blackmercedes is 100% correct. The wider tires in the rear aren't necessary for traction. With a 4.3L V8, I'm sure they're helpful. But not a 2.3l 4c. The only reason I went for the C43 configuration was appearance. I've only put 25,000 miles on my 98 in a hair less than 4 years, so wear isn't much of an issue. Anybody who does rack up the miles will be well served by a uniform size for rotation. With a tire as expensive as the Dunlop Sp9000, one could save some real $$$ over time that way. If I had a longer commute, I would defiantly go that route. As for the one question about springs. Most of the tuners use Eibach. The springs Brabus sells for the W202 are identical to the Eibachs I bought at the tirerack.com. The person I spoke to at Brabus told me not to bother buying a set from them for that reason. At least they were honest. As for AMG springs, I'm not sure if they are proprietary or not. The Eibach springs do lower the car about 1/2 inch or so more than the AMG springs found on the C36 and C43. The Eibach springs lowered the car just enough to eliminate the gap in the fender, which was what I was looking for, along with the added performance.

I was in Palm Desert this weekend, and the drive was perfect. I was averaging between 90 and 120 mph, with no instability. There is a lot of wind out there, you can tell by all of the windmills getting power from the wind. But I never had any problem with getting tossed around or anything, just took a little more concentration.
Though one thing I did notice is that my steering wheel is vibrating a little again between 45 and 65 mph, but I think it's because I just had my tires rotated and they are worn differently?

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

I only want the 17 inch AMG wheels for appearances.

Vanity...

Would a wider rear wheel/tyre improve wet weather grip? Even my humble two litre can spin its 7J x 16, 205/55 VR 16 wheels/tyres and slip about a bit when conditions are wet or slimy. I have thought about fitting the 8J x 16 wheels at the rear with 225/50 VR 16 tyres in order to achieve this. The face of the wheel is the same (6 hole/spoke).

Every other Mercedes owner I speak to confirms that the cars can be difficult in the wet and impossible in snow, although I find that mine is better if I keep my foot in and don't back off.

__________________
JJ Rodger
2013 G350 Bluetec
1999 SL 500
1993 E300 diesel T
1990 190

Wider rims and tires will not improve wet weather grip...My car is useless with the 215/45-17 tires in the snow! I can get nowhere when it is snowing and I am still running the 17 inch wheels.

David,
I have said it before and will say it again: you need to have your wheel balanced to get rid of the vibrating steering wheel.

greetingz,

__________________
1990 300SL-24
1993 C250D with a minor 600+k kilometer
www.MBenzNL.com(the Netherlands)

But my tires were balanced when I got them, should they be balanced again?

John,
How did you get a MB without ASR? Maybe it's a Canadian thing? Or did you have to special, SPECIAL order it??

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

John (S),
That is exactly the reason why I use 195/65-15 Vredestein Snowtracs during the winter seasons. It makes a huge difference compared with any all season tire in general and the wide low profile 17 inches in special.

david,
New tires may need some time to settle on the rims and may need a second balancing job after the tires are driven for a couple of days.

greetingz,

__________________
1990 300SL-24
1993 C250D with a minor 600+k kilometer
www.MBenzNL.com(the Netherlands)