Wildbill

I just replaced my stock 16 inch wheel on my 2001 CLK320 with the stock 17 inch 5-spoke 2001 CLK430 wheels. The 17 inch wheels are staggered and wider too.

The first thing I noticed is that the interior noise is louder. But most noticeable is when I am breaking to a stop, there is a loud revving noise. It dies down as I come to a complete stop. There is no vibration on the steering wheel, but just a loud revving noise when stopping.

With the smaller 16 inch stock wheels, there is no interior noise at all or the revving noise when coming to a stop.

Is this normal for larger and wider wheels?

Or is this a problem with balance?

Has anyone made this wheel change and experience the same thing?

I am trying to decide if i should get the wheels checked.


Thanks

RAMourelatos

When upgrading wheels it is not the wheel that is the source of the noise rather the tires are yo blame. I really depends on the manufacture and tread pattern of the tire. I just put Bridgestone potenza pole positions on my car and decreased the noise significantly over stock. Hope this helps.

Wildbill

That is interesting.

Would the noise lessen over time as tires are broken in?

RAMourelatos

yes, its strange but as the tread deteriorates the noise inside the car will increase. It just like those rediculously loud tires on the lifted trucks. Thats why I always research a tires road noise before buying them because some incredible performance tires are extremely loud and annoying. I'd suggest just spending a couple extra dollars next time you shop for tires and buy quiet tires. My 205/55 16 Bridgestones grip like a performance tire but are quiet like a soft tire. But that quality comes at about 140 per tire.

Wildbill

The tires that I have on now are Z rated tires.

If this is the cause of the louder noise then I am O.K. with it, as long as it is not because of problem with tire balance.

OPALW208

what brand of tire are you using?

Wildbill

Continental. The stock tires.

RAMourelatos

FYI the stock Continentals are actually pretty poor quality for a z rated tire. I dont plan on buying continentals anymore.

CurYousGee

I have 19's the front 2 are falken 452 and the rear are Good year F1 Gsd3, and when i brake, it does howl a little, and they are all new tires.

da_guitarist

cheap tires make lots of noise. I had 19's w/ toyos and no problems and i put some wider nankang tires on the back and its much noiser. wider = louder, and tire quality makes a difference too.

velvet fog

It's all about the tread pattern. The stock Contis on the CLK were really loud and pretty poor in the rain (they are summer tires). I went with Toyo T-1Rs on 18" Mandrus Milleniums and they are much quieter and superior in wet weather, which we have lots of up here in the Seattle area.