20" vs. 21" wheels on GLC 63 AMG Coupe?
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From: Boston, Massachusetts
2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic Sport
Depends where you are. If you live anywhere near bad roads or snow I'd go with 20's because it's easier to find snow tires and they'll make driving over bumps less unpleasant.
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From: Billings, MT
Mercedes GLC43, GLC63
I have 21" rims on my GLC43 and they're the best feature of the car exterior.
i live in pothole filled Northern California and I still wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. Came with continentals. The car still feels remarkably smooth in comfort mode. But the 21 inch wheels really punctuate the cars aggression - so well suited to a GLC63. May I be the first of many to admit being jealous. Heard a C63S on 19th avenue this week - what a wonderful noise those 63 engines make. Can't wait to drive one at Laguna Seca - all set for my free track day there sept 30th
i live in pothole filled Northern California and I still wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. Came with continentals. The car still feels remarkably smooth in comfort mode. But the 21 inch wheels really punctuate the cars aggression - so well suited to a GLC63. May I be the first of many to admit being jealous. Heard a C63S on 19th avenue this week - what a wonderful noise those 63 engines make. Can't wait to drive one at Laguna Seca - all set for my free track day there sept 30th
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Joined: May 2017
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From: Northern California
2012 5.2 R8, 2012 TTRS, 63S Coupe on order
Thanks Rihallix. Just heard my build date is now into 2018. So I have a few more weeks to decide. I was all set to keep the 20's that I ordered but now I'm unsure again. 21's give a subtle aggressive look. What a beautiful car. I'm also in Northern Cal. - Walnut Creek. Thanks for your response. I'll keep an eye out.
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 393
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From: Boston, Massachusetts
2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic Sport
I have 21" rims on my GLC43 and they're the best feature of the car exterior.
i live in pothole filled Northern California and I still wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. Came with continentals. The car still feels remarkably smooth in comfort mode. But the 21 inch wheels really punctuate the cars aggression - so well suited to a GLC63. May I be the first of many to admit being jealous. Heard a C63S on 19th avenue this week - what a wonderful noise those 63 engines make. Can't wait to drive one at Laguna Seca - all set for my free track day there sept 30th
i live in pothole filled Northern California and I still wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. Came with continentals. The car still feels remarkably smooth in comfort mode. But the 21 inch wheels really punctuate the cars aggression - so well suited to a GLC63. May I be the first of many to admit being jealous. Heard a C63S on 19th avenue this week - what a wonderful noise those 63 engines make. Can't wait to drive one at Laguna Seca - all set for my free track day there sept 30th
But... I've seen cars with even 18" and 19" wheels have completely chipped rims and it looks horrible after a while (both of mine are/were 18"), so personally I'd hesitate to buy the bigger rims where I live. Just my personal opinion though...
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From: Northern California
2012 5.2 R8, 2012 TTRS, 63S Coupe on order
Thanks MB300AMG. Rims chipped from pot holes? I'll probably only drive the car 5-8K a year but I will drive it daily.My current car has runflat 19's and although I've hit a few potholes I've yet to sustain any damage.
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From: Boston, Massachusetts
2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic Sport
To elaborate on what I mean by chips, go to 1:25 on this video - that's light chipping, and we have worse in MA (I speak from experience):
Even though I don't want to spam, here are some videos of how the different wheels look in motion since that factors in on which to pick:
20's:
21's:
Alternate Designs:
I actually really like the last one (blacked out).
If MB offered 5-spoke 20" wheels then this would be a no-brainer for me since those are my preferred choice. I'm hoping the dealer will allow me to do a deal to switch out for the GLC63 5-spoke wheels.
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From: Portland, OR
C450, GLC43
I have 21" rims on my GLC43 and they're the best feature of the car exterior.
i live in pothole filled Northern California and I still wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. Came with continentals. The car still feels remarkably smooth in comfort mode. But the 21 inch wheels really punctuate the cars aggression - so well suited to a GLC63. May I be the first of many to admit being jealous. Heard a C63S on 19th avenue this week - what a wonderful noise those 63 engines make. Can't wait to drive one at Laguna Seca - all set for my free track day there sept 30th
i live in pothole filled Northern California and I still wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. Came with continentals. The car still feels remarkably smooth in comfort mode. But the 21 inch wheels really punctuate the cars aggression - so well suited to a GLC63. May I be the first of many to admit being jealous. Heard a C63S on 19th avenue this week - what a wonderful noise those 63 engines make. Can't wait to drive one at Laguna Seca - all set for my free track day there sept 30th
Norcal and Socal have some of the best highways in the country. I've driven everywhere from Cave Junction, through Sonoma, Klamath River, Redding, Shasta, and all points in between. Seriously, come drive up here in Portland and then head over to Boston. You really don't seem to know how good you have it.
