dlakeman55

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.

kennyboy404

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.

MARK CUMMINS

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

Shugl

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

sunny_j

i went from 16s to 20s. while the ride is a little firmer the handling is a lot better

Cosinus

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

dlakeman55

Thanks everyone. Information really helps.

cyclrder

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 ...

dlakeman55

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.

seahonu

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.

lkchris

It will and will also significantly affect the likelihood of wheel damage from potholes, etc.

Also, you'll get tire flatspotting if car sits for a long period.

dlakeman55

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.

Vik888

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.

dlakeman55

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.