I just bought a 2006 E500 and have 17" wheels. I was thinking of changing them to the 18" AMG wheels. My question is what tires should I put on them and how much should the OEM AMG wheels cost? Also, can I expect the ride to be significantly less comfortable. I currently have a sports car and am looking for a sportier look but don't want to lose comfort. Thanks

 

Is it a 4matic? If so you have to be very careful as changing to 18 may cause problems. If not look at the wheels forum there's a contact at tirerack who can help you find the right combination wheels/tires so you don't rub the wheel wells.

What color did you get and what options? Post some pics!

 

Over 4k new!

 

You can get 18" AMG 5 Spoke 211 for $299 closeout price at TireRack.com which is much cheaper than buying AMG wheels at your local MB Dealer. There's no problem putting 18" wheels on your E500.........the E500 Sport Model comes with 18" wheels.......but you should check with your MB Dealer or other wheels expert to ensure a specific wheel's specs will have the correct fitment for your vehicle. When I decided two years ago to upgrade the 17" OEM wheels on my 2003 E500 to 18", I searched for what wheel I liked best and considered AMG wheels but they were too expensive for me. I went for the 18" wheels used on the 2007 E550which at the time were around $400 each from my MB Dealer. You can also find wheels dealers online such as WheelsAmerica.com who re-manufacture OEM wheels which are cheaper than buying new ones. Regarding the ride difference, the 18" wheels are about as smooth as the 17" wheels (19" & 20" wheels are much harsher) and it also depends upon the tire brand you install on the 18". I got Yokahoma which are very smooth but most folks probably prefer the harder ride from Michelin.

 

Tires - 245/40/18 (F) 265/35/18 (R) or 275/35/18 (R)

E63 wheels are more expensive than E55 wheels, simple supply and demand issue. Used E63 are around $2k-$2.5k and E55 $1k-$1.5K. Check forum classifieds, eBay, Craigslist, etc.

 

Tire Rack says the OEM tire for your car is 245/45-17, which has a diameter of 25.7" Presuming that's true then as long as your new tires stay close to that diameter you should be fine. In particular 245/40-18 front and 275-35-18 rear would be fine.

One of the best sources for AMG wheels is the classified ad section of this forum. Plenty of guys replace their AMG wheels with after market wheels and sell the AMGs for a fraction of the retail price. You can even make a "Wanted to Buy" or WTB post.

Good luck! Have fun!!

 

IMO I found a diminutive difference in feel between my stock 17's and 19's. I figure that's one of the beauties of airmatic suspension! I cannot comment on 20's.

 

if you going to get AMG wheels,, get the 19", they are more rare and look really good..

the type 3 work on CLS, SL and E class,, have offset of
30 and 31 ET,, which work perfectly with
245/35/19 on front.
275/30/19 rear

this is AMG and merc appoved for the car,, as seen on AMG website..


if you go with a higher offset, say more than 34 you will have to use only 265's in back ..

 

Please remember the roads involved when changing to low profile tires due to larger rims,California/Florida: yes, NY/NJ:no This is an experienced person giving sound advice....

 

you can put 20"s on a 4Matic its the width and tire sizes that matter

 

Haha, soooo true, but so sad (for us)

 

+1 on low profile and potholes .. you have to factor in loosing a wheel or two a year!

 

Any interest in a set of Brabus Chrome Monoblock V 18's, staggard setup with Bridgestone Potenza Pole position tires?

 

I BOUGHT THE WHEELS THAT WERE ON SALE FROM TIRE RACK W/ GOODYEAR ASSYMETRICS. THANKS FOR THE INFO

 

yea perhaps if you in NJ would elect a republican governor and mayor who actually gives a S H I T about fixing the roads like we have in CALI
the Goverator,, then you would have better roads?

remember the dems and liberals want to do away with all our gas guzzling
politically incorrect mercedes and have us all ride the bus or subway,
or drive some ricer hybrid POS..

its the big brother future,, brought to you by the democraptic party.
lol

 

obama is going to save us!

 

Lol, wait... why am i laughing? That's exactly what's gonna happen. I'm debating about moving out of the country once I graduate. (not all college students voted for obama).

I hope that was a joke. I don't trust people who talk big.

Things have gotten 10x times worst in the last 3 months than in all of 2008. Looking back, 2008 wasn't that bad compared to how 2009 will play out. The admin just announced the other day how they are cancelling all work visas for people who are here for work and sending them back to their home countries. This is to make jobs supposedly. Wow... these people are professors, engineers, artists, executive, physicits, chemists, etc., these are people you want in your country to teach your people and your sending them back? Oh, another smart move, now charitable donations are not tax deductible. Wow, so you think the CEO's of ExxonMobil, Boeing, GE, etc. are now gonna give money to charity? No. Good job genius. Oh and for you homeowners, they want to make it where you can't use the amount of interest you pay on your home to offset your income when it comes tax time. Every time him or one of his "buddies" (*cough* goons *cough*) say something about their "plan", the market drops over 200 points. It's been minus for over 11 consecutive days. Was it ever minus (especially this much minus a day) for 11 consecutive days when Bush was president? I'm a practical person, honestly. You know what, if things play out the way I'm thinking they will, I honestly will not invest in this country (home, real estate, stocks, bonds, retirement funds, etc).

I'm just waiting for the day the DOW plummets below 5000 and everyone in NYSE starts jumping out of the building. I hope I'm wrong, I hope that never happens, I hope things get better (wow, I guess everyone has gotten used to throwing the hope word around everywhere). Every generation of my family from my great grandparents, to grandparents, to parents have had to leave their countries and never return. I really hope that I don't have to, I love this country too much.

Sorry for throwing the topic off, I just had to vent for a second.