C32 AMG, C55 AMG (W203) 2001 - 2007

265/40/18 on C55?

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Old Aug 3, 2012 | 09:10 AM
  #1  
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265/40/18 on C55?

Will 265/40/18 work on a 2005 C55? From what I've searched it looks like 265/35 is preferable. Any validity to that or would I have any problems? I would like to keep the tire a little taller if possible.

I'm looking at the Hancook Ventus for a good tire that won't break the bank. Anyone have any other opinions?
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Old Aug 3, 2012 | 11:50 AM
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Search up a tire calculator online. You will be able to see the difference in height between the two sidewalls. I think 265/35 would work better. I have 255/35 and that's been great for me. 265/35 would be even taller so... check it out.
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Old Aug 3, 2012 | 01:55 PM
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Hankook all the way. I've had them on everything from a 5-series to an MX-5. The way these C55s go through tires, there is no shame in getting a great value tire. Let us know how the 265s worked out!
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Old Aug 3, 2012 | 04:14 PM
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I'm actually running the Hankook evo v12s and my rears are 265/35/18. They're great tires too for the price
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Old Aug 3, 2012 | 04:44 PM
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I've consistently hear great things about Continental Extreme Contact DW's. They aren't too pricey either and come with 11/32" inch of tread which is more that most tires.
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Old Aug 3, 2012 | 05:20 PM
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a 265/35 is not taller than a 255/35...265mm is the width while 35mm is the tire height...and as far as I know a 265 is pushing the limits of the OEM rim as I am running 265 on my 9.5" rear TSW...any wider and I'd be worried about rubbing...if you can get a 265 to fit on the OEM let us know cuz i'd love to have a wider tire without buying new rims...plus it'll help protect the rims a bit more
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Old Aug 3, 2012 | 05:32 PM
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also got to be careful, if you change the width and the height its gonna affect your speedometer quickly...one size difference can cause your speedometer to read 3-4mph slower than your actually speed!
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Old Aug 3, 2012 | 06:25 PM
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Pretty sure the /35 is a relative ratio of the tire width, not an exact tire height. 265/35 is taller than 255/35. & 265/40 would be really tall.
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Old Aug 3, 2012 | 07:19 PM
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Originally Posted by ghiaguy
Pretty sure the /35 is a relative ratio of the tire width, not an exact tire height. 265/35 is taller than 255/35. & 265/40 would be really tall.
Correct, the 35 is the aspect ratio expressed as a percentage of the tread width, 265mm in this case. The 35 has a shorter sidewall than the 40.
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Old Aug 3, 2012 | 08:20 PM
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Originally Posted by maverik259
a 265/35 is not taller than a 255/35...265mm is the width while 35mm is the tire height...and as far as I know a 265 is pushing the limits of the OEM rim as I am running 265 on my 9.5" rear TSW...any wider and I'd be worried about rubbing...if you can get a 265 to fit on the OEM let us know cuz i'd love to have a wider tire without buying new rims...plus it'll help protect the rims a bit more
As the others said, this is incorrect. Stick with a 265/35. The 40 will be too tall, you'll probably run into rubbing issues, and it may throw off your speedometer.
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Old Aug 5, 2012 | 12:19 PM
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lol but thats pretty much exactly what I said...the 40 is gonna be taller than a 35 and 265 is directly related to the width of the tire! so ya ok 35 doesn't exaclty mean 35mm tall but it does mean its smaller than a 40 which is all i was trying to say! lol
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Old Aug 5, 2012 | 06:44 PM
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I just put 265/35/18 Pilot Super Sports on my C55 and since Michelines are a smidge wider than the Hankooks in the same size that came off, they've rubbed with a trunk full of stuff, my 2 daughters in the back and at full squat over big dips in the highway. Granted, they've barely rubbed for a split-second twice and only left marks, not actually digging into the tread, but rubbage did occur. I'd guess the Michelines are ~ 1/2" wider overall than the Hankooks were as they were flush with the side of the wheels while the Michelines have some extra width to them.

