lipets

What are the pros and cons?

I see even the AMG use 18's

rbrylaw

18 inch tires have more sidewall and offer better protection from pothole damage. They also theoretically provide a smoother ride as the stiffness of 19" tires can make broken pavement more prominent.

So, I ordered my car with 19" AMG wheels/tires anyway. I just think they look much better on the E. My dealer must think so as well. In looking at their inventory, almost every E on their lot is clad with 19" not 18" wheels. And I get the wheel and tire insurance, so if anything happens, I'm completely covered for as long as I'm likely going to have the car.

JTK44

+!

The difference in handling between an 18" and 19" is marginal. Driven at normal or even fast speeds will never notice the difference.

The difference in ride can be substantial.

The difference in pot hole protection can be substantial - not a problem in Florida, California, southwest and South, but a major consideration in northern state.

19" look better than 18"

lipets

larger rims have higher unsprung weight if that factors into the game

superangrypenguin

18" ride better and are quieter.

I don't understand this stupid (not directed at anyone here) fascination with increasing rim sizes. I don't buy a Benz to look like a bada**. I'm not a ricer.

rbrylaw

Borrowed this photo, but I hardly think this looks like a ricer (whatever a ricer is to begin with?). These wheels are just flat out great looking wheels. And IMHO, they don't offer an 18" wheel that comes close to looking this nice.

superangrypenguin

I will just say that I don't buy a MB to look cool or what not. Many of the OEM rims add class to a MB, but many aftermarket rims (especially the black powder rims) just make me shake my head, especially those folks who buy 20" aftermarket rims on a E class. Like - stop, you're ruining the brand/look. (again, not directed at you).

rbrylaw

I don't buy a Mercedes to look cool either. But if I have a choice of OEM wheels, I'm going to get the ones I think make the car look the best. And to me, the 19" wheels do just that. Having these wheels on both our 2018 E 300 and E400 (and these wheels will be on my soon to deliver E450), I can honestly say the ride is fantastic on them.

lensjack

"Ricer" - ha! Had to look it up. Funny. Every time this topic comes up now, I'll think of that and laugh.

Personally, I don't question anyone's choice of 19-inch wheels on an E 450. IMO they look better than the available 18s, and the car's look is more important to some than to others. My priority is comfort. When I'm actually using the car, I can't see the wheels but I sure can feel them. So I'm going with 18s. Newly-learned bonus upside: Nobody will call me a ricer. :-)

rbrylaw

LOL You may now call me "Ricer Rod!"

JTK44

I too did not know what a "ricer" was. I thought superangrypenguin had misspelled "racer"

Guess I am too old!

superangrypenguin

Just don't urban dictionary the word angrypenguin..... Unless you want to spit out whatever you're eating ....

arnsbrae

superangrypenguin

The question at hand is if 18 or 19 is recommend.

rbrylaw

On an E Class?? No, I wouldn't. They don't even offer that as an option on the E Class. At least not in the US.

superangrypenguin

He was just trolling me.

Haag

Actually the base model in Germany comes with 16 inch.... :-)

rbrylaw

Well it doesn't in the US.

ua549

Taxi's

Haag

Yep, mostly ordered in combination with taxi-models.
Great comfort though :-))

Cao Black

If you look up angrypenguin in the (urban)dictionary you'll see picture of... 🤔

Ladies = #metoo
Gents = 🚫waddling
Proving, despite opinions to the contrary, there still is a gender difference.
Since hyper- sensitivity these days nullifies what used to be called having a sense of humor, I'll quit now...while I'm ahead??? 🤐

teksurv

That Taxi configuration is..let me see..working on my manners...functional. Very functional. I have the 19" wheels as pictured on the white car and love them, really helps the car stand out.

lensjack

Yow! Can't unsee that! :-)

I hope you didn't choose your handle based on personal experience.

superangrypenguin

I had no idea what it was until it was pointed out to me. This is what I had in mind. Now we all know why this dude is so mad



Hope that helps people get their weekend off to a good start?

Oh man I should quit while I'm ahead

lensjack

That's too funny! Remind me, please: What road is paved with good intentions?
We should declare today an international holiday -- New Vocabulary Day.
Anyway, Happy Friday to all, and thanks for the chuckles.