Am I silly for wanting new 18" rims?
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2006 E55 AMG
Am I silly for wanting new 18" rims?
I've been thinking about purchasing a set of rims for a while now and I may want to go with 18"s. I've rode in E55's with both 19"s and 20"s and I really prefer the ride on 18"s. I might move up to 19"s but 20"s are definitely out of the question. 20"s def look bad azz but the ride was horrible...IMHO. So, my question is, would it be a waste of money to purchase some 18" HRE comp series rims or would they be somewhat beneficial in both performance and looks? These rims are not cheap and I’m just trying to get a few opinions on whether it’s worth the money or not over stock chrome rims.
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From: Ventura County USA
'06 E55, '05 SLK55, a few others
Perfect choice, especially the competition series, they're super light. If performance is most important, 18's make sense. Now throw on some Evo rotors and it'll feel like you just gained 50 HP.
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2011 twin turboed prius
This will free up 35-70 hp on your car
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From: Orange County, CA
05' E55 AMG
honestly i have 20s on mine and they look sick....but keep in mind that you are going to lose at least 10 hp to the wheels if you go up in size. i would stay with 18s but consider lowering the car or it will look funny.
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From: Wilmington, NC
I've been thinking about purchasing a set of rims for a while now and I may want to go with 18"s. I've rode in E55's with both 19"s and 20"s and I really prefer the ride on 18"s. I might move up to 19"s but 20"s are definitely out of the question. 20"s def look bad azz but the ride was horrible...IMHO. So, my question is, would it be a waste of money to purchase some 18" HRE comp series rims or would they be somewhat beneficial in both performance and looks? These rims are not cheap and I’m just trying to get a few opinions on whether it’s worth the money or not over stock chrome rims.
18's on the E55 looks ridiculous. Similar to 18's on the new Shelby GT500--just plain silly. The car is too big. So, yes, actually spending money on a new set of 18" wheels is crazy IMHO.
I've driven E55 Bulldog's car for a considerable amount of time, and he has Lorinser 20's. Rode smoother than my RS4 on 19's.
Regarding the comment about having to lower the car if you stick with 18's... I disagree. I think it looks even more retarded if you're lowered on 18" wheels. Like an Integra slammed on 17's.... 19's and 20's -- you must lower it.
B
Last edited by evilb; Jan 2, 2009 at 06:53 PM.
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From: Los Angeles, CA
2005 E55
18" looks too small on the 55.
HRE comp series rims are very light to start with, so from 18s to 19s will not make THAT much of a difference...unless you are going to use it for hardcore drag racing, I would go with the 19s.
HRE comp series rims are very light to start with, so from 18s to 19s will not make THAT much of a difference...unless you are going to use it for hardcore drag racing, I would go with the 19s.
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06 EuroElites E55
I agree with evilb 18s just look like you have no clue about cars and style. Dont throw out the performance line either cuzz 99% of your driving is on the streets.
I dont even like 19s all that much but for sure not the HRE comps they use a steped lip and they look like 18s. I dont know how you can tell the ride difference between these rims cuzz I have had all sizes on my E55 and they all rode like stock. execpt the stock 18s on DRs the side walls would give going around corners at any speed.
Get some 20s for DD and some 18s with DRs for the track days.
I dont care how fast your car is if it dont look good it sucks IMO. Now if you like the way 18s look then dont let anyone stop you from getting them.
I dont even like 19s all that much but for sure not the HRE comps they use a steped lip and they look like 18s. I dont know how you can tell the ride difference between these rims cuzz I have had all sizes on my E55 and they all rode like stock. execpt the stock 18s on DRs the side walls would give going around corners at any speed.
Get some 20s for DD and some 18s with DRs for the track days.
I dont care how fast your car is if it dont look good it sucks IMO. Now if you like the way 18s look then dont let anyone stop you from getting them.
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From: San Diego
2015 S212
I have 18" HRE comps and the EVO rotors and love the setup. To me, 19s and 20s are ugly because they are narrow. I run 265s in the front and 295s in the rear and the car sits FAT!! Good luck getting that width with even 19s....
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2006 E55 AMG
I agree with evilb 18s just look like you have no clue about cars and style. Dont throw out the performance line either cuzz 99% of your driving is on the streets.
I dont even like 19s all that much but for sure not the HRE comps they use a steped lip and they look like 18s. I dont know how you can tell the ride difference between these rims cuzz I have had all sizes on my E55 and they all rode like stock. execpt the stock 18s on DRs the side walls would give going around corners at any speed.
I dont even like 19s all that much but for sure not the HRE comps they use a steped lip and they look like 18s. I dont know how you can tell the ride difference between these rims cuzz I have had all sizes on my E55 and they all rode like stock. execpt the stock 18s on DRs the side walls would give going around corners at any speed.
