I'm really torn about whether to get 18 or 19 inch wheels. I put wheels on every car I buy and I always go at least plus 1.

On my last car (08 BMW 335 xi Coupe), I went to 19's (up from the stock 17's). The ride got pretty darned brutal to be honest. For those that don't know, the ride in 3 series XI's isn't too good anyway.

Now I realize that was a +2 set up, but only because my car didn't have the optional 18's.

So my simple question is this...

If the stock 18" wheels on your W212 w/sport package rated a 10 for ride quality, now that you have 19's, how would you rate the ride quality? 9, 8, 7...worse?

Any honest feedback would be appreciated. Thanks in advance

 

I just went to 19" last week and I would say with new 19" wheels, my ride quality is at 8? Ride seems a little firmer. I don't know if this matters but I got Bridgestone RE950 on my 19".

 

Thank you for the info. That's a good idea...please include the brand and model of your tires, with your ride rating.

Much appreciated all!

 

If stock 18s with Pirelli's Pzero A/S 245/265 is 10, then going to 19s with Hankook Ventus V12 evo 255/35 & 285/30 is 9.5. Still smooth ride with much better handling.

 

I couldn't tell a difference in ride but did notice some more road noise. Not too significant but did notice it. I would also recommend a 3 piece forged rim if you have potholes in your area. They are strong but also if you happen to bend a lip that can't be straightened, it's an easy outer lip replacement ($200) versus an entire rim ($1000+).

 

I used to run 19" and 20" on my 335i coupe with KW V2 coilovers.
I'd never run 20" with 25 profile tires again but 19" were okay, even on crappy New England raods.
I think with stock MB suspension, you'll be fine with 19" in terms of ride quality.

 

Good stuff, thanks guys. Please keep it coming if others have opinions. Appreciate the info

 

I have 19's as well. Had the same 19's on my W211. Also lowered both cars using H&R sport springs.

I have no issues with rubbing with the 19's on my W212. You may feel all of the problems in the road a bit more since you will have less rubber (tire) between the wheel and the ground. But you do gain some handling with the changes. I did have minor issues with rubbing on my W211.

I have also read on a different post on these forums of people having wheel damage on their stock 18's with potholes. Thought this would only be a problem with having upgraded wheel sizes like the 19's. Since both have the same issue with potholes, there is less reason not to go 19's.

Looks better, the stance looks just right, and MB should have probably sold the car like this.

Pics of my whip and 19's in the link below.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...-new-pics.html

 

You people are crazed. I just went from 18's to 17's after a double blowout after hitting a pothole. I'll take the more comfortable ride myself. Are you guyz in the 'hood or from the 'hood or want to be part of the 'hood or 'hood wannabees. I don't get it. Please explain. Regards. Julio.

 

Julio,

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

Regards,
Ned

 

No offense but if you pay more attention to potholes while driving, you can avoid majority of them.

 

You are too old you wouldn’t understand. Some people tint their windows for the look, not just the heat rejection. Some people lower their cars for the look, not just for better handling. Some people change their exhaust for the sound, not just for the performance. Some people tint their tail lights for the look, not just for... (well I guess there is no benefit to tinting the tails but for the look). Some people change stuff on their car just so that it will be custom and not look exactly like the old guy driving the Benz on 17's.

Do what you want to your car and don’t criticize anyone because they are better at dodging potholes than you are.
You dont have to live in the hood to want to customize your car.

 

17s might not have saved you this year in NY tri-state area. Had pothole damage on 17s for my winter setup on my former '03 W211 5 years ago in NY. That was enough for me - I moved to FL right after. Now I'm on 19s and 20s and not realy concerned for potholes. Maybe you should do the same.

 

You say you have lived in NJ on another thread, then you must know that many potholes are unavoidable. Anywhere with deep Winter frost makes for terrible road conditions. Maybe you've been away too long or you are so old you forgot.
I agree with the OP that 19's make the ride rough and sometimes unbearable. I'm also one of those old guys that knows nothing.

 

I don't know where you live but road conditions are a big factor. The tires on the MB are not run flats and don't ride near as hard as your Bimmer. I'm somewhat familiar with that because I traded a 335i on 18's on my present car. The airmatic on the E550 compensates for low profile tires but if you live in the North where there is frost, don't exceed 18's. You may be better to lower the car to achieve the same look. I know that Porsches on 19's without PASM suspension are horrible as a DD.

 

Yes you are right. I had no intention of upgrading my wheels until I came out here. Especially because I would make frequent trips up to NY. Most of the time when I would go to NY I would take my Nissan because of how bad the roads are.
Out here in Vegas the roads are better and I am going to 20's because I want the look and not because I am a "hood wannabee" as you suggested.

 

How could I suggest you are a hood wannabe. I don't have a clue what that is. Enlighten me.

 

Just joking around. But to be honest, I don't get the obsession with bigger rims. The handling gets marginally better, but the ride gets meaningfully less comfortable. Why would one want a less comfortable ride? To have a car that looks cooler? Maybe so. To each his own. Regards. Ned. PS. I am off to watch this weeks episode of "Glee" with a chaser of Geritol.

 

I love stiff suspension settings.
It's not as comfortable but makes me really enjoy driving the car.
May be it's just because I'm younger than you guys...I don't know.

 

I'm "older" at 57. I live in NJ and the roads in the NY metro area are generally not great. Hitting ruts and rough roads can be jarring and I don't need that for an everyday ride. That said, I do own a 2001 e55 which is pretty firm but not insanely so. I love the handling but I'll take my 2011 e550 with 17 inch rims set to the sport setting for my everyday ride. I'll sit back in comfort and chuckle watching drivers in my area with ever larger rims rock their spines. Party on. Regards. Twilight.

 

I'm only 38. Drove my wife 2011 E350 luxury all weekend and appreciate the soft suspension and 17" wheel more than ever. Hit some rough spots and witness the guy behind me in a BMW with low profile tires blow two htting same thing I just hit. Crazy. My honest opinion...19" look cool, ride rough and potential for damage. Maybe I'm an old soul but appreciating the luxury with 17" wheels more and more.

 

LOL I'm with you on that,so would I.

 

lol

 

Well, since I started the thread...guess I'll chime in.

I live in PA and travel between my offices in PA and NJ a great deal. I traded the BMW for the Benz, mostly for a better ride.

Still, balance can be had between ride quality and looks. There is nothing "hood" or "ghetto" about rolling on 19's, or even 20's. In my opinion, some people do go too big and it starts to look a little funny...but that's just my opinion. If it works for them...more power to them.

I don't think that many people would argue that 20's LOOK better than 19's, 19's LOOK better than 18's and 18's LOOK better than 17's. Clearly, what people will argue is whether the looks outweigh the loss in ride quality and greater potential for damage. Let's face it, the handling difference between a 40 series and 35 series tire are only marginally different and the majority of us are truly changing wheels for looks more than anything else.

All that said, I am 42 years old and very much a "Car guy". That balance between better looks and good ride quality is what I seek.

No Sir...not from the hood, but I can take you cow tipping sometime, if you like

 

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.