MB500

I have e350 Bluetec with sports package (AMG body kit, drilled front brake rotors, over-sized brake pads, etc) but it came with 17-inch non-AMG wheels. I believe that all Bluetec models come with 17-inch. I am considering getting a used set up 18-inch AMG wheels to keep consistent with the AMG look of the car but I am wondering if the fuel economy would suffer. Has anyone had any experience with upgrading from 17 to 18 inch? Have you noticed any degradation in MPG?

dfordham

I'm no tire/wheel expert but since no one else is responding I'll offer some thoughts.

When you increase the wheel diameter, you will put on a lower profile tire to keep the overall circumference the same. Having done this, your gear ratios remain constant and there is no effect on mileage or speedo readings.

The new wheels will likely weigh slightly more than the current ones which would probably cause a negligible effect on mileage.

If the new tires are wider, there might be another negligible effect.

Overall, the effect is probably minimal but begs the question: "Why didn't MB put 18" on Blutec sport models to begin with?"

Hope someone else can give you better advice.

Regards,
Don

MinnBobber

Hi,
I love the look of the 18" AMG 5 spoke/split spoke wheels.

They should have almost zero impact on gas mileage. The overall wheel + tire weight might be slightly greater but mileage should be virtually unchanged.

However, be aware that the new 18" wheel/tire will have shorter/stiffer tire sidewall and the ride quality will be slightly less compliant/harsher.

I will likely order a 2012 E soon and am torn as I love that 18" AMG wheel but I'm not sure just how much harsher the ride will become over the 17"????

ImInPA

I did away with the runflats on my Bluetec. Put snows on for the winter and will be putting a set of Cooper RS3's on this week. You do not say if yo uare planning on sticking with the runflats. In Canada, Blutecs ship with a small 12 volt compressor and a a "fix-a-flat" can of goo. I purchased such a kit at pep boys for about $60. I will not go back to runflats. The regular tires have transformed the ride in my Luxury tuned E to truly wonderful.

thekurgan

On another note for the advantage of the 17s on the E, the non staggered setup makes for more neutral handling, less understeer, especially with the bluetec, which has an extra 65+ pounds over the rear axle.

MB500

Thank you for everyone's feedback. I was planning on going away from runflats to regular tires and take my chances with AAA. As others mentioned, runflats are generally much harder, get noisier as they wear out (I am experiencing this now on my GL) and more expensive to replace. However, I may wait a bit to replace my stock wheels/tire as they have about 15k-20k of thread life left on them.

To ImInPA: be careful with that goo -- it will clog up your tire pressure monitor making it unusable. They are not cheap to replace so calling a tow truck in case of a flat could be the way to go.