Which alloy size?

[spaceman]

Hi all

I have a 2001 w203 and have the standard avantgarde alloys on the car. I think they are 16 inch but i have not actually measured them!

I was just about to bid on ebay for a set of amg style alloys and most are either 17 inch or 18 inch.

I was just wondering how these bigger sizes will affect the handling and comfort of the car.

I am a complete newbie in regards to alloys so i hope someone can guide me.

Am i right to assume that if i buy 17 inch alloys and have a lower profile tyre the circumference will be similar to my current set up?

Also do replica amg wheels adversely affect the car... i.e suspension etc?

Thank You in advance

 

[television]

Re larger wheels, they will make the ride harder,some don't mind that as they say that the handling is better, depends what you want.

What ever wheels you buy the offset must be near what you have already, it gives the offset in the hand book and its marked on the inside of the wheels.

Larger wheels do have a lower profile to compensate for the larger diameter.

replica or OM wheels make no difference to the car what so ever.

Malcolm

 

[spaceman]

Thanks for the reply.....

I think i may go for 17inch as its a lot closer to the original 16. I have seen some amg alloys advertised on Loot and the seller says they are off a c32 amg.

Will these go straight on to a c200?

 

[Blobcat]

Why do you want to change?
Standard Avantgarde are 16" AMG were 18"
Depends if you want looks over comfort I suppose

 

[spaceman]

To tell you the truth its just about the looks.

I am considering 17inch amg replicas now. I saw a c200 in a car park the other day with amg replicas on although they did look to be 18 inch. It looked damn nice!

Will a 1 inch difference make such a big dif to the ride quality?

 

[television]

Will a 1 inch difference make such a big dif to the ride quality?[/QUOTE]

If you are talking about going to 18's Yes, you will feel every matchstick on the road, also with a profile of around 30 you stand a good risk of smashing wheels in pot holes, Ive lost two with 40 profile. Why not fit 18's and park it where you can see it, then you can just sit and look at the wheel's.

Malcolm

 

[Blobcat]

If looks is the thing go for the full on MTV Cribbs look and fit "DUB" (20") with spinners as an absolute minimum. Don't drive it though unless you have a good chiropractor.

 

[jberks]

I have 17'' wheels and avantgarde suspension and the ride is a lot harsher than my old 16'' with elegance. Yes the handling is sharper and it doesn't wallow on fast curves (and she looks great!) but I certainly wouldn't have 18'' - one step too far.
The new E class sport has 18'' apparenty, may be interesting to try it.

 

[spaceman]

LOL... you guyz have definately put me off!!!

I just wanted to make the car look a bit better! Im not going for 18's as that seems to be silly now.

In your opinion would you trade the comfort of 16'' on a w203 c200 for the looks of 17'' amg's?

Im confused now

 

[television]

LOL... you guyz have definately put me off!!!

I just wanted to make the car look a bit better! Im not going for 18's as that seems to be silly now.

In your opinion would you trade the comfort of 16'' on a w203 c200 for the looks of 17'' amg's?

Im confused now

Go to 17" and be middle of the road and happy, look better, corner better,ride a bit firmer.

Malcolm

 

[jberks]

Horses for courses. 17'' should be ok, you'll loose some but not all the comfort and depending on which suspension set up you have the effect will differ. Should be ok though.
The wife has 16'' and 235/70's on the jeep. Very comfy but kind of wobbles its way round corners. Mine is 17'' with 245/45 and sports pack suspension. A bit harsh at times but will happily take a hairpin at 80. I think somewhere in the middle is probably ideal!

 

[spaceman]

thanks guyz.... you've been really helpful

 

[benC32]

I've got 18"s on my C32...the standard was 17...bought it 2nd hand and it came this way with AMG alloys....the ride is good even with the big wheels, and the C32 has a lower ride than the standard c class. Ihad a BMW 323 coupe (p reg) with m sport suspention and 16" alloys and the ride made my wife sick, she loves the C32, so it's not all about wheel size.

Ben

 

[Ian Brown]

Ihad a BMW 323 coupe (p reg) with m sport suspention and 16" alloys and the ride made my wife sick, she loves the C32, so it's not all about wheel size.
Ben

It was the make of car that was making her feel sick not the wheel & tyre size/

 

[Steve-O]

also remember the price of Tyres ... Jumping from 16inch to say 18inch low profile tyres usually have a BIG difference in price (Eg, Cost ALOT more)