255X40X18: sidewall height is 4.02 inches and not 3.86

see: https://www.google.com/search?q=Side...t=gws-wiz-serp

265X35X18 sidewall height is 3.65 inches as you wrote

see: https://www.google.com/search?q=Side...t=gws-wiz-serp



Going from 18 to 19 inches is decrease of 10%. That is significant. Each inch increase in wheel size and there is another 10% drop. So the sidewalls on the 18 inch vs. 21 inch, the sidewalls on the 21 inch are 30% smaller.. That is a HUGE difference.

To calculate sidewall height:

You can calculate the sidewall height of a tire by multiplying the aspect ratio by the width of the tire. For example, if the aspect ratio is 0.70 and the width is 225 millimeters, then the sidewall height is 157.5 millimeters.

On my 2019 E450 245X45X18, the sidewall height is 4.34 inches. As I posted at 20K miles, I had to replace 3 tires because of bubbles.

Unless absolute handling is your priority, for 99% of normal driving, the 18 inch tires, with 5 inches of sidewall height, at least in my opinion make the most sense and when replacement is needed will cost the least. A narrow tier will also perform better than a wider tire in both rain and snow

Finally your "base line" tires were not standard tires. The standard tires for the 2012 W212 were 245X45X17. That would be a sidewall height of 4.34 inches, significantly more than your optional tires.

 

Great info @L1Wolf and @JTK44 . Appreciated.

I am hunting for the smallest wheel diameter that will still fit over the AMG Performance Package brakes.

• For comparison, my E53 will arrive with 21" wheels: Front > Rear 265/35R21 > 295/30R21 = 3.65" > 3.5" sidewalls (overall tire height: 28.3" > 28")
• We know 20" will fit over the brakes, so these would likely be the tires: Front > Rear 265/40R20 > 295/35R20 = 4.2" > 4.1" sidewalls (overall tire height: 28.3" > 28.1")
• If that turns out 19" will fit over the brakes, then these would likely be the tires: Front > Rear 255/45R19 > 285/40R19 = 4.5" > 4.5" sidewalls (overall tire height: 28" > 28")

Maybe only the 20" can accommodate those brakes. I can't find the definitive answer yet, and my local MB dealer is also looking into this.

 

I mistyped my tired size in my narrative but not in the table. My 2012 W212 came standard with 245/40R18 front and 265/35R18 rear from the factory. The 2012 W212 came in luxury and sport variations with the latter equipped with the larger 18" AMG wheels. Mine was the sport model.

I am making no claims to handling in rain or snow and am not mentioning cost as none of that really matters when discussing sidewall height in relation to comfort or the ability to withstand road hazards. My post was only to show that the data does not support the claim that having larger wheels will be less comfortable due to a smaller sidewall. My 18" wheels on my W212 have less sidewall then my W214 with 20" wheels. It depends on the overall tire size. If the outer diameter increase with the inner diameter then there will be little difference in sidewall height. Your statement about handling in rain and snow are correct, but now you are talking width and not sidewall height. Your bubbles are not necessarily due to anything but bad luck. It's possible you would not have fared any differently if you had the 20" wheel option. Yes, the larger tires are more expensive but by how much depends on the tire. Looking at Discount Tire, the Pirelli Cinturato Weatheractive (all season) tire is only $64 more for all 4 tires between a 245/45R18 ($1100) and a staggered setup of 245/40R20 front and 275/32R20 rear ($1164) before taxes and other fees. If you went for the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 Sport (summer only tire) it's $546 more for the all 4 tires in those same sizes. If you go with the Michelin CrossClimate2 it's only a $10 difference.

 

Since you cannot get the E53 with the 19" wheels, you would have to buy it with 20" or 21" wheels and then buy 19" wheels after you take delivery. You could find some place with the wheels you are considering and have one put on as a test to see if it clears. A wheel company like Vossen can likely tell you if a particular 19" wheel will fit it. You can also drive it with the 20" wheels and see how you like the comfort and want to stick with the 20".

Edit: Sorry, I see you ordered it with the 21" wheels. You may like them so the above can still apply to those.

 

FWIW my '18 E300 has AMG Performance brakes and came from the factory with 18" wheels and 245/45-18 tires.

 

I have the 20" 10-spoke with black accents (exterior color is Nautical Blue with the Tonka Brown nappa interior). I find it actually much smoother than my 2020, though my wagon didn't have the air suspension (and the wagon had 19" wheels).

In terms of E450 vs E53, I drove both and they both are amazing. I chose the E53 because it had the performance I wanted coupled with the luxurious elements (I never have wanted, nor could afford, an E63!) I liked the subtle changes and more aggressive styling that the E53 had. The E450 has PLENTY of power and performance, and would be an equally nice choice. As well, at a starting price of 88k for the E53, you could get an E450 with nearly every important option.

The Edition1 has a bunch of stuff I didn't want on it, so I was never considering that one. I got mine with the options I knew I would use, again with the idea of blending what I loved about my E450 wagon with added performance. So, I chose the exclusive trim and the upgraded nappa seats (heated/ventilated) and driver assistance, but I did NOT get the dumb selfie camera or superscreen, soft close doors, the $3k dynamic package I know I'd never use, or the performance seats. All in, I was just under $100k, which I feel is a sweet spot/price given the performance.

PS: I REALLY hope that MB will bring the E53 wagon to the States in a few years. That would be a perfect vehicle.

 

The prices you quote from Tire Rach are for non Run Flat tires. Check out the prices and choices for run flat tires.

