How bad is the ride on 20's ? I want 20's due to Monarch rear lip
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Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Washington
2006 Mercedes E55
How bad is the ride on 20's ? I want 20's due to Monarch rear lip
But worried about ride comfort. I had 19" wheels on my lexus GS with aftermarket coilover suspension and the ride was horrible.
I love the benz airmatic. Will the 20's just kill it ? The roads around where I live for the most part aren't too bad. Is 19" vs 20" that noticeably different ?
I love the benz airmatic. Will the 20's just kill it ? The roads around where I live for the most part aren't too bad. Is 19" vs 20" that noticeably different ?
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From: Tempe, Az
CLS55 AMG 030
It didnt really make much difference for me i went from 18" wheels with crappy tires to 20" wheels with some sticky comfortable Invo's and it didnt seem very different. I felt the handling improved with less body roll.
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From: SoCal
2004 E55
With my step down to 18's I noticed a dramatic decline in handling, but since I am running 18" PS2's my grip is much better.
While your ride quality will suffer, you can certainly minimize the drop-off by spending money on good tires.
While your ride quality will suffer, you can certainly minimize the drop-off by spending money on good tires.
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From: San Diego
E55
I can definitely feel imperfections in the road with the 25 series tires. In reality the car still rides good due to the airmatic suspension. No regrets here. Just be careful of pot holes.
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From: Houston
CLK-63 BLACK/2014 E63S/2013 ML350
I think that the Vredesteins Ride really really well, I was quite shocked that the car still rides so well with my 20" wheels, even in Sport II
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1989 Toyota Tercel EZ - dyno'd @ 70whp/77wtq
Never tried 19's so can't comment on the ride difference between 19's and 20's.
Currently use 35f and 30r tires on 20's w/ sport 1 setting. Ride is definitely harsher but still acceptable (warning: subjective opinion) than stock 18's w/ 40f and 35r, and sport 2 setting.
I put 38psi cold all around to protect the wheels. This may also contribute to harsher ride (~40-42psi when hot).
Currently use 35f and 30r tires on 20's w/ sport 1 setting. Ride is definitely harsher but still acceptable (warning: subjective opinion) than stock 18's w/ 40f and 35r, and sport 2 setting.
I put 38psi cold all around to protect the wheels. This may also contribute to harsher ride (~40-42psi when hot).
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From: Saskatchewan
1969 280S, 1991 300E
I have had BOTH 19s and 20s in the Monarch 63 on my car.
I was playin it safe at first with the 19s, but was not happy with them. They didn't look big enough on the car.
I sold the 19s and ordered the 20s instead. They look wayyyy better on the car. You'd be surprised how much better. I have found no difference in ride quality between the 2.
Definitely get the Vredestein's too. I am very pleased with how they handle in wet conditions. They have tons of grip too.
I was playin it safe at first with the 19s, but was not happy with them. They didn't look big enough on the car.
I sold the 19s and ordered the 20s instead. They look wayyyy better on the car. You'd be surprised how much better. I have found no difference in ride quality between the 2.
Definitely get the Vredestein's too. I am very pleased with how they handle in wet conditions. They have tons of grip too.
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From: San Diego
E55
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From: Chicago, IL
Real Cars
I can't stand the way the E55 rides on 20s. My SL doesn't ride great on 20s either, but it isn't a daily driver so I don't mind it as much. I should note that it depends a lot on tire choice as well, but because we need XL tires (that have stiffer sidewalls) it further exacerbates the poor ride quality.
I think it depends what kind of streets you roll on... certain places have streets in better condition than others. Those of us with 4 seasons typically don't have the greatest streets and 20s will remind you of that fact constantly.
-m
I think it depends what kind of streets you roll on... certain places have streets in better condition than others. Those of us with 4 seasons typically don't have the greatest streets and 20s will remind you of that fact constantly.
-m
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From: THE Orange County, California
2024 C8 Z06- 2025 BMW CS- 2022 Porsche 992 GTS
As some have mentioned, its the aspect ratio of the tires that will make the greatest impact. These are my thoughts removing the suspension part of the equation (I know its impossible but on a flat surface at a constant speed I have some relative data).
I have a BMW M6 running:
255x30x20 and 305x25x20 ... the ride is rougher since the sidewalls are like rubber bands.
I have a Porsche 997TT running:
235x35x19 and 305x30x19 ... the ride is noticeably softer and more compliant than the M6.
I have a Nissan GT-R running:
255x40x20 and 285x35x20 ... the ride is equal to the Porsche IMHO but since they are runflats you get a little bit more road feel.
But to run a 20 inch wheel on an E55 or E63- your optimal setup is 245x30x20 and 285x25x20 tires. You will get used to it and the looks are worth it. I have a good perspective since I have all 3 cars at the same time.
I have a BMW M6 running:
255x30x20 and 305x25x20 ... the ride is rougher since the sidewalls are like rubber bands.
I have a Porsche 997TT running:
235x35x19 and 305x30x19 ... the ride is noticeably softer and more compliant than the M6.
I have a Nissan GT-R running:
255x40x20 and 285x35x20 ... the ride is equal to the Porsche IMHO but since they are runflats you get a little bit more road feel.
But to run a 20 inch wheel on an E55 or E63- your optimal setup is 245x30x20 and 285x25x20 tires. You will get used to it and the looks are worth it. I have a good perspective since I have all 3 cars at the same time.
