Got Rid of the 20's / New Kicks / Lowered
09-30-2008, 10:04 PM
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Got Rid of the 20's / New Kicks / Lowered
After my 20" Brabus Monoblock VI met a very unfortunate fate after slamming into the curb doing 45+ MPH (see picture), I've replaced them with E55 wheels in flat black. Tell me what you guys think.
R.I.P. (Was once a whole curb)
The car
Glad I made the switch to OEM rims. 20" was way too big for this car.
In case anyone is considering them, here's my experience with AUTHENTIC Brabus 20x9 & 20x10 wheels. Plenty of this has been covered before, but in the couple thousand miles I rode on them, I encountered some things that people didn't mention.
20" Brabus CONS:
- Ridiculous weight; ~35-40 lbs. / wheel compared to ~20 lbs. / wheel for stock wheels affects all sorts of essential things. Since it's unsprung weight, it's very undesireable. Braking, acceleration (Car launches MUCH faster with stock rims vs. the Brabus ones), gas mileage are all affected. The MPG gain/loss isn't tested or proven, but it makes sense that since it takes more energy to rotate the wheel, it will burn more gasoline.
- Wheel damage; The lip on the front two wheels was considerably bent. I'm talking bent to the point where it's unsightly, and it looks wobbly as it's rotating. I'm not offroading in my E500. I thought authentic Brabus wheels wouldn't have this sort of problem with the correct tire sizes, but I was severly wrong.
- Potholes; Possibly the most annoying thing about the wheels was the fact that 1/2 of my attention while driving had to be averted to dodging potholes on the road. When you hit the unavoidable ones (I.E on the freeway & can't change lanes) you feel like you just ran over newborn puppies.
- Expensive Tires; Pretty obvious one here. The larger diameter tires make you dig a little deeper into your pockets
20" Brabus PROS:
- Ride quality; I like how the handling and overall ride feels with the wider/heavier wheels. Less "shaky", much sturdier.
Don't have to worry about potholes anymore. Car performs better. I'm pleased so far with my decision.
I'd never reccomend 20's to anyone on a W211.
P.S. Big thanks to Ralph & Ray @ RB Tech in downtown LA.
R.I.P. (Was once a whole curb)
The car
Glad I made the switch to OEM rims. 20" was way too big for this car.
In case anyone is considering them, here's my experience with AUTHENTIC Brabus 20x9 & 20x10 wheels. Plenty of this has been covered before, but in the couple thousand miles I rode on them, I encountered some things that people didn't mention.
20" Brabus CONS:
- Ridiculous weight; ~35-40 lbs. / wheel compared to ~20 lbs. / wheel for stock wheels affects all sorts of essential things. Since it's unsprung weight, it's very undesireable. Braking, acceleration (Car launches MUCH faster with stock rims vs. the Brabus ones), gas mileage are all affected. The MPG gain/loss isn't tested or proven, but it makes sense that since it takes more energy to rotate the wheel, it will burn more gasoline.
- Wheel damage; The lip on the front two wheels was considerably bent. I'm talking bent to the point where it's unsightly, and it looks wobbly as it's rotating. I'm not offroading in my E500. I thought authentic Brabus wheels wouldn't have this sort of problem with the correct tire sizes, but I was severly wrong.
- Potholes; Possibly the most annoying thing about the wheels was the fact that 1/2 of my attention while driving had to be averted to dodging potholes on the road. When you hit the unavoidable ones (I.E on the freeway & can't change lanes) you feel like you just ran over newborn puppies.
- Expensive Tires; Pretty obvious one here. The larger diameter tires make you dig a little deeper into your pockets
20" Brabus PROS:
- Ride quality; I like how the handling and overall ride feels with the wider/heavier wheels. Less "shaky", much sturdier.
Don't have to worry about potholes anymore. Car performs better. I'm pleased so far with my decision.
I'd never reccomend 20's to anyone on a W211.
P.S. Big thanks to Ralph & Ray @ RB Tech in downtown LA.
Last edited by DWJK; 09-30-2008 at 10:46 PM.
I’m shocked you didn’t bend any of the control arms up front.
