18" Wheels
#1
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18" Wheels
Our 2015 E350 came new with 17" wheels, and I was thinking when we get new tires I might look for some OEM 18" wheels as a replacement. Don't understand MB's thinking but I think these wheels (17") are too small for a car this large. Has anyone out there with a similar car switched to a large wheel? Any thoughts on this idea would be appreciated.
#2
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Seems that people with 17's want to step up in size, and then people with a harsh ride on 18's want to step down to the 17's. I have the stock 18" AMG wheels I use in the winter and run a OEM 19" E63 AMG wheel in the summer with a high performance staggered setup. There are lots of posts on here if you do a search. Kajtek should be along shortly to post photos of my 18" AMG wheels that he uses as a garden hose reel. LOL
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#6
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Got the 18's on my W211. A few bent rims and one cracked one. Glad I have the 17's on my W212. Only two bent rims on the W212 so far, none cracked. A few flat tires too. Way more on the 18's, got rid of a set after getting about 3 of them in a row.
I don't know what people are thinking when they think that a car needs huge wheels. Baloney skin sidewalls don't protect the rim or the wheel. Bigger tire, rim means more sprung weight.
I don't know what people are thinking when they think that a car needs huge wheels. Baloney skin sidewalls don't protect the rim or the wheel. Bigger tire, rim means more sprung weight.
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DFWdude (12-28-2019)
#7
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2016 E350 Sport
Our 2015 E350 came new with 17" wheels, and I was thinking when we get new tires I might look for some OEM 18" wheels as a replacement. Don't understand MB's thinking but I think these wheels (17") are too small for a car this large. Has anyone out there with a similar car switched to a large wheel? Any thoughts on this idea would be appreciated.
Got the 18's on my W211. A few bent rims and one cracked one. Glad I have the 17's on my W212. Only two bent rims on the W212 so far, none cracked. A few flat tires too. Way more on the 18's, got rid of a set after getting about 3 of them in a row.
I don't know what people are thinking when they think that a car needs huge wheels. Baloney skin sidewalls don't protect the rim or the wheel. Bigger tire, rim means more sprung weight.
I don't know what people are thinking when they think that a car needs huge wheels. Baloney skin sidewalls don't protect the rim or the wheel. Bigger tire, rim means more sprung weight.
The 18s are handsome, for sure. But everywhere I drive, I scan the road far ahead searching for that eventual pothole. I would not like to be that driver riding my butt behind me, as I often brake for potholes if I can't change lanes...
My W212 could have come on the same style wheel in 17" and I would be just as happy.
Last edited by DFWdude; 12-28-2019 at 04:40 PM.
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#8
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18's you say? Oh yes, 18's are good. I have some to sell if you're looking
#9
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I still keep 16" from my sold W211. Once I wear out 18" than I rather put 16" who fit on my E250 (someone reported E350 have bigger brakes and 16" will not fit).
Occasionally we do have 2 cars on different size wheels and when you change them, you will notice more for fishtailing with higher profile tires on the 1st corner, so those who like crispy handling might not like it, but 16" still will provide good grip, when they take all street covers without loosing your tooth fillings.
In whole life before I never crack a wheel on car and made a lip only once when I being distracted, I had to make emergency braking and hit pothole on the shoulder.
But then my 18" Lorinsers at 25 years of age are still straight, so the crack seem to be mostly associated to Czech alloy.
Occasionally we do have 2 cars on different size wheels and when you change them, you will notice more for fishtailing with higher profile tires on the 1st corner, so those who like crispy handling might not like it, but 16" still will provide good grip, when they take all street covers without loosing your tooth fillings.
In whole life before I never crack a wheel on car and made a lip only once when I being distracted, I had to make emergency braking and hit pothole on the shoulder.
But then my 18" Lorinsers at 25 years of age are still straight, so the crack seem to be mostly associated to Czech alloy.
#10
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DFWdude! So what you're saying is leave the 17" on the car and be happy? Always was under the opinion that a larger wheel (up to a point) meant better ride and less tire wear. Appreciate y'all comments.
