Downsizing Wheels - Any Experience?

[Noddy 99]

Evening, chaps.

My 2009 W211 has the crazy 245/40/18 + 265/35/18 configuration and I find the ride very poor over broken surfaces. It IS the Sport model, so I get the lowered suspension and the rubber-band tyres but my wife has MS and is struggling with the unsettled ride. I thought when I bought a Merc that I would be getting a magic carpet; not so.

Anyway, I'm looking at downsizing the wheels to 17" and going with 225/45/17. This is going to cost me a LOT of money so I have 2 questions:

1.Will this switch affect my speedo, brakes or suspension?
2.I will switch to a tyre that is known to have a soft compound so will this combination "definitely" improve the quality of the ride?

Please don't tell me to get a different car, lol - that is not an option.

Looking forward to hearing from other people who have done something similar. Cheers.

 

[Blobcat]

You want 245 45 R17 (that was the size in my W211) they are the same overall diameter as your current wheels and tyres so no issues with speedo or brakes. Mine was the E320CDI in Avantguarde trim with the lowered suspension. It was pretty decent on all but the worst concrete motorways.

Make sure you don’t fit runflats and keep the pressure at the lower end of the recommended range.

 

[Blobcat]

Just been doing some looking on the “mytyres” website and in a lot of markets 16” rims were standard fit on the W211 E280.
You could then fit 225 55 R16 which would give an inch more sidewall - still same overall diameter.

I’d be tempted to find someone with 16’s and check they’d fit (just in case your callipers are too big).

 

[T5R+]

OP, the non-runflat, low pressure and soft compound is good advice, as offered by fellow poster. 16" may be viable.

The 225/45 x 17 is a popular option for many with W212 when switching from 18 or 19" wheels. Ensure that you choose a rim width (eg 8") that compliments the offset (how far out or in the wheel face sits compared to bodywork).

What is lesser known is the fact that the E Class (AMG Line, Sport, etc) wheels combination may not be perfect unless you run the correct set up
# 245/40 x 18 is 653mm circumference
# 265/35 x 18 is 642mm circumference
thus half inch height difference.
(Personally my view is that 235/40 x 18 is a better fit and suspect should have been on the W212, ironically this size is 645mm circumference which is virtually the same as 265/35 x 18).

Ultimately, if you switch to 225/45 x 17 then your speedo will vary by approximately 2mph at an indicated 70mph.

The 16" suggestion is great as the recommended tyre size is virtually identical to your front 245/40x 18. However, check brake clearance - as a 16" rim will fit one of E classes but not the other. Also, check if the 245/40 x 18 is actually the correct tyre fitment.

 

[Naraic]

OP, the non-runflat, low pressure and soft compound is good advice, as offered by fellow poster. 16" may be viable.

The 225/45 x 17 is a popular option for many with W212 when switching from 18 or 19" wheels. Ensure that you choose a rim width (eg 8") that compliments the offset (how far out or in the wheel face sits compared to bodywork).

What is lesser known is the fact that the E Class (AMG Line, Sport, etc) wheels combination may not be perfect unless you run the correct set up
# 245/40 x 18 is 653mm circumference
# 265/35 x 18 is 642mm circumference
thus half inch height difference.
(Personally my view is that 235/40 x 18 is a better fit and suspect should have been on the W212, ironically this size is 645mm circumference which is virtually the same as 265/35 x 18).

Ultimately, if you switch to 225/45 x 17 then your speedo will vary by approximately 2mph at an indicated 70mph.

The 16" suggestion is great as the recommended tyre size is virtually identical to your front 245/40x 18. However, check brake clearance - as a 16" rim will fit one of E classes but not the other. Also, check if the 245/40 x 18 is actually the correct tyre fitment.

But, he has a 211.

 

[T5R+]

But, he has a 211.

I will get my coat.

 

[M80]

My 220 CDI 2009 211, not sport, runs on 225 / 55 / 16".
Standard factory fit.

It's a nice ride.

(7.5J 16H2, offset ET42
Alloy, 5 twin spoke. A2114017102)

Sourcing the same , or similar, on eBay shouldn't be expensive.

You can check the speedo / rev difference here,,

Tire Size Comparison

Tire size comparison the easy way. Use our tire size comparison calculator to compare diameter, width, sidewall, circumference and revolutions per mile.

tiresize.com

but essentially if the circumference is the same then so is the speedo / revs.

 

[Noddy 99]

Excellent quality advice, guys; I'm very appreciative. I'm sure the (mistaken) advice about the W212 is true in principle.

 

[Wighty]

Excellent quality advice, guys; I'm very appreciative. I'm sure the (mistaken) advice about the W212 is true in principle.

I run 17’s in the summer , pretty good ride , I never liked 18‘s on a car I test drove . In the winter i’m on 16’s which is a great ride with very cheap tyres (225,55,16 ?)

