20 inch wheels?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 299
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From: Colorado
'03 SL55 AMG | 2021 AMG GLE 63s Coupe
20 inch wheels?
I finally found some wheels that I want, but they only come in 20 inch versions. Too big? Thoughts?
http://www.buyrimsandtires.com/store...wheels-p-12993
http://www.wheelfire.com/scontent/Wh...ption=Standard
http://www.buyrimsandtires.com/store...wheels-p-12993
http://www.wheelfire.com/scontent/Wh...ption=Standard
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 299
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From: Colorado
'03 SL55 AMG | 2021 AMG GLE 63s Coupe
Yeah... Uhhhh..... No... Not asking if you like my taste... I don't like the 5 spoke wheels.
I'd like to hear from folks that have 20 inch wheels on their E350 and what their experience(s) have been....
...but thanks for playing! BBZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
I'd like to hear from folks that have 20 inch wheels on their E350 and what their experience(s) have been....
...but thanks for playing! BBZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 865
Likes: 61
From: Bay Area
14 550 sedan
Lol chill out buddy, not here to start something. If you're thinking of 20s, you probably have really good roads to drive them on. You'll lose a quite a bit of comfort and performance going from stock 18s to 20s. Make sure a decent company makes those wheels too, or else with those super low profile tires.. good luck.
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 32
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Tesla Model S
Much rougher ride due to the lower profile tires you will need to run to keep them near the original total diameter (or an inch larger but I would not go much over that)
Any good tire at that profile will have relatively stiff sidewalls and would likely cost a lot and maybe even be run-flat (mainly for safety reasons and safety of the car/rims)
I do like the 3-spoke design - matches the Mercedes 3-pointed star. (Personally I would rather have machined finish over the chromed finish but that is just me...)
Any good tire at that profile will have relatively stiff sidewalls and would likely cost a lot and maybe even be run-flat (mainly for safety reasons and safety of the car/rims)
I do like the 3-spoke design - matches the Mercedes 3-pointed star. (Personally I would rather have machined finish over the chromed finish but that is just me...)
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 299
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From: Colorado
'03 SL55 AMG | 2021 AMG GLE 63s Coupe
I actually really like the idea of run-flats. I've heard the "rougher ride" before, but never "less performance". I don't mind the ride being stiffer, but less performance?
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 32
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Tesla Model S
I did not say less performance. But there could be a cost in performance if the road conditions are not very smooth.
The cost is that rather than deforming the rubber in the tire when hitting a bit of uneven pavement, that gets transmitted into moving the whole wheel which takes more energy. That then moves the suspension and, if the impact is of the right amplitude/energy signature it will actually move the car a bit (even more energy cost). If you have the energy to spare there is no "loss" since you had enough in reserve but it can cost a bit in gas mileage at the extreme cases.
Then again, quality rims plus low profile tires can reduce the weight of the wheel and thus reduce the weight of un-sprung parts of the car (wheel, disc brakes, etc) and thus help keep the wheels on the road for better traction and handling.
The overall equation is complex but people like the "low profile" look of -30 tires and you will likely go near that to keep a similar diameter (unless you also go wider, in which case you will need -25).
Stiffer sidewalls does mean better cornering behavior but on the W211 there is only so far you can go before traction becomes an issues due to the 2-tons of car that you are trying throw around a corner. It is very different when you are driving a sub-1-ton sports car - it takes much less force to make it turn 90-degrees at speed :-) (And it is oh so much fun to do it too!)
The cost is that rather than deforming the rubber in the tire when hitting a bit of uneven pavement, that gets transmitted into moving the whole wheel which takes more energy. That then moves the suspension and, if the impact is of the right amplitude/energy signature it will actually move the car a bit (even more energy cost). If you have the energy to spare there is no "loss" since you had enough in reserve but it can cost a bit in gas mileage at the extreme cases.
Then again, quality rims plus low profile tires can reduce the weight of the wheel and thus reduce the weight of un-sprung parts of the car (wheel, disc brakes, etc) and thus help keep the wheels on the road for better traction and handling.
The overall equation is complex but people like the "low profile" look of -30 tires and you will likely go near that to keep a similar diameter (unless you also go wider, in which case you will need -25).
Stiffer sidewalls does mean better cornering behavior but on the W211 there is only so far you can go before traction becomes an issues due to the 2-tons of car that you are trying throw around a corner. It is very different when you are driving a sub-1-ton sports car - it takes much less force to make it turn 90-degrees at speed :-) (And it is oh so much fun to do it too!)
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2006 E320 CDI 2014 C63 507 Coupe 2012 E550 4M 2016 E63s Wagon
The only benefit to runflats is that auto-manufacturers get to design a car without a spare or the space to put a spare. Since you have a spare there isn't much benefit for you (doubt you're trying to increase trunk volume by removing the spare.)
Run-flat tires cost more, get less MPG, less grip, wear faster, rider harder etc. I had RFT on my BMW first OE Bridgestone - lasted 7500 miles, then Michelin PS2 (I also had the non-RFT on my Benz and liked, but hated in RFT on the BMW). So happy when the RFT-PS2 wore out after 13k miles so I could get some non RFT.
OP - when you ask for "Thoughts?" you will receive opinions about style and function. Even if you don't ask you will likely receive it anyway.
