MinnBobber

Hi,
I'm trying to spec out a new 2012 E Wagon but having difficulty on the wheels.

I love the AMG style split 5 spoke wheels (listed as option) BUT stockers are 17" and AMG are 18".
I want the sport styling so it will already have slightly stiffer suspension. I'm guessing that moving to 18" wheels will bring the ride into the "harsh" category????
How stiff will the ride get? Anybody made this switch and what was your experience?
Are those sweet 18" AMGs available in 17" ? They didn't show as 17" options on the MB E build sheets, only as 18s.
I may have to order my E Wagon so is there any factory option for US E Wagon to have Sport exterior BUT luxury suspension?? If so, then the 18's with luxury susp might be a better way to go--if it's possible.
E Wagon has air adjust rear suspension, if that makes a difference in analyzing this.

All suggestions greatly appreciated.
Bob

Mbenz260e

I can't speak to the wagon but on the sedans the sport comes with 18" which I have driven and definitely isn't incredibly harsh compared to the 17" I have on my luxury. I am still uncertain if the Sport vs. Luxury has a different suspension aside from different sizes wheels. Dealer told me it does not but not sure if that is correct. I found the luxury smoother and thought it wasn't just a factor of wheel size, but could be physiological.

Good luck with thebuild!

mikemargolis

My dealer told me you could order Sport with the 17" wheels rather than the standard 18's.

There are a lot of comments here about 18's popping tires and breaking wheels with minor pot holes.

MinnBobber

On the E Wagon, 17" are standard. From the US MB website build page:

17" Split 5-Spoke Alloy Wheel. $0

-As I said previously, the optional 18" AMG split 5 spoke really grab me BUT what happens to ride quality with them?
Picture below........

-are the AMGs available in a 17" ?

-I expected there to be dozens of genuine MB US wheel options but can't find any besides the 3 choices listed on the E Wagon build it page. ???

K-A

I'm sure this has more to do with just wheels, but right now I'm driving around a Lexus ES, and aside from a terribly disconnected and overly artificial ride that would make a hyperactive nut sleepy and make a 70's Caddy jealous with the wobble, it's a nice relief as to how I don't have to cringe and set myself up for shock when I see bumps in the road. The E's suspension is very comfy itself, but it just doesn't soak up harsh elements. Maybe it's due to the 18's? I dunno, but I do know that one thing I love about this Lexus, is how well it (and its 17's) glide over rough patches that would have my E terrified.

mrnoorde

It looks like you are in Minnesota. If the roads are anything like Michigan, you may want to stick with 17-inch wheels. The suspension on the E350 Sport Wagon isn't overly harsh but is stiffer and lower than the Luxury Wagon. While I haven't driven a sport or luxury wagon in Michigan with the 18-inch optional wheels, the 17-inch wheels on the 2012 E350 4Matic Sport Wagon I drove felt great with an ever so slight bit of harshness over very rough pavement. Personally, I'd stick with 17-inch wheels and the Sport Wagon.

Plus if you're like me and you like a heated steering wheel, you default back to the standard steering wheel with the heated steering wheel option.

You can check with your Mercedes dealer parts department but you can only get the AMG wheels in an 18-inch setup from the factory (paired with the sport steering wheel if you don't spec the heated steering wheel).

As far as suspension, the Luxury Wagon comes with the comfort suspension (code: 485) and the Sport Wagon comes with the slightly stiffer and lower "sport" suspension (code: 677, which is Avantgarde suspension spec in Europe). That said, I wouldn't consider the USA Sport Wagon having a true sport suspension (Mercedes even calls both suspension setups "comfort" in their USA build guides) You can get a proper sport suspension (even stiffer than our "sport") as well as full (both axles) Airmatic in Europe. All the reviews I've read in British magazines say the Avantagarde setup (our 677 Sport Wagon setup) is the pick of the litter for suspension setups in regards to the best balance of handling, body control, and ride comfort. The 485 Luxury Wagon suspension is said to be too soft and the (not available in the USA) sport suspension setup is too harsh.

Yes, both 485 and 677 suspension on the wagon come standard with rear Airmatic self-leveling suspension.

ngerstman

I would vote for the 17's. I have a 2011 e550 that has airmatic and I switched to 17 inch rims after having a double blowout after hitting a pothole a year ago while heading into NYC through the Lincoln Tunnel. The airshocks have less give than standard shocks on rough roads so I would be extra careful if you live in an area with less than great roads. The lower amount of rubber on 18's versus 17's makes a difference. You no doubt get a little better handling with 18's but it wasn't worth it to me. Regards. Ned.

mrnoorde

One other point that may push you towards the 17-inch setup, I would need to confirm ride height differences between rear-drive cars and 4Matic cars but 18-inch wheels with their larger wheels and lower-profile tires tend to make the wheel gap a big larger than the taller tire and smaller wheel on the 17-inch setup. I live in Michigan so really only see 4Matic E-Class models (well, all Benz models really).

It's why when you put plus 1 and plus 2 wheels on a car they always look to need to be lowered despite the fact that the overall diameter of the tire/wheel package is the same.

It's a visual thing....

hyperion667

here is what that same wheel would look like powder coated in satin black

K-A

Sh*t I'm kind of liking that enough to want it on my car. I think it might look pretty crazy good. Although I REALLY love the stock Machine Finish to it, so I'm torn. Maybe I'll just wait and see if the wheels will get scuffed up to force me to have to do work on them.

Dammit, I thought I was done putting mod money into this car!

MinnBobber

Thank you mrnoorde for the comprehensive details on susp options.

The two salesman I talked to at local dealer had nametag with "certified master sales associate" or something like that but told me things like, buy a R class as it has same diesel as E (when I said I wish E class Wagon had diesel). I had to guide him on the computer to find that R class has prev generation diesel. They both assured me that 18" rode the same as 17"--I don't believe that.

They were worthless in getting answers I trust.

I sure wish they did the AMG 5 spoke in a 17" version

mrnoorde

I'm glad I could help. Yes, very few people understand and know the detail of the E-Wagon in the USA.

Keep digging around as you may be able to find a source for the AMG (or a similar MB wheel) in 17-inch.

El Cid

The Luxury version has Comfort suspension, whereas Sports version has Sport suspension. Brochures even list them differently. Comfort rides more comfortably.
Tires on 17" wheels generally have "taller" sidewalls and these ride more comfortably; absorb bumps and shocks better than performance tires which have lower sidewalls. 18" and larger wheels generally will have low-profile performance tires-harsher riding.
I have Luxury version E350 and no problems with handling, etc.
All things considered, Lexus will generally ride more comfortably than M-B and M-B will ride more comfortably than BMW.

mnje350

Hype,

Those wheels are awesome!

bmw1203

Search for your wheels via this lnik:http://www.alloywheelsdirect.net/mer...te_s212_alloys

hyperion667

thanx mnje!
and very inexpensive too......paid only 400 for them to be stripped and powder coated....

well, I thought it was a good deal...