I am thinking about getting new tires/wheels for my 97 E420. I currently have the stock 215 tires with 16" wheels. I want to go up to a 235/45 tire with 17" wheels . Not sure if this upgrade will make a huge difference in ride quality or just a slight difference.

Feedback appreciated.

 

17's will not make a big difference in the ride quality. Your ride will become a bit more responsive having a larger wheel and lower profile tire and that's a good thing...What type of outcome are you looking for?

 

Thanks for the reply.

My main reason for the upgrade is for looks but I would like the car to handle turns a little better too.

I was looking at the AMG aero monoblock II's and Yokohamas AVS dB S2 for tires. But that won't be till the spring since the winter over here in the Boston area is brutal. Already bought Dunlop Winter Sport M2 tires for the winter months.

Don't you have 18" wheels on your 420 along with many other mods? You must have really felt a difference going from the stock 16" wheels to 18".

T

 

Wrong, Jimmy has 19" and a completely diff. suspension system - big, big difference.

When I moved from 16" to 17" there wasn't all that much of a difference - in handling or ride. Cornering was noticeably much better when I went to 18" with 8" wide fronts and 9" rears (standard AMG) but ride still felt very "floaty". If you are going to spend some hard earned $$$$, go 18" with wider widths (say 8.5" all round) for better handling and looks, although some lowering would be even better. Benz may still have a set of very new replica Mono style II's for sale. Hope this helps.

 

19's baby! I love my 19's, they are perfect for the car. I agree with Whitey, if you want more aggressive handling you need to go with 18's or 19's, IMO of course. Staggered set up is also a great option for awesome handling but since I put the 19's on the car with full suspension and camber arms, wow what a difference. Good luck...

 

OK, I know you love your camber rods but stop making us want to spend more money man! You're bad, just like Mike, Alex, Stemags, HANK!, Turbo Tuner etc.....:p

 

Look who's talking, "I just bought a new set of wheels last week, I didn't like them so I bought another new set this week," lmao. Who's spending the cash along with us, brotha?!

Sorry, off-topic...

 

errrr..... as a matter of fact, I curbed a rim last weekend AGAIN!!!!.... but repair was possible this time since the lip is real chrome plating (but still never the same again.........) Grrrr, I haven't stopped spending money ever since I joined this darn forum :o ......but I love it anyways, hee, hee.

 

 

Thanks for the input guys.

I am still leaning towards the 17's just because it will cost me the least amount of money and get me the look that I want. But, I still have a few months to think about it and save some $$.

Also, I have another question. If I go with 235/45 tires in the front, should I stick with the same size for the rear or go up to like 255/40?

T

 

Tomp my friend, what width rims are we talking about?

Wider rears would definitely give you better handling and maybe better fender alignment but loss in pick up. Anything less than 8.5" width may not be too appropriate for a 255 but tell me what it is so I can give you a max tire width with a matching wall height.....

 

Tomp, I would highly recommend going with the 18" setup. I just had a pair of 18x8 monoblock replicas installed on my E300. The rims I got the best price from www.Bekkers.com when I called it in to order. I was expecting the ride to be soo much stiffer. IT is just slightly firmer, more stable and more comfortable on the highway. Forget the 17's if your're worried about ride quality. 18's are the way to go. Not to mention the head turning I get now....

The Continental's I bought from TireRack are SWEET! They are actually quieter than the OEM Michelin 16's that I just had. Aggressive tread, virtually identical rolling diamter. Can't get better. And the price was really nice. They are the Continental ContiExtreme 235/40/18. GOOD LUCK!