20" can work depending on size and offsets. Those look like old-school barabus wheels.
http://www.passatworld.com/forums/55...oblock-ii.html
Run-flat tires cost more, get less MPG, less grip, wear faster, rider harder etc. I had RFT on my BMW first OE Bridgestone - lasted 7500 miles, then Michelin PS2 (I also had the non-RFT on my Benz and liked, but hated in RFT on the BMW). So happy when the RFT-PS2 wore out after 13k miles so I could get some non RFT.
OP - when you ask for "Thoughts?" you will receive opinions about style and function. Even if you don't ask you will likely receive it anyway.
20" can work depending on size and offsets. Those look like old-school barabus wheels.
http://www.passatworld.com/forums/55...oblock-ii.html
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 299
Likes: 3
From: Colorado
'03 SL55 AMG | 2021 AMG GLE 63s Coupe
The only benefit to runflats is that auto-manufacturers get to design a car without a spare or the space to put a spare. Since you have a spare there isn't much benefit for you (doubt you're trying to increase trunk volume by removing the spare.)
Run-flat tires cost more, get less MPG, less grip, wear faster, rider harder etc. I had RFT on my BMW first OE Bridgestone - lasted 7500 miles, then Michelin PS2 (I also had the non-RFT on my Benz and liked, but hated in RFT on the BMW). So happy when the RFT-PS2 wore out after 13k miles so I could get some non RFT.
OP - when you ask for "Thoughts?" you will receive opinions about style and function. Even if you don't ask you will likely receive it anyway.
20" can work depending on size and offsets. Those look like old-school barabus wheels.
http://www.passatworld.com/forums/55...oblock-ii.html
Run-flat tires cost more, get less MPG, less grip, wear faster, rider harder etc. I had RFT on my BMW first OE Bridgestone - lasted 7500 miles, then Michelin PS2 (I also had the non-RFT on my Benz and liked, but hated in RFT on the BMW). So happy when the RFT-PS2 wore out after 13k miles so I could get some non RFT.
OP - when you ask for "Thoughts?" you will receive opinions about style and function. Even if you don't ask you will likely receive it anyway.
20" can work depending on size and offsets. Those look like old-school barabus wheels.
http://www.passatworld.com/forums/55...oblock-ii.html
Can we expand this thread to talk about after-market TPMS, or should I start a new one on that? THOUGHTS? :-)
OP - When posting in any public forum, I expect some amount of rattle and noise from.... multiple types of folks I don't care to hear from, and I gladly play the game and slap the ball back into their court ;-)
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 865
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From: Bay Area
14 550 sedan
Plus you'll have to lower your car to complete the look if you want 20's. They look way too funky with that size on stock height. Bigger wheels tend to be more weight and slower acceleration but those are just small things.
Don't bother with TMPS if you don't already have them. I assume you have an 06 or 07. My experience with them are that they are not worth the time and effort. There is a lot of labor involved in getting the wire harness to all four corners and hooking it up, not to mention the $$$ involved. Stick with the weekly visual check.
Btw "OP" refers to "original poster" which in this case refers to only you. You looked a bit confused.
Just my $0.02.
Don't bother with TMPS if you don't already have them. I assume you have an 06 or 07. My experience with them are that they are not worth the time and effort. There is a lot of labor involved in getting the wire harness to all four corners and hooking it up, not to mention the $$$ involved. Stick with the weekly visual check.
Btw "OP" refers to "original poster" which in this case refers to only you. You looked a bit confused.
Just my $0.02.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 299
Likes: 3
From: Colorado
'03 SL55 AMG | 2021 AMG GLE 63s Coupe
Plus you'll have to lower your car to complete the look if you want 20's. They look way too funky with that size on stock height. Bigger wheels tend to be more weight and slower acceleration but those are just small things.
Don't bother with TMPS if you don't already have them. I assume you have an 06 or 07. My experience with them are that they are not worth the time and effort. There is a lot of labor involved in getting the wire harness to all four corners and hooking it up, not to mention the $$$ involved. Stick with the weekly visual check.
Btw "OP" refers to "original poster" which in this case refers to only you. You looked a bit confused.
Just my $0.02.
Don't bother with TMPS if you don't already have them. I assume you have an 06 or 07. My experience with them are that they are not worth the time and effort. There is a lot of labor involved in getting the wire harness to all four corners and hooking it up, not to mention the $$$ involved. Stick with the weekly visual check.
Btw "OP" refers to "original poster" which in this case refers to only you. You looked a bit confused.
Just my $0.02.
Sooo... yes.. it's an '07, and it's got the Sport Package, so it's lower already.
Back to TPMS.... "wire harness"? No system I've seen has any of that. Just the annoying sending units that must be fit to the rims, and a little recieving unit you throw in the glove box... all "wireless".
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 865
Likes: 61
From: Bay Area
14 550 sedan
Oh you're talking about the wireless route. I think "TitanTPMS" is a sponsor here for them. I have no experience with them but you're more than welcome to give it a shot and report back.
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Joined: Jul 2013
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From: Down Unda
W204 C63 AMG, W212 E250 CGI, C207 E250 CGI
to answer the original query...i run 30/275/20 rear and 235/30/20 front. I didnt feel much difference with regards to ride quality. But Lemon is right, IMO, you have to drop your car to give it a better look. mine looked a bit off until i lowered it with H&R. style and design, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
