17 or 18 inch wheels?
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Newbie
Joined: Nov 2016
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BMW 428i Coupe 2014, BMW 320i E30 1989
17 or 18 inch wheels?
I currently drive a BMW 428i, but I am considering replacing it with a W205.
On my BMW I have 19 inch wheels with 255/35R19 front and 265/35R19 rear. The lack of comfort with these 19 inch wheels is so bad I can’t really decide whether to go for 17 or 18 inch wheels on a W205.
The big problem is of course the road quality in my local area, which is quite bad.
I really like the look of the 18 inch, but I am afraid that these will not be comfortable enough.
The car will also have airmatic, which will undoubtedly have an influence on the overall comfort.
I have seen a lot of discussion regarding 18 vs. 19, but not much about the 17 inch.
As the selection of vehicles I can test drive in my area is quite sparse, I hope you guys are willing to share your experience and opinions in this matter.
On my BMW I have 19 inch wheels with 255/35R19 front and 265/35R19 rear. The lack of comfort with these 19 inch wheels is so bad I can’t really decide whether to go for 17 or 18 inch wheels on a W205.
The big problem is of course the road quality in my local area, which is quite bad.
I really like the look of the 18 inch, but I am afraid that these will not be comfortable enough.
The car will also have airmatic, which will undoubtedly have an influence on the overall comfort.
I have seen a lot of discussion regarding 18 vs. 19, but not much about the 17 inch.
As the selection of vehicles I can test drive in my area is quite sparse, I hope you guys are willing to share your experience and opinions in this matter.
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2016 C300
If the aesthetics of the 17" don't bother you, I'd stay on 17". My first experience with a 205 was a base service loaner on 17" and a steel suspension which rode beautifully. I ended up ordering a Sport with 18" but went with AirMatic thinking it might buy me enough compliance to go to 19" (which is by far the best looking size...see above). My car rides fine (also swapped out the relatively stiff run flats for Michelin Pilot Super Sports), probably not much different to the 17" with the suspension set to Comfort, but I wouldn't go to 19"
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From: Whitefield, NH
2015 C300 Sport: Palladium, Premium, Multimedia, Leather, BLIS
Airmatic should help tame the ride, regardless of which size tire you go with. Generally, of course, the lower profile the tire is, the less compliance it will have.
As always, your best bet is to test drive the configurations you are considering before you place your order.
As always, your best bet is to test drive the configurations you are considering before you place your order.
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From: Mass
2026 GLE 53 Coupe
I've owned both sets of Mercedes Benz AMG wheels, 18" and 19" with the stock runflat tires (2015 C300 standard suspension and my current 2016 C450), and I can definitely say that the 18" wheels do feel smoother over the bumps than the 19" wheels, but they are not as tight in the curves than the 19" wheels.
I can't even imagine how squirrely the ride must be at speed in the curves with 17" wheels.
I can't even imagine how squirrely the ride must be at speed in the curves with 17" wheels.
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Joined: Feb 2009
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From: North NJ
C300 4Matic, BMW Z4, BMW 428i xDrive, Lamborghini Gallardo
I recently picked up a 2016 C300. I opted for the 17" wheels for exactly the same reason you mention. My new commute is 70 miles round trip and there are some serious $h!t roads. I bent the 19" wheels on my BMW 3 times. Luckily I had wheel and tire insurance for them, but still a major PITA. I have two other cars for the "fun" factor so it was a no brainer for me to go with 17".
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2016 C300
Originally Posted by MASSC450
I've owned both sets of Mercedes Benz AMG wheels, 18" and 19" with the stock runflat tires (2015 C300 standard suspension and my current 2016 C450), and I can definitely say that the 18" wheels do feel smoother over the bumps than the 19" wheels, but they are not as tight in the curves than the 19" wheels.
I can't even imagine how squirrely the ride must be at speed in the curves with 17" wheels.
I can't even imagine how squirrely the ride must be at speed in the curves with 17" wheels.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Mass
2026 GLE 53 Coupe
You'll definitely give up some tightness in the handling on 17". Handling isn't an overriding priority for every driver. If they view their 205 as a sport sedan, they'll sacrifice comfort for handling. If they just want a compact luxury sedan, they'll give up a little better handling without much hesitation.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
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2016 C300
Yeah that's exactly what I did. 18" and AirMatic. I'd love a set of 19's but on the 205 to keep the rolling diameter consistent with the 17 and 18 the sidewalls on the 19's are really short and I think that stiffens them up too much (for me anyway).
