Optimizing ride comfort
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Joined: Nov 2025
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'18 E300 Saloon, '65 FFR Cobra, '76 Stingray
Optimizing ride comfort
Hi all, I just bought a 2018 E300 4Matic Sedan with 19,000 miles on it. I am coming from a 2024 Mini Cooper S Convertible that had absolutely terrible ride quality. I felt like either the chassis or my spine, or both, would break every time I hit a pothole. I needed something more comfortable. The Merc certainly is a huge improvement, but it does still have some issues on potholes. It came with the following options:
[RTK] Wheels: 19" Amg Twin 5 Spoke
[322] Amg Line Exterior
I am not a huge fan of the way the stock wheels look, and I'm wondering if I can not only improve the look but also make further gains in my ride quality by going down to 18" or even 17", switching away from a runflat tire to a conventional tire, and increasing the sidewall height to the max possible.
It's my understanding with the brake options above that 17" is likely not an option, can anyone verify that?
If I do 18", what is the tallest tire I can fit on there to give the most cushion? I don't care at all about width. I have other cars to go fast in, this is purely to move me and my family in comfort. I was wondering if getting 18" wheels and putting 235/50/18 all around would be an option or if it would rub, and if it would be a noticeable difference in ride quality from the 19" runflats or if I am spending lots of money for little noticeable gain?
[RTK] Wheels: 19" Amg Twin 5 Spoke
- Tires: 19" AS
[322] Amg Line Exterior
- Sport Interior
- AMG Body Styling
- Sport Interior (P15)
- Perforated Front Brake Discs & Fr Brake Calipers
I am not a huge fan of the way the stock wheels look, and I'm wondering if I can not only improve the look but also make further gains in my ride quality by going down to 18" or even 17", switching away from a runflat tire to a conventional tire, and increasing the sidewall height to the max possible.
It's my understanding with the brake options above that 17" is likely not an option, can anyone verify that?
If I do 18", what is the tallest tire I can fit on there to give the most cushion? I don't care at all about width. I have other cars to go fast in, this is purely to move me and my family in comfort. I was wondering if getting 18" wheels and putting 235/50/18 all around would be an option or if it would rub, and if it would be a noticeable difference in ride quality from the 19" runflats or if I am spending lots of money for little noticeable gain?
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Factory Tire Sizes are: 245/45-18 and, 245/40-19.
I have an '18 E300 with 245/45-18 with Pirelli P Zero Summer non run flat tires. The ride is very comfortable. I live and drive in the Tampa, Florida metro area. We really don't have potholes or unpaved roads just smooth asphalt and lots of traffic and traffic signals. Typical speed limits are 45 mph except 30 mph on residential streets lined with houses.
I have an '18 E300 with 245/45-18 with Pirelli P Zero Summer non run flat tires. The ride is very comfortable. I live and drive in the Tampa, Florida metro area. We really don't have potholes or unpaved roads just smooth asphalt and lots of traffic and traffic signals. Typical speed limits are 45 mph except 30 mph on residential streets lined with houses.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2025
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'18 E300 Saloon, '65 FFR Cobra, '76 Stingray
Comparing 235/50/18 to your 245/45/18, it looks like there is a 0.57" difference in overall height. Does anyone know if this would rub? Or can anyone confirm fitment of a 235/50/18 tire without rubbing?
1. 235/50R18
- Sidewall height:
235 × 0.50 = 117.5 mm
= 4.63 inches - Overall diameter:
= 18" wheel (457.2 mm) + 2×117.5 mm
= 692.2 mm
= 27.25 inches
2. 245/45R18
- Sidewall height:
245 × 0.45 = 110.25 mm
= 4.34 inches - Overall diameter:
= 457.2 mm + 2×110.25 mm
= 677.7 mm
= 26.68 inches
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 5,394
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You can model your wheel and tire fitment at Wheel-Size.com.
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Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 170
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2017 M-B E400 4Matic Wagon AMG-Line
Just be sure to get the proper offset on the new wheels. Those AMG calipers are huge. Even with the factory offset (43) wheels there's maybe 2mm of clearance between the rim and the calipers. I have the OEM 18" AMG wheels on my car.
I searched for the quietest, most comfortable tire in the factory size and Continental PureContact is what I bought. Huge improvement over the run flats. I think Continental changed the name of that tire to the TrueContact Tour this year but they look identical (I had to replace one tire).
I searched for the quietest, most comfortable tire in the factory size and Continental PureContact is what I bought. Huge improvement over the run flats. I think Continental changed the name of that tire to the TrueContact Tour this year but they look identical (I had to replace one tire).
