Surviving potholes (19s, 20s, 21s?!)
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 85
Likes: 13
2018 E63S Wagon
Surviving potholes (19s, 20s, 21s?!)
What’s everyone running? How many wheels have you bent? Tires popped? Spouses enraged?
People still running 20s in the North east or seeking asylum in 19s?
Discuss!
People still running 20s in the North east or seeking asylum in 19s?
Discuss!
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 12
Likes: 1
From: Northeast
2019 E63s Wagon
20" OEM twin 5-spoke wheels - no issues with the wheels, but lost a center cap and wrecked the sidewall of a tire hitting a pothole.
Originally had 20" aftermarket wheels for my winter setup, but cracked one on a pothole. Switched to 19" OEM wheels for winter setup and no issues since then.
This has been over ~23,000 miles driving in the northeast.
Originally had 20" aftermarket wheels for my winter setup, but cracked one on a pothole. Switched to 19" OEM wheels for winter setup and no issues since then.
This has been over ~23,000 miles driving in the northeast.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 472
Likes: 110
From: Mansfield, TX
Current :2018 E63S and a 2018 GLE 63S . Prior, CLA 250, C450, 2017 AMG C63S
21 Inch Vossen Evo-4 Forged wheels in the summer.
20 inch OEM Forged wheels in the winter.
No cracks to date. Knock on wood.
I did bend one Vossen wheel beyond repair back when I had my C63S.
20 inch OEM Forged wheels in the winter.
No cracks to date. Knock on wood.
I did bend one Vossen wheel beyond repair back when I had my C63S.
Member
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 210
Likes: 108
From: Canada
2023 E63s Sedan, 2020 E53 Sedan
This is starting to make me wonder if I should stick to my original 20" winter tire plan or go down to 19" for a bit more peace of mind. I've never gone down a size for winters before, and I did pop a tire on a pothole once...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,594
Likes: 811
From: Toronto, Ont, Canda
go fast grocery getter wagon
19" will give you a more comfortable ride (taller sidewall 40 series). It depends if you want the look (20 or larger) or a slightly more comfy ride (19).
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,430
Likes: 820
From: Florida
2018 AMG E43
You can change the width, offset, wheel size, wheel diameter and as long as you maintain the original OD you will not have any OD issues (unless you are too wide), or speedometer variations.
The "safe" way to achieve more sidewall and a more comfortable ride (subjective) is to decrease the wheel diameter but maintain the original tire OD, such as going from 20" wheels to 19" wheels with tires that have the same OD as original.
Maybe what you posted will work, IDK.
Good luck!
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Super Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 748
Likes: 93
From: Dhahran, KSA
2020 E 300 Coupe and 2019 GLS 400
245/35/20 to 245/40/20
275/30/20 to 275/35/20
Huge improvement on all aspects. Just make sure the tires clear the steering knuckle/upper control arm bolt.
