aalsayed89

Hello,

I have been lurking around here for a month,but never posted until now.
Still a new member in need of your experience and opinions.
I found this site really helpfull

Here is the situation:

I have a S320L this car produces 224hp it has a 3.2L V6 engine.Even with such a small engine this car is very smooth and this is the best thing I like about it,but to tell the truth "not enough torque for such a big car" and it is not cut out for speed nor power,but it serves its purpose (Luxury with the same quality of a S500,but at a lower fuel consumption).

Anyway I would like to get some 18'' or 19'' or even 20'' rims. but I am confused and I have some quiries such as

1-Does a rim that size effect the smoothness of my car ?
2- Or the performance of the follwing : the engine,airmatic,ESP,BAS,....etc
(the car's performance in general) even after a long period of time ?

I need your help !

AND THANK YOU ...

poormario

Welcome aboard!

Since I still have my stock 17's I can't speak specifically to the ride quality but I would suggest that you do a quick search becasue I know several people have said that the ride quality goes down just a bit but handling goes way up! Not sure of the year of your car but I know that with the CD based nav systems you do have to recalibrate the system with the new size tires. Like I said do a search here or on one of the other boards like benzworld.org and you'll find all kinds of info.

mikracer

You will notice a significant change in ride quality going from a 17 to 20's. You will feel a lot more of the road since you wont have much sidewall on the new wheels. The less sidewall, the less absorption the tires take. Handling will get better due to less "roll" of the tires. Because there is less sidewall, the tire will be less forgiving on turns and it will feel planted to the road.

newton22

I have 19s and my sidewalls are about less than 2 inches thick. Ride is definitely different, but as long as you leave the airmatic in comfort, its not that bad.

I have a S430 and I think its way underpowered. lol

Welcome aboard.

aalsayed89

I have tried a search both here and in benzworld but I couldn't find accurate answers for my questions ,I'm going to sum up the search results:
1- There is a slight difference in the quality of the ride but in a S500 or a S430.
2- I couldn't get accurate details of that difference.
3- It's almost impossible to get that info for a S320 so the difference might be a lot bigger.
4- And as for the long term effects on the car's preforemance I couldn't find any info on that.

aalsayed89

And by that I guess the acceleration will be better,am I right ?

More stability and more control on the road. I like that

aalsayed89

In what way different ?



Thanks

newton22

Car is bumpier. You will now actually feel bumps, rocks and the unevenness of the pavement. If you live around an area where the roads suck, avoid 20s.

02S430

i think the ride quailty is the same its just the engines that are different, same shocks? unless im wrong

aalsayed89

aha I see ......

But this engine makes you feel the wight of your car,so what about the torque will I feel like pulling up some extra wight ? and what about the power will I feel less power ?

Acez

pulling extra weight will decrease power and increase fuel consumption. You might be looking at performance mods soon.

as for newton22, get a Kleemann blower

aalsayed89

I am looking for some mods but I can't find any tuners here in my country exept for BRABUS. And wich they offer some great mods but with a real high price.

kenstudios

Kleemann,s stage 3 blower will blow you away interms of power and price. Kompressor system $11K (installation $1500), ECU upgrade $1K, headers (kit) $3600 (installation $600), high performance brakes $7700 (installation $400), and you still need to modify the tranny, drive shaft. All comes up around $25K. Bigger brakes means bigger wheels/tires to add another $4-6K. Or you could just find a good 03 S55.