Mercedes-Benz: Tire Size Debate for the W124

If you disregard tire brand this is how I see it :
Wider tire : slightly better steering response, better grip on fine roads,
linear increase in tire noice, more "wandering" on bad roads, aquaplaning...
Lower tire (profile) : key factor for steering response (the lower the
quicker), slight increase in tire noice, a lot more road noice, not very
comfortable on bad roads.

The above reasons is why my E420 won't have 235/45-17 when its time for
"summertires" again.
Regardless, it's really up to everyone what they prefer on their car.


"Mike "Rotor" Nowak" <net.remove> skrev i meddelandet
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Mike \"Rotor\" Nowak wrote: 

That might have been true for the US - here in
Europe it was different (talking about the
sedans with normal wheelbase only):
- 200D, E200 Diesel and 200 had
185/65 R 15 on 6 J x 15 H 2
- 400E from September 1993 on and E420 had
215/55 ZR 16 on 7 J x 16 H
- (As mentioned by you 500E and E500 were
different, had 225/55 ZR 16 on 8 J 16 H 2)
- E60 AMG same as 500E/E500

Looking at other W124 body styles show
more variations - I leave them out here.

 

That is NOT true, see above.



Juergen

Whoops! I never thought about the euro-market. You're totally correct. I
was referring to sedans offered in the USA only. Though one thing you noted
does perk my interest -- did US versions of the 400E/E420 come with 16x7
wheels at any time? If so, were they the 8-hole style? I'm looking for
some 16 inch 8-holers that will fit my 300D, and the only thing I can find
is the AT Italia 16x7.5 reproductions... if there are 16x7 8-holers out
there, I'd be happy!

Thanks,
Mike

"Juergen ." <com> wrote in message
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I have 245/35R17's on my 95 124.

Benefits:
Larger wheel and thinner tire looks nicer/sportier.
Gives me (psychological) confidence to make sharper turns at quicker speeds
without of losing control

Disadvantages:
Loses the luxorious smoothness of a "Mercedes-Benz". You will feel the
slightest imperfections on the road.
More expensive, not AS convenient to find.
In my situation, this overall diameter is a bit larger than the standard
16's that came with it, so every once in a while if I have a full car I can
hear the tires rub against the inside top of the well if I hit a bump too
fast on the freeway.

As far as a wrong MPH reading for this particular change, it's hardly
noticable (I think it's something like it'll tell you you're going 58 when
you're going 60).

Overall, going to a 17" wheel is just for looks with the trade-off of
smoothness.

JQ

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