Inherited my fathers 2011 E350 luxury edition and want to put larger wheels and tires. I need help on what to do. Thanks

 

The luxury edition has the smaller 17 inch rims which are typically the 245/45/17's. You could go with 18 or larger, but even with 18 inch rims, you'd probably still end up with cracked and bent rims and your fair share of flat tires. Ask me how I know. I've just had a few bent rims with the 17 and a few flat tires. The 17 inch rims also ride nicer than the 18.

 

It's funny how people with luxury trim and 17" tall comfortable tires want the good looking low profile 18" sport rims.

It's good to read first hand account of bent sport rims and blown tires

Suspension springs have different length as well to smooth out pot holes.

 

I agree with above posters as I have had 2 E350's one with the AMG Rims and another with the standard MB 5 spoke wheels. Both had bent rims. Vibration on HWY due to bent rims is a real bummer in such a nice car. My 3rd E350 has standard MB rims, they don't look great at all but this car is smooth as glass on the HWY! Trade offs can be tough. I loved the look of the wider tires and low profile tires but not worth it for me. Try finding one straight rim to replace a bent one when front and rear rims are not the same. They are very hard to find and expensive. Not worth it. I am older so maybe set in my ways now?
When I picked up the vibrations I checked on this forum to find out what it might be, everyone says you bent a rim. Way too common for me to spend money on those rims.

 

Well typically my bent rims show up as a tire leaking air. So now I've either got a flat or a bent rim. Usually when they're bent, it's on the inside of the rim so you can't see it from the outside. There's a local guy that bends them back at $95 a rim, but I hear some places go up to $120-$130 and that $95 doesn't including mounting/balancing which is another $20. If I get a new rim, even though I have the free flat repair from Costco, they charge about $20 to move the tire pressure sensor from rim to the other. When it's cracked it's typically not worth it, there some other charge to weld them and some say you shouldn't bother and then the $95 charge to bend them back too.

 

W212's AMG 18" wheels :
Front : 245/40/18
Rear : 265 / 35 /18
If you want larger wheels you should not exceed those to me

 

Here's me ditching the AMGs and going back to my comfortable, smooth and reliable 17's. I will never make the same mistake again.

 

Thanks everyone for the replies. My pop did some curb riding with the 17’s. They look pretty rough. I guess I just want something a little sportier than the silver 17’s.

 

Just be certain they are MB compatible, NO adapters, that is when weird vibration and noises start

Get it on writing, that if it vibrates you get your money back. Some aftermarket junk breaks instead of bending like original MB.

 

Yeah, lots of aftermarket rims at the shop that fixed bent rims with pieces missing. Seems that OEM rims tend to bend or have hairline cracks, but aftermarket rims tend to have pieces break off which can't be welded.

 

They wouldn't be Czech-made rims?
I have 18" Monoblock wheels by Lorinser , who I bought used about 15 years ago, so they are well over 20 yo. I keep changing cars every few years, to this is 4th sedan I have those wheels on, when I don't know PO history.
No dents and I am the last person who will brake for potholes, or speed bumps and back in California I was living in "highest property taxes, worse roads" neighborhood.
With low profile system, tire quality plays big role
For sporty looks - hard to beat 24"

 

Just a touch too big🤣

 

Mine has had OEM 18" wheels since shortly after I got it 4 years ago and haven't had any problems with bends or cracks. I live in the Seattle area where the streets are generally pretty well maintained, though. I have hit a few spots that really rattled my fillings but it's not common. Come to think of it, yesterday I went over a raised section of asphalt that jarred the car so hard it automatically unlocked itself.

It came with 17" when I bought it but I swapped them out because one was leaking, they were badly corroded, and the clearcoat was flaking in a bad way.

In my opinion, 17 was preferable in terms of comfort but 18 has been fine.