Tire upgrade…specific question
08-14-2013, 01:40 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Tire upgrade…specific question
I know there's plenty of tire threads around, but I have a kind of specific request.
Has anyone gone from 17" staggered Continental Pro Contact (oem tires with oem sizes), to staggered Continental DWS 18" specifically (18" oem tires and sizes)?
What I'm looking for is the difference it made in ride quality. I realize going from Pro Contact directly to DWS, with everything else being equal (keeping same 17" wheels and just switching tires), that an expected increase in comfort/smooth quiet ride should happen based off of what I have read in many other threads and tire rack.
BUT, I've always read that when going from 17" to 18", the ride gets rougher. So there's kind of two variables happening at the same time:
1. increasing tire rim size = rougher ride
2. DWS smoother than Pro Contact
Does one outweigh the other basically? I want the ride to be quieter than it is now (stock 17"). My best bet obviously would be to go straight to 17" DWS's, but I kind of want 18" wheels if I'm already going through the trouble of changing tires.
Will 18" DWS's still be smoother and quieter than 17" Pro Contacts, even with the increased size in tire/rims?
Has anyone gone from 17" staggered Continental Pro Contact (oem tires with oem sizes), to staggered Continental DWS 18" specifically (18" oem tires and sizes)?
What I'm looking for is the difference it made in ride quality. I realize going from Pro Contact directly to DWS, with everything else being equal (keeping same 17" wheels and just switching tires), that an expected increase in comfort/smooth quiet ride should happen based off of what I have read in many other threads and tire rack.
BUT, I've always read that when going from 17" to 18", the ride gets rougher. So there's kind of two variables happening at the same time:
1. increasing tire rim size = rougher ride
2. DWS smoother than Pro Contact
Does one outweigh the other basically? I want the ride to be quieter than it is now (stock 17"). My best bet obviously would be to go straight to 17" DWS's, but I kind of want 18" wheels if I'm already going through the trouble of changing tires.
Will 18" DWS's still be smoother and quieter than 17" Pro Contacts, even with the increased size in tire/rims?
Last edited by djejglk; 08-14-2013 at 01:43 PM.
08-14-2013, 02:01 PM
#2
Senior Member
Thread Starter
So, looking on tire rack, and option I didn't think of might be….
front 225/45/ r18 rear 255/40/ r18
With this setup, the diamter is only 1" larger, and it brings the sidewall measurement to the same thickness as the oem 17" tires. I'm assuming sidewall thickness plays a major roll in comfort difference between 17 and 18" tires.
front 225/45/ r18 rear 255/40/ r18
With this setup, the diamter is only 1" larger, and it brings the sidewall measurement to the same thickness as the oem 17" tires. I'm assuming sidewall thickness plays a major roll in comfort difference between 17 and 18" tires.
08-14-2013, 02:06 PM
#3
Super Member
I have never had my C350 on 17" wheels, but I ran (and am currently on for 4 more weeks) 18" Stock AMG sport rims with Pirelli P-Zero Nero tires, sizes are
255/35R18 Rear
225/40R18 Front
I find the ride enjoyable. No complaints here.
As for IMPROVING youre quality of ride, I have no idea what to say.
That's just my two cents.
255/35R18 Rear
225/40R18 Front
I find the ride enjoyable. No complaints here.
As for IMPROVING youre quality of ride, I have no idea what to say.
That's just my two cents.
08-14-2013, 02:49 PM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I have never had my C350 on 17" wheels, but I ran (and am currently on for 4 more weeks) 18" Stock AMG sport rims with Pirelli P-Zero Nero tires, sizes are
255/35R18 Rear
225/40R18 Front
I find the ride enjoyable. No complaints here.
As for IMPROVING youre quality of ride, I have no idea what to say.
That's just my two cents.
255/35R18 Rear
225/40R18 Front
I find the ride enjoyable. No complaints here.
As for IMPROVING youre quality of ride, I have no idea what to say.
That's just my two cents.
08-14-2013, 04:34 PM
#5
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Location: Northern Virginia
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2012 C300 4Matic Sport Palladium Silver
I asked a similar question not long ago. The general consensus was there wouldn't be much of a difference. I think 18" DSWs would give a nicer ride than the crap 17" Conti Pro Contacts. I plan on doing the same set up as you, maybe next Spring. If you make the change let me know how it goes.
