C Class W203 wheels - go back to 17s?

[Dr-Evil]

So at the moment I have a set of AMG III 18s on my C Class.



The rear tyres need changing and I am tempted to go back to 17s.

Partly this is due to doing lots of miles and 17" tyres are a little cheaper, but also because the current wheels are not staggered (and need a refurb!) and the rears have never looked quite right.

Anyone got any thoughts?

Will the 17s look lost in the arches?

Will the ride be noticeably smoother over the bumpy stuff?

Cheers

Tom

[anonymous-user]

If you go for a staggered setup they shouldn't look lost in the arches, I certainly never thought mine did but I'll let you judge some 17"s for yourself!

[Dr-Evil]

Ta, certainly looks good with those wheels.

I'm thinking exactly the same AMG III's as present, but smaller.

[adam85]

Dr-Evil said:

Ta, certainly looks good with those wheels.

I'm thinking exactly the same AMG III's as present, but smaller.

To be honest, I don't think there will be much notable difference in ride quality between 17" and 18".
What tyre pressures are you running? Presumably your non staggered tyres are the same as my fronts all round (225/40 R18)

[Dr-Evil]

Running standard pressures at the moment (which off the top of my head I cannot remember.......quoted in the fuel flap....) which has't thus far given any stodgy wear patterns etc.

Yes, 225/40 all the way round. So the minor shift with the 17s would be 225/45 on the front and 245/40 on the rear. So a little more fat in the profile.

[anonymous-user]

Dr-Evil said:

Ta, certainly looks good with those wheels.

I'm thinking exactly the same AMG III's as present, but smaller.

Cheers, they were just standard Avantgarde 'Sport Pack' wheels, the car is long gone now but it was my first Merc and I loved it!

Getting a bit technical, wheels where the spokes come right out to the rim (like mine did), will give the illusion of a bigger wheel. Your current wheels, which I think look great btw, will to the eye look smaller than they really are because the spokes stop short of the rim edge - if that makes sense?

In short, if getting smaller wheels, get some with spokes to the rim to make them look bigger!

[CarbonBlackM5]

yellowbentines said:

If you go for a staggered setup they shouldn't look lost in the arches, I certainly never thought mine did but I'll let you judge some 17"s for yourself!

Thats the spitting image of mine. I like the wheels and they are really easy to clean which is a bonus.

[93Jay]

yellowbentines said:

Cheers, they were just standard Avantgarde 'Sport Pack' wheels, the car is long gone now but it was my first Merc and I loved it!

The wheels are 17" Mercedes "Adharaz"

[Dr-Evil]

......right, found some nice AMG III staggered 17's with decent tyres....so we'll see how I get on when they arrive.

Anyone want a set of AMG III 18s?

[adam85]

Dr-Evil said:

......right, found some nice AMG III staggered 17's with decent tyres....so we'll see how I get on when they arrive.

Let us know how they feel if you don't mind

[Dr-Evil]

Will do

[Dr-Evil]

Really annoying, but the 17s I found have fallen through so have had to buy some new rubber for the existing 18s as the MOT is looming.

Will have a look again when the current rubber is running low......