Hi All,
I am contemplating upgrading the stock 225/55-16 Michelin Pilot HXs on my E 500 to 245/45s on 17x8.5 AMGs.
Objective for change is greater control and not racing.

I have two questions of directed towards those of you have made a similar wheel upgrade (I understand there is an unquantified variable here, namely the tyre specific):
1 RIDE CHARACTERISTICS
The 500 rides quite luxuriously (I feel) with the stock wheel/ tyre combination. How much has the ride comfort changed?
2 ROAD NOISE
How much increased road noise
a) by virtue of the tyre itself (please mention model)
b) by virtue of increased contact patch of 245/45

Finally, what wheels have did you install? Any pics...? :)
Thanks in advance as always
farrukh

As you know, I run on AMG 5 spokes with Michelin XGT-Z4 245/45-17. The ride is 99% as nice as ever, and the handling is dramatically improved. Road noise is actually down, but that's compared to Pirelli P6000s which I think are horrible.

You're gonna love it!

If you are considering a 17" upgrade, I would consider a staggered setup to allow for more rubber in the rear. We all know the E500 is a beast, an has tons of power, more rubber, the more efficiently and quickly the power is put down. May I recommend 245/45/17 up front and 275/40/17 in the rear. A good combination for this would be the Dunlop SP Sport 5000 Assymetricals. Great handling, decent wear, great wet and dry.

I have 94 E-500 which I installed a staggered set-up 18" AMG monobloc replica's by RH Alurad (a better wheel in my opinion) about the same price as the AMG's. I run 245x40 x 18 on the front & 275x35x18 on the rear. They look great and don't protrude from under the fender wells. Handling was dramatically improved & I honestly did not notice any deterioration in ride. I was very surprised as I expected a much harsher ride. The tires are Michelin Pilot Sports.

If I was going to the expense of changing wheels I would definitely recommend going to 18" wheels. You don't have to run a staggered set-up if this is not your cup of tea.

see below for wheel/tire combo.

they ride a little firmer...the tires are quite grippy so occasionally the car tries to follow the ruts. road noise is up slightly, but handling is improved.

one caveat: when choosing a wheel diameter, don't forget that the greater the diameter, the lower the aspect ratio and the less protection the wheel has from those nasty potholes that jump out at you.

i know someone with 18 inchers on his car and he's running 40 series tires (i think) and he needs to straighten his rims once a year.

if you're going to spend a wad on rims...consider the conditions of the streets you'll be driving on.

Just a little advice :)

[Edited by yhliem on 03-21-2001 at 02:47 AM]

Thank you all for the insights.