When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Back in the W213 fold with my newly acquired 2021 E350.
"
I want to like them...but, I just can't. I'm talking about the wheels. So I'm thinking about upsizing to 20", and brighter. I have my eyes on a set of the multi-spoke 20x8 AMG wheels.
My concern is ride quality. Love the aesthetics but don't want a harsh ride; firm is okay, and I don't have to deal with a lot of pot holes. The car is equipped with "Lowered Suspension w/ Selective Dampening" (code 677). Helpful comments appreciated.
Last edited by Cao Black; Nov 8, 2023 at 01:24 AM.
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Originally Posted by Cao Black
Back in the W213 fold with my newly acquired 2021 E350.
"
I want to like them...but, I just can't. I talking about the wheels. So I'm thinking about upsizing to 20", and brighter. I have my eyes on a set of the multi-spoke 20x8 AMG wheels.
My concern is ride quality. Love the aesthetics but don't want a harsh ride; firm is okay, and I don't have to deal with a lot of pot holes. The car is equipped with "Lowered Suspension w/ Selective Dampening" (code 677). Helpful comments appreciated.
By your post you already know the answer: the ride will deteriorate and although potholes are not a problem, if you ever encounter one it will be.
Originally German cars put function over form: you are doing the reverse: putting form over function.
From: Northern Germany and sometimes Southern Germany
Mercedes E220d AMG Line Estate (S213) and Mercedes E220d AMG Line Cabriolet (A238)
I have 20" with run flats from the factory and ride on full air suspension and have had the car lowered by 10mm. In ECO (car down another 10mm but soft suspension response) or COMFORT no issues at all with ride quality (even when i go back to UK which has a certain well deserved reputation for poor road quality...). Natuarlly when you put it in sport or sport+ it gets a bit jittery but nothing worse than a 5 series with MSport package with lowered and non air suspension.
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Originally Posted by Bfgslkman
I have 20" with run flats from the factory and ride on full air suspension and have had the car lowered by 10mm. In ECO (car down another 10mm but soft suspension response) or COMFORT no issues at all with ride quality (even when i go back to UK which has a certain well deserved reputation for poor road quality...). Natuarlly when you put it in sport or sport+ it gets a bit jittery but nothing worse than a 5 series with MSport package with lowered and non air suspension.
The OP's car does not have air suspension.
FWIW, I have the 18 inch wheels and unlike your car, when I put it Sport + my car does not get jittery and rides nothing like a BMW 5 series with the MSport package that my friend has: M5.
Going from 18" to wheels 20" is pure form over substance! (this is the E 350 with the 4 cylinder not the E53 and not even the E450!)
From: Northern Germany and sometimes Southern Germany
Mercedes E220d AMG Line Estate (S213) and Mercedes E220d AMG Line Cabriolet (A238)
FWIW I have recently put on my 18" winter runflats. Apart from more noise there is little/no difference in ride quality. I'll stick with form over substance , especially when the car is lowered and has wheel spacers.
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Originally Posted by Bfgslkman
FWIW I have recently put on my 18" winter runflats. Apart from more noise there is little/no difference in ride quality. I'll stick with form over substance , especially when the car is lowered and has wheel spacers.
Ride quality with winter RF (RF and winter tires both ride harsher than summer tires) on 18" is similar to 20" non RF confirms my point. (Just imagine how bad the ride quality would be with winter RF on 20" wheels!- it would be close to undrivable!)
20" wheels on a 220d, I assume that the d is for Diesel: yes you are correct: that is form over substance!
I am assuming even the E220d is capable of taking a turn aggressively at 40 mph+, so it is not all form over function. Low profile tires will not make the car accelerate faster but it will improve the handling, even in a E220d. In fact, the 4 cylinder will handle better than the 6 and the 8 cylinder due to less curb weight and better front to rear weight distribution. When I Compare the 18” to the 19”, with same runflat tires, the 18 rides a bit softer and the 19 handles a bit better on aggressive handling. I would imagine 20” will be reserved for the hardcore. The ride will be rough, air suspension or no air suspension, and the handling advantage from 19 to 20 will be near to none, so going from 19 to 20 would be all form over function.
Why would a wheel size affect handling unless the tires have a different aspect ratio. There should be handling no difference between 245/45zr18 and a 245/45zr19 tire. The only functional differences between the tires are related to the diameter/circumference.
I tried to shrink the image, but the forum keeps enlarging it.
Why would a wheel size affect handling unless the tires have a different aspect ratio. There should be handling no difference between 245/45zr18 and a 245/45zr19 tire.
Aspect ratio should be changing if going up or down in wheel size (assuming same tire width). 'Revolutions per mile (km)' should be as close as possible to OEM spec.
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Originally Posted by ua549
Why would a wheel size affect handling unless the tires have a different aspect ratio. There should be handling no difference between 245/45zr18 and a 245/45zr19 tire. The only functional differences between the tires are related to the diameter/circumference.
I tried to shrink the image, but the forum keeps enlarging it.
I agree with Alan Smithee 100%: To keep the same rolling radius as wheel size increases aspect ratio also increases - sidewall decreases in size. (the decreased sidewall is what gives you the rough ride)
In the old days going from 14" to 15" wheels was called +1
From 14" to 16" +2
From 14" to 17" +3
Going to plus +1 was relatively easy. Going to +2 and certainly +3 required suspension modifications as the wheels were much wider.
