The factory 16 inch rims on a 2003 C320 look very small and weak. I would really like to go higher with rims to a 17 or 18 inch wheel. Is this possible and will it hurt the nice ride of the car? Do you recommend anything specific to do about this? I would also really like a wider tire just the same but am concerned about rubbing.

Thanks for your help and time everyone.

 

if u have 16's i always go 3 sizes bigger on the rims so u can go wit 19's and go 3 sizes smaller on the tires. so if u got 60 series tires get 30's. so 16 inch rims with 60 series tires should be the same as 19's with 30 series tires. ride is going 2 be alittle different but should equal the same size.

 

ok 2fast ur right but ur wrong.
he is right on the plus sizing. the tech way is if ur plus sizing maintains the same overall diameter then ur abs sensors and wheel speed sensors do not need recalibrated. nor does ur travel change up and down.

your wrong about going to 30 in side walls. its a myth the shorter the side wall the better the handling. also lower side walls are more prone to cupping and very harsh ride if ur in a city enviroment.

i would go 17 inch staggered fitment which mb did on their sport models and some amgs or 18's all the way around.keep 40 series profile and use a quality tire.
ask the forum for their input on their tire experience to see which type of elemnts match ur car and driving style.

i used this company for my rims- www.avaruswheels.com and i bought the red lip black wheels i look ballin staggered fitment.
rides nicely handles dramatically better and very great appearance.

an educated choice is a smart choice. put ur tire size in on www.discounttiredirect.comand read ea tire reviews.

then place 05 c230 kompressor in and an 04 clk or maybe slk and see what factory sizes they have because i know the 05 bolts right up all the c's pretty much do (please correct me if im wrong guys)
gives u better idea and better knowledge about the types of tire and what they can do.

 

well ur not going 2 get the smoothest ride on 30's or 35's but if u stagger u can't rotate.

 

whats staggered fitment? wider on the rears?

 

Thanks for all of the replies about this. I appreciate them very much and will gladly take anymore advice anyone may have.

Thanks.

 

Also...be prepared to pay for expensive new bolts.

There is a good chance that your old wheel bolts won't work anymore.

The most common problem is the shank length. The bolt style will remain 12x1.5 ball head. But you may need longer or shorter bolts.

Benz dealers sell the bolts for $7.5 each. The best price I've ever gotten from a Benz dealer was $4.5. Still, we are talking about $100 in bolts.

I cannot repeat this enough: LOW PROFILE TIRES ARE AS BUMPY AS HELL; THEY GIVE YOU A VERY ROUGH RIDE. The only thing they are good for its high-speed cornering on perfect surface. You will damage the rim for failing to avoid a pot hole for only one time!

You've seen morons going over the speed bumps very very slowly because of their low-profile rims? I definitely do not want to live my life like that.