S-Class (W221) 2007-2013: S 320 CDI, S 350, S 450, S 500, S 550, S 420 CDI, S 600

Staggered Wheel Selection

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Old 04-08-2015, 08:55 AM
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Depends on the weather
Staggered Wheel Selection

I am looking to add 19" wheels to my S600. I am going to go with 285/40/19's in the rear and 255/40/19's in the front.

I want something sporty but still keeping it classy.

What do you think about this wheel style? 19x8.5 and 19x9.5














...or this style.


Last edited by WHPH28; 04-08-2015 at 09:01 AM.
Old 04-08-2015, 10:57 AM
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^Good looking wheel. If you really want the wheels to look sporty (aggressive) I would suggest using a lower offset than stock. The stock offset is a fairly high 43mm. (I know that number is probably meaningless to you but stay with me).

Most aftermarket wheels for MB are going to be 35mm. That means they poke out 8mm more on the car. 35mm is a "safe" offset as far as clearance issues but not especially aggressive looking. You can safely go as low as a 28mm front offset and a 23mm rear offset on staggered 8.5/9.5. That puts the wheels flush with the fender openings and looks terrific. It also improves handling a bit since the wider stance resists body roll better (although on a 600 I'm guessing it has ABC).

I will say that a 19" on the car will look a little undersized, and that specific design where the lip steps up into the barrel will give the illusion that the wheel is smaller than it is. The black S63 in the pic is on 20's and the size difference contributes a lot to the car's bad-*** "look". The fronts especially are going to look underwhelming in the 19". Too much sidewall showing and too "tucked in".

I run OEM 20" S63 wheels (different style) myself and used spacers to drop the offsets and I have to say the car looks "right" in that configuration. It still looks stock to the casual observer, just a little tougher.
Old 04-08-2015, 11:05 AM
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Depends on the weather
Well, I was going to just do 20's like on my 550 but I am not sure if doing 20's with the abc will still give me a great smooth ride or going from the 18's to the 19's will be better.

I know I cant have my cake and eat it too but after owning this 600 for 5 days the ride is quality is definitely pampering...i'm 32 but maybe im just getting old and like the silky smooth ride. Don't get me wrong my 550 rides smooth but with the 20's...you can definitely feel everything.

Does 20's + ABC = better than 20's without ABC? I am assuming so?

As far as the offset, yes, I have 35mm on my 550 so would like to stick with that or go lower if they had any but I prefer not to use spacers. I really want that wide tire view -hence the 285 on the rear because with the current 275's it looks good from the back but they are only 18's.

Maybe I'll consider doing 20's on this one too.



Last edited by WHPH28; 04-08-2015 at 11:08 AM.
Old 04-08-2015, 11:13 AM
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Good question. I don't have an ABC car so my experiences are different. If you're on 18's now and like the ride quality I'd stay at 19". Why spend the money and take the risk if you might hate the ride.

I went from 19's to 20's on my Airmatic car. To test my tolerance for the 20's I drove around for awhile with Airmatic set to Sport, which lowers the car a bit and firms up the struts. After going to the 20's I can tell you that swapping 19's for 20's feels like swapping Comfort for Sport. So on 20's the Comfort mode rides like Sport on 19's, and Sport is firmer still but it still floats and cruises like an S Class.

Do the ABC cars have suspension settings?
Old 04-08-2015, 11:31 AM
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Depends on the weather
I'll have to check when I go back outside. I haven't messed around with everything on the car yet. The manuals and cd's/dvd that came with the car are still wrapped in plastic and havent been opened yet.

I guess if I really wanted to take the time and hassle, I could swap the wheels on the s550 and 600 to see how the 600 rides...but the tires are 255/35/20 on all 4 on the 550 and I'd be going larger on the 600.

I can look around and see if I can find any 600's with 20's for sale that I cold test drive too.

Decisions, decisions.
Old 04-08-2015, 01:54 PM
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If you were down in Charleston you could test drive mine It has 20's, however, I do not have a vantage with it having 18's or 19's. So, no help from me there. However, I will say that I do feel the road and its imperfections in my car, but still have a pretty good comfort level. I am also running Nitto NT555 Extremes on all 4. With 245/35/20 with 20x8.5 and 34mm offset front, 275/35/20 with 20x10 40mm rear.

