Pontichic

Hi ya
I'm in New Zealand just purchased my first MB '05 E55 after driving mostly GM V8's. I want to change the wheels interest in hearing what you're rolling on, and what issues you may of had (rubbing etc). Anyone with 20 x 8.5 front & 20 x 10's rear? What tyres did you go with? Any photos?

shawnoc2003

There are several guys on 20's here in the States. I chose to go with 19's due to the roads here in Michigan and the "sluggish-ness" that a few guys commented on.

Search the archives, google...etc. and you can get a feel for what everyone is running.

yoyomofo

I have some niche targa 20"s on my 04. Running staggered 275/30r20 and 245/35r20 nitto nt555 without too much trouble

Papieye

I have mine equipped with some 20" that are 8.5 in the front and 9.5 in the back along with michelin pilot super sport 245/35/20 and 285/30/20.

Sosa

Front 20x9 255/30/20
Rear 20x10.5 295/25/20

Daarthvader

I'm exact same set up as sosa I'll post a pic or 2 they might be upside down due to being on my phone so sorry lol.

Daarthvader

Pontichic

Nice set ups! Love the dish papieye. OK Sosa & Daarthvader any mods to fit all that rubber? Did ya have to roll the guards? Any Tyre rub?

menace2sobriety

I am in Auckland, New Zealand and roll on 20's

9" front 245-30-20 32
10" back 275-30-20 43 (NOTE: 285-25-20 is the correct tyre size) My rear tyres were a stuff up and couldn't change them, no issues with this though and as you see others are running the same

Niche Essens

All I can say is NZ has a crap selection for Mags with Merc offsets

To me the 20's feel a bit heavier but the ride quality is pretty much on par with the stock 18's

Still have to lower mine but will have heaps of room for some tuck, may even space them out a few mm once lowered to maintain a flush appearance and roll the guards

Daarthvader

No rubbing at all no fender mods, altho I just rolled my fenders so I can fit 305s when these tires go

HeissRod

20x8.5/20x10 here running 245/30 & 285/25, the correct size ratios.

MPOW33R

I have an E55 with 20s , its my 2nd E55 with 20s,
I HATE THEM, the 1stcar i took them off for 19s because
I lowered through STAR and I blew out both fenders even though
they were rolled. Going up or down a driveway and not going
slower then a lowrider it will crunch your fenders. A million
people can attest.

I just picked up another E55 and I got it for less because the
two front fenders were bent because ..... its on 20s. IM taking
them off tomorrow and going back to CL65 19s Staggered which
with those its PERFECT you can drive how you want where you want and
even let wife take it for a spin without sweating stressing and giving her
instructions every time she goes for the keys alll while being lightly lowered

If you want to DRIVE and RIP and ROAR and ENJOY the car, go 19s. TRUST ME

HeissRod

The diameter of the wheel has absolutely nothing to do with crunching the fender, unless you run a tire taller than stock diameter. It the offset, wheel width and tire width that put the fender in danger.

MPOW33R

While I respect your opinion I can tell you 1st hand that it does - I am lowered all the way down via STAR - I never not once had an issue for 2 years of extremely aggressive driving . Switchbacks through uneven terrain and etc. 19s never one single issue or hint of .

BUT 1 week into driving with 20s on 30 series tires up front and I crunched my fender then my other fender while never changing the height

HeissRod

Were the specs of the setups identical? Offset, wheel width, tire width all the same between your comparisons? If not, you're comparing apples to oranges.

MPOW33R

Good question i dont have them anymore and dont recall, although
the offset and width wouldn't change the actual diameter size which
I feel is most consistent with why this fender blowing happens
in the 1st place. To my recollection my fronts were
(don't quote me) 20x8.5 ET30 - but 20s on 30 series were my
culprit.

HeissRod

Diameter means nothing, if you were running the correct size tires.

245/35_19 tire = 25.8" diameter
245/30_20 tire = 25.8" diameter

MPOW33R

Long story short from MY experience and a lot of others that I have personally encountered and talked to - 20s on W211s blow fenders unless you baby your turns - I respect your insight and opinion. However mine differs dramatically. To each their own and im cool with that. Some like to find out the hard way, I know I did.

HeissRod

I'm gonna guess you were told to run 245/35_20, because of the crappy roads in NY, which I've heard a few guys complain about here. With those and STAR lowering, I can completely see a blown fender.

MPOW33R

Im in Cali and roads are rough some places - I blew fenders on a driveway and turning sharp - I do remember I was running 30 Series tires and it's highly possible they were 245s. It happened once and then 3 days later the other side -literally just going into a driveway at about 8MPH going into a shopping center.

My 99 C43 was running 225/40/18 ET31 W210 AMG Monoblocks and I was lowered on Eibachs, when running through the switchbacks
I rubbed my pass side fender and wheel. Luckily it didn't damage much. But i could take the same driveways and the same u-turns no problem.
Its just a matter of how you drive, how careful you are, and if you clear. I personally like a slightly lowered car, and I drive to have fun
and enjoy my cars. I hate the thought of squinting and clinching my guts when going over a bump or up driveway and especially some twisties.
19s. done

HeissRod

Whoops....I read MY and saw NY.

Max.H

I had 20s and I hated them. Burned through a few sets of tires in no time. Nothing but tire problems, awful tire wear, bending wheels. I drove carefully but, sometimes you can't avoid pot holes or even the slightest bumps would end my night out. Especially when I had passengers in the back. Calling MB roadside is free but it will kill your night out or on a hot day during traffic pulling off the side of the road, driving practically on the rim because your 25 series tire is done. Ya, never again.

I went to 19s. and love em. Much better, Car feels quicker but obviously not as quick as it did on the 18s.

mobhouse

I'm running 20's right now. Fronts are 245/35/20 while rears are 275/30/20s. I've bent both my front wheels when i was running 235/30/20s but that was my dumb fault.

Denroll

What offsets were you guys running who blew out your fenders? I'm rolling on 20"s and think they look great. Even managed to get a 305 on the rear 10.5" wheels. I might be able to get away with a 315... thinking about trying it on my next set of tires. I've never had an issue with contact on the front fenders with a +32 offset.

desired_speeds

My 04 E55 (look at sig pic) had 20x9 +35 and 20x10.5 +42. No issues with hitting the front fender running incorrect tire sizes (235/35/20 and 265/30/20). I put a 10mm spacer in the back to bring the offset to +32 for more poke and the rim itself would smack the fender very slightly here and there - not a big deal for me and could've been cured with a slight fender roll. I was stretching the tires and the taller sidewall gave it a little more cushion. It rode nice and felt much more solid compared to the stock 18s, even over the crappy road we have here. The ride with 18s + airmatic was too mushy for me.