18, 19, or 20" rims?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2004
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2005 ML500 SE (for sale), 2012 GL450, 2008 BMW M5
18, 19, or 20" rims?
I just bought an '05 ML500 special edition and would like to upgrade the stock 17" wheels. I am about to pull the trigger on a new set of 20" Lorinser LM-3s, but had a last second question about ride quality. Do you all think that 20" would be a little rough? I will be getting 295/40/20 tires. I don't need bling-bling, I just like a nice sporty look to my SUV. What have others here done? Again, I dont care about extreme flashiness, and dont want a chromed out on dubs look. I previously had an X5 4.4 with 18's and was very pleased, but the ML has much more room under the fenders. Thanks for the input.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
ML350 BlueTec
do the 18's
If comfort is of importance to you I would do the 18's. If you don't have a lot of fillings to have rattle free you can try the 20's but they will add more unsprung weight and make the ride that much more unbearable.
Thread Starter
Newbie
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2005 ML500 SE (for sale), 2012 GL450, 2008 BMW M5
Coming from an X5 4.4 with the sport suspension, the ML500 stock ride seems super soft. I actually prefer a more stiff ride, including suspension (which I will be upgrading shortly), however I am concerned that the 20" rims are overly susceptible to bending when I hit a small pothole, or a bumpy patch in the road. any thoughts?
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From: nj
a car that can't do the throttle reset.
like i said, i have 22's and i drive pretty hard... and i have yet to bend one..*knock on wood*. i think youll be fine as long as you can avoid huge bumps and craters in the road.
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From: nj
a car that can't do the throttle reset.
Originally Posted by BklynBenz
where do you live? take that and your local roads into consideration. in nyc for example, especially brooklyn and staten island, even 18's get bent real easy
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2004
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2005 ML500 SE (for sale), 2012 GL450, 2008 BMW M5
im just outside of dc in md. roads can be a bit rough, but nothing terrible--but hey I've been here my whole life, so this is what i know. would it be true to assume that a quality wheel brand like Lorinser will not bend as easily as some cheaper brands, or even replicas?
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From: Springfield, Penna
2001 CLK430 Conv. 2000 ML320 61.5K, 1992 SL300 (sold), 1998 Jaguar XJ6 (sold)
I'll buy your wheels and tires.
I live in Penna, outside of Phila. If you want to sell your wheels/tires, I would be very interested, Thanks. email me...
Last edited by bruce hat; Oct 23, 2004 at 06:08 PM. Reason: add words
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From: NYC
CL500
Originally Posted by gabe151
im just outside of dc in md. roads can be a bit rough, but nothing terrible--but hey I've been here my whole life, so this is what i know. would it be true to assume that a quality wheel brand like Lorinser will not bend as easily as some cheaper brands, or even replicas?
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From: NYC/NJ.
W209 - W163
Originally Posted by pointman
like i said, i have 22's and i drive pretty hard... and i have yet to bend one..*knock on wood*. i think youll be fine as long as you can avoid huge bumps and craters in the road.
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From: NYC/NJ.
W209 - W163
Originally Posted by pointman
come over with your camera. ive posted one pic on here to date, and that was luck.
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From: nj
a car that can't do the throttle reset.
i never said i posted a pic of my ml on 22's... i said i posted one pic... and i dont even think it was of my ml.. i think it was of my brushguard. either way, my post was sarcasm, you aint wanted at my place.
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W209 - W163
Originally Posted by pointman
i never said i posted a pic of my ml on 22's... i said i posted one pic... and i dont even think it was of my ml.. i think it was of my brushguard. either way, my post was sarcasm, you aint wanted at my place.
:v
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From: Carefree az usa
2020 S560,14 ml350, 03 sl55, silver, pano, slr cams, evo headers, lsd, 2019 s63 cab.
i have a set of 19" renntech wheels, brand new with tires mounted i never used on my cl500. they will fit the ml. email me if you are interested.
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From: Oakland, CA
2014 E350 Estate Wagon 4Matic
Originally Posted by theboogers
i have a set of 19" renntech wheels, brand new with tires mounted i never used on my cl500. they will fit the ml. email me if you are interested.
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From: NYC/NJ.
W209 - W163
Would the offsets even work from a CL?
I have ridden in an ML430 with 20" Lorinser wheels, and the ride was somewhat comfortable, not as great as 18" wheels. I have also driven an ML43K with 22" wheels and you could feel some small bumps, due to the low profiles he went with, he later upgraded to thicker tires which helped out the road noise and the ride comfort. 22" are still comfortable, which is why I have a set on order.
I have ridden in an ML430 with 20" Lorinser wheels, and the ride was somewhat comfortable, not as great as 18" wheels. I have also driven an ML43K with 22" wheels and you could feel some small bumps, due to the low profiles he went with, he later upgraded to thicker tires which helped out the road noise and the ride comfort. 22" are still comfortable, which is why I have a set on order.
