I normally post in the C Class forum, as that is mine and the E is my wife's, and we don't do much to her car. But, she needed new wheels after a pot-holed Michigan winter bent all four of the OE design. These are 8.5x18" ET 35 Style 817 from http://www.powerwheelspro.com/shop/index.php?cPath=23





They seem to attract attention. Two of her co-workers, not usually "car folks", asked about them.

 

I initially was looking at those, but with a lip (aftermarket), but they're only available in 20" size.

 

Looks great!

 

Nice!! Your wifes a runner huh???

 

you need to ask her to stop trying to hit all the pot holes LOL. These won't hold up as well. It took me almost 10 years training my wife, she is excellent at avoiding the holes now. Hated having to re-balance and align every 6 months.

 

Yes, she's pretty amazing at 55! This year ran Boston 7 minutes faster than last year!! I get to hold the sign, shout, and wave!

You are so right, but Michigan roads pose a pretty good challenge....sort of a daily slalom event . Not sure about these being weaker...our local high end indy shop has done an informal survey of the business they see, and he notes that the particular 18" OE wheel we had seems very prone to damage, more than others he's seen. He's replaced many of that one style. In any event, with a whole new set going for about the same price as one new OE wheel, it would allow some periodic novelty at similar economics, if required.

 

Wow she qualified for Boston and ran it faster!! That's amazing!!! I'm helping my wife train for the SF marathon this July. I was going to run but I didn't want to commit to training right now. I just run the long runs with her.

 

I just thought that with the lower profile, it would be easier to damage the rims. I agree with the fact that the factory wheels are soft. No matter how hard I try, the darn things keep getting in worse shape. They are clean and I never curb shot.

 

You are perfectly correct about the low profile effect, however, with the car already having 18" wheels as part of the Sport package, we got the identical size new wheels as original, at least partially because we had only recently installed new Continental DWS. These new wheels do look more aggressive, though!! For the winter, when things really get rough around here, we change over to 17" wheels with Blizzaks.

 

looks great!