hx_guy

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?

Dan Wang

+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.

djrabbi

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

hx_guy

What kind of tires do you have on each?

djrabbi

i have continental on 18s and nittos on 19s.

AMGTestDriverNJ

I'd go w/ 18s and maybe a spring drop if you don't like how it sits.

Ronaldk

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)?

Shaun-Patterson

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.

Vik888

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.

GT-ER

Had 18's and went with 19's. Felt exactly the same.

spinn

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.

pinebaron

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.

hx_guy

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.

foreyes

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.

Rennlaufer

+1 for 18" AMG's. Had a set of 19's on mine and the ride was a little too firm. I recommend going with Michelin PS2's for that fine ride - they are softer and quieter.

Shaun-Patterson

I have reconsidered my stance on 18's and am now loving the 19's!! I have gotten dozens of compliments and even one neighbor asking if that is a new E class?

hx_guy

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?

djrabbi

I have these wheels in 18s, which are getting powder coated as we speak, hit me up if you want more info!

Shaun-Patterson

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.

djrabbi

I had same wheels too back in the days till i bent/cracked 2 of them

Shaun-Patterson

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

hx_guy

Are these also 19s? Do you have a higher quality picture or different angles? Your car color is very close to ours so it really gives me a good idea of how it will look.

hx_guy

Looks really good. Any shots from the side straight on?

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?

hx_guy

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?

hx_guy

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?