Suspension changes with new rim size

[trock3155]

In a couple weeks I will be swapping my stock CLK two piece 17" rims to a new set of 19"s. I have realized that people often modify their suspension for bigger rim sizes. My question is, will i need to drop my car? I know that the entire wheel(with tire) will be about the same height, but where the rim meets the axle will be higher(by an inch i guess). I guess I wouldnt have to change anything, but I dont want there to be a gap in the wheel well or a loss in handling. Any input so i can start looking for new springs(if necessary) would be helpful. Asa

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[Mach430]

The entire wheel/tire combo will not be the same height. The diameter when changing from a 17 to a 19 is much greater than before. IMO, you will need to lower your car, just to bring it back down to spec. Otherwise, your car will look like it is floating.

[scorchie]

Originally posted by Mach430
The entire wheel/tire combo will not be the same height. The diameter when changing from a 17 to a 19 is much greater than before.

I can't believe that Ben actually wrote those sentences.

Unless he knows something about this guy's setup that wasn't posted... otherwise the idea is to keep the same diameter for the entire wheel/tire combo?

I understand there may be nominal differences in the actual tire specs, maybe 1/4" or so, but that's hardly noticeable from glancing at the tire.

???

-s-

[Mach430]

I wrote it based on every day experiences. Yes, the idea is to get the same diameter, but it's not going to happen. The diameter will increase, and it is definetely noticable (at least by myself). Find a CLK with stock suspension and 19" wheels, and then compare it to another CLK with 17" wheels. The one with 19s will look like it's floating. My CLK is much higher, now that I have 19" wheels.

[Petie]

Originally posted by scorchie
I can't believe that Ben actually wrote those sentences.

Unless he knows something about this guy's setup that wasn't posted... otherwise the idea is to keep the same diameter for the entire wheel/tire combo?

I understand there may be nominal differences in the actual tire specs, maybe 1/4" or so, but that's hardly noticeable from glancing at the tire.

???

-s-

lets say 1/2", because thats closer to the truth. So your car sits 1/4" higher off the ground based on this 1/2" assumption. But then you factor in the aesthetics of a 19" wheel on a stock suspension as compared to the 17" wheel on stock suspension. Im not an expert on how eyes work, but even though its not that much taller, it definitely looks it. When i went just to 18s, my rolling diameter was hardly changed, yet the car still looks much more in need of suspension work now. Its not so much the numbers, its the way the eye perceives the change....

[LowRydeR]

He's right, my car raised about an inch when I switched to 19s. I hated it so much that I cut my springs.

-Bruce

[tango]

Originally posted by LowRydeR
He's right, my car raised about an inch when I switched to 19s. I hated it so much that I cut my springs.

-Bruce

u had ur spring cut already bruce?! lets see some pics!

[scorchie]

You guys need to buy the right tires (or vary the brands you use).

My 19" tires are smaller than the 18" tires I use, according to manufacturer specs.

Also, the bigger the tire diameter, the lower the car looks because the wheel gap is smaller.

-s-

[Mach430]

Scorchie,

Between myself, Petie, and Lowryder we've used Michellin Pilot Sports, Yokohama AVS, Pirelli P-zero, Kumho, Bridgestone SO3, Dunlop SP9000, and Toyo T1s. What am I missing? Yes the fender gap looks smaller (another sign that the diameter has changed!), but the height of the car will change.

[trock3155]

SO how much should i lower my car, and what kind of springs should I get. I would be glad to order them from evosport as you guys have more experience with my type of car than any other place I can think of.
Asa

[Mach430]

If you're only looking to do springs, I would recommend H&R. They will lower the AMG cars about an 1", which is not too much or too little. If you are looking to change your shocks at the same time, I would either recommend Koni Adjustables, or the complete Kleemann Suspension. In can explain either if you need me to.

[GBD]

Michelin Pilot Sport 245/40ZR17... overall diameter 24.7 Michelin Pilot Sport 265/35ZR18.... overall diameter 25.3 only.6 taller. So this only raises your car one half of .6 wich is .3. That .3 on the top and .3 on the bottom and it is the bottom that raises your car no matter what your eyes are saying to you. The 265/35ZR18 are .9 wider than the 245/40ZR17 tires or just about 1 inch wider. These figures are correct and right off of the Michelin spec sheet.

[Mach430]

He's asking about switching from 17s to 19s. Using the Pilot Sports (to stick with your example) in a 275 (no 265 made):
275/30/19 gives an overall diameter of 25.7, a 1" increase.

This will add .5" to the height of the car, which is noticable. The AMG is only about 1" less than a 430 to begin with... Try doing this to a 430, then you have a CLK 1.5" higer than the CLK55> that's a truck!

[LowRydeR]

Originally posted by tango
u had ur spring cut already bruce?! lets see some pics!

This was a while ago when I still had my 18" mono and cut H&R.

-Bruce

[LowRydeR]

A better pic showing how low she was, the very last CLK is mine.

-Bruce

[f1vu]

I have 19" Carlsson 2/5 and Yokohama on my CLK55. 235 in front and 265 in the rear. I lowered the car with H&R sports springs and love the the way the car sits. My car was lower than my friends car (he used Eicbach). Springs pas #2 up front and #1 in the rear.

I had one problem with my set up though but has been corrected. After the Springs were installed, the camber in the rear was squating too low. MB does not provide adjustable camber bolts OE with the car for the rear. I had to buy a set of the KMac camber kit to bring the camber back out.

All is great now. I love the way it looks and rides like it's on rail around cornners.

Go for it and lower the car... :-)

[f1vu]

Lowrider,

Did / do you have camber problems with the front and rear after lower the car down that low? If so, what did you do to fix the camber?