Assuming all else is equal, how do these different wheel/tire sizes "feel"? How will the car handle and drive differently?

Car in question is '89 300CE, standard wheel/tire and suspension at the moment, but will "upgrade" to Sportline swaybars/bushing with Bilstein HD struts in the near future, (so body will not be lowered). Driving consists mostly of freeway (60%), two lane mountain roads (30%), and city stop-and-go (10%). Handling characteristics desired are more steady straight line tracking on the freeway (alignment currently okay, car just drifts if too easily for my tastes) and being able to take those mountain curves a little bit faster without having to brake as much or slow down as much before the curve as curently do. (Our SoCal brothers know about the Angeles Crest Highway and Angeles Forest Highway, which is my main commute route to work.) Desire to get some 8-hole wheels and will obtain wheels with proper ET for width and height of rim decided upon. Not sure yet if I should go with 7" or 7.5" rims.

The impressions and opinions you give would probably be applicable to all W124 autos and of interest to others. Thank you kindly for your help.


1. 195/65-15 15x6.5 rim (stock)
2. 205/60-15 15x7.0 rim (Sportline - 1.2% size diff from stock)
3. 205/55-16 16x7.0 rim (16" wheel vs. 15" stock size - 0.4% diff)
4. 225/50-16 16x7.5 rim (16" wheel - 0.5% size diff from stock)
5. 225/45-17 17x7.5 rim (17" wheel - 0.0% size diff from stock)

Just a few words of experience:

I will never run less than 50 series aspect ratios again. Despite providing you with great cornering, etc,, they are ( in my opinion ) not worth the harsh ride and increased risk of rim-bending on potholes.
A 50, or 55 series tires provides you with good handling & generally less " evils " than anything lower.
My wintertires are 195/65/15, while my summers are 225/50/16. In hindsight, next time I replace my summers, I will probably opt for 55's for a little more comfort.
I am sure some other people will chime in here for their recommendations.

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2007 C 230 Sport.

volosong, the 205/55/16 would be a great solution.

8-slots: i dont think the MB-OEM wheels in 16" are the correct offset for your application.

call luke at this sites sponsor, TireRack: they do sell an aftermarket 8-slot at a VERY good price. it IS a very nice wheel. i am not sure if it is 7" or 7.5"

the tire quality CAN make a huge difference in the ride quality. i didnt think so before, but just got a W202 that has MXV4's installed, and they ride like a DREAM for hwy. i WILL spend the $ for same when they need replacing. the ride IS worth the $.

"I will never run less than 50 series aspect ratios again. Despite providing you with great cornering, etc,, they are ( in my opinion ) not worth the harsh ride and increased risk of rim-bending on potholes."

Note that a 245/45/16 tire has the same sidewall height as your 225/50/16's Ride will be harsher, but rimbashing in potholes no riskier. Just pointing out that aspect ratio is not the problem. Using a smaller wheel diameter while maintaining tire diameter does the trick.

Steve

As far as your tire size for 17" wheels, the correct size would be 215/45/17 not 225/45/17. Also, since your car is a 124 coupe, the widest tire you can run without rubbing is 215 (I have 225 ona 300e and it rubs with a load over bumps.

__________________
89 300E Pearl Grey Metallic
7 Spoke 16" staggered wheels (SLK)
215/55/16 Hankook Ventus HRII H405 tires
Euro Headlights
Smoked Corners
Smoked red/clear tail lights

1987 300e Black Metallic (mom's car)
8 hole 15" wheels (C Class)
Clear Corners
Red/Smoked tail lights

I have a 400E and I got a set of factory 8 holes 16 x 8 that came off a 129 SL. I run 215/55/16 Pilot Sport A/S which was highly recommended by the Tire Rack. I was afraid of getting too low of a profile tire and having a bone jarring ride. The 55 profile is a nice compromise that gives great handling without a harsh ride. I highly recommend it as well.

I have a 400E and I got a set of factory 8 holes 16 x 8 that came off a 129 SL.
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Will these work for an '87 260E. Can someone tell me if these will work... I was in the impression that 8" width would be too wide. Can someone provide specs for these wheels.

thanks,

sjsfiji

__________________
sjsfiji

'87 W124 260E (DD)
98K orig. mi. @7/15
CLK 7-Spoke Forged Wheels
Neuspeed springs/Bilstein Sport
4/3 bump (F/R)

'97 993 Carrera
106K orig. mi.
Always driven like it's stolen

what is the offset? I have been toldby Luke from TireRack that a 16x8 with an offset of 30 will work in the rear of a w124 with 215/55/16 tires but not 225/50/16 tires.

__________________
89 300E Pearl Grey Metallic
7 Spoke 16" staggered wheels (SLK)
215/55/16 Hankook Ventus HRII H405 tires
Euro Headlights
Smoked Corners
Smoked red/clear tail lights

1987 300e Black Metallic (mom's car)
8 hole 15" wheels (C Class)
Clear Corners
Red/Smoked tail lights

I have a 400E and I got a set of 16 x 8s from a 129 SL. I have the 215/55/16s and they work fine. I got the Pilot Sports, they're awesome!

Do you have spacers? Which lugs do you use?

I have the same car as you...1991 300CE. I weighed all the options and went with the factory 15 X 7 sportline 8-holes with an ET44 offset. The factory 15-hole alloys for our cars had an offset of ET48. I use 205/60-15 MXV4's.

Last year, I had a full sportline suspension installed (except steering box) and I really love the way the car handles.

Good luck with your decision!

I do not use any spacers, I did get a set of lugs from a 129, they have the longer shank so the bolt ends come to the edge of the rim (purely for looks, the 124 lugs work fine, the ends are just recessed).

I bought the wheels from Ernie's Alloys in Miami for $600 including the lugs. He's a long time advertiser in the Star.

I am very pleased with the overall performance of the Pilot Sports. I deliberated for a long time over what size/type of tire to put on. I wanted some better handling, the 15 is way too small for the amount of power the car has. My traction control was kicking in all the time I started to have some fun.
I didn't want to have a harsh, bone jarring ride either. The 55 profile is a great compromise. The ride is firm like stock without being harsh. I honestly think that the 215/55/16 is the tire size that they should have put on from the factory. I suspect that they under-tired the car and put in such a low final drive ratio in order to keep the performance difference greater between the 400E and 500E, after all there was a $20k premium for the 500E.

Anyway, you'll like the 215s, you get great grip without sacrificing ride quality.

Stumped

I have been under the impression for 8 years that the 16-inch factory alloys for the S or SL class Mercedes will not fit the W124 chassis, except for the 500E/E500. My understanding was that the lugs for the S or SL and 500E/E500 are physically thicker than the 400E or 300E/CE lugs and would physically not fit into the lug holes

If I can get an MB part number from you, I can move up to the 16 X 8 OEM 8-hole alloys ......I'd take the 16-inchers over the 15-inch any day, assuming all works fine.

Thanks in advance for your assistance

I called Ernie. I said I have a 400E and I want 16 x 8 wheels. He knew off the top of his head what the offset of the factory wheel was and what offsets would work. He recommended the 129 wheel. I got them over a year ago and they work great. I use my 15s for my blizzaks and swap them over each spring and fall (I also swap them over when I show my car since I would get whacked if I had the "wrong"size wheels)

The wheels look awesome. They fill out the wheel wells very nicely without looking tricked out. It's a nice subtle upgrade that greatly improves the handling.

Thanks!

I'll try to find a part number