ND_eclass

So I just got done talking to tire salesmen at Tires-plus and he said that going up a size completely limits my tire options with him and rims as well. I'd like your feedback and help in finding some good deals on tires and rims since I need to replace them soon before the snow hits!☔❄ I wouldn't mind to much keeping the same rim size, it's just that I got a few curb rashes on orginals so might as well get new ones!😂😢

rediesel

I'd stay with 18" especially since you mentioned snow traction. If you really wanted 19" get the some 18" snow tires now beat on them thru winter, and get some new 19" rims/summer tires next spring.

19" are more susceptible to pothole and curb damage since there is less sidewall. They aren't going to work as well in the snow as 18".

As far as all-season tires Michellin Pilot Sport AS3 and Contineltial DWS are good choices.

Snow tires - Haven't bought any recently hear good things about Nokian brand, as well as blizzak (bridgestone) and x-ice (Michellin).

I needed snow tires on my RWD E320, but all-season work just fine on my E550 4matic. Depends on where you live and how you drive.

Tonycpa

You could get your wheels refinished for a fraction of the price.

If you would like to change up the wheels just because you want to try something new than go for it

How much snow are you planning on seeing? Does ND stand for North Dakota?

SteveE400

If you take the car through automatic car washes, I would stay with the 18's. Too many of the car wash conveyor lines will tear up the edges of your wheels, and the smaller your tire sidewalls are, the more likely it is that this will happen.


rediesel is right, too, that if you think the 18's are easily damaged, wait until you try 19's.


If you are just worried about the curb rash, refinish the wheels. Heck, around here we can get them done while you wait, for about $150/wheel complete with re-balancing the wheel/tire after repair.

jahquan3

I'd go for the 19s if I were you. 18s are already pretty big so you might as well go all the way. They look so much better IMO.

Airmousam

19's do look better, but I was driving around on egg shells when I had them (reps) on my last E. Had a lot of issues... Happy with the 18's, as others mentioned may want to get them fixed. Good luck

E 200 CDI

Who cares how it looks.. it is just stupid to have big wheels.

An E klasse is supposed to be an comfortable car, dont destroy your cars with big wheels.
And it does not look good with too big wheels (more than 18").

My E Klasse have 16" as original Elegance-wheels, very comfortable and the tyres are pretty cheap.

Streamliner

I completely agree with you, but you have to understand the craziness that goes on here in the U.S. Here, so many people get so caught up in the "mine is bigger than yours" thing, that they are constantly trying to out do everyone else. Bigger wheels, the most shallow side walls so they look like Formula One cars, insanely lowered suspensions, ridiculous engine modifications to give them ten times the horsepower they can EVER use, loud exhaust systems to make them feel like "Capitan America," etc.
Whenever I see one of these characters driving down the road, I can't stop laughing. And, whenever I hear the stories of the bent, broken and destroyed, very expensive, oversized wheels that hit potholes, I just shake my head. On an E Class, 17" wheels are the perfect size.

Airmousam

I like the look of bigger wheels, the 19's on an E look great and not too over stated, but this is a great post! Well done!!

hyperion667

I'd stick with the 18's for the sedan

screw991le

Same, I want to use my 18's as snow tires and 19/20's as summer. I want some thin double spokes for my summer. keeping the 18 AMG fake doubles as winter beaters. Post some pics if you guys have em'

Wookii

Also keep in mind that you can run 18" wheels (styles without lips) and get a slightly larger look. Optical illusion. I'm considering going that route for my wagon. Not to mention you have way more tire selection and better prices with 18. Best of luck!

jahquan3

Oh, so we don't care how the parts on our cars look now? Really Lol

sfalcus

Go for 19"

Look 100x better and ride just as good from my experience

jahquan3

+1

Streamliner

Sacrificing ride quality, clearances and dependability for looks works for some. For others, such as myself, we would never make such a sacrifice.

jahquan3

That's not the same as saying who cares how it looks. If it's a dependability versus looks type of thing that's another story. In that case buy a tank and leave it in the garage. However, many people care how their car looks.

shortspark

Moderation, compromise, sensibility (if only the Congress knew these words). The e-class is offered by Mercedes with 17, 18 and 19 inch wheels. The exquisite engineers there built this car knowing it would work okay with all these options. Everyone knows 17 rides a little better and, to some people, 19 inch looks a little better. When in doubt, the compromise of 18 inch seems like the sensible thing to do, even if like any compromise, peak efficiency may not be achieved at either end.

Streamliner

When I want to feel sporty, I put the top down on my SL and I take a drive along the Gold Coast, here in the Newport Beach/Laguna Beach area. When I am in my S550 or in my wife's E350, I want the ride to be serene, I want the look to be of understated elegance, I want that little, 3-pointed star to be visible, on TOP of the hood--where it BELONGS, and I don't want my sedan to look like some "Boy Racer" wannabe. If you want to go roaring around town, having your doors blown off by the kids in their Subaru WRX's well, I guess that's your style, it's not mine.

jahquan3

That is perfectly fine good Sir for you to feel that way. However, if I want more tire wall and safety in the snow let's say. I'll drive my SUV and leave my 18s home altogether. I want to live life and enjoy my car with it's big rims. It fits my age group and my personal liking Thank You

J.M.G.

Streamliner

Just curious: On what road did you do this? Race track? Autobahn? Or, out in front of your house?

J.M.G.

Private road on a former airfield of the soviet union in Germany.

rediesel

^I'm not surprised by video results posted, even though we can/should debate the accuracy of the test. The 19" are wider front and rear and weigh a few kilos more so the 18" are going to accelerate and break better (car is 4matic so grip off the line is not an issue). The 19" may give a higher lateral grip on a skidpad (also debatable and dependent on tires, weight, and suspension design).

It seems that most proponents of 19+" concede that 18" provide better ride, durability, fuel economy, and performance but feel the look makes up for the lost performance. If your just cruising down main-street go with big rims, if you push your car, and/or drive on poor road conditions stick with 18". If you upsize also be sure to maintain necessary load rating since the smaller sidewalls can carry less load and these E's weigh a lot.

For me the cons of 19" outweigh the pros so I run stock 18" on my Twin turbo E550 4M.
As my avatar shows I have factory 19" on my C63 AMG 507. (wish I had 16" drag radials, but that's another discussion).

jahquan3

You pretty much summed it up from all aspects perfectly. Good way to add some healthy information to the topic.