205 16" vs 17" Wheels

[CharlesP]

I have a 15 plate C200 SE Executive S205 fitted with 225/50 17" wheels and the ride is ok, but not really great on the UK roads of 2021.
Would a swap to 205/60 16" wheels from the SE model make a noticeable difference? A 60 profile tyre is pretty tall by modern standards but I'm not worried about that. Also, being a petrol model it's doesn't need all that rubber to contain the torque the way a diesel does.

 

[GeeJayW]

Depends what you’re looking for in terms of ride and handling. I would expect 16” rims with 205/60 tyres (which were standard fitment on the SE) to be softer and more compliant than the optional 17” with 225/50. However, the higher sidewall would reduce sharpness/feel in handling.

Had 19” run flats on our AMG Line (as per my avatar), much happier with 18”. Our son-in-law has 17” on his Sport version, it is noticeably softer than ours and a little less sharp on handling. I’ve not driven an SE.

 

[CharlesP]

Depends what you’re looking for in terms of ride and handling. I would expect 16” rims with 205/60 tyres (which were standard fitment on the SE) to be softer and more compliant than the optional 17” with 225/50. However, the higher sidewall would reduce sharpness/feel in handling.

Had 19” run flats on our AMG Line (as per my avatar), much happier with 18”. Our son-in-law has 17” on his Sport version, it is noticeably softer than ours and a little less sharp on handling. I’ve not driven an SE.

Thanks. That's my thinking too.
Anyone have direct experience of both sizes?

I know that I'm in a minority - if I wanted a sharp handling car I would have bought an AMG model - they are much easier to find second hand!

 

[gazz01]

hi, my 2016 w205 c200 se came with 16" rims (205/60/16) as standard. i changed them for 17" (225/50/17) wheels from an se executive so their o.e.m. the ride and handling in my opinion is much better on the 17"s, i think the wider tyres make all the difference. dropping the tyre pressures from 36 psi to 33 psi also helps for a softer ride.

 

[W1ghty]

I have a 15 plate C200 SE Executive S205 fitted with 225/50 17" wheels and the ride is ok, but not really great on the UK roads of 2021.
Would a swap to 205/60 16" wheels from the SE model make a noticeable difference? A 60 profile tyre is pretty tall by modern standards but I'm not worried about that. Also, being a petrol model it's doesn't need all that rubber to contain the torque the way a diesel does.

Both my MB’s are on summer 17” wheels and winter 16” wheels . I would describe the 17’s as a fairly decent ride and the 16’s as a good ride .
I always run all my pressures in the region of 31-33 regardless of all other factors