ManiacGT

So I've been looking at the w205 estate with the 18 inch 5 star wheels. a) due to them being easy to clean, looking nice and offering possibly a touch more comfort over the 19s. However I see a lot of people going for the 19s (the kart wheel style) and they do look nice, albeit likely hard to clean. My question is, do they make the ride harder, is there more a risk of cracking, do they ride louder than the 18s?

While I want a stylish car, I also want quiet, comfort and luxury in this one as I have another car to drive quickly and look the part.

notabenex

Before my order, I tried W205 on 19 AMG, and also on 17 winter which was MUCH better comfort, so I have ordered airmatic + 18 5 spoke AMG and I am planning changing runflat tires to normal ones as soon as I get the car

bensales

I test drove both 18 and 19. No perceptible difference in ride quality, but I thought the 19in wheels were noisier. I also though the 19in multi-spoke ones looked lousy. Shame they don't do the 5 spoke in 19 or 20.

Rone803

Is it possible to get the 5-spoke upgrade with the sport package? The online configuration only allows the 19s.

Raido31

I think this varies by region. In US you can

Rone803

Thank you

ManiacGT

I appreciate the feedback. I keep looking at the 19s thinking they'll suit the car better for me in looks, but tyre prices are a lot more and given your comment about noise, I think I'll go with the 18s as while I think they look a touch small, they're not that small and should improve the ride a bit and if they lower noise too then thats a bonus as while I want this car to look nice I want less running costs, less noise more comfort and luxury than I have now with my BMW which has large wheels, that have suffered cracks, look amazing but cost the earth to tyre.

bensales

The 18in ones are awesomely easy to clean as well. A medium sized Wheel Woolie can get right in and do the entire wheel.

And you're right about the looks. I've got 20in wheels on my Jaguar, because it needs that size to fill the arches otherwise it looks odd, so I was initially wary about going for 'only' 18in ones on the C. But Mercedes seem to design their cars so they look good without stupidly big wheels.

Still awkward in some London carparks though, which seem intentionally designed to wreck your wheels.

Mr Enigma

I was slightly concerned about this too but I checked the differences in price and they a full set would be circa £150 more compared to the 18s (runflats, most expensive set at camskills for each size). Assuming this would be spread over 3+ years for the amount of miles I will be doing I came to the conclusion that this wasn't a factor in my decision.

I hope that helps you make the best decision (be it 18 or 19 inch rims) for you too.

ManiacGT

Thanks. I think I'll stick with the 18s for peace of mind. This car will be a daily driver and I need max peace of mind. I have another car for no compromise looks.

socal400

Go with the 19", the ride seriously is not that bad, only issue would be the up-charge for tires and the added time in cleaning...

ManiacGT

Someone said road noise though is worse and I want quiet!

ManiacGT

So the car is ordered and I went with 18" wheels. Roads are bad in the UK and before I confirmed the order I test drove an AMG line car with 19" and the ride was uncomfortably firm. Hopefully with 18" and airmatic the ride should be fine.

bensales

So... everyone is dying to know...

what colour did you order? :-)

ManiacGT

I went with the Brilliant Blue!

bensales

Good call. I look forward to seeing the pictures.

Ed99

19 will definitely look better than 18 's and comfort depends on what size tire and side wall you go for.

socal400

19"s were the way to go...

ManiacGT

I assume you say this for looks only? So you'd be happy that Run flat 19s in AMG suspension were hard and crashy?


There is no choice of tyre size or sidewall and I'm not about to instantly re tyre the whole car that's silly.

I drive cars more than look at them and a better ride wins Over looks.

socal400

I give it two months...

ManiacGT

Before I regret it? I'd regret a harsh every day ride more... Because I already have that in my BMW!

Sportstick

I think you've made the right decision for you, and by the way, for me too. Our E350 came with 18" wheels as part of the Sport package, and we took it back to 17"s purely for ride harshness. More enjoyment and no regrets and there are also lots of folks at W211 who champion large wheels! The only redeeming value of a larger wheel is visual, and if that is not the same personal priority as ride quality, the value disappears. There are clear steps in ride comfort from 17 to 18 to 19 and even to 20! There may be a small benefit in steering from a shorter sidewall, but that can be dealt with by better tires. Those who claim they don't feel the ride harshness deterioration from larger wheels may be enjoying the visual so much that they have talked themselves out of caring or noticing. But the physics of higher rotating mass for the car to accelerate and brake, and for the suspension to swing up and down, with less tire sidewall to mitigate impact harshness, are quite real. In my prior work experience, designers love large wheels. Engineers don't.