Flow Formed Vs Cast Options: Opinions Wanted




I have 2009 C350 with 17" wheels. My biggest concern is durability and ride quality.
I'm grappling with two challenges.
1. Find an 18" Wheel "Comparable" to 19" In Terms of Looks.
I know there's certain styles that can only be pulled off with a 19" which is not easy to find at least for me.
2. Good Construction With Cast Or Flow Formed.
I'm reading some horror stories.

a. Wheels requiring lots of weight to balance
b. Wheels cracking
I presume this is more an issue at 19"+
Here in Los Angeles, we have some serious potholes and bad road sections. Last thing I want is a bent rim.
Q 1. I presume 18" wheels with a 45 offset would have enough sidewall?
Q 2. Thoughts Or Suggestions? I would be appreciate your input.
I'm looking at two wheels (Both Machined) which does not offer much info.
MRR HR9:
TSW Chicane.
MY taste in wheels gets better later in this thread.
Read on...
Last edited by Nicholi2007; Aug 19, 2020 at 12:56 PM.




I saw my wheel in 18" on another c300 on forums here I think and man, I am so happy I went with 19's. 18's practically look stock, too small to make a 'pop'.
I think the bottoms are too basic




I saw my wheel in 18" on another c300 on forums here I think and man, I am so happy I went with 19's. 18's practically look stock, too small to make a 'pop'.
I think the bottoms are too basic




Their response:
- Cast 18x8.5 hr09 is about 28.5lb each wheel retail about 1,030.00 a set
- Flow Forged FS01 18x8.5 21.5 lb each wheel retail about 1,900.00 a set




I can post pics later, didn't see that message.
Or just look @300konig on instagram




I can post pics later, didn't see that message.
Or just look @300konig on instagram
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I saw my wheel in 18" on another c300 on forums here I think and man, I am so happy I went with 19's. 18's practically look stock, too small to make a 'pop'.
I think the bottoms are too basic
The Best of Mercedes & AMG




No way cast wheels will hold up on these L.A. roads. Granted some cast wheels are better than others...
What offset are you running?




Roads are crap here too, but they haven't bent and I've hit some bad spots for sure...
+42, +50 if I remember correctly




In 3 years, I'll be moving to W205. I want to transition these new wheels from W204 to W205.
I want something fairly strong as I think the roads will worsen due the pandemic and years after.
So I figure this is a good investment for peace of mind.
W204
w204 C350/300 17" Configuration
Front 7.5 x 17 ET 47 / 225/45 R17
Rear 8.5 x 17 ET 58 / 245/40 R17
W205
w205 R19 Configuration
Front 7.5 x 19 ET 44 / 225/40 R19
Rear 8.5 x 19 ET 56.5 / 245/35 R19
One dealer said I could run 19x8.5 +40 19x9.5 +46 to transition to W204 to W205.
I should probably start a new thread and gather opinions.
Last edited by Nicholi2007; Sep 6, 2020 at 12:36 AM.









These L.A. Roads are going to go to hell.
The city is in the red. if things get bad enough, I bet they stop patching potholes. I'd feel a lot better with forged.....
Plus I don't think I wouldn't get tired of these wheels anytime soon. 8 to 10 week build time....
Last edited by Nicholi2007; Aug 19, 2020 at 06:11 PM.




I'll update when I have decided. Very confused at the moment...
20" BD-F18s
20" BD-F18s
20" BD-F18s
Really tough to find mid range flow forged. Everything I've seen so far is $1,700 to 2,000.
Last edited by Nicholi2007; Aug 21, 2020 at 11:04 AM.




19 x 8.5 40 offset - Front
19 x 9.5 42 offset - Rear
Tires: 235/35/19 in front and 255/30/19 in the rears.
What do you think?




I'm surprised no one has been on the forums lately




I pulled the trigger. I just hope this does not leave me with too thin a sidewall.
I'll move to the W205 when we near the end of this recession.
I'll update with pics once it's all mounted..,,












