Ride Comfort: 18s vs 19s
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2017 E300 • 2016 Tesla Model S 75D
Ride Comfort: 18s vs 19s
We've had our 2005 E320 for close to 2 years and it's time to change out the tires so I figure what better time than now to also get new rims.
Currently it has 16s and feels too "floaty" so 18s are a minimum and image the ride is good since the newer W211s came with 18s stock.
Looks wise, I think 18s are too small for this size car so I'd like to put 19s on but how bad is the ride? My wife mainly drives this car and while she cares about how it looks, she wants to keep a nice ride. She thinks my '11 Audi A4 w/ Sport Pkg and 18s is a bit too rough but the Mercedes suspension is MUCH softer it seems.
So what do you guys think? Really noticeable difference in ride quality between 18s and 19s?
Currently it has 16s and feels too "floaty" so 18s are a minimum and image the ride is good since the newer W211s came with 18s stock.
Looks wise, I think 18s are too small for this size car so I'd like to put 19s on but how bad is the ride? My wife mainly drives this car and while she cares about how it looks, she wants to keep a nice ride. She thinks my '11 Audi A4 w/ Sport Pkg and 18s is a bit too rough but the Mercedes suspension is MUCH softer it seems.
So what do you guys think? Really noticeable difference in ride quality between 18s and 19s?
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E320CDI, CLK55, and a Smart
+2 is a good rule of thumb when it comes to comfort. 19"s look amazing on the W211, but you will significantly give up ride comfort. I'd say go 18". You should also get better gas economy with a smaller wheel; less rotational mass.
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From: NOMAD
EQS AMG, E53 AMG, GLE63s
i have AMG 18s and 19 BBS wheels.....it all depends on tires.....I actually feel the 19s are softer cause I have better tires on them, but i do worry about hitting a pothole.....i would get 18s....I have a set for sale 
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2017 E300 • 2016 Tesla Model S 75D
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From: South Africa, Centurion
W211 E200 Kompressor
16" too harsh
Am I the only one thinking the standard suspension shod with 16" wheels is way to harsh and bumpy? Do you have asses of steel or no ditches or potholes in America that you can even consider worsening the already relatively firm ride (compared to french cars of early 2000)?
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E320, ML430, Corvette C5
My $0.02
I just put 19's on last Friday and am still getting used to the feel and look. It is definitely a different ride and look! All in all I like 19's but if I had it to do over again - I would go 18's (no lowering) I thought I could live without lowering but that was just a fantasy. I am thinking Eibach springs.
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The roads in America are paved with gold.
Depends where in the U.S. you go. Haven't found highways/freeways as good as Europe anywhere in the U.S.
Depends where in the U.S. you go. Haven't found highways/freeways as good as Europe anywhere in the U.S.
Am I the only one thinking the standard suspension shod with 16" wheels is way to harsh and bumpy? Do you have asses of steel or no ditches or potholes in America that you can even consider worsening the already relatively firm ride (compared to french cars of early 2000)?
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From: SF Bay Area
2004 E500
I have 18's presently, but test drove one with 20's before. The ride was actually fine. I'm planning to go to 19's soon and lower it a little, as the ride right now, is a little floaty.
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From: Blaine, WA
07 E320 Bluetec
I went from 16's (OEM) to 19's and have no regrets. It is true I lost a level of comfort when going over rough ground but nothing like it on good roads. Potholes are definitely killers though I've only had one bent rim in a little over two years (of limited driving I must add); one could easily mistake NJ for the moon from space with its craters.
19's look good. I considered lowering but decided not to.
19's look good. I considered lowering but decided not to.
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2017 E300 • 2016 Tesla Model S 75D
Thanks for the replies guys, sounds like 19s should be fine and there isn't much difference between the two. Lowering is out the questions, like I said, my wife is the one that drives this car mostly and she's not into the lowering thing.
I live in Phoenix and we have some good roads, literally no potholes.
I live in Phoenix and we have some good roads, literally no potholes.
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From: Atlanta
2002 G500, 2007 CLS 550, 2018 GLC 300
I went from stock 17" wheels on my 03 E500 to 19" Euro 63RS wheels with Falken FK-452 tires. I also lowered the suspension 1.5 inches in the front and 1.25 inches for the rear. The ride is just a touch firmer than stock with my 19" setup. The roads in North Georgia are very smooth; I usually leave my Airmatic set to Sport II.
