E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

Newbie question....19's vs 20's

Old Jan 27, 2008 | 10:36 PM
  #1  
star3's Avatar
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2004 E500
Newbie question....19's vs 20's

Hello,

I was curious as to everyone's insight into putting on 19" wheels vs 20". I'm sure there are differences in performance, gas mileage, and other practical matters that I haven't thought of so I'd love to hear what the members here have to say.

I have airmatic on my car and have read that it may rub the front control arm or some part of the airmatic system (if I put 20's). Can anyone give me a definitive answer on this.

Thanks all!
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Old Jan 27, 2008 | 10:42 PM
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Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
It seems this exact same question is asked every 2 months or so. Try searching the forum and you're bound to find the information you're looking for.

Here is one such thread.

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...ghlight=20%27s
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Old Jan 27, 2008 | 11:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Benz-O-Rama
It seems this exact same question is asked every 2 months or so. Try searching the forum and you're bound to find the information you're looking for.

Here is one such thread.

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...ghlight=20%27s
Thanks benz-o-rama. Would've done more searching before asking but for some reason I can't make the search bar work on my computer.
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Old Jan 28, 2008 | 12:17 AM
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from personally driving experience, 20" always ruins the comfort of a car. this may not apply to SUV as much but certainly the case in these high profile tires. in fact, i feel the same way even going from 18" to 19" in a lesser way. i am extremely happy coming back to 18" now with my stock. i assume you are getting after market wheels and prob want to go bigger than OEM. i would say if comfort is near your priority, get the 19".
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Old Jan 28, 2008 | 02:26 PM
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Originally Posted by trovan
from personally driving experience, 20" always ruins the comfort of a car. this may not apply to SUV as much but certainly the case in these high profile tires. in fact, i feel the same way even going from 18" to 19" in a lesser way. i am extremely happy coming back to 18" now with my stock. i assume you are getting after market wheels and prob want to go bigger than OEM. i would say if comfort is near your priority, get the 19".
Trovan,

You're probably right and I'd have to agree with many members that 19's might be the way to go.

Thanks for the input!
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Old Jan 28, 2008 | 02:56 PM
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It depends on where you live. I went 19s because I live in LA and the roads here are horrible. I just destroyed my front right rim on a pothole last week (large piece missing) I couldn't imagine what it would be like driving around LA with 20s..
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Old Jan 28, 2008 | 03:16 PM
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FWIW...

I've had 19's for over a year now and I think I'm gonna downsize to 18's this Spring for comfort reasons.
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Old Jan 28, 2008 | 06:21 PM
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I think it depends on where you live. I have had 20's and 19's on my e500 and have a hard time telling the difference between the two to be honest with you. The 20's look better IMO so I roll with those, but I also live outside the city, and don't really drive the car on unfamilar roads. Its a toss up, and IMO depends on where you live, and how much you will be driving on them.
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Old Jan 30, 2008 | 12:55 AM
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Good ideas all. I myself think of making this car into as much of a daily driver as possible. However I do want the look of some nice after market wheels so I guess the 19's will be a great way to have the look and some sort of comfort. Guess I'll feel like I'm less prone to damaging the wheels with the smaller diameter.
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Old Jan 31, 2008 | 09:56 PM
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Originally Posted by star3
Hello,

I was curious as to everyone's insight into putting on 19" wheels vs 20". I'm sure there are differences in performance, gas mileage, and other practical matters that I haven't thought of so I'd love to hear what the members here have to say.

I have airmatic on my car and have read that it may rub the front control arm or some part of the airmatic system (if I put 20's). Can anyone give me a definitive answer on this.

Thanks all!
wellcome to MBW
go for 19's
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Old Jan 31, 2008 | 09:57 PM
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Originally Posted by tanktube67
wellcome to MBW
go for 19's
+1
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