Originally Posted by K-A

I'm also one of the old farts that don't want a jarring E-Class ride. Musta been a rough 29 years of existence so far for me, eh?

I think 19's look perfect on the E, and I'd go there myself, if it weren't for the decreased ride quality. I think 18's are almost perfect. 20's I'm split with, as 80% of the time, they look foolish and disproportionate on an E sized and proportioned body IMO, and sometimes, they look fitted and proper (like FTB's setup).

Another issue I have with lowering and big-wheeling a car like an E-Class, is that it takes me back to my slammed-to-the-floor Mustang days. My Mustang's shocks ended up blowing, and did the wonderful "thud" when I'd hit a bump. I imagine that those lowering E's without upgrading the shocks, will over time encounter the same problem, which is waaay hooptie for an E.

Also, my Mom and her boyfriend used to have E60's 5-Series'. My Mom had the boring version, all stock, and her BF, has his all souped up, dropped, on 19's. Her car was solid, and his sounded like it was falling apart when it hit bumps. Just an obvious outcome of mileage taxing the car extra, as the suspension did little to absorb roughness. It squeaked, creaked, groaned, the interior was noisy and rattly, etc., and sounded belittling to a Luxury Car like a 5'er.

To each their own. To me, the Luxury's 17's and ride height are no-go's for my styling needs, but the Sport is just right. To some, the Sport's isn't aggressive enough. I do know that I'd never buy a Used model with a lowered suspension and/or extra large rims (for reasons that I mentioned above).

.... And to close this lengthy post, I will reiterate as to how the Sports suspension and 18" wheels are too rough and unforgiving for an E-Class on rough roads as it is (but brilliant on smooth roads), considering this isn't a great handling, or sporty car on the other hand either. But, as I've said before, the things we sacrifice for some vanity.

Originally Posted by EmE247

Julio,

I'd be rolling 22's if the stupid things would fit in my wheel wells.

Regards,
Ned

Originally Posted by Tjdehya

Hey you could always cut your fenders and fit these wheels on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DqdWlAcrnA

Im thinking about doing it

Originally Posted by SnakeDoctor

I run 19s on H&R springs. I was pleasantly surprised in the continued great ride of the car afterwards. There is still some settling that needs to occur, but so far, the ride has not been comprised much to me, and the car looks and drives great.

Some people change things on their car, in this case wheels and suspension b/c they feel like the car is ALMOST perfect. To me, I don't care for the stock wheels, and by my thread on them, you can see they aren't anything crazy. Lowering the car and "slamming" it are also two different things.

And putting 30" wheels on a car is just plain stupid. That is when things become "ghetto/hood."

Exotics run with larger wheels, low-profile tires, and lowered suspension. But then I guess Ferrari, Lamborghini, and the likes must be hood.

Originally Posted by ngerstman

Touche!! I hear what your saying about Ferrari, etc., but where I live the few of those that I see(I'm in an upscale area of NJ) are most certainly not daily drivers, most people don't even take those cars out much in the good weather, just not practical on NY metro roads. A vast majority of the people on this forum use their e's as everyday rides. I hear you, but still don't fully understand. As far as I'm concerned, after 17 inch rims, it's diminishing returns. Regards. Ned.