IF you dump ur stock rims in place of 18" aftermarket rims, how would the ride quality change? Assuming you kept the stock springs instead of stiffer lowering springs..

I heard from some of my freinds that your car will be shaking a lot(bad cornering of course) and that You need to lower your car with 18 rims.. Is this true?? Please help... Thanks/

The change that you are looking to do will improve the handling of your car. The shake that you mentioned should not be a problem, unless your car already has a problem that would be enhanced by a tire which will deliver more cornering power. The springs that a large number of people add when they change to larger wheels and tires are added to realize the added performance of the tires. You will however notice more body roll (commonly known as yaw) because the new tire will be cornering harder than the previous tire due to a shorter more responsive sidewall and a more aggressive tread compound in the new set of tires.
If you do not drive aggressively and are just looking to improve the appearance of your car you should not encounter any additional problems by adding 18" tires and wheels.
Hope this helps,
Luke

------------------
Luke Pavlick
Performance Specialist (ASE Certified Master Tech)
The Tire Rack
(click banner at top of the page
to visit Tire Rack)

We have had a lot of talk about the possibilities of 18" wheels with tires, and wider 18" in the rear along with lowering the car and new shocks.

Recommendations:

BBS RXII w/ 18x8.5 up front using 225/40/18 and 18x10 in the rear using 255/35/18.


AMG monoblocks w/ 18x8 up front using 225/40/18 and 18x10 in the rear using 255/35/18.


Carlsson 2/5 w/ 18x8.5 up front using 225/40/18 and 18x10 in the rear using 255/35/18.


The BBS are one of the most lightest wheels, and those are the best ones to choose.

Choice of tires for the RI area, I would suggest keeping the 17" on your AMG C36 or C43 (presuming you have an AMG C-class by the Name) and use your 18" with Pirelli P7000 SuperSport All-Season for decent wear and value. [URL=http://www.tirerack.com/tires/pirelli/pi_p7000.htm] For the best, go with Michelin Pilot Sport. [URL=http://www.tirerack.com/tires/michelin/mi_pilot_sport.htm] If the Michelin Pilot Sport are too expensive for you, a nice alternative are the Dunlop SP Sport 9000 [URL=http://www.tirerack.com/tires/dunlop/du_s9000.htm] or the Yokohama AVS Sport. [URL=http://www.tirerack.com/tires/yokohama/yo_avs_sport.htm]

For 17" snow tires, you will probably use 225/45/17 up front and 255/40/17 in the rear. They have many options, but I would ask TireRack for their opinon.

This should cover everything. All you have to remember that add 18" wheels will make problems worse if you have any. There is less sidewall flex to absorb the imperfections to the car. If everything is in perfect condition, you should have no problems.

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Chirag (Charlie) Patel

99 Mercedes-Benx ML 430 V8 w/custom TV, Video, UHF, speaker system
93 190E 2.6 w/ an amp, equalizer, and CD-changer, integrated w. stock stereo for integrated cellular phone speaker system
2001 C-Class - Maybe

[This message has been edited by Chiragp (edited 03-15-2000).]

I was not satisfied with the performance of my Pirelli P7000 SuperSports. The worn quickly under normal driving, became more noisy as they wore. Did nothing in 1 inch of snowdid and did not inspire hard driving and cornering on my plus 1 setup.

------------------
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>1998 MERCEDES-BENZ E430
<LI>OBSIDIAN BLACK METALLIC/BLACK LEATHER
<LI>XENON H.I.D. LOW BEAMS
<LI>DEBADGED (E430 REAR)
<LI>AMG CHROMED TIP DUAL EXHAUST
<LI>CARLSSON 1/6 CHROME (PLUS 1) WHEELS
<LI>SLK "WREATH" WHEEL CENTER CAPS
<LI>ALPINE CHM-S611 CD CHANGER
</UL>

I also do not like the P7000 sport. I highly recommend the new Pilot Sports.
REgarding changing the rims to 18 and not changing the springs, it shouldn't affect anything but it will look ugly with that huge gap.

There is one more tire to consider. I have severl MB owners who love the ride quality of the Dunlop Sport 9000



280 tread wear "AA" wet traction

Thanks, Luke

------------------
Luke Pavlick
Performance Specialist (ASE Certified Master Tech)
The Tire Rack
(click banner at top of the page
to visit Tire Rack)