I'M SURE YOU EXPERTS HAVE SEEN THIS QUESTION POP UP OFTEN... BUT PLEASE OFFER YOUR INPUT.
I WANT TO PUT 17" MONOBLOCK AMG'S ON MY 300E
BUT, I HEARD THIS MAKES THE HANDLING ROUGH.
WOULD THIS AFFECT MY CAR BAD? SHOULD I USE 15" MONLBLOCKS SO THIER NOT SO WIDE? LOOKS ARE NOT AS IMPORTANT AS PREFORMANCE TO ME.

If you are stuck on having Monoblocks, do 15" x 7J with a Michelin Pilot SX-GT 205/60VR15. It works great. I have this setup on my 1997 C280.

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1988 Mercedes-Benz 260E (W124)
Arctic White/Grey MB-Tex
Debadged
Euro Headlights
1994/1995 Turn Signals and Taillights
16" x 7J 8-hole (Authentic MB)
Michelin Pilot HX MXM 205/55WR16

The tricky part about the 17" setup is the tire choices. I would opt for the 225/45/17 but then end up going to get your fenders rolled. I know the 17x7.5 AMG monoblocks plus the Bridgestone Potenza RE730 are a great combo, but it isn't recommended by TireRack because it requires body work (fender rolling.)

As far as performance, you will feel the difference between the 15x7 wearing 195/65/15, 205/60/15, or 215/50/16, versus the 17x7.5 wearing 225/45/17. I would not go any other route with the 17" setup because I think the 215/45/17 are too skinny.

As far as ride, well you will feel the difference, but its not a major cost. I usually judge a person's taste in ride, on wether they are willing to sacrifice any ride quality or not, for those who aren't, they would hardly consider a plus wheel upgrade.

My long-a__ 2 cents

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Chirag (Charlie) Patel

- 99 Mercedes-Benz ML 430 V8 w/custom TV, Video, UHF, speaker system
- 93 190E 2.6 (4-sale) w/ an amp, equalizer, and CD-changer, integrated w. stock stereo for integrated cellular phone speaker system
- had a 93 190E m103 3.2, 5-speed trans,
- had a 88 300E 2.6
- had a 84 300TD w/275k+ miles
- 2002 S500/S600 - Maybe in a little more then a year

I agree that the 215/45/17 is too skinny. That leaves you with two sizes that work. 205/50/17 (not many tire choices and requires a 7" rim AND no fender roll) and 225/45/17 (lots of choices and requires a 7.5" rim BUT requires a fender roll).

The 17's will offer you quicker steering response and better cornering traction do to less sidewall flexing. There will be some loss of ride quality but, for you car it will not be that significant. I do not believe the 215's to be "to skinny" the 225's are only .3" wider and the 215's do not rub.
Thanks, luke


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Luke Pavlick
Performance Specialist (ASE Certified Master Tech)
Please, call me to place orders (800-428-8355 ext. 362)
or mention my name for on-line orders
(click banner at top of the page
to visit Tire Rack web site)

Hey all:
I'm running 215/45/17 and 225/40/17 with 7.5 and 8.25 rims respsectively on my w124 E420, no fender rolled and my car is lowered. Ride is bit rough for city driving but acceptable, even the mechanic says so.