Change wheels/tires for smoother ride, E550??
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Joined: Sep 2014
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MB E550 Cabriolet
Change wheels/tires for smoother ride, E550??
Hi, I've got a 2011 E550 Cabriolet with 18" wheels, 235R45 tires on front, 255R55 on the rear. I've tired of the harsh ride, and am looking for advice.
It appears suspension parts are the same for the E550 and E350 Cab, which leads me to conclude switching to 17" wheels with higher profile tires may make a significant enough difference.
I'd greatly appreciate any advice offered regarding the idea, suggestions for wheel widths and sources, and tire sizes.
TIA.
It appears suspension parts are the same for the E550 and E350 Cab, which leads me to conclude switching to 17" wheels with higher profile tires may make a significant enough difference.
I'd greatly appreciate any advice offered regarding the idea, suggestions for wheel widths and sources, and tire sizes.
TIA.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 13
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2012 e350 coupe
Hi, I've got a 2011 E550 Cabriolet with 18" wheels, 235R45 tires on front, 255R55 on the rear. I've tired of the harsh ride, and am looking for advice.
It appears suspension parts are the same for the E550 and E350 Cab, which leads me to conclude switching to 17" wheels with higher profile tires may make a significant enough difference.
I'd greatly appreciate any advice offered regarding the idea, suggestions for wheel widths and sources, and tire sizes.
TIA.
It appears suspension parts are the same for the E550 and E350 Cab, which leads me to conclude switching to 17" wheels with higher profile tires may make a significant enough difference.
I'd greatly appreciate any advice offered regarding the idea, suggestions for wheel widths and sources, and tire sizes.
TIA.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
MB E550 Cabriolet
Thanks for the reply...I suspect that your solution would go the wrong way for my desire, which is for a more "luxury" ride rather than "sport". My goal is less for the sports car ride I drove for decades and more for softer.
Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 129
Likes: 23
From: Wilton, CT
2013 E350 4Matic Coupe
Take a look at Vredestein Quatrac 5 Grand Touring All-Season Tire
I have a 2013 E350 4matic Coupe that originally came with 18" staggered wheel/tire (8.0 x 18 (45mm), 8.5 x 18 (49mm)) set-up. The OEM tires were MB-specific, Michelin MXM4 Primacy M&S (235/40 R18 91, 235/40 R18 91). The prior owner had recently replaced the front tires but the rear tires were original with approximately 46,000 miles.
I decided that I wanted a non-staggered wheel/tire setup to allow for wheel/tire rotation. I also wanted a smoother ride. I considered going from 18' wheels to 17" wheels but I decided to stay with 18" wheels.
After a great deal of research, I selected Vredestein's Grand Touring All-Season tire, the Quatrac 5, The Tire Rack reviews for this tire were very impressive, including a numbers of reviews from Mercedes 4matic owners. For my setup, I purchased tires in the 235/40 R18 size which was the size of the front tires.
After 4500 miles, I am extremely pleased with these tires the overall smooth ride of these tires, I live in the Northeast US (Connecticut) and these tires work for all seasons.
I used the Tire Rack local installer program and this worked smoothly.
When I replaced the tires and wheels, I also replaced the TPMS sending units. I purchased these genuine MB-logo TPMS units on ebay. They have worked perfectly.
I hope this information helps you with your tire decision.
.
I decided that I wanted a non-staggered wheel/tire setup to allow for wheel/tire rotation. I also wanted a smoother ride. I considered going from 18' wheels to 17" wheels but I decided to stay with 18" wheels.
After a great deal of research, I selected Vredestein's Grand Touring All-Season tire, the Quatrac 5, The Tire Rack reviews for this tire were very impressive, including a numbers of reviews from Mercedes 4matic owners. For my setup, I purchased tires in the 235/40 R18 size which was the size of the front tires.
After 4500 miles, I am extremely pleased with these tires the overall smooth ride of these tires, I live in the Northeast US (Connecticut) and these tires work for all seasons.
I used the Tire Rack local installer program and this worked smoothly.
When I replaced the tires and wheels, I also replaced the TPMS sending units. I purchased these genuine MB-logo TPMS units on ebay. They have worked perfectly.
I hope this information helps you with your tire decision.
.
Last edited by SMG_CT; Aug 18, 2019 at 11:21 AM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2014
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MB E550 Cabriolet
Thanks for the detailed info, SMG CT. I'll look into the Vredsteins. I hadn't thought of switching from offset wheels; I imagine going to 17" would be an even bigger change towards what I'm after...although I'm still not certain the 350 and 550 suspensions are identical.
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 54
Likes: 16
From: Palm Beach Gardens, FL
What you might have missed here in this suggestion was that when he went up from 235 to 245 in front, and from 255 to 265 in the rear, he kept the aspect ratio the same, which means the sidewall heights of the larger tires are also taller, so the result is that he now has a softer ride due to the increased tire diameter/sidewall height to act as a shock absorber for bumps in the road. This would help some, but stepping down to some 17" wheels from an E350 would probably provide you with the biggest ride quality increase, mainly because of the additional sidewall height of the 17's. I hope this helps!