Last edited by ducatista4life; 04-08-2015 at 01:57 PM.
Old 04-08-2015, 02:18 PM
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Depends on the weather
Thanks for the info. I think I may just play it safe and find a nice 19". I can live with the 18's for now..I'm leaving in a few days for Cozumel so when I come back I'll find something.
Old 04-08-2015, 06:10 PM
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swap on the 20's you already have and see how it feels...
Old 04-09-2015, 07:11 AM
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Depends on the weather
If I can find one of these, I want them! I usually don't like wheels with several spokes but for some reason I like these. Looked on ebay but they are pricey.






Last edited by WHPH28; 04-09-2015 at 07:27 AM.
Old 04-09-2015, 04:09 PM
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In the DC area you are definitely safer with 19's although I would personally go with 20's, they look much better on the S. The ride is still smooth too.
Old 04-09-2015, 04:19 PM
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Depends on the weather
Originally Posted by bensitto
In the DC area you are definitely safer with 19's although I would personally go with 20's, they look much better on the S. The ride is still smooth too.
Yeah...I have 20's on my 550 and the only thing keeping me from putting 20's on the 600 is the ride of the current 18's with ABC suspension...it's a big difference but I am thinking 20's with ABC should still ride pretty good.
Old 04-09-2015, 08:56 PM
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Depends on the weather
I am thinking about going 20's.

255/35/20 for the front and does anyone know if a 295/35/20 would rub in the back or will they work? Can I go wih a 20x9.5 wheel on the 295 or do I need a 20x10?

Last edited by WHPH28; 04-09-2015 at 09:10 PM.
Old 04-10-2015, 05:41 PM
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Depends on the weather
I've picked my tire size. I am doing 255/40/20 front and 285/35/20 rear. Now I just need to pick the wheels.

Last edited by WHPH28; 04-10-2015 at 08:45 PM.
Old 04-10-2015, 08:33 PM
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Depends on the weather
Narrowed down to 2 wheel styles? Any opinions?











Old 04-13-2015, 10:07 AM
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Depends on the weather
Well, I'm in mexico but I just ordered my tires - 285/35/20 and 255/40/20 which will arrive the day I get back. One step closer. Now I just need to pick the wheels!
Old 04-13-2015, 10:19 AM
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Just curious why you ordered 285/45/20 on the rear, how wide are your new rims?

OEM specs on the w221 with 20's is 275/35/20 rear and 255/35/20 fronts.
Your fenders should be able to fit the thicker tires in any case.
Old 04-13-2015, 10:23 AM
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Depends on the weather
I did 285 35 on the rear...I wanted a wider tire and a little more sidewall for a smoother ride. Front I wanted more sidewall also...they come with 255/40 on the front of the new sclasses.

Wheels are going to be 9.5 or 10" wide in the back.
Old 04-13-2015, 06:52 PM
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I would do something from Brabus If I were changing my wheels.
Old 04-14-2015, 09:02 PM
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Depends on the weather
Just ordered my wheels! I was going to do silver but I thought these would match nicely on the car.


Old 04-16-2015, 12:56 PM
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Good choice!
Now just need to lower it and tune! You are good to go
Old 04-16-2015, 01:01 PM
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Depends on the weather
Yup! Everything was delivered between yesterday and this morning. I can't wait to get back from Mexico so I can get everything done. There is an exotic car meet at Lamborghini of Washington in Dulles Saturday morning I want to make it to.
Old 04-16-2015, 05:38 PM
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Originally Posted by WHPH28
Yup! Everything was delivered between yesterday and this morning. I can't wait to get back from Mexico so I can get everything done. There is an exotic car meet at Lamborghini of Washington in Dulles Saturday morning I want to make it to.

Too bad your car isn't an exotic.


But you might be able to have some fun shocking some of those folks when they see how fast your big pig is.
Old 04-16-2015, 07:24 PM
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If you go, theres many buddies of mine there say hi for me!
Mark has TT gallardo, Josh @ECS etc!!!
God i miss DMV!!!!
Old 04-16-2015, 07:26 PM
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And i think s600 consider as "exotic" as there is not really a definition of an exotic vehicle.
Though alot if them fall in the catagories of,
1. $150k+ MSRP
2. Rare (you see many 1 per week or less) etc..
Old 04-16-2015, 08:01 PM
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Depends on the weather
Haha I know! Maybe my wife will let me sell the s550 and 600 for a lambo! :-)


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