spr

Yeah, my response came out harsher than it was meant. Section width, offset and suspension are the real determinants. The former is most important really. I did a pretty in depth write up of this some time ago comparing the section width and offsets etc. for what works. I only use extreme performance tires so the width of a 255 in that type is usually wider than a normal summer tire in a 265-

559EVO

Thanks for all the replies, I think this thread will be very usefull. I'm leaning towards 265/275 30/18, if 265 is plenty then I wont go bigger.

spr

Go by section width in relation to offset more than displayed size and you'll be fine. Note what the section width is between Dunlop Z star 265/30/18 v. 255's by referencing section width on tire rack. Note what the "measured rim" is for the tire. Typically you have to add .3" if you're running a 9.5! 255's fit and 265's will rub upon compression with KW's/lowered. There needs to be a sticky thread on this because it is the most often misconceptions and you end up have to pay to understand. The other REAL issue is most people F@cking lie about not rubbing.

Gramma_Benz

Yup! I had 19's with 265's and when I was stock, it rubbed a little with people in the car or under really hard cornering. And my fenders were rolled.

Once I lowered the car, it was unbearable and embarrassing. I can't own a Mercedes and have people riding in it thinking it's broken all the time. Yeah, it may look good, but that makes it all the more embarrassing to me.

So I sold them and went back to OEM. Lighter and faster too.
I'm just running 10mm spacers in the front and 255's in the rear for more traction.

alpha8a

I was thinking about running 275s on my 10" rear Forgestar 19" wheel. Last summer, I ran 265s and it only rubbed with passengers in the back or like others have said, over big bumps. May have to rethink the 275s now. Its just that 265s look so skinny on a 10" wheel.

RLx02

I dont think anyone makes 275/30/18's. For 18" wheels its either 265/30 or 275/35 (which is what I have right now since the drag tires are off). 265 is definitely not plenty, you will still be spinning through 1st. The only way to be able to floor it in 1st gear is through some sort of drag tires.

EVOII_Racer

Yup thats me. I am really happy about this engine conversion, I can't stop driving

Honnestly, the new Continental 5p tires are perfect! The traction is amazing and around corners it is extremely hard to make the car slide... I am assuming the new suspension are also doing the job but these tires are the best on the market currently accoring to most German mags.

I should be gettig the blower next year

kent426

I run the SL55 AMG rims on my C55 with 235/275 Dunlop Star Specs. I tried 245 but they hit the fender liners on full lock so I went down to the 235's with no issues. Yes the 275 tire rubbed like hell on rears but with a simple abrasive grinder kit that can be fixed. The fender didn't need to be rolled but it made contact at the front and the rear of the wheel well where the flange of the plastic skirting is attached to the fender. I ground them down to next to nothing and no more problems.
A benefit of the larger diameter rear tire over the front is it takes more wheel slippage before the traction control engages. The stock tire setup has a slighter smaller rear wheel diameter that makes the track control more invasive.

MIKESV8

yup that's you i was referring to those look really good btw. the ones i want are on the last page of the picture thread. i commented on them. or maybe the second the last page. they're similar.

spr

Note he is on STOCK suspension that's how he was able to get away without rolling with 275's with sl55 22 spokes. I also did the trimming of the front strips of course and even had to glue them on and, with 265 Z stars still did not work with KW''s running -1.8 all around even with professional rolling of fenders.

MIKESV8

you have kw suspension sean and it still didn't work? i'll check it out when i go down to your place next week.

TemjinX2

even with michelin ps2's you'll still spin. When i was fully modded with michelin ps2's i would spin in first, second and even out at the begining of 3rd. There's no real road legal tire that'll prevent you from completely spining, since our cars have so much tq.

If you have damper adjustable suspension, setting the rear damping to soft also helps on launch but you do sacrifice corning speed.

MIKESV8

very true. low rear tire pressure helps too. my tires barely spin in 2nd, how much power do you have to your wheels?

spr

PS2's are garbage compared to z stars traction wise and the Yokos are better yet still. As to checking my setup Mike, it should be all back to stock when we meet up, so no luck there other than being able to inspect my flared fenders.

MIKESV8

it's okay! how can you say that they're garbage compared to those tires though?! i've never even heard of those tires, and in my mind i'm guessing they're f-1 racing slicks if that's the way you put it! the only thing the ps2's are garbage when compared are the pilot sport cup's! we're gonna have an interesting convo. when we meet sean

spr

PS2's are a max summer tire. Z stars are an extreme tire. Huge difference in traction and steering and cornering performance. Just go on tire rack and see. Next higher level are are competition tires like Pilot cups-. I've driven them on the street and they take too long to warm up as do Corsa's. I make the comment as I've had them all. PS2's are just a huge rip off and let down. They are great in the wet but who really cares about that right? I was incredibly disappointed with PS2's as I was with the "new" p zero's on my 911. Eh.

MIKESV8

i dislike pirelli's. the car came with them. i wanted to try the ps3's next, but i'm open for suggestions of course. hey i'm wondering, may i ask why you are selling your 55?

TemjinX2

around 370whp and 360wtq on a dynojet. 338whp on a dyno dynamics.

Low tire pressure wears your tires more quickly and kills mpg. Not really worth it for a DD setup... it would be more applicable to a track day setup.

MIKESV8

those are pretty good numbers. i meant track days that's the pressure he should run. i try to stay on a constant 50psi on my tires at all times. i don't know if that's good or bad. it's definately bumpy though.

TemjinX2

i think 40psi is enough. I think 50psi is too much. Over inflating your tires will cause accelerated tire wear as well.

rory breaker

I was running BFG KDW-T/A's and loved them. Very sticky, but loud in the later stages of life. Got 18k out of them as well.

91RS

50psi is WAY to much. You always need to abide by the door sticker (or also the gas tank door has a sticker on these cars) and change if you have good reason. I dropped my rear pressure down to 32psi because the stock 36psi wore the tires out in the middle.

Viper98912

50 PSI is way too much on stock tires, most tires are only guaranteed to hold 51 PSI before there might be an issue.

Door sticker on the C55 says 33/37, but I've changed to 35 all around. 37 rear definitely wears out the middle very fast, and I seem to get an odd vibration throughout the car at the recommended pressures. So far so good on the 35 psi.

MIKESV8

thanks guys. it's been a couple weeks since i last inflated them so i think i should be fine. i wasn't going by what it said on the inside of the door, i was going with what the tire said

91RS

That is the MAX capacity of the tire, you only put that much pressure in when the vehicle is loaded to MAX capacity.