R129 rims and ride - is bigger really worse? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

KenSilver · #1 08-04-2003, 08:41 AM

Hi all,

I particularly like the look of 18" rims to visually balance the large body of the R129s, but my MB shop say they are too harsh riding for my 1993 SL500.

They recommend I only go to 17" as the highest for a good compromise in ride, handling and looks. What do you think?

Answers will depend where you live, and I guess there'll be some geographical adjustments to make. Here in New Zealand, roads are much like British roads. I drive in UK for a month every year, so I know the similarities. American roads are highway-smooth in the main. (There's a heck of a lot of conjecture here, but bear with me).

So will 18" run nicely enough, regardless of the surface? Does the weight and suspension take out the majority of bumps - regardless of the rim and tire size?

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has owned both sizes for a firsthand viewpoint.

As a sidebar: I put 16" on my previous 350SL, normally a 14", and there was a major difference in handling and feel, not always pleasant. Just hoping this won't be the case with upsizing on the R129.

Ken Silver
--------------
1993 SL500, glistening black/grey on black leather, soon to be best in country!
1991 Daimler, shiny grey on grey leather, best in country!
1991 Miata MX5, sparkling BRG on tan leather, wife's (but my polishing)
1992 Honda US s/wagon, black/grey
ex 350SL, 230E, 280E (and a lot of other makes not as nice)

neileg · #2 08-04-2003, 08:51 AM

Flex in the sidewalls of the tyres is part of the suspension in your car. Usually, increasing the size of the wheel is matched with a reduction in the profile of the tyre, and hence the height of the sidewall. In general terms, the shorter the sidewall, the less the flex and therefore the harsher the ride.

Some tyres have more sidewall flex than others, so this can offset some of the effect. However, the technical reason for using lower profile tyres is to reduce sidewall flex so as to improve roadholding, and not to improve the appearance.

When you get feedback from other users, remember that the tyre constructions has an effect here, not just the size, so the exact brand and tyre model is important.

jjrodger · #3 08-04-2003, 10:17 AM

I find the 17" wheels that were standard fit on my car suit me very well, although on some of the more broken roads where I live the ride can be slightly jarring when pressing on. My mother's SLK230 (which has standard fit 16" wheels) is better in this regard.

However, I have driven a couple of cars fitted with very low profile 18" rubber and I enjoyed the crisp handling feel on smoother roads: I had regular access to two 7-series BMWs, one with 18" wheels the other with 16" wheels and the larger-wheeled car was a much better drive. The handling was very crisp with little diminution in ride quality.

There is a board member who posts else where who fitted 17" wheels to his previously 15"-wheeled W202 and found the ride suffered; I think he settled on 16" wheels.

Remember also that 18" wheels will probably be wider, so you may suffer tram-lining and that 17" wheels can be fitted without body mods, whereas 18" wheels require the fenders to be rolled.

PaulG · #4 08-04-2003, 11:46 AM

KenSilver,

If you even KNOW what a bad ride is (that is, you're not a 17 year-old) you will be irritated by the switch to 18inch wheels.

You've got to put up with a lot for thesake of a better look. I get the feeling that even 17inch wheels would be unacceptible to you...............but what do I know?

Is there anyone in your area that will let you borrow a set of larger wheels for a couple of hours? This would let you know straight away. My guess is that you'll end up staying with the standard size

slsmag · #5 08-04-2003, 01:37 PM

Interesting - lots of differing opinions on this. Here's my two cents, fwiw:

My SL500 came with 18" Moda wheels - and before the car even arrived I ordered a set of the original 16" wheels... I was convinced that I would not like the look or the feel of the 18" set up on the car.

To my surprise, however, when the car arrived I loved the look of the 18" Modas... and even more surprising, the handling characteristics with the low profile 18" rubber was outstanding. The cornering capability is greatly enhanced.

While I can tell that I'm driving on low profile tires (ok, tyres to you folks across the pond) the ride is not harsh in any real sense of the word - it's just more aggressive because I have a much better feel for the road. The only change in driving style for me is that with the low profile tires I watch for and avoid all pot holes - the last thing I want to do is bend a rim.

Instead of switching to the 16" wheels, I have decided to simply put all weather radials with excellent snow traction on the OEM wheels and use them for the winter months so that I don't screw up the 18" Modas.

One note: Contrary to what was posted above, you will not need to roll the fenders or make any modifications to change from 16" to 18" wheels on the 129 body... as long as you stay with 'normal' tire sizes and don't go out of your way to get extra wide tires... any tire shop can help you pick out 18" tires that will fit your wheels and your car without modification.

ywmv
(your wheels may vary)

- michael

Eli (NJ) · #6 08-04-2003, 04:03 PM

Ken, keep in mind that "ride quality" is subjective and will vary between different people's opinions.

