DRBC43AMG

So, I am debating if I should change from my OE 17" monos to 18". I have heard the 18" make the ride much rougher. I don't mind stiffness but jarring would not be too much appreciated. What are your ideas?

jjay911

I have been debating this as well. On the one hand my wheels look like crap so I thought why not just buy the 18s. I think I can even find better deals 18 inch tires. Seems the 17s are kind of expensive.... Wish MOVEN was still in business so I could buy the cheap aftermarket ones. They sold them for like 100 each back a few years ago...

ob1kenobi

I think 18" is not as bad as you think. Cheap Chinese tires will make it bad.
I would use Michelins myself if I go 18's.

DRBC43AMG

+1 for the tyres. My cars only get the best socks and since several years I have been using Michelins exclusively. I have had PZeros but I find they track too much when wearing out becoming even dangerous, as the car becomes very jittery, which the Michelins don't even when on the canvas

FCSmthree

Just mounted my new to me 18in Mono IIs, ride isn't bad at all, on stock springs with smaller pads. I could barely notice how much stiffer it is. IMO, these rims make the car, can't wait to get springs and drop it for a more aggressive stance

DRBC43AMG

Your ride looks so much smaller than that SUV next to you...

JohnnyRock

On a related note, does the offset change if switching to 18's (or 19"s)?! Assume keeping the staggered fitament of 8.5" front and 9.5" rear...?

DRBC43AMG

Sure they do. Check the fitting chart here: http://www.alloywheelsdirect.net/mer...l_fitments.pdf

I recommend that you use these ET figures in making your choice of wheels This will avoid the use of spacers, etc.

JohnnyRock

DRB...

So, if I'm reading this chart correctly, the et does change going from a 17" wheel to 18", albeit slightly.

Can those of you in the know verify the minimum et I would need to clear the AMG brakes with 18x8.5's and 18x9.5's?

Since the chart lists et25 for a 18x8.5, if I have a wheel with et30, would a 5mm spacer give me the necessary offset? (I always get confused by -/+ et's wqhen it comes to offsets!)

DRBC43AMG

You are not the only one.... here's some more reading http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offset_%28wheel%29

Jovsky

When you want to upgrade to 18's this is the factory specification recommended by Mercedes Benz:

225/40 ZR 18 (7.5Jx18 ET37) Front
255/35 ZR 18 (8.5Jx18 ET30) Rear

Saaboteur

Adding spacers will decrease the offset, not increase it. Think of it this way, when you decrease the offset, that will push the face of the wheel out towards the fender, and the opposite is true. The offset measures the distance between the mounting face of the wheel and the imaginary centerline of the wheel.

You can always add spacers do decrease offset, ie making the wheel figment more 'aggressive', bit increasing the offset is not advisable as that would mean machining the mounting surface of the wheel. I mean, I guess it's doable, but one has to be very careful of how much material there is in the wheel itself.

Also, keep in mind that the more aggressive one gets with wheel fitment, and if the suspension is lowered, the more you need to be concerned about wheel and tire clearance with the fender and suspension components. Wheel and tire width is also a concern here, and sometimes even wheel brand and shoulder shape. I had a set of Bridgestones in 215 that were more like 225s in width compared to the 215 Falkens that were mounted on the same wheel previously.

So make sure you do your homework before you spend your hard earned cash on wheels and tires!

JohnnyRock

Thanks jovsky. Those specs look identical to stock specs for 17's, but I plan on going not only bigger diameter-wise, but also 1" wider both front and rear. That's why I need to know if the offset will change by going wider.

COGuy

Dont mean to hijack the thread but does anyone want to helP me locate a site where i can find mono 2 reps ive been searching like a dope fiend for 3 days now. Thanks

JohnnyRock

THREADJACK ALERT! THREADJACK ALERT!

Haha, just kidding. I don't know the names off-hand, but just do a quick search for "wheels" and/or check some of the threads that contain the word, "wheels". You'll find plenty of reference to sites that sell AMG reps. Even check eBay, plenty of rep wheel manufacturers there. I nearly bought a set from a dealer there myself.

COGuy

Lol believe me i have searched about 8 diff forums i have bookmarked on my iphone. Tire rack doesnt have the asa st2s anymore. Ebay is a no go. OeWheels has them. Ut theyre th riveted ones and theyre out of stock. This sucks.