There is also a point of diminishing returns: as you go wider the foot print, contact area, increase but there is less pressure (weight) per square inch of contact.
Go too wide and in the rain aquaplaning increases and of course, contrary to what you might think, narrower tires do better in snow/slush than wider tires - again less weight/pressure per square inch on wider tires.
Note: Bfgslkman in post #5 went from 20" wide tires in the summer to 18" narrower tires for the winter
Why would a wheel size affect handling unless the tires have a different aspect ratio. There should be handling no difference between 245/45zr18 and a 245/45zr19 tire. The only functional differences between the tires are related to the diameter/circumference.
.
I was comparing Mercedes oem tires and rims, so the change in aspect ratio was assume on my part but I should have clarify. I am actually going the other way as the OP, I am looking for a truck or a SUV with bigger tires and more suspension travel to survive the New England winter potholes. I am tired of losing the battle with dodging potholes and the government is cutting back on street repairs.
Last edited by The G Man; Nov 8, 2023 at 05:12 PM.
I didn't read "change aspect ratio" in the post, I interpreted it as a straight forward comparison between different diameter tires with the same aspect ratio and width. A couple of years ago I changed tire sizes on an F150 going from 275/65-18 to 275/65-20 and simply recalibrated the speedo with a Dakota Digital OBD II interface.
I agree that changing tire aspect ratio changes performance.
I didn't read "change aspect ratio" in the post, I interpreted it as a straight forward comparison between different diameter tires with the same aspect ratio and width. A couple of years ago I changed tire sizes on an F150 going from 275/65-18 to 275/65-20 and simply recalibrated the speedo with a Dakota Digital OBD II interface.
I agree that changing tire aspect ratio changes performance.
That is a plus two upgrade in size, the E300 could not like that. Not sure why sedan manufacturers cannot make a sedan with city pothole suspensions and tires, why am I forced into buying a truck or SUV?
Thanks everyone, for the comments, but who isn't willing to sacrifice safety and performance for appearance and comfort?
I don't care for the appearance of the wheels that are on the car (it's not the first time). Even with a fancy name, gray is still gray. However, after reading comments and talking to others I think that 20" option is out from the comfort perspective. Oh well, there is always my fallback 19" option...Chrome.
Thanks everyone, for the comments, but who isn't willing to sacrifice safety and performance for appearance and comfort?
I don't care for the appearance of the wheels that are on the car (it's not the first time). Even with a fancy name, gray is still gray. However, after reading comments and talking to others I think that 20" option is out from the comfort perspective. Oh well, there is always my fallback 19" option...Chrome.
Good decision on your part, I have 19” and the ride is pretty good until I hit a average size pothole which SUV would just ride over with no problem. The little comfort you lose with the 19” is made up with better appearance on all 4 and improve handling.
From: Northern Germany and sometimes Southern Germany
Mercedes E220d AMG Line Estate (S213) and Mercedes E220d AMG Line Cabriolet (A238)
Originally Posted by The G Man
I am assuming even the E220d is capable of taking a turn aggressively at 40 mph+, so it is not all form over function. Low profile tires will not make the car accelerate faster but it will improve the handling, even in a E220d. In fact, the 4 cylinder will handle better than the 6 and the 8 cylinder due to less curb weight and better front to rear weight distribution. When I Compare the 18” to the 19”, with same runflat tires, the 18 rides a bit softer and the 19 handles a bit better on aggressive handling. I would imagine 20” will be reserved for the hardcore. The ride will be rough, air suspension or no air suspension, and the handling advantage from 19 to 20 will be near to none, so going from 19 to 20 would be all form over function.
Well it will do 145mph! Especailly with the fact its tuned to 240PS (standard is 193PS).
Thanks everyone, for the comments, but who isn't willing to sacrifice safety and performance for appearance and comfort?
I don't care for the appearance of the wheels that are on the car (it's not the first time). Even with a fancy name, gray is still gray. However, after reading comments and talking to others I think that 20" option is out from the comfort perspective. Oh well, there is always my fallback 19" option...Chrome.
19"s with lowering (lowering links are available and do a good job) + spacers (if needed) will get you the look and performance you need. 20s are mostly for looks on an E, bcos a +2 upsize (from your stock 18s) will mostly be a net negative when all tire-related benefits are factored in. BUT, if you live in Cali, 20s will be OK bcos the roads are better and wider and, well, you just gotta have the "look". Its Cali style afterall
19"s with lowering (lowering links are available and do a good job) + spacers (if needed) will get you the look and performance you need. 20s are mostly for looks on an E, bcos a +2 upsize (from your stock 18s) will mostly be a net negative when all tire-related benefits are factored in. BUT, if you live in Cali, 20s will be OK bcos the roads are better and wider and, well, you just gotta have the "look". Its Cali style afterall
Its YOUR car, do whatever feels right to you.
I am in CA. I do have "good" roads. And if I still have the Cali look...it's the one from 30 years ago . No piercings, no tattoos or jeans with torn knees, BUT. even in winter, I don't wear socks.
So, to your point, the 20s were mostly about appearance (they DO look good), but with enough concern that ride comfort might suffer more than I am willing to accept. Without the ABC suspension, it's back to the future with good ole 19s.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
. No piercings, no tattoos or jeans with torn knees, BUT. even in winter, I don't wear socks.
