Diesel #2

I ordered a set of H & R springs to get rid of the body roll and improve my handling a bit. I will be installing them in the next few days.

For the past 3 weeks i have been looking for some 19s to go along with the drop, but as i was cruising down the highway i realized that how comfortable the 17 inch tires are. I hardly feel any imperfections in the road, the comfort level is perfect. So i was thinking why not just install the springs to improve cornering and keep the 17s to maintain the comfort. Have best of both worlds so to speak.

Im a newbie when it comes to modifications so do you guys think running 17s with a drop is not correct ? Has anyone ever ran this kind of setup ?

beejAMG

youre crazy, but just because you told me to call you that... jk

ive had some cars lowered on stock wheels before and they actually felt great. better than stock height/ride for sure.

do that and if youre happy with the results, stick with it, if not get your 19s.
imo, it will still ride ok "maybe" better (with 19s) but it all depends on how you feel about it.

belarus27

1. itll look funny
2.wheels will look not proportional to the car (they will look too small)
3. go atleast with 18 or 19s.
might as well , you know

Peachy

If you don't care about the appearance then just keep em. I do, so I went with 19s and I might be going 20s later, not sure yet.

Diesel #2

I am sure it will perform better with 19s but purely a comfort issue. The only way that i think it will work for me is if i can fit 235/40/19 in the front and 265/35/19 in the rear without it rubbing. This will increase the height of each tire by .7 inches, and all of that .7" is nice comfy tread



That's what I'm thinking as well, but could it be worse than how the wheels look with stock height ? Maybe, ill find out in a few days. Ill post pictures with the drop on 17s just to see how it looks.

This is my daily driver so i do not care about appearance that much, but then again i do not want it to look goofy.

beejAMG

235/40/19 will work i guess. or i may be wrong. but like i said, try lowering with stock 17s first then decide from there.

EDIT: btw, those spacers for the other thread might not be a bad idea. but yep, you have to get longer bolts.

SEC1939

Hi Diesel #2, You like he ride of the run flats? Is your diesel a sport suspension model? I have a 15 diesel sport with 17's and run flats. compared to my 05 CDI the ride is quite firm and I really miss the ride of the 05. That said the handling is much better in the 15.

I am considering a couple options. Put regular non-run flats on the 17's or put winter's on the 17's and go to 18's with regular tires. I have even considered changing springs to the luxury model springs. I will be interested in your results, keep us posted

Diesel #2

Yes, my E 250 has the sports package, and you are correct that the run flats are rougher than regular tires, especially the poor factory Bridgestone's Turanza but still i am very happy with the ride. But i know i will get a much softer ride if i switch to Continentals or Pirellis, and i will do it when these wear out or if i upgrade to 19s, im still debating. I think if you get the right tires it will solve your problem, especially with 17s.

If you decide to change to luxury model springs and you have to change the shocks as well because the rebound rates are shorter on your sports package. On your '05 CDI the rebound rate is higher so its more floaty. Or look into coilover or air suspension.

Diesel #2

Well i guess the debate is over, i just ordered a set of staggered 19s, i will wrap it in 235/40/19 which will have about the same tread as a 18 inch wheels.

I should have the wheels and springs installed on Thursday, i will post pics.

SEC1939

interested in your ride results.
thanks

Diesel #2

Just received the springs, and i went ahead and ordered a set of rotary forged wheels 19x8.5 and 19x9.5, wheels are due to arrive tomorrow morning, pretty excited about the transformation.

beejAMG

nice. you doin the spring install yourself?

Chiehman

I just installed a set of HR on mine last week. Very noticable drop and got rid of that terrible body roll. I'm super satisfied.

Diesel #2

I am having it done by a suspenion shop, they are being installed as we speak. Unfortunately the wheels won't arrive until Monday but i wanted to install the springs and feel the ride with the 17s.

belarus27

oh shoot , one thing i realized that its as easy to change springs as it is to change the air spring on 550.
so there is really now big advantage as far as rears.... front ones are the hard ones.

good job man... post pics with 17s and also the experience.

Diesel #2

I couldnt be happier with the outcome, well actually i will be happier once the wheels go on Monday The 17s look like 18s now, not too bad but i want to wheel to be pushed out more, so the 8.5 and 9.5 size wheels be perfect IMO.

belarus27

yea it looks pretty good actually !!
well done )

Diesel #2

Diesel #2

beejAMG

Awesome mate! Like i mentioned on the picture thread. Some spacers f/r and tyre shine. Well done!

BlownS4

Give it about a week and it will drop more once the springs settle.

Diesel #2

Too late for that, gorgeous 19s are on their way

The only way i was going to go with 19s is if i could fit 235/40/19 in the front and 265/35/19 in the back and we were successful in doing so without any rubbing against the perch in the front or the fender and bumpers. This way i was able to have the same amount of tread as people have on their 18s.

There was no way i was going to run 245/35/19 and 275/30/19 which is what is recommended but is not nearly enough tread for me. A 30 series tire on a 19 ? No way.

Here is the 235/40/19 tire in the front with the lowered suspension.

SEC1939

how is the ride with run flats with the new springs?

SEC1939

did you need a 4 wheel alignment after? What effect on factory warranty ? How much are these springs?

Diesel #2

The ride is terrific, very poised and composed, the aspect that i disliked about my w212 was that on the highway it was a challenge to keep the car in a straight line, it was sloppy / wobbly over rough roads if you understand what i mean. That aspect i am glad to report has totally been solved, the car tracks straight and it is much easier to control it and put the nose of the car where i want. With that said, the ride is stiffer without question, however it is not that bad at all and the trade off is worth it for me.

I truely believe the car will ride better when i install the 19s with wider rear tires because you can feel the car is fighting to gain traction at times. Due to the drop, the rear tires have a very slight negative camber, which means less tread is touching the road, and 245 is way too narrow for the rear. Once i have the 265 wide tires in the rear, I am sure the car will handle, and accelerate much more efficiently.