OP, unless you upgrade to forged, all of the std option MB wheels are made of very soft alloy. They will warp and bend if you hit a deep pothole. If you live in an area with rough roads get the 20s. If you're in Cali get the 21's and enjoy.
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From: Northern California
2012 5.2 R8, 2012 TTRS, 63S Coupe on order
+1 on the Portland comment. I drive to Portland two or three times a year. Looking forward to taking this new one up through the middle of the state. I think I'll go with the 20's and see if I can make it all year with the performance tires that come with. Might be nice to have a set of 20 rims for winter and 21's for summer, if the budget allows. I have two sets for my Audi and my dealer stores and switches them for me. Will Mercedes do that?
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From: Virginia
2015 370Z Nismo, 2018 GLC43 (on order)
I've seen all size rims bend, but then I live in the DC area and while we have some crap roads, driving up to Minneapolis this weekend reminded me how good we have it in NOVA. While going 20 in stead of 21" will give you a marginal better ride quality and do the same in rim defense, the same pothole that will jar you with the 21s will do so with the 20s. Same goes with rim damage. I'd get the rim you like and not worry about how it will affect the ride or whether it will last longer as I don't think there is that much of an advantage between the two sizes.
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2022 Mercedes EQS 580
I'm going to get the 21s. I like the fact that they are forged. We have a lot of pot holes here too, but the tire thickness even on the 21s is comparable to driving an E-Class with 19s.
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From: Northern California
2012 5.2 R8, 2012 TTRS, 63S Coupe on order
I don't see the forged choices in the Order Guide. I know I saw them at an earlier time. What am I missing? Was it on the dealers config. screen?
Last edited by kauboy; Jun 24, 2017 at 03:23 PM.
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From: Boston, Massachusetts
2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic Sport
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2017
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From: Northern California
2012 5.2 R8, 2012 TTRS, 63S Coupe on order
I found my error...using the wrong Order guide. I see the 21" forged rims. Wondering if they will come with All season or Summer performance tires.
Senior Member
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From: Boston, Massachusetts
2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic Sport
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2017
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From: Northern California
2012 5.2 R8, 2012 TTRS, 63S Coupe on order
I'm looking at the 63S Coupe Order Guide. It only shows forged for 21" and only for 63S. Tempting but I think I'll stay with the 20's
Last edited by kauboy; Jun 24, 2017 at 07:11 PM.
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From: Virginia
2015 370Z Nismo, 2018 GLC43 (on order)
This is a great point. I have yet to see an SUV or truck wheel bent even when looking at 22" sizes. However, passenger cars with their much lower aspect ratio seem to have much higher frequency for trashing wheels even at 17 inches (e.g. BMW).
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From: GA
X3 M40i
I also have the 21 inch night package rims. I think the 21's looks so much better than the other combos. My 21's are actually more comfortable in dynamic mode than my c350 with 18 continentals were which that car had sport suspension standard.
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From: Portland, OR
C450, GLC43
My C450 is very harsh compared to my GLC43. C450 is running on 19s GLC43 is running on 20s.
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From: GA
X3 M40i
After driving a few GLC43 before choosing mine, I thought the ride rather it was 20s or 21s rims & tiires were way better than my c350 with all season tires on 18 inch rims. Which is why I chose the 21s as my c350 was my only reference I could comapare to.
So back to the OP question, depending on what vehicle you are coming from, I don't think the 21 inch wheels make the ride suffer. I think the 21 wheels look better and if I am driving in an area with bad roads, I put the suspension on comfort setting and it still drives better than my previous cars.
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From: GA
X3 M40i
Just noticed the OP is talking about GLC63 coupe. The wheel and tire combo will be totally different than the GLC43. I haven't seen the GLC63 options so maybe the 20s look just as good as the 21s. If the tire sizes are the same as on the GLC43 then I think the 21s will probably fill up the wheel well better. The other thing to consider is the weight. The V8 engine is heavier and there will be more load/weight on the front end vs. the v6 in the GLC43. That may or may not make a difference with ride comfort up front.
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From: Billings, MT
Mercedes GLC43, GLC63
NorCal roads are not great. The 21" wheels really make the look of the GLC43 as a sports SUV.
You are going to be super pleased with your GLC43 (apologies GLC63S) when it arrives - and those wheels are going to be the thing you are MOST pleased about.
Last edited by rihallix; Aug 9, 2017 at 10:30 AM.
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From: Virginia
2015 370Z Nismo, 2018 GLC43 (on order)