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Mercedes-Benz C300 (2016), Mercedes-Benz GLC300 (2017)
Mike5215 helped me this week with replacing tires on my 2016 C300 Sport from the original 18" Continental RFs over to Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ tires (not run-flats). My front passenger run-flat blew on Saturday at just under 15,000 miles.
I have only drive the car for ~15 miles so far with the Pilot Sports, but I will say I was AMAZED by the improvement in comfort and noise.
I have only drive the car for ~15 miles so far with the Pilot Sports, but I will say I was AMAZED by the improvement in comfort and noise.
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Joined: Nov 2016
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BMW 428i Coupe 2014, BMW 320i E30 1989
Thanks for all the help, it seems though that a test drive is a must.
I am pretty sure I cannot test drive a 205 with airmatic in my region, but if I can test drive one with 18 inch wheels I should be able to extrapolate the experience.
As my dad drives a W212 facelift with airmatic I am already familiar with this differences airmatic brings to the equation.
I am pretty sure I cannot test drive a 205 with airmatic in my region, but if I can test drive one with 18 inch wheels I should be able to extrapolate the experience.
As my dad drives a W212 facelift with airmatic I am already familiar with this differences airmatic brings to the equation.
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
C350e with Comand, Vision Package and seat package, 2017 Mini Cooper S 7
Just ordered a C350e in Australia and it comes standard with AMG 19" wheels with Airmatic.
I can't imagine MB would use this combination for a "standard" sedan unless they were confident about the ride quality. (I guess I will find out!)
I can't imagine MB would use this combination for a "standard" sedan unless they were confident about the ride quality. (I guess I will find out!)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,653
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2016 C300
Air definitely helps, but I drove pretty much every permutation of wheel size/suspension variant and I was stunned at what MB thinks passes for a luxury sedan ride. For better or worse the C is no softee, unlike all of my previous MBs.
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 240
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2013 BMW 328i
I'm currently driving a 328 with 18s and sport suspension. Switching to summer sport tired from rft made a huge difference. I'd guess with automatic you'll be fine on 18s or 19s and if that'd not smooth enough you can swap to non runflats. I've test driven a c450 with 19s and it's adjustable AMG suspension and I felt they were more comfortable than my BMW personally
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2020
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2017 C300 Base model
I like to recommend these tires, if you want to drive on clouds.I got them month ago. I hear or feel nothing on the road. I got 17" wheels on my 2017 c300.
https://continentaltire.com/tires/surecontact-rx
https://continentaltire.com/tires/surecontact-rx
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2021
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C class 220 bluetec w205
Hummmm can never go wrong with continental!
I still have some kms on my tires, currently Pirelli p7 cinturato; I've been looking around amongst Michelin, Continental, Pirelli and Bridgestone. Sometimes there are promotions here and there on them.. Still not sure if the price difference is worth going for Michelin.
take care bro
I still have some kms on my tires, currently Pirelli p7 cinturato; I've been looking around amongst Michelin, Continental, Pirelli and Bridgestone. Sometimes there are promotions here and there on them.. Still not sure if the price difference is worth going for Michelin.
take care bro
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,197
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From: USA
18 G550, 24 EQB3504M
I have a C350e with standard airmatic and the ride is overall nice and floaty. The air suspension really smoothes out big bumps but small road imperfections / road line markers / etc. are still pronounced. I assume a combination of thin sidewalls and stiff RFT sidewalls.
Airmatic definitely helps thought. For the last service I got a 2021 C300 with what I assume is the Avantgarde suspension? (non AMG line car with the standard 18s) and it was noticeably firmer (not harsh just firmer).
Once the tires need replacement I plan on swapping with 17s and Michelin PS4Ss and get as much comfort out of the 205 in Comfort mode while still enjoying it in Sport mode from time to time.
Airmatic definitely helps thought. For the last service I got a 2021 C300 with what I assume is the Avantgarde suspension? (non AMG line car with the standard 18s) and it was noticeably firmer (not harsh just firmer).
Once the tires need replacement I plan on swapping with 17s and Michelin PS4Ss and get as much comfort out of the 205 in Comfort mode while still enjoying it in Sport mode from time to time.
