Upsize Wheels
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Mason, OH
1985 380SL and 2011 E350 Diesel
Upsize Wheels
Has anyone personally upsized their stock 16" wheels to 18"? I'm interested in the affect on the ride. I'm fearing the lower profile tires will significantly affect the smoothness of the ride.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3
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From: Atlanta
2005 E320
I've got the same question. I just bought an 05 with stock 16's and dont know if I should do 18 or 19's.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville Florida
209/W210 Estate /W211 modded by MBENZNL
I added P030 AMG 19 Inch Multipiece rims along with a few other OEM items to the Wifes 211..Rides great ...No complaints from the wife
Btw the car is Not lowered
http://www.mbenznl.nl/index.php?opti...id=28&catid=12
Btw the car is Not lowered
http://www.mbenznl.nl/index.php?opti...id=28&catid=12
Junior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 52
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From: Milpitas, CA
2014 E63S
Mark,
First of all, beautiful car. What year model is your vehicle? Also, what size are the tires?
I'm running 19" Carlssen's with Brabus springs. I love my vehicles look and handling, but so far I am unable to find any Brabus (or comprable) shocks to further support my suspension. I bottom out a bit when adding too much passenger weight, so I am thinking of putting the stock springs back in. Trying to find the happy medium between style and functionality.
-Shugl
First of all, beautiful car. What year model is your vehicle? Also, what size are the tires?
I'm running 19" Carlssen's with Brabus springs. I love my vehicles look and handling, but so far I am unable to find any Brabus (or comprable) shocks to further support my suspension. I bottom out a bit when adding too much passenger weight, so I am thinking of putting the stock springs back in. Trying to find the happy medium between style and functionality.
-Shugl
Junior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 22
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From: somewhere in Germany
X218, W169, W451, S205, W415
Handling will be much better with wheels bigger tham 16".
If you prefer smoothness, maby you should take 17" for your car - its a very good compromise.
If smothness ist not the first thing on your priority list.
If you use 18" or bigger you should lower your car a little bit or it will look "unfinished".
19" or 20" will be much more expensive and the risk of defects is higher.
I feel very good with my 18" - but sometimes they are a bit too uncomfortably for me.
regards
Cosinus
If you prefer smoothness, maby you should take 17" for your car - its a very good compromise.
If smothness ist not the first thing on your priority list.
If you use 18" or bigger you should lower your car a little bit or it will look "unfinished".
19" or 20" will be much more expensive and the risk of defects is higher.
I feel very good with my 18" - but sometimes they are a bit too uncomfortably for me.
regards
Cosinus
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 947
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From: NYC
18 E63s Wagon 15 GL63 (sold), 10 Turbo TT MT, A36 Bonanza, 20 JLU Rubicon
I put staggered CLS AMG 18s on...
in the end.. I felt that the car was "over tired" ... and I had airmatic suspension...
the CLS wheels were 8.5 in wide front and 9.5 rear ... plus I had 6 blowouts from pot holes...
I wouldn't go bigger than 18s ...
in the end.. I felt that the car was "over tired" ... and I had airmatic suspension...
the CLS wheels were 8.5 in wide front and 9.5 rear ... plus I had 6 blowouts from pot holes...
I wouldn't go bigger than 18s ...
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 27
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From: Mason, OH
1985 380SL and 2011 E350 Diesel
Stopped by the dealer on Saturday. Asked sales person his opinion. He talked me out of 18", notwithstanding the new E-class has 18". Sales person said tire life would be very low, and as CYCLRDER noted, sales person said his clients had blowouts. One client had wheels break after hitting potholes, and so mad he sold his MB, and said he'd never buy another. I like the 17" compromise. I'm now researching models. I don't drive car in winter so I can see any potholes.
Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 213
Likes: 4
From: SF Bay Area
2015 GLK 250 BT
Have 18" before and after lowered. Honestly 18" wheels with stock suspension had hardly changed the ride, just slightly firmer and way better turn in response (due to shorter sidewalls). Very nice ride and look with 18".
18" modified with Bilstein PSS9 shocks/struts - lowered 1", have a significant change. Much firmer rider and very responsive. Able to take cloverleaf entrance/exit ramps at 2x speed. Nice. Notably stiff ride that I wanted.
18" modified with Bilstein PSS9 shocks/struts - lowered 1", have a significant change. Much firmer rider and very responsive. Able to take cloverleaf entrance/exit ramps at 2x speed. Nice. Notably stiff ride that I wanted.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,189
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From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
Also, you'll get tire flatspotting if car sits for a long period.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 27
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From: Mason, OH
1985 380SL and 2011 E350 Diesel
What tire life are you folks getting? Any recommendations on wheel manufacturer? I'm leaning toward 17" chrome. I'm concerned TPS won't work properly with other than MB wheels.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,690
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From: Irvine, CA
2008 E550, 2012 GL450, 2014 GLK350, 2015 S550, 2020 GLC350e
I doubt I'm going to get more than 15k out of a set of tires .. maybe 20k .. OEM Conti's and now I'm running and plan to keep running Michelin PS2's.
E550 just has a lot of power and I consider myself a spirited driver.
E550 just has a lot of power and I consider myself a spirited driver.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Mason, OH
1985 380SL and 2011 E350 Diesel
I went to two different dealers and ask salespersons their opinion. They all said to stick with 16" or 17" at the max. They knew of pot hole issue and tread life.
