20in or 22in rims?
10-22-2018, 04:08 AM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
20in or 22in rims?
Hey guys,
Im in need of new tires and rims for my GL550, and I can't decide if I go with 20in rims or 22in rims, I like how the 22in rims look on the car, but I do care a lot for smooth and quiet ride.
My choices are:
20in rims with 285/50R20 tires.
or
22in rims with 305/40R22 tires.
Thoughts?
Im in need of new tires and rims for my GL550, and I can't decide if I go with 20in rims or 22in rims, I like how the 22in rims look on the car, but I do care a lot for smooth and quiet ride.
My choices are:
20in rims with 285/50R20 tires.
or
22in rims with 305/40R22 tires.
Thoughts?
10-22-2018, 07:26 AM
#2
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E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
If you live in an area that has snow or ice, go with 20" wheels. If you like the look of 22" wheels and don't care about MPG's, go with the 22" wheel. I've been running 22" wheels for well over 150k miles without issues but I did take a hit on MPG's. My wheels are very light forged wheels so, if you go with a heavy cast whees, MPG's could be even worse.
10-22-2018, 03:19 PM
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
10-22-2018, 03:53 PM
#5
MBWorld Fanatic!
Not true,. I'm in PA,. Had factory 20'. Went to 22's and now those are 24's and the ride is nicer than the 22's I had! A lot is the TIRE and also this has air suspension and rides incredible. If you near pa I'll show you.
10-22-2018, 07:53 PM
#6
MBWorld Fanatic!
The aesthetics of the larger rims is certainly 100% your call, Onyx. For example... me, I don't like the look of the much larger rims - I think they start to "dominate" the car and sometimes start to look like wagon wheels. Especially if the rims are of an open design and you can see through to what looks like, in comparison to the large wheels, puny looking brakes.
When it comes to sidewall heights, physics works and there's no way around that. The ONLY way to compare would be for YOU (that's all that matters - not what myself or anyone else thinks) to run a set of 20" and then a set of 22". But that's kinda impractical to do. But if you kept the other variables the same (same tire, sidewall design) the 20" rims would allow for a softer ride. Again, physics works. Once you bring in other variables (tire design, for example) it's not a fair comparison. However, there is one more variable that could skew things... unsprung weight. If the package weight of the 22"/tire combo is lighter than the 20"/tire combo... that could offset the sidewall issue.
If this were me (removing the aesthetics from the equation), and I was worried about compromising ride quality (which I would), I think I'd have to stay with the 20's. Otherwise, every single bump that I went over with the 22's, for the entire time I owned them, I'd always be wondering if the 20's would be smoother... second guessing myself. In the end, as you're probably doing now, you're going to have to weigh the pros and cons of each and decide which is more important... aesthetics or ride quality.
When it comes to sidewall heights, physics works and there's no way around that. The ONLY way to compare would be for YOU (that's all that matters - not what myself or anyone else thinks) to run a set of 20" and then a set of 22". But that's kinda impractical to do. But if you kept the other variables the same (same tire, sidewall design) the 20" rims would allow for a softer ride. Again, physics works. Once you bring in other variables (tire design, for example) it's not a fair comparison. However, there is one more variable that could skew things... unsprung weight. If the package weight of the 22"/tire combo is lighter than the 20"/tire combo... that could offset the sidewall issue.
If this were me (removing the aesthetics from the equation), and I was worried about compromising ride quality (which I would), I think I'd have to stay with the 20's. Otherwise, every single bump that I went over with the 22's, for the entire time I owned them, I'd always be wondering if the 20's would be smoother... second guessing myself. In the end, as you're probably doing now, you're going to have to weigh the pros and cons of each and decide which is more important... aesthetics or ride quality.
Last edited by DennisG01; 10-22-2018 at 07:56 PM.
10-22-2018, 08:27 PM
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Im in Hawaii, roads are pretty ****ty over here =(
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10-22-2018, 08:29 PM
#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
The aesthetics of the larger rims is certainly 100% your call, Onyx. For example... me, I don't like the look of the much larger rims - I think they start to "dominate" the car and sometimes start to look like wagon wheels. Especially if the rims are of an open design and you can see through to what looks like, in comparison to the large wheels, puny looking brakes.
When it comes to sidewall heights, physics works and there's no way around that. The ONLY way to compare would be for YOU (that's all that matters - not what myself or anyone else thinks) to run a set of 20" and then a set of 22". But that's kinda impractical to do. But if you kept the other variables the same (same tire, sidewall design) the 20" rims would allow for a softer ride. Again, physics works. Once you bring in other variables (tire design, for example) it's not a fair comparison. However, there is one more variable that could skew things... unsprung weight. If the package weight of the 22"/tire combo is lighter than the 20"/tire combo... that could offset the sidewall issue.
If this were me (removing the aesthetics from the equation), and I was worried about compromising ride quality (which I would), I think I'd have to stay with the 20's. Otherwise, every single bump that I went over with the 22's, for the entire time I owned them, I'd always be wondering if the 20's would be smoother... second guessing myself. In the end, as you're probably doing now, you're going to have to weigh the pros and cons of each and decide which is more important... aesthetics or ride quality.
When it comes to sidewall heights, physics works and there's no way around that. The ONLY way to compare would be for YOU (that's all that matters - not what myself or anyone else thinks) to run a set of 20" and then a set of 22". But that's kinda impractical to do. But if you kept the other variables the same (same tire, sidewall design) the 20" rims would allow for a softer ride. Again, physics works. Once you bring in other variables (tire design, for example) it's not a fair comparison. However, there is one more variable that could skew things... unsprung weight. If the package weight of the 22"/tire combo is lighter than the 20"/tire combo... that could offset the sidewall issue.
If this were me (removing the aesthetics from the equation), and I was worried about compromising ride quality (which I would), I think I'd have to stay with the 20's. Otherwise, every single bump that I went over with the 22's, for the entire time I owned them, I'd always be wondering if the 20's would be smoother... second guessing myself. In the end, as you're probably doing now, you're going to have to weigh the pros and cons of each and decide which is more important... aesthetics or ride quality.
10-22-2018, 08:35 PM
#9
MBWorld Fanatic!
The roads in PA are horrible. Again, a lot of this is TIRE PRESSURES. Dealers typically give you a newer car than you have, and the tire pressures are lower to make it seem like it rides better and you'll want to trade it in sooner. The 22" to 24" change resulted in a better ride quality. The brand tires I had on the 22's rode rougher than the 24's. I never thought in a million years I'd go that big, but this style wheel doesn't look like a 24" wheel. It fits the girth of the vehicle and I get compliments all the time as the gas station manly from guys over 50 yrs old, some in $80,000 pickups and others that love that it's a diesel. If it rode bad, I wouldn't have them on there.
10-22-2018, 08:41 PM
#10
Junior Member
Thread Starter
The roads in PA are horrible. Again, a lot of this is TIRE PRESSURES. Dealers typically give you a newer car than you have, and the tire pressures are lower to make it seem like it rides better and you'll want to trade it in sooner. The 22" to 24" change resulted in a better ride quality. The brand tires I had on the 22's rode rougher than the 24's. I never thought in a million years I'd go that big, but this style wheel doesn't look like a 24" wheel. It fits the girth of the vehicle and I get compliments all the time as the gas station manly from guys over 50 yrs old, some in $80,000 pickups and others that love that it's a diesel. If it rode bad, I wouldn't have them on there.
