Has anyone gone with one inch smaller wheels to get a little more sidewall and smoother ride? Any Pictures? The texas roads are brutal in my area.

 

Just thinking about the same thing. I'd like to know as well. At least on the front wheels, it looks lit 17' is about as small as will fit over the brakes in the front - and even then you need to be careful. If you did that, and then put on some softer springs, I'm sure it would help.

 

I did some checking and 225 45 17's and 255 40 18's would give the same overall size tire but would give a little more side wall which will have the effect of lowering the spring rate a little. These size tires also open up other possibilities like V rated tires which will ride smoother and cost less than the Z rated tires. By going with 17 and 18 inch wheels and the above tires, I will still have the stock raked look. Now I just have to find the perfect wheels. I also think that 16's will work. the brakes aren't that big and the SLK comes with 16's.

 

Hi Lantana, how did it turn out with the wheels ? Just picking up a set of 17 for the front and 18´for the rear from Ronal. THanks for your advice. Martin

 

It turned out very well. What width are you going with? I went with 18 x 8 and 18 x 9's I am using the stock size tire in the front and have recently gone up to a 265 40 18 in the rear which is slighty taller and wider than stock I am tempted to go with 17's in the future. maybe even 16's and 17's!

 

I am really looking more little toward function over design, higher sidewall is what matters to me, to give the car a little break, as country roads aren´t really the smoothest overhere. With the 18/19 combination it rattles at times over the bumps and I just feel sorry for the poor thing:-) Front I am going for 225/45R17, 7,5x17 which are also cheap and rear 245/40R18, 8x18 which are narrower, and also cheap as this is not so uncommon size. Further are by approx. 1,5% smaller than the stock, so this should bring little more power to the pavement. I want to mainting the raked look, as it appeals to me. I have 2 cm spacers installed currently, and 3cm spacers in the garage, so this will give m

 

sould work well. I went down in size for the same reason. since we almost sit over the back wheels we feel that most. I love my 265 40 18's as this gives me a nice sidewall and a lighter overall rear wheel/tire. If I keep these wheels, I am going with 235 40 18 in the front next time. I love being able to save hundreds on tirs! and almost everyone makes my sizes. I wanted to go with 17's and 18's but wanted an OEM look and a hard time finding what I was looking for. I would much prefer to have 17's in the front.