Do 22" rims ruin the suspension/ride of an R350?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Had 2004 infiniti FX45 fully loaded with 20" chrome stock rims. 2007 R350 P2 and areo. 2009 MDX
Do 22" rims ruin the suspension/ride of an R350?
I am looking to purchase rims and I am not sure whether to get 20" or 22".
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 8,137
Likes: 26
From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
My airmatic equipped R500 has 19's on it, and I can feel the difference from the 18 inch wheels.
My $.02
Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 180
Likes: 2
From: Georgia
2020 S560, 2020 SLC43, 2022 RAM Longhorn Limited, 2025 Genesis GV80 Prestige
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 8,137
Likes: 26
From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 8,137
Likes: 26
From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 86
Likes: 1
From: Ashburn, VA
2007 R320
I second Benz-0-Rama on better handling / stiffer over bumps. To get a real experience of this, try to take out a C230-Sport (thin tires) Service Loaner the next time you bring your car in for service.
Last month I drove a C230-Sport for 5 days:
- Felt quiet a bit different the first day.
- Got excited and had fun in cornerings and felt the firm/responsive handling the 2nd, 3rd, 4th days.
- Started to feel the stiffness on the ride (ie. less comfort) by the 5th day.
- Was glad to return the C230-Sport for my R on the 6th day.
Last month I drove a C230-Sport for 5 days:
- Felt quiet a bit different the first day.
- Got excited and had fun in cornerings and felt the firm/responsive handling the 2nd, 3rd, 4th days.
- Started to feel the stiffness on the ride (ie. less comfort) by the 5th day.
- Was glad to return the C230-Sport for my R on the 6th day.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 8,137
Likes: 26
From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
You never said if your R has Airmatic or not. The airmatic will help a bit. I have it on both my E500 and R500 and love it. My E is lowered with 19's and the ride stiffened up a little...well, maybe more than a little. My R500 has factory MB 19's and I'm still at stock height. If you put 22's on there, There is going to be an unsightly fender gap. You're most likely gonna lower it, I'm assuming. So, if you go from stock 18's at factory height to 22's with thin rubber on shortened springs, it's definitely gonna be stiff. See where I'm going with this? But if you have the airmatic it will help a bit. My suggestion is 20's and lower it 1" and it should look killer.
Whatever you do, make sure to post some pics.
Whatever you do, make sure to post some pics.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Had 2004 infiniti FX45 fully loaded with 20" chrome stock rims. 2007 R350 P2 and areo. 2009 MDX
Thanks Benz-O & RDriver. I am not sure about the Airmatic. My R has a P2 package if that means anything. What do u think of a suspension kit to lower it?
Every aftermarket rim shop keeps telling me the 22" is not a problem but when I call Mercedes they say 19" is all they recommend. I am sure the aftermarkets are looking for the extra $. I am waiting for a service manager who I know through a friend to call me. RIght now I have an Infiniti FX 45 with 20” rims and it looks great but the wheel base on the FX is about 14” less then the R. If I go 20", then I will get the ones attached.
What to do, what to do.
Every aftermarket rim shop keeps telling me the 22" is not a problem but when I call Mercedes they say 19" is all they recommend. I am sure the aftermarkets are looking for the extra $. I am waiting for a service manager who I know through a friend to call me. RIght now I have an Infiniti FX 45 with 20” rims and it looks great but the wheel base on the FX is about 14” less then the R. If I go 20", then I will get the ones attached.
What to do, what to do.
Last edited by Peternovi; Jul 12, 2007 at 09:51 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 8,137
Likes: 26
From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
Thanks Benz-O. I am not sure about the Airmatic. My R has a P2 package if that means anything. What do u think of a suspension kit to lower it?
Every aftermarket rim shop keeps telling me the 22" is not a problem but when I call Mercedes they say 19" is all they recommend. I am sure the aftermarkets are looking for the extra $. I am waiting for a service manager who I know through a friend to call me. RIght now I have an Infiniti FX 45 with 20” rims and it looks great but the wheel base on the FX is about 14” less then the R.