10-01-2008, 02:46 PM
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06 E500 sport
Car looks good. I like the wheels.
A couple of suggestions:
1. Lose the Star and replace with a flat badge.
2. Swap the mirrors for the wing style 07+. You already have the trunk finisher
3. check that rear camber. In the one pic, you look positive there.
4. Drive the wheels off it.
A couple of suggestions:
1. Lose the Star and replace with a flat badge.
2. Swap the mirrors for the wing style 07+. You already have the trunk finisher
3. check that rear camber. In the one pic, you look positive there.
4. Drive the wheels off it.
10-01-2008, 02:56 PM
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Potholes; Possibly the most annoying thing about the wheels was the fact that 1/2 of my attention while driving had to be averted to dodging potholes on the road. When you hit the unavoidable ones (I.E on the freeway & can't change lanes) you feel like you just ran over newborn puppies.
- Expensive Tires; Pretty obvious one here. The larger diameter tires make you dig a little deeper into your pockets
- Expensive Tires; Pretty obvious one here. The larger diameter tires make you dig a little deeper into your pockets
10-01-2008, 05:07 PM
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Car looks good. I like the wheels.
A couple of suggestions:
1. Lose the Star and replace with a flat badge.
2. Swap the mirrors for the wing style 07+. You already have the trunk finisher
3. check that rear camber. In the one pic, you look positive there.
4. Drive the wheels off it.
A couple of suggestions:
1. Lose the Star and replace with a flat badge.
2. Swap the mirrors for the wing style 07+. You already have the trunk finisher
3. check that rear camber. In the one pic, you look positive there.
4. Drive the wheels off it.
I always wanted to grab some of those 07 side mirrors. I wasn't aware you could fit them on the pre-07s though. How much do they cost? is it a direct fit?
no insurance either. After the $17,000+ payout on my last collison I don't need my rates to get any higherThanks man. didyou ever get that renntech exhaust?
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10-01-2008, 06:28 PM
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2006 Mercedes Benz E350
10-01-2008, 06:48 PM
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
I think im the last person who actually likes the star lol, & the car's getting aligned tmw.
I always wanted to grab some of those 07 side mirrors. I wasn't aware you could fit them on the pre-07s though. How much do they cost? is it a direct fit?
I actually saved the giant piece for a souvenier of my recklessness. But yes, both control arms & the spindle needed to be replaced. Some bushing too. All-in-all, $2300 mistake no insurance either. After the $17,000+ payout on my last collison I don't need my rates to get any higher
Thanks man. didyou ever get that renntech exhaust?
I always wanted to grab some of those 07 side mirrors. I wasn't aware you could fit them on the pre-07s though. How much do they cost? is it a direct fit?
I actually saved the giant piece for a souvenier of my recklessness. But yes, both control arms & the spindle needed to be replaced. Some bushing too. All-in-all, $2300 mistake
no insurance either. After the $17,000+ payout on my last collison I don't need my rates to get any higherThanks man. didyou ever get that renntech exhaust?
There's also the '07 style headlights if you really wanted the full face lift too.
10-02-2008, 10:57 AM
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07 E350, 03 Lexus ES300, 04 CLK 320 (gone)
wheels look good...
I knew I recognized that garage-2nd pix (RB Tech)...I'm surprised Ray didn't convince you into smoking the front bumper corner lenses
I had a lot of stuff done there....
also have you thought of removing the front lic plate??
I knew I recognized that garage-2nd pix (RB Tech)...I'm surprised Ray didn't convince you into smoking the front bumper corner lenses
I had a lot of stuff done there....
also have you thought of removing the front lic plate??
its like their ashamed of driving a MB non-AMG car 
10-03-2008, 08:56 PM
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Mine came debadged
I was actually going to badge it when I bought it (I'm proud of owning the Car I do), but actually got convinced otherwise by some Forum members and the M-B Tech guy. Now that I'm used to it I'm happy I don't have one
I was actually going to badge it when I bought it (I'm proud of owning the Car I do), but actually got convinced otherwise by some Forum members and the M-B Tech guy. Now that I'm used to it I'm happy I don't have one
