Wheel/Tire Upgrade
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5
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2007 E350
Wheel/Tire Upgrade
Hello everyone - I've been lurking around these forums for a few months and am hoping someone can concisely break down my options for a wheel and tire upgrade. The stock 245/45-17 tires on my '07 350 need to be replaced soon and I want am thinking of upgrading to 18s. I do not drive hard (well, not too hard) and I really like my current ride quality. My questions are...
1) Will going to a 245/40-18 tire size reduce my ride quality noticeably? (I live in a somewhat rainy climate that gets no snow.)
2) Will upgrading to 18s increase the tire/fender gap?
3) How much do I need to worry about wheel offset? Should I try to get wheels that match (or are really close) to the stock wheel offset?
Any answers/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. And if there are any other things I should be considering, please let me know. Thanks!
1) Will going to a 245/40-18 tire size reduce my ride quality noticeably? (I live in a somewhat rainy climate that gets no snow.)
2) Will upgrading to 18s increase the tire/fender gap?
3) How much do I need to worry about wheel offset? Should I try to get wheels that match (or are really close) to the stock wheel offset?
Any answers/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. And if there are any other things I should be considering, please let me know. Thanks!
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 921
Likes: 2
From: Seattle, WA
(SOLD) 05 E55 Estate. 11 Golf TDi
It's ok, you can just say Seattle. 
Those two tire sizes are exactly the same diameter (25.7), so your wheel gap will stay the same.
The ride will be slightly worse, due to the smaller aspect ratio (sidewall).
Your speedometer will be 0.1% Slower.
You should try to stick as close to the current ET as possible to maintain the OE look.
Those two tire sizes are exactly the same diameter (25.7), so your wheel gap will stay the same.
The ride will be slightly worse, due to the smaller aspect ratio (sidewall).
Your speedometer will be 0.1% Slower.
You should try to stick as close to the current ET as possible to maintain the OE look.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
2007 E350
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 921
Likes: 2
From: Seattle, WA
(SOLD) 05 E55 Estate. 11 Golf TDi
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
If your rainy climate doesn't get below approximately 45 degrees F year around, you can use summer tires. If it does drop below that temperature, all season tires are recommended, even if you have no snow. The summer tire compound will become hard and lose traction in colder temps.