Now, for me, I switched to 17" wheels and think this is the perfect compromise on the 129's. With the 16" I had a little more sway than I would like. And, I can tell that with 18" wheels, the ride would be too harsh for my taste.

If it's worth anything, most of the modified SL's here are riding on 17" wheels.

Eli.

Pete Geither · #7 08-04-2003, 05:39 PM

17's on mine and I love the ride , looks and handling. don't want to even try 18's. My opinion,,, Pete

KenSilver · #8 08-04-2003, 06:23 PM

Thanks all, I'm getting a much better feel for what I need - great stuff!

So I think if I changed the SL, I would go only for 17." Comfort is more important than looks for me.

Ken Silver
--------------
1993 SL500, glistening black/grey on black leather, soon to be best in country!
1991 Daimler, shiny grey on grey leather, best in country!
1991 Miata MX5, sparkling BRG on tan leather, wife's (but my polishing)
1992 Honda US s/wagon, black/grey
ex 350SL, 230E, 280E (and a lot of other makes not as nice)

jjrodger · #9 08-04-2003, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by slsmag
One note: Contrary to what was posted above, you will not need to roll the fenders or make any modifications to change from 16" to 18" wheels on the 129 body... as long as you stay with 'normal' tire sizes and don't go out of your way to get extra wide tires... any tire shop can help you pick out 18" tires that will fit your wheels and your car without modification.

I'm just repeating what it says in my Mercedes-Benz alloy wheel brochure (which is full of helpful sizing--including offstes--and part number info, just ask).

spinedoc · #10 08-04-2003, 07:56 PM

Let me chime in here as someone who has had both sizes. The 18 inch wheels with the right tires are unbelievable. The handling is awesome, especially if you stagger the wider tires in the back that MB recommends. I am not mature, nor am I a kid, I am 32 years old and dont find the 18" to be a kiddie item, but rather a sport/handling decision. I originally bought my 96 SL with stock 16" with nice Yoko's on it and was very very hesitant to go 18". If you do a search you will see me asking for people opinion whether to go 17 or 18.

I went with OEM 18 AMG's with Michellins. Let me tell you I am happy every single day I drive the car that I went with the 18's. Yes it is more of a stiff,harsh ride, yes you will need to avoid potholes, but once you get on a smooth road or the highway you will forget all that very fast.

Keep in mind that wheel/tire choices are super important. On my old SL I had 18" Neeper Concept wheels with Kumho tires, they ran like complete crap. I replaced the tires with nicer tires and it ran better but still crappy. By getting the AMG wheels which belong on the car and Michellin tires I have a very nice ride.

And as said before if you get the OEM wheels you will NOT have to do any body or fender work.

So just my personal opinion, I would not run anything but 18" AMG's on my SL!! If you want a sedan get a nice S series, if you want a true sports machine dont scrimp on your wheels.

#11 08-04-2003, 08:29 PM

One thing I have not seen mentioned is the fact that the wheel weight is of great importance to the ride quality.

If you do go with a 18"wheel, and spend the time researching and finding the lightest wheel (thal appeals to you) and matching tire flex specs, you will more than likely be happy with your ride quality.

Problem is, light weight wheels usually equal big $$'s.

spinedoc · #12 08-11-2003, 03:21 PM

Actually there is no research involved, just go with what AMG recommends. I think you will have a choice of 6 or so wheels if you figure in all the years that fit, less than that for 18" size. In having had aftermarket and OEM wheels I think it's supremely important that you stay with OEM.

slsmag · #13 08-12-2003, 12:20 AM

FWIW... I love the look and the performance of the 18" Moda R6 on my R129:

Tire Rack carries them. At just about $210 ea. it's not a bad way to see if you're going to like 18" wheels. I know it's blasphemy, but I presonally don't like AMG bottlecaps - some of their 5 spokes are ok, but the bottle caps don't do a thing for me.

- michael
1998 SL500
BLK/BGE/18" Moda R6

MBZ190E16V · #14 08-13-2003, 11:55 AM

my dad actually has 18in BBS wheels on his '92 SL500 and the ride has not changed. and he is running 18x8.5(F) and 18x10(R)

Mike G · #15 08-14-2003, 04:19 PM

Spinedoc is so right.

I had Kuhmos on 17" wheels on my E430 sport, and found the ride to be terrible. When I hit bumbs I felt like something on the car was goint to give.

Just put 18" staggered setup (with Michelin Pilots) on my 500SL and the ride is not too bad.

I definitely feel the bumps more, but there is no harshness. What I hate is when the ride is jarring and the suspension loses its composure. I think the 129 suspension is compliant enough to make this setup work.

So far so good for me.

MG