Mercedes-Benz B-Class AMG line - Changing 18" wheels for 16" wheels

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Sun 28 Jun 2015 19:27
Mercedes-Benz B-Class AMG line - Changing 18" wheels for 16" wheels - Old "boy racer"

I love my 6 month old vehicle, but find the 18" wheels and low profile tyres noisey and the ride hard. Is there a specialist company to which I could part-exchange my wheels and tyres for the standard 16" wheels and appropriate tyres?

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Mon 29 Jun 2015 00:14
Mercedes-Benz B-Class AMG line - Changing 18" wheels for 16" wheels - Happy Blue!

You should find that an independent good tyre depot which also does wheels would be able to do a px for your wheels against some aftermarket wheels of the size you want.

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Mon 29 Jun 2015 10:07
Mercedes-Benz B-Class AMG line - Changing 18" wheels for 16" wheels - bathtub tom

You'll need to be very careful to make sure the brakes and other steering/suspension gear fit inside the smaller wheels.

Reasons for fitting large diameter wheels are larger discs can be used for better braking and lower profile tyres for improved handling.

You'll also probably need to inform your insurer of the modification.

Why did you buy the AMG if you want to now take a backward step?

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Mon 29 Jun 2015 12:02
Mercedes-Benz B-Class AMG line - Changing 18" wheels for 16" wheels - RicardoB

I did this change with my Laguna coupe a couple of years ago. Changed from the standard 18" wheels to 16". Same reasons - suspension uncomfortable - fine for smooth roads, but of course we know that we don't have many of those.

I didn't consider the possibility of part exchanging wheels but simply bought a set of Laguna 16" wheels (having checked that the brakes etc would fit in) My thinking is that come the time I change the car, I'll put the original 18" wheels back on (although I realise that the market for my car will be minimal compared to a Mercedes AMG) But you know what, storing four wheels and tyres takes a surprising amount of space up!

I also told the insurance company who simply made a note on their file.

Ride is improved but still firm of course, because that is the inherent design of the car, and replacement tyres are/will be less expensive than 18" ones.

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Mon 29 Jun 2015 12:14
Mercedes-Benz B-Class AMG line - Changing 18" wheels for 16" wheels - RobJP

As 'bathtub tom' has said, you will need to check that the smaller wheels will fit over brake components.

In a lot of 'sport' variants, it's purely the wheel size that is different. However, if the car has optional brake upgrades then you may find problems with smaller wheels.

As an example, on the BMW 3 series the Msport cars can usually be downgraded to 16" wheels, BUT if the optional Msport brakes have been fitted then they need a minimum 18" wheel to provide the clearance round the discs/calipers.

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Mon 29 Jun 2015 17:14
Mercedes-Benz B-Class AMG line - Changing 18" wheels for 16" wheels - jgrahampo

Look at a scrapyard for a suitable set of wheels. A class or C class see if they fit too.

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Mon 29 Jun 2015 17:17
Mercedes-Benz B-Class AMG line - Changing 18" wheels for 16" wheels - skidpan

Are you really suggesting that the OP puts scrap yard wheels on a 6 month old B Class.

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Mon 29 Jun 2015 17:25
Mercedes-Benz B-Class AMG line - Changing 18" wheels for 16" wheels - Avant

When I had a B-class, I'd no idea whether there was any road noise or not: the dlesel engine's raucous imitation of a London taxi saw to that.

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Mon 29 Jun 2015 17:32
Mercedes-Benz B-Class AMG line - Changing 18" wheels for 16" wheels - RobJP

Are you really suggesting that the OP puts scrap yard wheels on a 6 month old B Class.

Agreed, a terrible idea. I'm always dubious of scrapyard alloys; far too much chance of hairline cracks that will only become apparent later on.

Furthermore, aren't all new Merc's on TPMS these days ? If so, then you'd have to get TPMS equipped wheels, or, if buying secondhand wheels, get TPMS valves fitted to the wheels.

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Mon 29 Jun 2015 17:38
Mercedes-Benz B-Class AMG line - Changing 18" wheels for 16" wheels - skidpan

Furthermore, aren't all new Merc's on TPMS these days ? If so, then you'd have to get TPMS equipped wheels, or, if buying secondhand wheels, get TPMS valves fitted to the wheels.

Not just Mercs, every new car registered after November 01 2014 will be fitted with TPMS.

If its the valve type, as I understand it, the rims are machined (or pressed if they are steel) differently so that the valve and gubbins will fit. So its highly probable that they would not fit on older wheels machined for conventional valves.

And I suspect not having an operable TPMS system would not impress your insurers should you have an accident (even if it had nothing to do with it).

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Mon 29 Jun 2015 18:36
Mercedes-Benz B-Class AMG line - Changing 18" wheels for 16" wheels - 72 dudes

There may also be an issue with the speedometer calibration too.

IIRC the circumference of the 16" wheel plus tyre has to be the same as the 18" wheel plus tyre.

i.e. You'll need fairly high profile tyres on a 16" wheel to avoid (more) speedometer inaccuracy.

I was given a new B Class when one of mine was in for a repair a few months ago. I have to say I was disappointed with both the ride (lumpy) and the handling (wooden). I don't think 16" wheels will make a huge difference.

The new C Class OTOH, very impressive... and that was a Sport with 18" wheels.

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Mon 29 Jun 2015 22:34
Mercedes-Benz B-Class AMG line - Changing 18" wheels for 16" wheels - RicardoB

Yes, the circumference must remain the same, and yes, to achieve this, deeper profile 16" tyres will be needed.

This is the point of doing this - deeper tyres means more rubber to help absorb/soften the bumps. Oh, and to be less susceptical to pot hole/kerb damage.

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Wed 1 Jul 2015 07:09
Mercedes-Benz B-Class AMG line - Changing 18" wheels for 16" wheels - S40 Man

If you wait until you need new tyres you can get wheels and tyres packages, I've used tyres-pnues (other retailers are available).

Same tyres with alloys is around £70 more than just tyres. It also lets you see what is compatible with your merc tpms compatible too. They come prebalanced

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