badu

Hi guys, has anyone tried running 275/35/18 PSS tires on the C63? I'm on stock suspension and am not planning to lower the car anytime soon. Will 275/35/18 work with stock wheels?

Thanks,

C63newdude

you are going to be fine. There are many people running 275's in the rear with the stock rims including myself. My next tire is going to be a 285 on stock rear rim(Nitto 555R) and it has been done beore by member (superlubrecity) so that is your peace of mind there...

khmergod

Yep.

Chocofishez

Yes I have the same setup fitted and have had no issues. You will have a huge sidewall that will give you a 'drag racer' look. You're just going to have to get over it.

Because of the large sidewalls I have noticed a little bit of flex/roll when I get on the gas and am turning at the same time. Think passing on a single lane highway. Best bet is to make the lane change then get on the throttle.

You will be happy with the tires... They hook up well in the dry from a standstill and are pretty quiet.

badu

Thanks! This is exactly what I was looking for. Do you go with 235 or 245 up front? What do you mean by the huge sidewall? Are they more square looking or just taller? mind sharing a picture?

Chocofishez

Hey here is a pic, I hope this works. Sidewalls are just taller. Doesn't have that lean mean athletic look about the wheels. Ride quality is nice though!

khmergod

Choco, are those Michelin SS? 245/275? Man, if so...they look fat...

Chocofishez

Yes they are 275/35/18 & 245/40/18 and yes they do look fat.

If I could fit a wider wheel and wider tires I would. MB doesn't give us any more room than a C300.

badu

Thanks for the picture. I was at my tire shop after lunch today, and the guy suggested that I should stick with 255/35 as he think that going with 265/35 will put too much strain on the side wall. Also, he said he would suggest against putting 275 because the rear wheels are too narrow. Your thoughts?

khmergod

Choco, I like your P31 and all, but those tires don't look right. I also wanted to try Michelin SS with those widths, but now I might just keep it stock sizes, looks really sporty. I don't track my car, so I guess skipping out on wider tires will be ok. Again, I'm not trying to disrespect you, but they just don't look right. These are ContiSportContacts, not sure which version. Stock sizes. They look perfect, but I do want wider tires, not expanded sidewalls though. Do you think the SS in stock sizes will have smaller sidewalls?

Chocofishez

I don't like how they look either but I care more about having the right amount of rubber on the road.

I would imagine stock sizes would look very similar to the stock tires when you took delivery.

Chocofishez

Tirerack said these tires would fit, so I put 'em on there. I trust them more than my local tire shop.

I just feel like I would be wasting my 500hp supercar motor on skinny bicycle tires. I spend more time driving my car than looking at it and that's what's important to me.

khmergod

How do they handle against OEM?

Chocofishez

You know what I couldn't tell you... I never fitted the OEM tires on my car. I took delivery in Calgary in January so I had the winters (225/255) pulled off my C350 and put on the C63. When the weather improved I went straight to these tires.

I don't know what I'll do with my OEMs... I might mount them as the summer tires on my winter beater (328ix).

What I can tell you is the winter 255s on the rear were not very good. I had 275s on my 333hp E46 M3 and they felt perfect so I knew I would need wider rubber on the back with the 6.3l V8 from AMG.

Ideally I'd have 295s or 305s on the back with proper rims to fit them. I'm really liking the look of some of the widebody kits out there and I've basically made up my mind that if I can get a widebody plus wheels on my car for under 6k I'll go for it.

DuaneC63

Using 275x35 also makes your gear ratio taller (ie lower numerically). Too bad we can't fit something like 305 and drop down to a 30 aspect ratio.

IAA-C63

If my math is correct, to get the same sidewall as a 255/35, the options are 265/33.7, 275/32.5, and 285/31.3.

So a 275/35 will be a bit "fat" and should have a softer ride, and a 275/30 will be a bit "thin" and harder riding. Personally, I'm not sure that I like either of those options.

khmergod

What would be a good solution? I'd like it to look and handle nice, but doesn't have to be perfect. No tracking, just streets.

Chocofishez

You are going to have to decide what is more important to you - rubber on the road or the look. You can't have it both ways (Or I'd have different tires on my car)

You might be able to buy slightly wider rims and fit 275s that will reduce the aspect ratio a bit.. I've seen some pics of 275s on aftermarket wheels and they aren't as fat as what's on my car.

For what it's worth it takes a true car guy to tell that my tires are super fat and even then the only time anyone has commented on it has been when they've seen a picture or are staring at the car for a couple minutes while it's stationary.

Every other situation people just tell me 'your car is so badass'. I wanted wider rubber on the front and rear to help with performance and for the most part I've got what I wanted. I was sick of the traction light in second gear in anything but a perfectly straight line.

khmergod

I hope I didn't upset you. I meant no disrespect. I have no doubt on their ability to hold the ground. I know there's a fine line between performance and looks, that is why I would like something in between. But yes, I noticed it right away on the pic. I bet when it's rolling it wouldn't be much of a deal. But your car is badass. Nice choice of color, and P31 of course. Thanks for your feedback, it's food for thought.

Chocofishez

No worries bud - no disrespect at all. I noticed the tires right away when I picked the car up too. We're all kind of hoopled with our options back there.

khmergod

Would you by chance of LSD? I don't have a lead foot, but I do like to stomp it from red lights, but of course after I grip the ground, then am rearing to go. I've only slipped once was at a boulevard doing a U turn, almost completely stopping, then hit the throttle too hard and I could feel my tire slip and make some squeal.

Questions

PS2s fit fine at 275, no rubbing, has anyone gone from that to PSS at 275 to give a comparison there?