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2017 E300 • 2016 Tesla Model S 75D
Can you post some other pictures from the profile?
How is the ride quality? What size rims/tires did you have before? Also, where did you get the rims and how much?
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From: NOMAD
EQS AMG, E53 AMG, GLE63s
Those are the exact same rims I'm wanting to get! I love the stock MB 18s in that style but want them in 19s.
Can you post some other pictures from the profile?
How is the ride quality? What size rims/tires did you have before? Also, where did you get the rims and how much?
Can you post some other pictures from the profile?
How is the ride quality? What size rims/tires did you have before? Also, where did you get the rims and how much?
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E320, ML430, Corvette C5
Non OEM Rims
I too wanted the OEM Mercedes Sport Rims but after I got the quote from my Mercedes dealer I reconsidered ($3600 w/o tires). These rims are the closest I could get to the OEM, they have 18 spoke insteadf of the 20 from Mercedes. These rims are actually from Ebay and cost $639 for the set. To be honest I could not be more pleased for the cost. I bought the Hankook Ventus V12 which were rated second to the Michelin Pilots for performance and rated 1st for road noise. Also if you purchase the Hankook there is a $60 rebate. For wheels and tires I spent $639 minus a 10% discount from ebay + 100 shipping. I spent $930 for the tires minus $60 rebate = $870 for a grand total of $1546.00.
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E320, ML430, Corvette C5
Continued
These wheels are 19 X 8.5 in the front and 19 X 9.5 in the rear with a 35mm offset. I have 245/35/19 in the front and 275/30/19 in the rear. As for the ride I am very satisfied and only notice about a 10 - 15% firmer ride but the improved handling is worth it. I had the stock 16 inch OEM wheels.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/19-ME...Q5fAccessories
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/19-ME...Q5fAccessories
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2017 E300 • 2016 Tesla Model S 75D
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2017 E300 • 2016 Tesla Model S 75D
These wheels are 19 X 8.5 in the front and 19 X 9.5 in the rear with a 35mm offset. I have 245/35/19 in the front and 275/30/19 in the rear. As for the ride I am very satisfied and only notice about a 10 - 15% firmer ride but the improved handling is worth it. I had the stock 16 inch OEM wheels.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/19-ME...Q5fAccessories
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/19-ME...Q5fAccessories
I've actually seen that same auction on eBay before and that's where I was considering buying them. How did you get the 10% discount?
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2017 E300 • 2016 Tesla Model S 75D
Found these on eBay for $500 + $150 shipping...OEM 19s but too bad one rim has is slightly bent so that's a deal breaker.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/19-ME...#ht_2286wt_941
Looks like OEM offset is 43 front and 48mm rear...so going with the replicas would be like putting 8mm spacers on the front and 13mm spacers on the back. Seems pretty tame...do you feel the wheels sit nicely in the fender or do they stick out a bit past the fender?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/19-ME...#ht_2286wt_941
Looks like OEM offset is 43 front and 48mm rear...so going with the replicas would be like putting 8mm spacers on the front and 13mm spacers on the back. Seems pretty tame...do you feel the wheels sit nicely in the fender or do they stick out a bit past the fender?
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2017 E300 • 2016 Tesla Model S 75D
One more question...
How do you guys feel about going with 225/40-19 on the front and 255/35-19 on the rear?
The tire diameter is just slightly bigger than stock (26.02" vs 25.74") but you get a bit more sidewall and the Continental DWS come in that size and I love those tires...they have a great treadwear rating.
225mm equals 8.85" wide the front rims are 8.5" and the rear are 255mm which is 10.03" on a 9.5" rim, so it seems like it should work fine, no?
How do you guys feel about going with 225/40-19 on the front and 255/35-19 on the rear?
The tire diameter is just slightly bigger than stock (26.02" vs 25.74") but you get a bit more sidewall and the Continental DWS come in that size and I love those tires...they have a great treadwear rating.
225mm equals 8.85" wide the front rims are 8.5" and the rear are 255mm which is 10.03" on a 9.5" rim, so it seems like it should work fine, no?
