C Class Rim Upgrade 19"

[s5aif]

Hi,

I recently saw some brabus style alloys monoblock v 19" which i am interested in getting. They look stunning on a c class but i was wondering if there would be any problems in getting such large wheels. I have found some replicas at a fraction of the cost and the dealer says that they will fit perfectly. Also would i need to change the suspension or anything. I have a 2004 SE c class 180 kompressor.

wheel/tyre details:
- 235/35/19 - 8.5j front
- 265/30/19 - 9.5j rear

 

[shadowninja]

handling and ride would be awful on british roads. unless you stick to 15mph...

 

[whitenemesis]

Get a good chiropractor....

 

[s5aif]

Lol. Would an 18" size make any difference.

 

[jberks]

Lol. Would an 18" size make any difference.

Yes - big style.
The overall diameter of the tyre can't change (or it won't fit in the wheelarch), so the bigger the wheel, the narrower the sidewall of the tyre. the narrower the sidewall, the stiffer it needs to be so all the energy absorbtion you get from a normal tyre is lost and all the bumps are transmitted straight to your seat instead.
Also, you'll normally fit wider tyres too. On UK roads, anything over a 225 tends to tramline in the ruts.
Finally, replica wheels are notorious for not fitting properly. The fitting on a merc is different to most makes and not always taken into account by the manufacturers.
We get a lot of people on here with vibration issues all caused by replica wheels.
I'd advise you don't go beyond 17" and stick to proper MB wheels.

 

[s5aif]

Thanks for the input. Yeah, i think ill stick the the original 17s i have or maybe get the original mercedes style brabus in 18s.

 

[s5aif]

I purchased the 18 inch versions with the following offsets.
front: 245/35/18
rear: 255/35/18

Anyone have any tyre recommendations

 

[Chris Murray]

You have just stated tyre sizes.. It would be usual to find 225/40R18 front and 245/35R18 rear

 

[gina2201]

I have 18's and although ride quality is slightly reduced it is easy enough to live with, just go slower over speed bumps....my fronts rub but when I am due a tyre change I shall be fitting smaller width tyres.

 

[Mr Teddy Bear]

Gina,
Wher do they rub ? on the wheel arch or inside against the suspension

T.B

 

[gina2201]

Only on the front of the arch there are some vents and rub ever so slightly when reversing. Also on outer arch only when I go over a bump too quickly as the front wheels sit flush to the bodywork.
They don't interefere or touch with the suspension at all!

 

[s5aif]

Have just had the 18inch wheels fitted and all was fine until i noticed a small sort of rattle noise like an empty coke can on the passenger side rear wheel. I have looked around it and cant see anything touching it unless its something right behind the wheel. Also is there any way to stop the rubbing when you go over humps.

 

[Chris Murray]

What precisely have you fitted? rim sizes/offsets/tyre sizes, and whats the excat model of car you have?
Does the rear wheel look like it has a metal valve stem (ie NOT rubber)?

 

[s5aif]

the rear size is 255/35/18. car model is 2004 se c 180k. will have to check on the valve.

 

[Chris Murray]

Well for a start it should have 245/35R18 rear tyres on anthing narrower than 9". Tell me the other info and I can help, otherwise it's all guesswork.

 

[s5aif]

it has a metal valve with rubber and they are 9.5j for some reason i get more rubbing with the back passenger side. Could it be the suspension.

 

[s5aif]

Hi Chris,
FYI the noise is coming from the left passenger side rear. If i go over and humps thats where the noise comes from but i dont get any from the other side. Could this be a weak or broken spring issue.

 

[Chris Murray]

I was wondering if the rattling was a snapped TPMS sensor in the wheel.. all TPMS sensors have metal valve stems. As for the rubbing, options are to use the 245/35R18 or have the wheelarches modified to give more clearance.
Get the noise diagnosed first because if the wheel isnt being correctly positioned in the wheelarch, you won't know to what extent the clearance should be increased.

 

[s5aif]

Thanks for your help. I have changed the wheels back to my original 17" and all is fine now. Never really liked the ride on 18" as the ride was quite a bit firmer and you could feel all the little bumps and holes.