M-Class (W166) Produced 2012-2015

21 inch amg rims (not ml ones) require airmatic?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Jan 27, 2013 | 04:08 AM
  #1  
jellies's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 113
Likes: 1
ML350
Question 21 inch amg rims (not ml ones) require airmatic?

the dealer says the amg sports pack rims must have airmatic on the car (only an issue if one buys then as an accessory). is that the case?
is the ride quality clearly different than 20"? ( which come stock on 350s in Australia and I thought ride great on steel springs ).
thanks
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2013 | 04:34 AM
  #2  
MLee's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 141
Likes: 3
From: Land of OZ- Mornington Peninsula
ML350 BT soon......pleeeease. GOT IT NOW....Wooooo
Originally Posted by jellies
the dealer says the amg sports pack rims must have airmatic on the car (only an issue if one buys then as an accessory). is that the case?
is the ride quality clearly different than 20"? ( which come stock on 350s in Australia and I thought ride great on steel springs ).
thanks
I have the 21s on airmatic and my wife loves the ride......can't see it could be "bad" on steel springs. Will be just a bit firmer than 20s, but I bet most would not tell the difference.
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2013 | 05:06 AM
  #3  
wally AMG's Avatar
Super Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 921
Likes: 36
From: CA
MB
Well I switch from 20's to 21's (GL450) I can tell the difference, ride is a lot better, firm, clearly can tell the difference... the bad is tire replacement cost... about $450 per tire ouch !
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2013 | 05:54 AM
  #4  
iankayem's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 625
Likes: 4
From: Australia
X350d GLE500e 2017, ML350 BlueTec 2012(sold), A200 2013, ML350CDI 2009(sold), Aston Martin DB7 2003
Wally, that comparison is not really valid.

Jellies query is about the ML which has 265/45R20 or 265/40R21
These tyres have 119mm and 105mm rubber height from tread to tyre bead.

You were citing the GL which has 275/50R20 or 295/40R21
These tyres have 138mm and 118mm rubber height from tread to tyre bead.

So the 21" on the GL has the same rubber height as the 20" on the ML.
It also has a much wider tyre so it should have better traction.

Of course when you fiddle with aftermarket rims, you may also fiddle with the tyre selection too, which could leave this debate wide open.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:42 PM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE