DavidNJ

Has anyone run these size tires on an E320? The 8x16 inch rims are wide enough (reference size rim is usually 7.5" for that size tire). The Appearence Package comes with 245/45-17s, so there should be enough room.

Has anyone done it? Does it improve the handling? (larger size increasing capacity, tire contact area, and magnifying camber effects) Does it improve the ride? (wide cross section causing more bowing of the cross section, reducing the tires effective spring rate)

Thanks,

David

MPTLPTR

245/50-16 and 245/45-17 have the same overall height so there should be no fitment problems.

Since the 245/50-16s have more sidewall, the ride will be better, but at the expense of a little handling.

DavidNJ

Of course the E320 is coming with 16" wheels, so you are not really losing handling. Although I wonder what the real world experience is handling and ride.

zam2000

Original 225/55/16 has tirewall of 4.87", while 245/50/16 has tirewall of 4.82", so not much difference in tirewall.

The only thing that gain is the wheel thickness, so you will feel a little heavier upon turning, especially at low speed (parking lot). To magnify the perfomance improvement, you will have to go w/ high perfomance (softer) tire to really feel the difference. Most noticely will be on/off ram.

Handling won't improve much, since tirewall are the same (tire flex is the same). Ride quality is the same.

The last thing you want to do is to adjust camber for handling. It affect the stability of the car, and wear of tires. Uneven wore tires give horrible perfomance, regardless of type of car.

The reason Mercedes, or any manufacture, upsize the wheel size (by one or two) on the sport package or high performance model is for reason beyond look. Otherwise, they could just adjust camber and upsize tire and save $$.

Of course, once you go beyond 18", car will ride like crap.