What to do, what to do.
Every aftermarket rim shop keeps telling me the 22" is not a problem but when I call Mercedes they say 19" is all they recommend. I am sure the aftermarkets are looking for the extra $. I am waiting for a service manager who I know through a friend to call me. RIght now I have an Infiniti FX 45 with 20” rims and it looks great but the wheel base on the FX is about 14” less then the R.
What to do, what to do.
Either way, you can definately go bigger than 19's. It's just how much of the silky smooth ride are you willing to compromise?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Had 2004 infiniti FX45 fully loaded with 20" chrome stock rims. 2007 R350 P2 and areo. 2009 MDX
Well Benz-O you the man! I am getting the chrome MRR GT-1 20". This is the first time I noticed you had those rims. I liked your rims but never really knew they were MRR. I just found the MRR rims on the net.
Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Texas
'04 SL55,'07 S550,'06 E55
...
dont go with 22's, I dont know about the R, but I have an S550 w/ sport package, I took the wheels off and put 22" on it and it looked great, after 2 months I hated the ride, good thing I kept the original wheels in my garage. Its one of those thing you wanna do until you actually do it and then hate it.Good luck and do what makes you happy
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 8,137
Likes: 26
From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 1
From: Tustin, CA
Blazer, ZX-6R 636
I am currently working on a R 500, which has 22's. I can post some pics if you like (possibly tomorrow). I haven't driven it to explain the ride quality, but I can ask the owner. As far as looks, well... yea, it looks good.
-Paul
-Paul
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 8,137
Likes: 26
From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
)
Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, Texas
R350 4-matic
The biggest rim option that MB has for the R is 21". And that includes the R63. That should give you an idea.
However, 22's and even 24's will fit, and for sure will alter the ride characteristics dramatically (24's). The 22's will for sure stiffen up the ride w/out the lowering, as Benz-O said, after lowering, well it's not quite C230 or M3 ride stiff, but close. Speed bumps in parking lots become a major headache, much less pot holes and rough two lane roads.
I had 22's for about 3 days, before taking them off and putting the stock back on. The next ones will be 20" max.
However, 22's and even 24's will fit, and for sure will alter the ride characteristics dramatically (24's). The 22's will for sure stiffen up the ride w/out the lowering, as Benz-O said, after lowering, well it's not quite C230 or M3 ride stiff, but close. Speed bumps in parking lots become a major headache, much less pot holes and rough two lane roads.
I had 22's for about 3 days, before taking them off and putting the stock back on. The next ones will be 20" max.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
I put 20" brabus replica wheels on mine.
I like the ride MUCH better than the stock 18", as it's removed some of the flex from the higher profile sidewall of the stock tires, so the car feels more stable at high speed, especially on twisties. But the ride remains very comfortable. I wish I had gone with a little larger tire to eat up some of the wheel gap.
I am debating lowering the vehicle. I have no doubt it will look better lowered, but I also like a little bit of softness to the ride. If I were going to lower the car, I would definitely want to stay with 20s. I am guessing the ride with 22s lowered would be way too stiff.
I got the R for big loads or long trips, I have an SLK if I want to tear up some backroads.
rollnsf
I like the ride MUCH better than the stock 18", as it's removed some of the flex from the higher profile sidewall of the stock tires, so the car feels more stable at high speed, especially on twisties. But the ride remains very comfortable. I wish I had gone with a little larger tire to eat up some of the wheel gap.
I am debating lowering the vehicle. I have no doubt it will look better lowered, but I also like a little bit of softness to the ride. If I were going to lower the car, I would definitely want to stay with 20s. I am guessing the ride with 22s lowered would be way too stiff.
I got the R for big loads or long trips, I have an SLK if I want to tear up some backroads.
rollnsf