 

[M80]

In the short term you might try dropping your tyre pressures by 1 or 2 psi.
I run mine 1psi below recommended and surprisingly it makes quite a difference to comfort.

Likely not of great value,
but I have 4x om639 alloys.
The tyres are load rated, and that means a more rigid side wall.
They are economy tyres with good tread.
All tyres are 215 / 65 / 16", they would fit your 211.

I'm happy for you to try then for a while if you think it's worth the journey (x2) to Buxton for you and Ito fit them.

 

[Wighty]

What about an exchange like these ?

R347S YOURS for Ours MERCEDES E CLASS W211 4x 17" GENUINE ALMACH ALLOY WHEELS | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for R347S YOURS for Ours MERCEDES E CLASS W211 4x 17" GENUINE ALMACH ALLOY WHEELS at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[M80]

What about an exchange like these ?

R347S YOURS for Ours MERCEDES E CLASS W211 4x 17" GENUINE ALMACH ALLOY WHEELS | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for R347S YOURS for Ours MERCEDES E CLASS W211 4x 17" GENUINE ALMACH ALLOY WHEELS at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

We have the same wheel in 16",
personally I think they look excellent.

Although ours a re a bit scuffed.

 

[Wighty]

We have the same wheel in 16",
personally I think they look excellent.

Although ours a re a bit scuffed.

Yep ,they are my summer 17’s

 

[Wighty]

Or in 16’s

Mercedes W211 alloy wheels 7,5x16 ET42 7,5 x 16 Rims Genuine 2114017102 B640 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Mercedes W211 alloy wheels 7,5x16 ET42 7,5 x 16 Rims Genuine 2114017102 B640 at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Noddy 99]

Thanks to Wighty and M80 for very thoughtful offers and suggestions. My current rims (and tyres) are in excellent condition so I'm not keen on giving them away cheaply in a trade. Also, I would want to buy brand new as I'm a bit fussy about the appearance of my wheels.

Just spoken to a very helpful guy at Wheelbase who do tyre and wheel packages. They recommend conservatively so they can guarantee fitment and have offered me these options for all-season tyres and wheels, inc. delivery:

235x45x17 @ £954
225x45x17 @ £904

205x60x16 @ £824

I'd be hoping to make about £500 on my wheels so that would take the sting away. Is that realistic?

My head says go with the 16s but I don't want them looking like inverted licorice all-sorts - I like a big wheel. But, then again, the ride quality...

 

[M80]

Personal choice,
but considering you have the sport suspension I would think 16" wins.
205's should improve economy,
60 profile should be as gentle a ride as you could hope, depending on the quality of the tyres.

Just for appraisal,

 

[Noddy 99]

They look very decent, actually. I'm coming round to your way of thinking...

 

[00slk]

Had 17" on the last w211, have 16" on the present s211, lovely ride but awful looking wheels, so will go back up a size to the nicer looking wheel

 

[Wighty]

Thanks to Wighty and M80 for very thoughtful offers and suggestions. My current rims (and tyres) are in excellent condition so I'm not keen on giving them away cheaply in a trade. Also, I would want to buy brand new as I'm a bit fussy about the appearance of my wheels.

Just spoken to a very helpful guy at Wheelbase who do tyre and wheel packages. They recommend conservatively so they can guarantee fitment and have offered me these options for all-season tyres and wheels, inc. delivery:

235x45x17 @ £954
225x45x17 @ £904

205x60x16 @ £824

I'd be hoping to make about £500 on my wheels so that would take the sting away. Is that realistic?

My head says go with the 16s but I don't want them looking like inverted licorice all-sorts - I like a big wheel. But, then again, the ride quality...

Very much doubt you will get £500 for W211 wheels buddy , I would think £300 on eBay maybe if they are good condition . The trouble with wheel pricing is that if someone is looking for a set and they see an exchange like the first link I posted, they are good as new for just over £300 , why would anyone pay more ?
As to tyres I shop round before I need them normally , for £16’s I often pay about £50-60 from the likes of Camskill or Tyreleader , then my local garage fits for £10 each

 

[Blobcat]

Thanks to Wighty and M80 for very thoughtful offers and suggestions. My current rims (and tyres) are in excellent condition so I'm not keen on giving them away cheaply in a trade. Also, I would want to buy brand new as I'm a bit fussy about the appearance of my wheels.

Just spoken to a very helpful guy at Wheelbase who do tyre and wheel packages. They recommend conservatively so they can guarantee fitment and have offered me these options for all-season tyres and wheels, inc. delivery:

235x45x17 @ £954
225x45x17 @ £904

205x60x16 @ £824

I'd be hoping to make about £500 on my wheels so that would take the sting away. Is that realistic?

My head says go with the 16s but I don't want them looking like inverted licorice all-sorts - I like a big wheel. But, then again, the ride quality...

What do they look like from the drivers or passenger seat is what’s important…