Help needed: 18" or 19"
I am new here. Searched through the forum but didn't seem to find the answer I need.
I have placed order with the dealer but still struggling between 18" star spoke or 19" multi spoke. The dealer said almost 90% of 19" owners get a flat tire and he showed me one with spare tire immediately in his garage. I personally saw some C63s with 19" wheels and the tires are insanely thin. Although I like the 19"s but have concern on their practicality.
Any opinion?
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Considering most guys get 5 - 9,000 KM's out of the rear tires the more ecomonical option would be 18's.
I have 265/35/19 hoosiers mounted on the rear right now with no rubbing. You can put either 30, or 35.. I normally go 35 front and 30 rear.
Most opinions tend to point towards 19". I am seriously considering..........
Opinion from an asphalt offroader (the roads around here are crap):
The 19's do look good and are more classy. Agreed. But that's the only benefit you'll get from them. The 18's are more practical (ride is smoother, less chance of getting a flat etc) and also - arguably - will make you consume less fuel. IMO, the "star" 18's are even prettier and their design is more "unique" (more mercedes-benz).
Furthermore, I wouldn't stay half-way to anything. If you want the car to behave as much as a performance car as it can, you should go for performance package too, not only the rims. But keep in mind that it WILL make the car less practical and give you more headaches.
I just went to track once, but some fellow more experienced drivers say that the 19's are not too suitable for the track, even if logic says they should be (something concearing car stability/drifting).
Strikes me with curiosity the fact that even the dealer, which would be the most interested person in selling you the 19's (since they are more expansive) warned you about the possibility of getting a flat with those wheels. I'm not saying that it happens all the time and I strongly believe that it does only to the ones that do not take much care. But think about it...
The ideal would be if you could drive both (19's and 18's). Just a brief ride would be enough.
good luck!
Last edited by mzporto; Sep 22, 2009 at 10:41 AM.
https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...9-2009-001.jpg First here is a pic of my car when I just had the 19's installed last year, and the second is a link to a picture of my car on race day against some other beasts, just to get a look at the car in competition mode with the 19's, though I will be trying to track the car with my 18's in the next month, so I will give you guys the true feel of the 18 and 19's.
Ken
Sartre once said that "whenever you have a doubt, you've already made a choice". I believe you chose the 19's already, which is great.
I don't really think its that common to get a flat. If so, there would be a recall or something on them. Or you would spot less fortunate C63s with flats around every corner.
It all comes down to whether you take care of the vehicle or not. I had an M3 E46 for happy 50K miles with no flat and only one little issue overall (had to change the driveline bearer at 30K and changed tires at 35K). But that's because I don't abuse the car, reduce speed when in rough roads and avoid potholes at all costs.
My g/f, on the other hand, doesn't give a rats *** about her Audi S3 (although she loves cars). She drives it like she stole it, redlines when cold, flies over potholes and makes the best to choose only the worst pavement. Her car went to the dealer 6 times in 2 years and she already got 3 flat tires (and I had to change 2 by myself...haha). Last month she destroyed her radiator on a curb.
Bottom line: wheels don't make flat tires. Careless (generally speaking!!) owners do. And guns don't kill people either.



Sartre once said that "whenever you have a doubt, you've already made a choice". I believe you chose the 19's already, which is great.
I don't really think its that common to get a flat. If so, there would be a recall or something on them. Or you would spot less fortunate C63s with flats around every corner.
It all comes down to whether you take care of the vehicle or not. I had an M3 E46 for happy 50K miles with no flat and only one little issue overall (had to change the driveline bearer at 30K and changed tires at 35K). But that's because I don't abuse the car, reduce speed when in rough roads and avoid potholes at all costs.
My g/f, on the other hand, doesn't give a rats *** about her Audi S3 (although she loves cars). She drives it like she stole it, redlines when cold, flies over potholes and makes the best to choose only the worst pavement. Her car went to the dealer 6 times in 2 years and she already got 3 flat tires (and I had to change 2 by myself...haha). Last month she destroyed her radiator on a curb.
Bottom line: wheels don't make flat tires. Careless (generally speaking!!) owners do. And guns don't kill people either.
Maybe its due to the brainwash from this forum


