire like the Conti DWS.
Conti DWS is a softer sidewall so it's a bit more comfortable tire. It's also a solid all season performer. I would highly recommend it. One thing to really consider in larger wheels is that width matters so much. The wider you go the more tram lining you'll have and there's always a compromise with that. I would stay within spec on an 18" upgrade if you want to maintain a good level of comfort (assuming MB has this car with stock 18" options). Maybe mirror the sizes they offer or what the c63 comes with. I'm too new and have to learn about the car myself so I don't know what the size should be.
Driving my C300 with the stock 17s and Contis is comfortable and mildly sporty, but I feel like steering input and the stiffness of the suspension is better suited for 18's. Almost as if the engineers intended 18's on this car but had to compromise.
When I take a corner, the suspension compression is quick and stiff but the lateral load/body roll up front is where it loses it. When I turn into a sharp corner I feel the compression of the front suspension sharply but the diameter of the wheel and conservative tire almost gives a feeling of over steer because the wider tires on the back catch the car and help it rotate, but the front just feels sloppy-likes it's just along for the ride.
I think wider 18's would clean that up a bit and make it a bit more fun without any other suspension mods. If anything, fix that turn in by taking the sharpness of the drop off away a bit. Even if the front is still heavy and leaning, 18's will help balance the feedback from the car.
Definitely something I am planning on this summer. 18's with a solid tire like the Conti DWS.
Last edited by oaybar007; Mar 25, 2014 at 09:45 AM.
