C63 - 18 inch wheels v 19 inch

[Tonto]

Looking to buy a C63 in the next couple of weeks. I've test driven 2 cars so far. A 2009 car on 18 inch wheels and a 2011 car on 19's. I found a marked difference in the ride comfort, with the early car feeling very compliant and the 2011 car very firm, bordering on crashy (new word).
I realise that the 18's are going to give a better ride, but should there really be such a massive difference? Could there be other factors involved perhaps?

Edit to add, 2009 car had 13000 miles and 2011 had 18000.

[ecain63]

Firmer car may have had AMG Performance Suspension fitted. Ive found the 19's to be absolutely fine to be honest. Its a firm ride but not ridiculously so.

[ghibbett]

Interesting you found such a difference. I test drove 18" and 19" shod cars back-to-back. There was enough of a difference to me that I chose the 18"s. The greater compliance of the 18"s gave a much better high frequency ride. There was also a lot less tyre roar on the 18"s although this could have been down to wear differences (although the car on 18"s had 5k miles vs 600 miles on the 19" car).

Edited by ghibbett on Tuesday 20th August 13:19

[HotJambalaya]

I drove a 2008 pp car which had the firmer suspension on 18's and a regular 2010 car on 19s, I also found the 18s gave a much more comfortable ride, despite having the firmer setup.

[r129sl]

You should have a look at the standard German specification. That usually offers the best drive. As well as offering less tyre sidewall, the 19s will be significantly heavier than the 18s.

[irish boy]

I think the 18's look better.

[911C2S]

I think its a personal choice. I hate small wheels on cars but then I am under 40. I have 19"s and if they did them (original manufacture wheels), I would go for 20"s as I think the 19"s look too small. I should point out I don't like loud shouty wheels just ones that fill the arch. IMO 18" wheels look very wrong for a C63.

Ride is important to me but frankly if you are buying a C63 it's not going to be your main concern.. Handling, now that's a different issue.

[cramorra]

driven both with normal suspension - 19 inch wheels nearly made me not consider the car (buy this when you want a disc operation)- 18 inch better for comfort and for normal, even fast road use- 19 may be better on track, looking better (also I am less sure - it's up to personal taste) and perhaps last longer (would do for me as I would use the car less...)

[Seventy]

I've done 20k miles in mine on 19's in the last 18 months. I have a bad back and I have never been bothered by the ride.
All subjective obviously.

[Argybargy]

I sympathise with the dilemma. I tested both 18 and 19'' wheels back to back and preferred the smaller wheels' ride. Spent an awful lot of time on the configurator flicking back and forth between the two sizes of wheels and eventually plumped for 19's - they just looked right. Nine months in I haven't regretted it. Yes the ride is undeniably firm but definitely not uncomfortable or jarring. I find the firmer ride reminds you that you are driving a serious car where ride compliance is not the no.1 issue. The 6.2 V8 upfront is another reminder of course...