rockyfeller

Bought an E350 4matic 4 months ago with the standard machined 16 inchers. Now on the website mbusa seems to have gone with 17" rims for all E-classes. The new silver-painted 17s are nice. I drove by the dealer to check em out and lo and behold most of the E-classes on the lot had the new wheels. I don't think they're dramtically better looking though, just marginally. I have a good feeling that handling is improved too. Being a BMW fan too, I am so used to the handling traits of my 5-series that it leaves a lot to be desired in my new E-class. Any improvement would be welcome.

Do you guys think there is some way to get the old style wheels swapped out for the new ones? Anybody else complain to dealer about this? It's not fair they made a last minute trim change. I bought a 2006 compromising less discounts. I could have bought a 2005 E320/E500 for huge discounts, but bought the E350 thinking it was the latest thing out and now I am stuck with old school 16s.

CE750

I feel your pain.. I bought a E320cdi and E350 with in 3 days with the 16".. there are other trade offs however.. the new cars don't come with a lot of things yours and mine do... one of which is the entry thing with the steering/seat moving, there are others.. but I forget them all.

I am a bit surprised the E came with 16s in the first place.. but I guess unless we want to pay out the big $$ for new ones.. this is as good as it's going to be.

techbike

I think the original thinking was that most drivers of the E350 4Matics will not want the hassle of switching to winter sets of wheels and tires. So a set of 16's with all season tires was a good compromise between comfort and wet/snowdusting handling.

rockyfeller

But it's not just the 4matics that used to have 16s and switched over...all the E350s get em. No fair! You know back in the day BMWs and MBs came with V-rated rubber from the factory. What's up with these wimpy H-rated Continentals? I bet they somehow found some H-rated tires for the new 17s! They lowered the speed limiters in order to do it. But c'mon these are german autobahn cruisers. If it was a Lexus I'd understand. My 5-series was switched from H rated Pirellis to V-rated BFs and what a difference! 17" V rated all seasons would do better than these 16" H-rated Contis.

PCH_4.2

There was a new E350 w/ downtown LA motor plate at my parking garage at work & it had the standard 17" double-spoke rim... at first I thought it was an E500, like mine... even tho. I have the 17" sports wheels. I guess that confirms what you are saying about 17" standard. I take it what I saw today was an '06 model.

The center console is the sliding ones, unlike mine ('04). I like my standard center console though. I don't know how sturdy the '05-06 sliding consoles are.

That E350 didn't have the xenon's (ie. no washer jets) & didn't have LED brake tail-lights. Still lovin' my E500. (That's until I see an E55 AMG on the road or in my parking garage...) haha.

-=PCH=-

HELL ONA HARLEY

Rockyfeller....
If you frequently visit the "classifieds" forum here I'm sure a set will turn-up and possibly with tires too.... I've seen many sets of the 17" sport package rims like mine on my ride for sale here from guys going to larger rims. Might want to check out Ebay too.... Just be sure there the real deal and not chep knock offs.
Good luck.

X72

rockyfeller, there are advantages to the 16 inch rim/tire combo. The 16" rims and tires are much less susceptible to damage when hitting potholes. The higher profile rubber makes the car ride a tad softer. The 16 inch Michelin MXV4 Energy tires or the ContiTouring tires are low rolling resistance tires and lower your fuel consumption.
William
2003 E 320

rockyfeller

I know wheels are available on Ebay etc and there are good deals....It's just that I feel a bit cheated by mbusa....Why should I have to spend additional money when buyers 3 months later are getting it for free? If you read the fine print it always says "features and trim are subject to change without notice" THanks! A lesson I have learned is to be more demanding. I had to wait for my car to come in from Germany and I noticed it arrived with the Contis. I know Michelins are also available but it is luck of the draw I guess. The dealer went through a bit of a fiasco to get the car I wanted and gave me a good discount too so I didn't want to be a jerk about something seemingly minor like the tires. I know quite a bit about tires though and there is quite a world of difference between the Michelins and Contis. I should have demanded a swap. I should be demanding a 17" swap! Am I ready to be a jerk, roll up my sleeves and go to the dealer and ruin someone's day? Maybe I'm just a little irritated and jealous right now and I'll get over this in a week. Forgive me.

Miguk_Saram

rockyfeller,

I felt the same way about the integrated phone option. I had specifically asked my salesman whether there would be alternative phone selections for the "E" prior to ordering my w211. I was told that they had heard nothing about alternative phones, so I ordered mine with the v60.

This was back in May of 2004. In Decemeber of 2004, the new phone options came out.. ..but were only available for 2005+ models!.. -- I felt like stangling my salesman (who knows, someday I might!)..

rockyfeller

Salesman will say ANYTHING to make a sale. They don't want the sale in 2 months, they want it today.....whatever you end up with or miss out on later isn't their problem. They'll always have a BS explanation to squirm by. (I have sales experience too and I can't blame em. That's how the game in played.)