It is very simple: Whether you run 18, 19, 20 or 21 inch wheels the overall size of the wheel and tire must be the same.

On an 18 inch tire the radius is 9 inches. On a 19 inch tire the radius is 9 1/2 inches. In order for the tire to be the same size, the sidewall on the 19 inch tire must be 1/2 inch less.

For every 1 inch increase in wheel size, the side walls decrease 1/2 inch. There is also a corresponding increase in tread width. The sidewall on a 21 inch wheel will be 1 1/2 inches smaller than on an 18 inch wheel.

Back in the 1960's increasing wheel size by one inch was called "stage 1". 2 inches "stage 2". 3 inches "stage 3". Back then stage 3 was for only used for auto cross and gymkhana. The ride was far too stiff for everyday driving. Going from 18 inch to 21 inch, back then would have been called Stage 3.

Several years ago the standard wheel on a RAV4 was 18 inches. The Limited model had 20 inch wheels. In reporting I remember Motor Trend writing that they liked the Limited except for the harsh ride as compared to the standard RAV4, because of the 20 inch tires. I have a Ford Edge Sport with 20 inch tires - which are an "upgrade" over the standard 18 inch tire. Recently I rented an Edge with the standard 18 inch tires. The ride was much smoother.

There is a trade off between handling and comfort when you go to a bigger wheel. Each must make their own decision. But one fact remains. All other things being equal, a smaller wheel with a larger sidewall will always ride smoother than a larger wheel with a smaller sidewall.

 

Could it be the difference in driving a new car vs. a 5 year old car???? Air suspension also makes a huge difference!



No matter who the manufacturer, over time the ride in a car deteriorates. We do not notice it until we get in a new car: It is a gradual thing. Almost universally and everyone I have ever spoken to says their new car rides better than their old car:

My E450, 50,000 miles comes off warranty at the end of 2025. I really like it and it has buttons where the new E450 has touch screen and a dip stick! But I know the minute I drive a new car I will feel such a difference in ride, quiet, etc. that I will be hard pressed to keep my present car.

Bottom line: In comparing ride quality based on tire size, the only fair comparison is between new cars and without air suspension!

 

This site is great for calculating and comparing tire sizes:
https://tiresize.com/comparison/

 

This site is also good. https://www.calculator.net/tire-size-calculator.html
I like seeing how close in percentage my staggered tire size (total height) is, and for testing various new options.

That said, I like the visual presentation on yours a little better.

 

Remember that the wheels you choose must be compatible with the brakes, etc.

 

That’s fair; I understand what you mean. I definitely like the redundant buttons and the steering wheel on the w213 (up until 2020). I’m still getting used to the w214 wheel…

 

The Tires on my new All Terrain are taller than the tires on my 2019 E450 Wagon plus non run flats now thats a lot of the reason for the better ride I'm experiencing on the All Terrain plus the air suspension. The ride was so bad over bumps with my 2019 E450 Wagon I didn't even want to take that car up north and left it in Florida as my Florida car the past few years. I did put on non run flat tires at the very end of my 2019 E450 ownership and it did really help out with the ride.

 

If non RF are standard on the 2025 All Terrain is there a spare or kit in the case of a puncture?

 

It comes with a kit, no spare.

 

Is the W214 Sedan available without Run Flat tires?
If yes, will it include some flat repair kit, inflation pump, etc?

 

Yes, it has an inflator kit.

 

My W214, like many others, came with 20” staggered summer Bridgestones, non run-flat, and a tire inflation kit in the trunk.

I switched to all-seasons for the cold weather and will switch them back when we return to the warmer months.

I feel the 20” tires (both summer and all-season) on this car offer me a better ride than the 18” run-flat tires I had on my W213 wagon. That’s a pleasant surprise for me.

 

Same with my 2025.

 

One would hope that a new car would ride substantially better than a 5 year plus old car.

Has anyone ever driven a new car of the same make and model that didn't drive better than the old car it replaces?.

 

My W213 with non-RF tires does not ride as well as my W211 with the similar tires. The W211 handles better as well. That said, the W211 came standard with air suspension.

 

With air suspension: comparing apples to coconuts

 

Standard car compared to standard car. MB sedans have offered significantly lower levels of standard equipment (other than electronics) over the years.

 

Contra point:

Many of the safety items that years ago were optional are now standard on the E Class. Other items like LED lighting, blind spot warning, TPS to name a few are now standard when before they were extra cost options.

Could you be more specific about the items that were eliminated by Mercedes "over the years?"

I will agree that many buttons have been replaced by touch screens: that to me is a form of "de-contenting".

To the best of my knowledge air suspension on the base E and S Class Mercedes for the past 20 years , except for the wagon and upgraded models, has been an extra cost option. But beyond 20 years, I do not know.

 

Air suspension was the only suspension offered on my 2002 E500 and my 2004 E55. The E500 had very soft suspension and the E55 suspension was so hard that if you rolled over a quater you could tell whether it was heads or tails.

Things that I miss in a MB that I had in my older ones:
Interior with no plastic or vinyl
Physical controls (buttons & knobs)
Single function steering wheel (no buttons, touchpads, etc.)
Spare tire
Jack
Tool kit w/wrenches that fit every nut and bolt in vehicle
Blaupunkt or Becker SW, MW, LW radio
Bumpers that are functional
Chair height seating
Vent windows
Larger fuel capacity
Visable engine guages in the instrument cluster (oil, coolant, volts, amps).
Manual gearbox w/clutch