I'm about to order a 2019 S560 and debating about the size of the wheel. I want to know that how much more comforable is the 19-inch compared to the 20-inch ? The ride quality and lower road noise are my priorites.
Thank you,
I'm about to order a 2019 S560 and debating about the size of the wheel. I want to know that how much more comforable is the 19-inch compared to the 20-inch ? The ride quality and lower road noise are my priorites.
Thank you,
You answered your own question. 19". More Rubber, more comfort. Now, lets not get into the hundreds of discussions on Extended Mobility vs. True Summer/Winter vs. All Season, vs. Extended Mobility Summer/Winter... and on and on and on..
Depending on where you live, you may want to take out Tire and Rim Damage package.
Based on your personal requirements. Non Dedicated Summer/Winter, Non Extended Mobility, All Season 19" Winner Winner Chicken Dinner... Now, what to do when you get a flat.
don't know the 19" will provide much more comfort but it will definitely give you more rubber (for the same total tire diameter between the 2 sizes) and less chance for your wheels to crack. I have 20" AMG and one of the wheels had already cracked once, as many others have had the same issues. You will not see much of a difference between 19" and 20". 20" AMG looks really nice, but I were to do it all over again, I would have gone for even 18" to prevent the crack problems with these pathetic OEM wheels.
2016 E350 Sedan, 2018 S560 Sedan, On order: 2019 SL450
If ride quality & low tire noise are really important, as they are to me, I highly recommend that you order 18” wheels and put Bridgestone Serenity Plus, non-run flat tires on. I’d also go for Magic Body Control, which is wonderful! My 2018 S560 rides like a dream!
I went from 19 inch to the facelift 20 inch wheels and I did not notice much of a difference. If looks are less of a concern, stay with the 19....The newer 20 inch look great though.
The difference between 19" to 20" on any car is not much at all. Get the style you want and like. The problem with comfort and noise is almost always the tire. The run flat tire has a VERY hard sidewall and that doesn't not allow for much absorption. So any shock or impact is transferred from road to suspension with nothing in-between for the most part. That is why guys are cracking rims with run flats. Any rim can crack and you will notice guys in cold climates and potholes combined =-crack rims. Cracked rims not a big issue here in Florida. I have 20" AMG rims with Goodyear run flats. Even here where its flat, straight, with few pot holes or bumps I find the Goodyears to be horrible. The tires just are not compliant. They are also loud for this type of car. Unfortunately when I purchased the car it had brand new rubber put on! I have dealt with this on prior vehicles and the drastic change is when you switch to Michelin's. Michelins are compliant, comfortable, quiet, and great in the rain. I will be switching as soon as possible and buying a spare plus an inflation kit. In all my years with many cars, Michelins solve the hard ride, noisy issue. 1" in rim is not the issue it's the tire.
2016 E350 Sedan, 2018 S560 Sedan, On order: 2019 SL450
This discussion has a lot to do with how sensitive one is to ride quality. It also has a lot to do with what car/wheels/tires one had previously. Someone who lives in Philadelphia might say that their S560, with 20" wheels and run flat tires "rides like a dream," but their previous car was a 1980's Corvette with the performance suspension and Indy tires. The bottom line on this, is that--within reason and all other things being equal--the smaller the wheel diameter, the deeper the tire sidewall. The deeper the sidewall, the less road imperfections are transferred to the wheel, then to the suspension and finally into the seat of your pants. Sure, there is only 1/2" of sidewall depth when comparing 19" wheels to 20" wheels, but the half inch is a lot, in relation to the already shallow sidewalls. I like to compare large diameter wheels to a woman wearing high heels: they look great, but you don't want to be walking around in them every day. 20" wheels look great, but I wouldn't want to be driving around on them every day.
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