Getting the best ride quality - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Meridivs · #1 07-04-2006, 08:49 AM

I wonder which set of wheels (original 14", 15", 16"?!) and tires would offer the best ride quality for a W126 500 Sel machine?

Now I'm having a set of 15" BBS wheels with 225/65 R15 tires on it and the ride quality is far from what I would expect from such a car. I consider getting 195/70 R15 tires or even switching to original 205/70 R14 tires and wheels to improve it.

I will always choose the ride quality and comfort of a "true Benz" over "looks" and a poor ride.

RAYMOND485 · #2 07-04-2006, 09:53 AM

1984 300d Turbo 139k
Use Original 205/70/14 The Speed Will Indicate Accurate And Miles And The Shift Is By Tire Size For The Chip Used It Will Upshift Diff Speed

t walgamuth · #3 07-04-2006, 10:38 AM

yes oringinal size is usually best. there were few years there they fitted the 126 cars with 7" rims. they then reduced the width back to 6.5 to improve ride quality. or it could be 7.5 back to 7.0.

in general a lighter wheel tire package will ride better than a heavy one. rough surface adhesion will be improved too as the wheel and tire will be able to respond to input more quickly.

a 240d with the little 14 x 6 aluminum rims and wheel covers rides deliciously. the steering and handling are supurb too. the tires were 175r14s from the factory.

tom w

Meridivs · #4 07-04-2006, 10:38 AM

Does changing to wider tires&wheels impact on comfort also?

The car has a 3000cmc Diesel engine (617.912). I usually shift up at 2200-2500 rpm. At 3000 rpm I usually get 100Km/h or 62miles/h. Is that normal for this type of engine/car?

Hatterasguy · #5 07-04-2006, 07:59 PM

I have run 14in, 15in, and 16in wheels on both long and short wheel base W126's. Honestly if your suspension is in proper order the amount of road imperfections you feel with the 14's compared to the 16's is about the same. Blindfolded I don't think anyone but the most sensitive W126 expert could tell the difference.

But the 16's handle and drive so much better. I simply refuse a tire smaller than on a 225/55/16 on any W126 now. The tracking and handling is far better.

Overall the W126 rides like a model T(actualy just like a 330CI with the sport package and 19in wheels.), any W140 with 18in or 19in wheels and skinny 30 or 35 sidewall tires will absorb many more bumps.

t walgamuth · #6 07-04-2006, 09:56 PM

different strokes for different folks.

i have not driven a 140 with 35s so i cant comment on that.

i did drive a dodge magnum with very low profile tires though. at least 18s. i didnt like the way it steered. i didnt try for spirited cornering so i have no idea about that.

i know for sure that i wont pay extra for ultra low profile tires and at the same time increase the chance of popping one on a chuckhole at the same time.

on my 500sec, i have run the stock 14s and aftermarket 15s with lower profile tires. the 14s ride better imho. i put the 15s on the heavier sdl and it seems happy with them. i think that the 15s are a little heavier 5 # maybe per tire wheel combo.

tom w

#7 07-04-2006, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

on my 500sec, i have run the stock 14s and aftermarket 15s with lower profile tires. the 14s ride better imho. i put the 15s on the heavier sdl and it seems happy with them. i think that the 15s are a little heavier 5 # maybe per tire wheel combo.

I'm also running stock 14 wheels on my W123s. The only problem is that it's becoming more difficult to find decent tires in the 14-inch size. I just put four tires on my 300D, and the only name brand 205/70-14 I could find in an H rating was the Firestone Affinity LH30. I just put on a set of those, we'll see how they do, so far the seem to work well in both the wet and dry.

Hatterasguy · #8 07-04-2006, 11:43 PM

The SDL should be happy with the 15's thats the only wheel MB offered them with.

t walgamuth do yourself a favor and don't drive a W140 with 18in AMG's for example. The amazing ride will make a die hard W126 fan cry with envy.(like me) No matter what I replace on my suspension(which is everything, at great expense I might add), even if I use all OE parts(which I do) their is no way I can achieve such a smooth road imperfection absorbing ride. Oh how I wish I could glide over pot holes not noticing their existance. Road imperfections that shake the W126, you fail to notice in a W140...Corners that make my Bilstein sprung W126 roll, just don't affect its younger brother. One only needs to compare the front ends side by side to see why.

When I drive an S I don't want to be bounced around, if I wanted to feel like I'm one with the road I'll buy an M3, thank you.

All I can say is the W126 is lucky it is so fine in other areas, and looks so darn good.

So in conclusion slap whatever wheel looks best and fits best onto your W126, the ride is going to be marginal no matter what you do.

t walgamuth · #9 07-05-2006, 08:10 AM

if you add 1000# of blubber to your 126 it will ride like a 140 too!

if i want a cadillac ride i will buy a fifties caddy, from when they were still trying to make them better.

(i drove a 140 320e and didnt find it to drive much different than the 126)

tom w

Meridivs · #10 07-06-2006, 12:34 PM

Are the original 205/70 R14 tires and wheels better for a comfortable ride or should I stick with 225/65 R15 or look for comfort elsewhere?

Mistress · #11 07-06-2006, 12:40 PM

I just had this same question and was told by someone who works with tires to always go with what originally came on the car.

andmoon · #12 07-06-2006, 01:43 PM

I have experienced 14, 15 and 16 rims on my sdl.
Lower profile sends more shock thru to the chassis.
I couldn't feel a change from 14 to 15s but did notice it when 225/55/16s went on....BUT the improvement in control is worth the tradeoff.

Another thing to consider is the model of the tire...sporting and higher speed rated tires usually have stiffer sidewalls and noisier tread patterns.

My brother's LS 430 went from very quiet to silent when he changed from performance tires to 'touring' tires. Not just a drop in noise but overall smoothness as well.

I try to get the lowest speed rated tire the shop will install on my car...not for cost but for softness.

Hatterasguy · #13 07-06-2006, 11:13 PM

Interesting, I'm just the oposite. I think the tires on mine are V or Z rated. I would have bought W if they made them. I love the way a high speed tire tracks at well, high speeds!

The winter tires are H rated and mushy in corners.

t walgamuth · #14 07-06-2006, 11:42 PM

maybe that has something to do with the hard ride you are experiencing.

tom w

Hatterasguy · #15 07-06-2006, 11:45 PM

The ride still sucks with the H's, the difference is marginal.

I think the reason is the W126 is a late 70's design, a very good one but still a 30 year old design. It isn't fair to expect it to ride like a 2000+my S, 7 series, XJ8 ect.