Please provide your advice...
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Maryland
03 Eclass, 03 BMW 06 Porsche Cayman S, 03 Harley Davidson "bored & stroked"
Please provide your advice...
I need new tires so i'm considering changing to some new wheels too. My 2003 has 16" so i'm considering 17 or 18 inch wheels, but i dont want a stiff or hard ride. How is the ride with the larger wheels??
What size wheels do you recommend?? thanks!
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
You will notice the firmer ride when you go from 16s to 18s. The difference between 16s & 17s is not noticeable (IMO, as I had 17s on an 04 & have 18s on an 07). Of course, that takes how the wheel & tire combo looks to you on the car, out of the equation. Some guys want a certain agressive "look" on the car & live with the harsher ride... others want a "Stock Look", others want a very luxurious, softer ride.
If you live in an area with pot holed, lousy maintained roads, (as in NYC Roads) 18s are always more succeptible to road hazard damage than 17's which are more suceptable than the 16s. The "taller" the tire sidewall, the softer the ride, and the more forgiveness to wheel damage if you hit a road hazard. Back in '04 I wanted the 17's on the car rather than the stock 16s. This time I wanted to try the Sport Package which came with staggered 18's. They are noisier, harder, and can't be rotated due to the different sizes, but they're ok for me (depending on what kind of tire life I will get out of these Michellins)... and I love the wheel design.
If you live in an area with pot holed, lousy maintained roads, (as in NYC Roads) 18s are always more succeptible to road hazard damage than 17's which are more suceptable than the 16s. The "taller" the tire sidewall, the softer the ride, and the more forgiveness to wheel damage if you hit a road hazard. Back in '04 I wanted the 17's on the car rather than the stock 16s. This time I wanted to try the Sport Package which came with staggered 18's. They are noisier, harder, and can't be rotated due to the different sizes, but they're ok for me (depending on what kind of tire life I will get out of these Michellins)... and I love the wheel design.
Last edited by Barry45RPM; Dec 3, 2007 at 01:05 PM.
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From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
FWIW...
My summer wheels are 19's (See signature) and next summer I think I'm gonna go with 18's. The 19's were just beating me up too much for a daily driver.
My summer wheels are 19's (See signature) and next summer I think I'm gonna go with 18's. The 19's were just beating me up too much for a daily driver.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 308
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From: Maryland
03 Eclass, 03 BMW 06 Porsche Cayman S, 03 Harley Davidson "bored & stroked"
Thanks folks, sounds like the 17s may be the safe bet, but i'm finding a larger variety of wheels in 18" sizes, guess i'll keep looking...
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Newark,NJ
2010 Charcoal Grey E350 Coupe
Davel,the 17's are a safe bet,it's a happy medium between the stock 16's,and the aftermarket 18's. Like Barry pointed out,if you put the larger rims on,just attach some more lights on your hood,so you can jump over those moonlike craters in NY,and NJ..... 
