ClS Cars With Aftermarket Rims Gallery
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From: Tampa Bay, FL
Something on 4 wheels..
For some people, only "the bigger - the better" counts. Unfotunately, that can (and often does) destroy the whole appearance of a car. Why do I always have to change the rims that come standard with a car? Especially on the CLS, I don't see any reason why I shouldn't stick with the standard wheels or the wheels that come with the performance package.
IMO, anything that exceeds 19" is too big for such a sleek car.
IMO, anything that exceeds 19" is too big for such a sleek car.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Tampa, Florida
06 SL65 / 97 993tt /11 Suburban/ 2012 GTR (AMG è la mia Famiglia la Bestia è la mia protezione)
NO, NO, NO, NO...All those rims on the CLS look tacky!!!! 
The car should be highlighted and not the shoes. Those rim applications just take away from the CLS...
The car should be highlighted and not the shoes. Those rim applications just take away from the CLS...
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Tampa, Florida
06 SL65 / 97 993tt /11 Suburban/ 2012 GTR (AMG è la mia Famiglia la Bestia è la mia protezione)
Originally Posted by RennTechV12
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Houston, TX
2019 AMG CLS53
Originally Posted by FloridaE55
For some people, only "the bigger - the better" counts. Unfotunately, that can (and often does) destroy the whole appearance of a car. Why do I always have to change the rims that come standard with a car? Especially on the CLS, I don't see any reason why I shouldn't stick with the standard wheels or the wheels that come with the performance package.
IMO, anything that exceeds 19" is too big for such a sleek car.
IMO, anything that exceeds 19" is too big for such a sleek car.
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From: Boston
NSX
I posted this a while back on the CL forum, I really think its helpful to know this before changing wheels, so I am going to re-post here:
here is a bit of info taken from a well known motorsport "bible" by Paul Grimshaw:
"Light alloy wheels enhance vehicle performance by reducing unsprung weight and rotational mass while providing a medium through which disk brakes can radiate heat.
Reducing unsprung weight minimizes the load placed on controlling the motion of the wheels and tires. The result is better handling.
The use of light-weight alloys in wheels reduces rotational mass. This means that less energy will be required to accelerate the wheel. Given that each pound of rotational mass lost provides an equivalent performance gain as a 10 pound reduction in vehicle weight, the benefits of light alloy wheels on vehicle performance cannot be overlooked.
Most light alloy wheels are constructed of aluminum or magnesium. As a result, they act as better heat sinks for the brake disks to which they are attached.
To minimize the incidence of structural imperfections, quality wheel makers "spin cast" or machine their products from a solid billet. Chrome flashing (which requires the application of heat to the finished alloy) is avoided in cases where maximum strength is desired. Surface imperfections and rough edges are smoothed to further avoid stress cracking. Really fanatical wheel manufacturers then slowly apply heat to the wheel under laboratory conditions to "temper" the wheel for maximum strength. If the wheel is intended for motor sports use (ie. the wheel is a competition quality product) , a quality manufacturer will x-ray or dye test the product prior to sale.
Wheels made for light road use are usually cast. Lacquer is applied to cover cosmetic imperfections. The wheel is neither heat treated, nor inspected for internal imperfections. This results in a wheel suited for the average passenger car, but incapable of standing up to the rigors of motor sports use.
Wheels made primarily for "looks" are the poorest of them all. Their designs are marginal at best, as are the materials and manufacturing processes used. Hint: With some exception, many "chromed" alloy wheels can be lumped into this category."
I found some specs, and a typical 20" aftermarket chrome wheel like a Lowenhart can weigh as much as 20 pounds more than a stock AMG wheel (depending on style and size). 20x4= 80. In performance terms, it is a theoretical equivalent of adding 800 pounds to the car's sprung weight.
Pretty amazing.
Some more interesting facts:
Center section of the Kleemann TS-6 is forged. In 19x8.5 and 19x9.5 the TS-6 is 26 and 27 pounds per wheel respectively. Cost is around $1600/wheel.
The AMG CL65 wheel is 33 and 34 pounds in those same sizes. The cast CL55 double spoke wheel is about the same weight although it is not of the same strength (and is not a multi-piece).
Older style AMG 5 spoke wheels in 18" sizes are just over 28 pounds each.
A BBS RS-GT in 19x8.5 is 21.4 pounds each. BBS is perhaps the best known manufacturer in Motorsport racing. This wheel can be had for around $700/each; less than half of the Kleemann TS-6
The Renntech Monolite is just under 20 pounds. The lightest of all these mentioned. It's also one of the strongest. .
Certain "California" style wheels like Lowenharts, Lexanis, Dubs, Elites, etc, can weigh between 40 and 50 pounds each.
Chrome plating adds an average of 2-4 pounds to any wheel. Just the plating itself is that heavy.