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 10
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MB E550 Cabriolet
Thanks, vrmmm, yes, I didn't notice, and didn't realize the sidewall was taller...thanks for pointing it out. I felt that, as you note, that an even taller sidewall with 17" wheels would get me closer to the soft ride I want.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Last edited by MarkG; Aug 21, 2019 at 08:14 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 468
Likes: 68
From: UK
E250 AMG Sport Convertible
First up, what tyre pressure are you running. The OEM level are on the high side and will make for a firmer ride, so just dropping a couple of PSI may may all the difference for you.
You aren't going to get a huge difference even with smaller wheels with a bigger profile unless you also swap to the SE model springs and shocks. But you may get enough for your needs.
You aren't going to get a huge difference even with smaller wheels with a bigger profile unless you also swap to the SE model springs and shocks. But you may get enough for your needs.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2014
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MB E550 Cabriolet
Thanks for the reply, 400ixl, I've run various pressures with not much noticeable difference. Right now it's factory recommendation. Switching out spring is probably a great idea, but doubt it's cost effective. Maybe it's time to either continue to live with it, or find a new ride.... I do remember driving a couple E350 cabs, and thinking they were more compliant...which goes back to the question whether the suspension bits are the same on the two models.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Hey Mark-
Any progress to report? I have a 2014 E350 Convertible with the factory Sport Package and the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ tires. Rides waaayyyy too firm. Would love to soften things up a bit. Would consider suspension change or drop to 17" wheels/tires, just not sure where to start.
MM
Any progress to report? I have a 2014 E350 Convertible with the factory Sport Package and the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ tires. Rides waaayyyy too firm. Would love to soften things up a bit. Would consider suspension change or drop to 17" wheels/tires, just not sure where to start.
MM
Last edited by nomarkup; Oct 17, 2020 at 06:59 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 356
Likes: 76
From: Elizabethtown Kentucky
2019 E 300 4matic 2013 SLK 250
I just put Michelin Pilot Sport 4 AS on my 2012 E 350 with the sport package and it is a night and day difference! The tires I had were 225/40-18 in the front and 235/40-18 in the rear which the first tire dealer insisted was correct. It wasn’t. When I looked at the sticker in the door jamb it listed the required sizes as 245/40-18 in the front and 265/35-18. I went with the larger sizes and it was a huge difference! The tires are quieter, smoother and don’t break my
teeth when I hit a bump. I originally wanted Michelin Primacy tires but they don’t make them in the right sizes for my car but I’m extremely happy with the Pilot Sports!
BTW the other tires weren’t worn out I just hated them and wanted them off of my
car!
teeth when I hit a bump. I originally wanted Michelin Primacy tires but they don’t make them in the right sizes for my car but I’m extremely happy with the Pilot Sports!
BTW the other tires weren’t worn out I just hated them and wanted them off of my
car!
Last edited by DeutscheBenz726; Oct 18, 2020 at 10:37 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 347
2011 E-350 4Matic Sport
I have a 2013 E350 4matic Coupe that originally came with 18" staggered wheel/tire (8.0 x 18 (45mm), 8.5 x 18 (49mm)) set-up. The OEM tires were MB-specific, Michelin MXM4 Primacy M&S (235/40 R18 91, 235/40 R18 91). The prior owner had recently replaced the front tires but the rear tires were original with approximately 46,000 miles.
I decided that I wanted a non-staggered wheel/tire setup to allow for wheel/tire rotation. I also wanted a smoother ride. I considered going from 18' wheels to 17" wheels but I decided to stay with 18" wheels.
After a great deal of research, I selected Vredestein's Grand Touring All-Season tire, the Quatrac 5, The Tire Rack reviews for this tire were very impressive, including a numbers of reviews from Mercedes 4matic owners. For my setup, I purchased tires in the 235/40 R18 size which was the size of the front tires.
After 4500 miles, I am extremely pleased with these tires the overall smooth ride of these tires, I live in the Northeast US (Connecticut) and these tires work for all seasons.
I used the Tire Rack local installer program and this worked smoothly.
When I replaced the tires and wheels, I also replaced the TPMS sending units. I purchased these genuine MB-logo TPMS units on ebay. They have worked perfectly.
I hope this information helps you with your tire decision.
.
I decided that I wanted a non-staggered wheel/tire setup to allow for wheel/tire rotation. I also wanted a smoother ride. I considered going from 18' wheels to 17" wheels but I decided to stay with 18" wheels.
After a great deal of research, I selected Vredestein's Grand Touring All-Season tire, the Quatrac 5, The Tire Rack reviews for this tire were very impressive, including a numbers of reviews from Mercedes 4matic owners. For my setup, I purchased tires in the 235/40 R18 size which was the size of the front tires.
After 4500 miles, I am extremely pleased with these tires the overall smooth ride of these tires, I live in the Northeast US (Connecticut) and these tires work for all seasons.
I used the Tire Rack local installer program and this worked smoothly.
When I replaced the tires and wheels, I also replaced the TPMS sending units. I purchased these genuine MB-logo TPMS units on ebay. They have worked perfectly.
I hope this information helps you with your tire decision.
.