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2016 E350 Sport
In Formula 1 racing, the wheels are 13" diameter, primarily to control the size of the brakes that can be fitted. BUT, the teams have also come to rely on the generous amount of rubber sidewall to serve as a compliant suspension for an otherwise stiffly sprung race car. It stands to reason that the taller the rubber sidewall, the more compliance there is over rough pavement, and the opposite... short sidewall requires the physical suspension to do more work. And less sidewall rubber means easier transmission of vibration to the chassis.
Also, larger wheel diameters tend to come with wider tires, which are more sensitive to inflation values. PSIs must be closely watched, else there is more tire wear, not less. I'm in the camp that uses higher inflation values, to ensure the center of the tread stays inflated and wears the same as the shoulders. And this also contributes to a stiffer ride, even if slightly so.
The 18s on my 2016 (sport suspension) give a firm ride. Not a boulevard ride at all, except on the best pavement (where all wheel/tire combos ride about the same). Ride is smoother than on less sophisticated suspensions (like cheaper cars with more basic suspensions). I rather like the connected feel but it always comes with compromises. The W212 on 18s with 40 aspect sidewalls does not ride like a Cadillac. And I am happy with that. I suspect I would be happier with 17s, but not enough to change them at this point.
Some here will say that the ride doesn't differ between 17" and 18" even 19s. But that makes no logical sense to me. On a SEDAN, the larger the wheel diameter, the shorter the sidewall, by necessity. Several neighbors in my subdiv have big honking SUVs with fat tires on 22" wheels which would look ridiculous on a sedan (any sedan). Point is the combinations of wheels/tires available for a family sedan are much more limited, so one has to weigh the "look" of larger rims versus the ride that results. To do otherwise would not be very objective, IMO.
I'm retired, so drive frequently on local roads and learn/remember where the road craters are. If I had to drive more broadly over longer distances on unfamiliar roads in heavier traffic, scanning the pavement in addition to watching the distracted nuts around me would make me a nervous nelly for sure.
Sorry for length.
Last edited by DFWdude; 12-28-2019 at 04:28 PM.
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retna7 (12-31-2019)
#12
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2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
I still keep 16" from my sold W211. Once I wear out 18" than I rather put 16" who fit on my E250 (someone reported E350 have bigger brakes and 16" will not fit).
Occasionally we do have 2 cars on different size wheels and when you change them, you will notice more for fishtailing with higher profile tires on the 1st corner, so those who like crispy handling might not like it, but 16" still will provide good grip, when they take all street covers without loosing your tooth fillings.
In whole life before I never crack a wheel on car and made a lip only once when I being distracted, I had to make emergency braking and hit pothole on the shoulder.
But then my 18" Lorinsers at 25 years of age are still straight, so the crack seem to be mostly associated to Czech alloy.
Occasionally we do have 2 cars on different size wheels and when you change them, you will notice more for fishtailing with higher profile tires on the 1st corner, so those who like crispy handling might not like it, but 16" still will provide good grip, when they take all street covers without loosing your tooth fillings.
In whole life before I never crack a wheel on car and made a lip only once when I being distracted, I had to make emergency braking and hit pothole on the shoulder.
But then my 18" Lorinsers at 25 years of age are still straight, so the crack seem to be mostly associated to Czech alloy.
#13
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Even Formula 1 is not using low profile tires considering all aspects.They need tires for performance, not for the looks.
Last edited by kajtek1; 12-28-2019 at 05:16 PM.
#14
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You know F1 is going to 18" wheels in 2021, right?
Hmm...I wonder why? Oh yeah, because just like everything in Texas, bigger is better! LOL!
I'm wearing my 18" tires out as fast as possible so I can get those 20's ordered!
2021 F1 changes
Hmm...I wonder why? Oh yeah, because just like everything in Texas, bigger is better! LOL!
I'm wearing my 18" tires out as fast as possible so I can get those 20's ordered!
2021 F1 changes
Last edited by nota_amg; 12-31-2019 at 01:37 PM.
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You know F1 is going to 18" wheels in 2021, right?