There are now over 40 manufacturers of chrome and alloy wheels, most have sprung up in the last five years. These manufacturers do not make wheels for factory cars. The specs they have to meet are not the same as what vehicle manufacturers specify, in terms of weight, nor strength. Because of this, their low materials cost and high selling price, this category is now one of the most profitable categories of aftermarket parts.
Typicaly the lightest wheels tend to be thin 5 or 6 spoke designs.
I completely agree that past 19" you are affecting performance in a negative way. To me these really big wheels look really dumb.
here is a bit of info taken from a well known motorsport "bible" by Paul Grimshaw:
"Light alloy wheels enhance vehicle performance by reducing unsprung weight and rotational mass while providing a medium through which disk brakes can radiate heat.
Reducing unsprung weight minimizes the load placed on controlling the motion of the wheels and tires. The result is better handling.
The use of light-weight alloys in wheels reduces rotational mass. This means that less energy will be required to accelerate the wheel. Given that each pound of rotational mass lost provides an equivalent performance gain as a 10 pound reduction in vehicle weight, the benefits of light alloy wheels on vehicle performance cannot be overlooked.
Most light alloy wheels are constructed of aluminum or magnesium. As a result, they act as better heat sinks for the brake disks to which they are attached.
To minimize the incidence of structural imperfections, quality wheel makers "spin cast" or machine their products from a solid billet. Chrome flashing (which requires the application of heat to the finished alloy) is avoided in cases where maximum strength is desired. Surface imperfections and rough edges are smoothed to further avoid stress cracking. Really fanatical wheel manufacturers then slowly apply heat to the wheel under laboratory conditions to "temper" the wheel for maximum strength. If the wheel is intended for motor sports use (ie. the wheel is a competition quality product) , a quality manufacturer will x-ray or dye test the product prior to sale.
Wheels made for light road use are usually cast. Lacquer is applied to cover cosmetic imperfections. The wheel is neither heat treated, nor inspected for internal imperfections. This results in a wheel suited for the average passenger car, but incapable of standing up to the rigors of motor sports use.
Wheels made primarily for "looks" are the poorest of them all. Their designs are marginal at best, as are the materials and manufacturing processes used. Hint: With some exception, many "chromed" alloy wheels can be lumped into this category."
I found some specs, and a typical 20" aftermarket chrome wheel like a Lowenhart can weigh as much as 20 pounds more than a stock AMG wheel (depending on style and size). 20x4= 80. In performance terms, it is a theoretical equivalent of adding 800 pounds to the car's sprung weight.
Pretty amazing.
Some more interesting facts:
Center section of the Kleemann TS-6 is forged. In 19x8.5 and 19x9.5 the TS-6 is 26 and 27 pounds per wheel respectively. Cost is around $1600/wheel.
The AMG CL65 wheel is 33 and 34 pounds in those same sizes. The cast CL55 double spoke wheel is about the same weight although it is not of the same strength (and is not a multi-piece).
Older style AMG 5 spoke wheels in 18" sizes are just over 28 pounds each.
A BBS RS-GT in 19x8.5 is 21.4 pounds each. BBS is perhaps the best known manufacturer in Motorsport racing. This wheel can be had for around $700/each; less than half of the Kleemann TS-6
The Renntech Monolite is just under 20 pounds. The lightest of all these mentioned. It's also one of the strongest. .
Certain "California" style wheels like Lowenharts, Lexanis, Dubs, Elites, etc, can weigh between 40 and 50 pounds each.
Chrome plating adds an average of 2-4 pounds to any wheel. Just the plating itself is that heavy.
There are now over 40 manufacturers of chrome and alloy wheels, most have sprung up in the last five years. These manufacturers do not make wheels for factory cars. The specs they have to meet are not the same as what vehicle manufacturers specify, in terms of weight, nor strength. Because of this, their low materials cost and high selling price, this category is now one of the most profitable categories of aftermarket parts.
Typicaly the lightest wheels tend to be thin 5 or 6 spoke designs.
I completely agree that past 19" you are affecting performance in a negative way. To me these really big wheels look really dumb.
Last edited by AMG2GO; Aug 10, 2005 at 03:02 PM.
Out Of Control!!
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Originally Posted by FloridaE55
What does "Ghetto Fab" mean? Please explain...English is not my native language..
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 790
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From: Tampa Bay, FL
Something on 4 wheels..
Originally Posted by ricky.agrawal
Ghetto Fab means you'd see it in a bad neighborhood. Basically associated with rap and what not. Not a good thing.
Totally agree with you guys... :p
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From: Orlando, FL
g
Originally Posted by ricky.agrawal
Are those the Ultralights? They are so hot.
None the less, the Carlsson 1/6 is one of my favorite rims!
None the less, the Carlsson 1/6 is one of my favorite rims!
Ricky you never seize to amaze me with you and your weight savings!