The Michelines seem to ride better (softer on initial hits like expansion joints) and are easily stickier than the Hankooks, but that may not be a fair comparison as the Hankooks were old and felt "greasy" almost all of the time at all temps..

FYI, the fronts are 245/40's and again, the Michelines are slightly wider than the Hankooks and seems to be at maximum limits of clearance in all respects. I don't see any bigger tires fitting a C55 w/o fender "massaging" happening.
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Old Aug 5, 2012 | 07:41 PM
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wow so your rolling 245/40 up front and 265/35 rears on stock rims...didnt know the rim could even handle a 265...im running the goodyear assymetric 2 right now only cuz they were brand new when i bought the car...when these run out in like 30k miles or w/e (assuming I havent put on wider rims by then) i'll move to 245 and 255 to prevent rubbing but get a bit more tire on the road!
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Old Aug 5, 2012 | 08:56 PM
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i just got myself hankooks evo v12 265/35/18, my rear tires got bubble last night from hot hole, and they are almost bold anyways.
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Old Aug 7, 2012 | 04:18 AM
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I got 265/30-19s rear and 235/35-19 front onto my C32 ,had Falkens on it and were good ,went to the Michelin s P-Zero in same size and had to raise the suspension a cm .Rims 8.5 on front & 9.5 rear
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Old Aug 7, 2012 | 05:49 AM
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Originally Posted by maverik259
a 265/35 is not taller than a 255/35...265mm is the width while 35mm is the tire height...and as far as I know a 265 is pushing the limits of the OEM rim as I am running 265 on my 9.5" rear TSW...any wider and I'd be worried about rubbing...if you can get a 265 to fit on the OEM let us know cuz i'd love to have a wider tire without buying new rims...plus it'll help protect the rims a bit more
35 is the ratio to the width. NOT 35mm.

Last edited by FrankW; Aug 7, 2012 at 05:56 AM.
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Old Aug 7, 2012 | 12:15 PM
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lol ya we established that already. Thanks though Frank i do appreciate your expertise...
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Old Aug 7, 2012 | 05:14 PM
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My car is wrapped with 265/35 R18 Yokohama Advan 048 (rear tires) and my wheel width is 9.5"-- No rubbing!
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Old Aug 7, 2012 | 05:39 PM
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Everyone running 265's- How has your handling changed with such large rear tires?
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Old Aug 8, 2012 | 02:10 AM
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I got 265/35/18 on stock rears, no rub so far, what u guys recommend 235 or 245 for front tires, right now I'm running 225/40/18 front and 265 in rear all stock rims and suspension...
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Old Aug 8, 2012 | 04:40 AM
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I went from stock suspension to Bilstien/coilovers and the 265/30-19 ,very firm ride ,but goes around a corner on rails ,great for me as weekend car ,but not great for everyday use.
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Old Aug 8, 2012 | 05:27 AM
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Originally Posted by AMG072
I went from stock suspension to Bilstien/coilovers and the 265/30-19 ,very firm ride ,but goes around a corner on rails ,great for me as weekend car ,but not great for everyday use.
what are you running front tires?
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Old Aug 8, 2012 | 10:07 AM
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Originally Posted by ghiaguy
Everyone running 265's- How has your handling changed with such large rear tires?
I bought mine used 1 year ago with the outgoing 265/35 Hankooks on it, so I have no reference point to go off of.
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Old Aug 8, 2012 | 08:40 PM
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Originally Posted by ghiaguy
Everyone running 265's- How has your handling changed with such large rear tires?
Depends on your tire choice and suspension setup.

My pss9+eibach sway bars gives me easy oversteer. The wider 265/35/18 gives it more grip.
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Old Aug 10, 2012 | 06:04 AM
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235/35-19 on 19x8.5 Fronts
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