Hmm...I wonder why? Oh yeah, because just like everything in Texas, bigger is better! LOL!
I'm wearing my 18" tires out as fast as possible so I can get those 20's ordered!
2021 F1 changes
Hmm...I wonder why? Oh yeah, because just like everything in Texas, bigger is better! LOL!
I'm wearing my 18" tires out as fast as possible so I can get those 20's ordered!
2021 F1 changes
But sadly, not primarily for performance. According to a Pirelli spokesman, "This change is intended to reflect trends in the automotive industry, in which wheel rims are traditionally wider (dia) than those used in Formula One."... https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/06/s...new-tires.html
"A development like 18 inches is a bit of an unknown,” said Mario Isola, Pirelli’s head of Formula One and car racing. “Not the size itself... But if we talk about the level of load stress for a Formula One car, it’s very different. We have to estimate the level of load stress and down force for the aero package that they are planning to have in 2021.”
Read between the lines, and this means that suspensions will need to change to be more compliant (i.e. do more work), because if they don't, shorter (stiffer) tire sidewalls will shake the cars to bits.
There was a time when new auto technology was pioneered by F1. But in this case, F1 scurries to catch up with "Hot Wheels" conformity.
(BTW, I have recorded every F1 race since 1982.)
Last edited by DFWdude; 12-31-2019 at 02:40 PM.
#17
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Ah, after three days someone notes that indeed, in 2021, F1 wheels will increase to 18" diameter. But not to 20."
But sadly, not primarily for performance. According to a Pirelli spokesman, "This change is intended to reflect trends in the automotive industry, in which wheel rims are traditionally wider (dia) than those used in Formula One."... https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/06/s...new-tires.html
"A development like 18 inches is a bit of an unknown,” said Mario Isola, Pirelli’s head of Formula One and car racing. “Not the size itself... But if we talk about the level of load stress for a Formula One car, it’s very different. We have to estimate the level of load stress and down force for the aero package that they are planning to have in 2021.”
Read between the lines, and this means that suspensions will need to change to be more compliant (i.e. do more work), because if they don't, shorter (stiffer) tire sidewalls will shake the cars to bits.
There was a time when new auto technology was pioneered by F1. But in this case, F1 scurries to catch up with "Hot Wheels" conformity.
(BTW, I have recorded every F1 race since 1982.)
But sadly, not primarily for performance. According to a Pirelli spokesman, "This change is intended to reflect trends in the automotive industry, in which wheel rims are traditionally wider (dia) than those used in Formula One."... https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/06/s...new-tires.html
"A development like 18 inches is a bit of an unknown,” said Mario Isola, Pirelli’s head of Formula One and car racing. “Not the size itself... But if we talk about the level of load stress for a Formula One car, it’s very different. We have to estimate the level of load stress and down force for the aero package that they are planning to have in 2021.”
Read between the lines, and this means that suspensions will need to change to be more compliant (i.e. do more work), because if they don't, shorter (stiffer) tire sidewalls will shake the cars to bits.
There was a time when new auto technology was pioneered by F1. But in this case, F1 scurries to catch up with "Hot Wheels" conformity.
(BTW, I have recorded every F1 race since 1982.)
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Just an opinion, but I too think the Hotwheels look has gotten out of control. I think the 17s look great on the sedan, and in Maine I wouldn't consider 18. That's one reason I prefer the Luxury to the Sport, and I like the hood ornament. I was at a dealer (in Mass.) a couple of weeks back, and a salesman was mentioning that many Sport owners there are going down to 17s for comfort and road conditions.
This topic reminds me of Matchbox when I was a kid. Everything was fine until Hotwheels came out in '68. Matchbox had to then introduce Superfast wheels (axles bent too easily). Not a good look for every car. I had my share of Hotwheels and the supercharger, but I always preferred the classic Matchbox with standard wheels.
This topic reminds me of Matchbox when I was a kid. Everything was fine until Hotwheels came out in '68. Matchbox had to then introduce Superfast wheels (axles bent too easily). Not a good look for every car. I had my share of Hotwheels and the supercharger, but I always preferred the classic Matchbox with standard wheels.