charlie52

Here's my question -
I have recently (sort of) acquired a 2003 SL55 AMG. After driving it for about a year I got new tires for the front. As I was removing the front tires I couldn't help but notice that a bolt on the sprung part of the upper suspension was about 1/4" or less from the tread of the tire. That freaked me out a little. I inspected the tire when I took it off and couldn't see signs of that bolt having come into contact with the tire...still...
On looking up the information in the manual I discovered that the car came with 8.5x18 rims in the front and 9.5x18 rims in the rear. So now I'm looking to find the proper size and having some difficulty getting the correct rim size matched with the proper offset (30mm).

So my question is - am I worried about nothing and the 20" rims are just fine? (In spite of the end of that bolt being ridiculously close to the rubber?)

If I go with original size rims I can't find 30mm offset, but have found a set with 35mm offset - will that larger offset work, or would that truly screw something up?

Appreciate any advice.

okbarnett

the bolt is normally close to the tire. It usually wont touch. You cant use too hi of a tire. So 40 45 50 ratios wont work. If you use 20 255/30 it will be fine, if you use 20 245/35 it will be awfully close. I would recommend always using 19 255 35 on the front of all SL cars. it is the biggest size MB puts on any SL
you can also cut off the bottom of the bolt. I have done that myself

euphoriaDSM

You can run a 30 series up front just fine. I run 265/30r20's up front with no issues.

charlie52

Thanks for the information. I appreciate it.

okbarnett

I havent see that, but 265 30 is wider that 255 30. Good if it works.
30 is the aspect ratio, it means it is the aspect of the height to width. so 10mm wider is also higher by some amount. so I would also check the tire diameter to see how much higher
255 30 is used on stock 8.5 and 9 front wheels