SL350 18 or 19 inch wheels?

[Pitts Pilot]

Hi, I’m new to the forum and hence this is my first post.

I’m looking at buying a SL350 2006/2007 year and need some advice on wheel size.

Ignoring the 17 inchers, can anyone tell me whether there is a noticeable difference in ride quality between the 18” and the AMG 19’s. (I know the AMG’s look cooler, but this post is about ride comfort).

I’m asking because I’ll be driving the car to the south of France several times a year, and with a 9 hour drive even a small comfort difference over that length of time could affect one’s tiredness and fatigue. (?)

Thanks

 

[WOODYTHEWISE]

Hello and welcome to you.

 

[biturbo]

18 inch is the best combo for comfort and appearance. after than comfort goes downhill and problems like kerbing etc

 

[Pitts Pilot]

Kerbing is a good point I had not thought of, thanks!

I spoke to a dealer today, selling a SL350 with AMG 19's.
He said there was very little difference in ride quality between 18 and 19 inch.
But he would wouldn't he? (!)

 

[developer]

These are 19's and would be a mutha avoiding the kerbs....

 

[Pitts Pilot]

Fantastic and very useful pic! Thank you
Does everyone take accidential kerbing as unavoidable, and just accept that you will need to refurb and repaint at some time in the future?

 

[C43AMG]

Yes,i do. I have 20" AMG's on my S-Class and 19" on the CL.

 

[Dr-Nab]

These are 19's and would be a mutha avoiding the kerbs....

My dealer refer to those as the 19" kerb-seeker alloys because a few of the guys that had "borrowed" cars with those wheels on all kerbed them, my salesman was most annoyed because he claimed to have never kerbed a wheel in over 18 years and was proud of that until he took a 19" alloy equipped W212 sport home... needless to say he didn't bother keeping hold of it and switched to a W204 facelift on 18s!

 

[Pitts Pilot]

Thanks everyone for all the replies to my first post on this forum

I have just placed a deposit on a 2008 (57 plate SL350) with *18 inch* wheels!
So your advice was duly noted.

Many thanks,

 

[Charlie_L]

Hi All,

Just wanted to say what a useful thread this was.

I googled the same question and found the forum. As a result I've now signed up, so thanks very much for the info!

Just bought an SL350 (2009) for my birthday and am now spending time finding fun things to add to it.

First off, get rid of the factory standard 17" wheels.

Next up is a smartTop.

If anyone else has any suggestions then please let me know!

Looking forward to reading more on the forum.

Cheers, Charlie