I guess the question really to ask is how much of a performance difference will I see with lighter 19"s versus stock heavy chromed 18"s? I also plan on getting Evosport floating rotors as soon as they are needed. Performance is definitely a high priority because I don't plan on changing out rims at the dragstrip. I thoght this is something you recommended on a earlier post "running what you have" (Rocketw19)?
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2006 E55 AMG
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06 EuroElites E55
Me personally, I definitely noticed the difference between my stock 18"s and another E55 with 20"s. Of course the car was lowered like 99.9% of E's with 20"s. I've also never seen a E55 with aftermarket 18's but me personally I don't think stock E55's look horrible. I also hear about so many people here in the bay area going with 20"s only later to regret the decision...rough ride, bent rims and so on.
I guess the question really to ask is how much of a performance difference will I see with lighter 19"s versus stock heavy chromed 18"s? I also plan on getting Evosport floating rotors as soon as they are needed. Performance is definitely a high priority because I don't plan on changing out rims at the dragstrip. I thoght this is something you recommended on a earlier post "running what you have" (Rocketw19)?
I guess the question really to ask is how much of a performance difference will I see with lighter 19"s versus stock heavy chromed 18"s? I also plan on getting Evosport floating rotors as soon as they are needed. Performance is definitely a high priority because I don't plan on changing out rims at the dragstrip. I thoght this is something you recommended on a earlier post "running what you have" (Rocketw19)?
I do agree run what you have everyday. but it seemed like you are realy wanting performance. Street wise you will never notice the the lil performance loss from 20s to 18s but you sure will notice the looks IMO.
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From: SoCal
W221
The HRE's will be staying...I am keeping those for the everyday wheels...The new 18's will be for the dragstrip & when I get bored of the HRE's...
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2006 E55 AMG
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From: Kuwait
CLS55 2006, CLS 63S 2015
The bmw m cars, P cars and even AMG have 19 in their sport AMG packages. So it must not be that bad if all said car manufacturers are doing it.
Just if you live in an area where going any higher then 19 will mean rougher ride and less performance it starts to make sense not to get them.
I am not a fan of changing tires every time. Mind you all our fun is on normal roads so....(no drag strips here) the streets are the strip
To help you make this decision, find out what tires you want to run and what sizes they come in, keep a back up option available (tire choice), then cross check this with the wheels you like. Try to go 295-305 rears to help with all that extra torq you have now
What tire combo are you currently running?
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2006 E55 AMG
This has been a tough decision since the first day I purchased my car. Believe me, if this was a easy decision I would've had them a long time ago. So far 19's might be the way to go...for me. I still refuse to change tires out at the track because I'm too damn lazy. I've only been to track a couple of times but it's really nice to drive there, run, and then drive immediately home after your last run.
Thanks for all the opinions....shiiit, I should just purchase some Evosport floating rotors ans be done!
Thanks for all the opinions....shiiit, I should just purchase some Evosport floating rotors ans be done!
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From: Southern Cali (Ontario)
my ride with 19's is just about the same..
only in S Mode 2 you can feel the bumpy roads.
but my C32 is way rougher than my E55 on S mode 2 and 19's... and my wife likes driving my C32.
honestly.. the difference is minimal.
I'm not drop yet.. therefore I will use the starsys to lower just a bit.. maybe that will make the difference.
18's are nice.. only if they were E63 or CLS550 AMG package rims.
only in S Mode 2 you can feel the bumpy roads.
but my C32 is way rougher than my E55 on S mode 2 and 19's... and my wife likes driving my C32.
honestly.. the difference is minimal.
I'm not drop yet.. therefore I will use the starsys to lower just a bit.. maybe that will make the difference.
18's are nice.. only if they were E63 or CLS550 AMG package rims.
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From: Ventura County USA
'06 E55, '05 SLK55, a few others
This has been a tough decision since the first day I purchased my car. Believe me, if this was a easy decision I would've had them a long time ago. So far 19's might be the way to go...for me. I still refuse to change tires out at the track because I'm too damn lazy. I've only been to track a couple of times but it's really nice to drive there, run, and then drive immediately home after your last run.
Thanks for all the opinions....shiiit, I should just purchase some Evosport floating rotors ans be done!
Thanks for all the opinions....shiiit, I should just purchase some Evosport floating rotors ans be done!
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From: OC, SoCal
08 S65, 06 M3 CS(stick), 02 BMW X5 4.6iS, 07 R1 Raven, 08 F-450 4x4, 08 CooperS JCW
I wouldn't go bigger than 19" on anything but a truck or SUV. I think the stock 18s look good, but can understand wanting 19". I have the very heavy but gorgeous 19" on my S, but also lightweight 18s from the prev owner for the drags. 20s on the W211 will make it look like those Dodge Chargers you see running around, imho
