I own a 190e 2.3 and I was just talking with a guy and he told me he could put some 17" tires on my car with nice mags and it would improve my ride by about 40%. My question to all of you is:
I am going for a long ride this summer, would 17" tires on my car improve my ride and would my little cat take the 17" with the nice fancy mags.
Thank you

When going to a tire that uses a larger wheel the profile of the tire is going to get shorter. The shorter the tire the less cushion the tire can provide therefor the ride is going to get stiffer. I'm sure they can provide a wheel tire combination that will work just be aware that your car is going to ride a bit stiffer.

Well, whats going to hurt your ride the most is probably going to be the factor of how well your suspension absorbs impacts (including tire sidewall) I know I first used Blistein Sports and my 16s were very comfy. I then switched to KYB for keeping the thing glued period. And lets say I've bent one wheel already.

So yes wheel and tires do make a diff, but so does suspension tuning after all that.

GoodLuck.

__________________
Chirag (Charlie) Patel
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- 03 Mercedes S600 Sport TTV12
- 97 Acura NSX-T
- 99 BMW E36 M3 w/500+ HP
- 04 Lexus RX330
- 04 Dodge Dakota Quad 4x4 V8

4 Sale:
- 99 BMW M3 E36 Coup with Dinan SC, Upgraded to an RMS Stage 3 with Aftercooler, 12psi, and 500+hp @ flywheel.

I went from stock 15" 6.0J steels with 185/65 tyres to factory 15" 6.5J alloys with 205/55 (Goodyear Eagle NCT3).

I thought it would adversely affect my ride, with a lower profile, but conversely it's better now.

Perhaps the smaller lumps it doesn't absorb so well, I don't really remember, but on big bumps, like we get in England :-(, it doesn't crash across them, but feels like it's extra width and so extra footprint is giving it a more 'uniform' contact with the road... sound weird I know, but the bottom line is, for me, my ride is much much less crashy.


later,

Russ

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190E's:
2.5-16v 1990 90,000m Astral Silver
2.0E 8v 1986 107,000m Black 2nd owner
http://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/190esmall.jpghttp://www.maylane.demon.co.uk/190esmall2.jpg

It will NOT IMPROVE your ride. 17" wheels will have very low profile tires, and your ride will be much harsher. The car will also tram-line like crazy. 17's car be a bear of a fit on a 190, and if your tire guy thinks it'll make the car ride better, he's not the one to let work on your car.

The W201 chassis ain't got a lot of extra wheel well room. Be very careful choosing wheels for this car.

My 190's were fitted with 16x7.5" wheels with 205/55-16's. They rode not too badly, and drove nicely. Also, 16" tires are not too badly priced. Keep in mind that your car is not a performance demon, and 16's will provide you with all the handling your car will be able to take advantage of.

The comment about bent wheels is a good one. A 190E with 17's will require 40-series tires. That short sidewall will mean the possibility of damage.

Make sure you buy from someone that guarantees the fitment. If they rub like crazy, you want your money back if they said they wouldn't.

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John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

If you are going to try this, why not go with the 205/50/15 wheels which the '93 190E Limited Edition (with the full Sportline package) uses, put on the Bridgestone S-03 tires (Max Performance and available in this size) and, if you really want to upgrade your handling, put on the rest of the Sportline suspension system (available from Phil at Fastlane). Then you'll have the optimum combination of handling without gross ride quality deterioration that just slapping on ricer big wheels will cause.

You'll probably also save some $$ with the 15" tires and wheels over the larger 17" which you can apply to the suspension upgrade.

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'98 C43 AMG
'88 420SEL
'93 190E Limited Edition (including factory Sportline package)

The proper size for the sportline was 205/55/15s. They were on 15x7s, but I've used them on 15x6.5 (because the 15x7s wouldn't clear my calipers.)

For 16s, I would go with 205/50/16s. If you really want to push the envelop, with a lowered suspension, then 215/50/16s work the best. 225/45/16 will work only if you haven't lowered your car drastically, but must still roll the fenders.

For 17s, 215/45/17s are stockers with the correct offset, any suspension work, and almost guarantee rubbing, so 215/40/17s must be used. I've got 225/40/17s (by Nitto only) to fit, and they work great, but after I lowered it further through changing the pad/shim/perch height, they rubbed.

18s, Very risky business, I have managed to get 18x8 ET 35, with 225/35/18s to work without rubbing, might I remind you, you must beat the crap out of your fender, and sand down the rest. Really not worth the effort.

I say wider is better for control and traction, just remember your stock suspension is not use to this. I break tie rods everytime I want to do an alignment.

I do agree with one finding, If you want the best ride possible, use the OEM Sportline Shocks/Struts. If not then HD Sports. Probably they best ride, nicer on your wheels (the thumping that in some cases bends wheels going over bumps/potholes) and still about 90% the handling as some of these more control only tuned shocks and struts. In short you get what you pay for. The expensive wheels are stronger and lighter, but cost more. Not all wheels are the same. Most with hub centric wheels do cause more stress on the lugs for some reason.

__________________
Chirag (Charlie) Patel
--------------------------------------------
- 03 Mercedes S600 Sport TTV12
- 97 Acura NSX-T
- 99 BMW E36 M3 w/500+ HP
- 04 Lexus RX330
- 04 Dodge Dakota Quad 4x4 V8

4 Sale:
- 99 BMW M3 E36 Coup with Dinan SC, Upgraded to an RMS Stage 3 with Aftercooler, 12psi, and 500+hp @ flywheel.

My old 190E 2.6 from 92'....I had lowered it with Eibachs and put new OEM Bilsteins and 17x7.5" AMG SLK (5-spoke) rims on it....rode better than my present stock 500E. I had 40 series tires 205/40/17 in the front and rear(Nitto 450's then Sumitomo HTR-ZIIs) and had no problems with tracking or bending here in New England. Stiffer, yes, but not bad at all. Just thought I'd chime in....I think 16s would be a better, year round compromise though...the 17s looked too agressive for the sedan...but then again...I'm getting on in age and prefer to be more low key these days...if that's possible in a 500E.

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Jim

1992 500E
2007 CLK63
2003 Audi RS6
2001 Audi allroad