voy2k

Hi All- I just picked up a 2013 ML350 in steel gray for my wife. We've only had it for a couple days, but it's very nice to drive and I'm impressed by how much they've tightened up this vehicle.

I'd like to get custom wheels and I'm hoping the veterans can help answer some questions. First the details:

I like the size of the 20" option wheel that MBZ offers (same wheel as the ML63 I believe)-- it uses a 265/45r20 tire. I've been communicating with a group here in Southern California called Nitrous Garage and they recommended going slightly wider with a 275/45r20 tire. There's a particular wheel I like- the M368 from Avant Garde. Nitrous says they can do this using a 20"x10" rim.

I'm doing this for purely aesthetic purposes-- I don't need improved performance and I'd like to maintain as much ride comfort as possible.

OK, the questions:

- Would the 265/45r20 tire and the 275/45r20 tire both fit on the same 20"x10" rim?

- Would I need any kind of offset for these wheels?

- I believe the bolt pattern on this car is 5x112. Can anyone confirm?

- Probably just individual choice, but any opinions on 265 vs. 275?

Thanks for any insight that can be provided,
- Voy

GregW / Oregon

265 vs. 275/45 is a modest difference of 0.3" OD. 265s, being factory will match the design OD. Either will fit on a 10" rim, though 9s or 9.5s are better for the 265. Be aware that wider wheels and tires generally weigh more, and usprung weight is the enemy of good handling. Stock offset is in the +41 to 57 range for 9 or 10" wheels.

My advice is not to go overkill on width at the expense of perfomance. If the suspension is not designed for the extra weight you will feel it is less reponsive to bumps and wheel/tire weight is also bad for acceleration and braking.

The M368 is a nice looking wheel, but I would be suspect of them for your fitment since there is little offset information published and they are an inexpensive wheel. Personally, I will on put OEM wheels or JWL or TUV certified aftermarket wheels on my cars for safety reasons. Don't want this to happen:

iankayem

I believe the 275 will give a little better protection against gutter rash. I was pissed off when I recently managed to graze three rims in three days. This is a feat I have never done before with any car.

Further the 265 will read 98km/h at 100 true, so I expect the 275 will read spot on.

stas2007

Not Best, but I like it-295x40x20 tires on AMG 20x10 rims, they do feel heavier than OEM, but I love the "glued to the road feeling" my ML has with them

voy2k

Thanks for the input guys. I took a quick run over to a local America's Tire to ask questions and the guy I spoke with thought a 275 width tire might be too big for the ML (possibility of rubbing). I don't think that is the case given that many on this board are running much bigger wheels. He recommended a 20x8.5 rim and the 265/45r20 tire.

He actually called Avant Garde while I was there (he was quite helpful) and Avant Garde said the M368 won't work on the ML, but the M310 would. It's a mesh style-- not sure if I like it.

Greg, your feedback makes me think long and hard about going with the factory OEM 20" that Mercedes is putting on the ML. While I want the look of the 20" wheels, the last thing I want to do is mess up the ride on a brand new car with an unknown wheel.

Stas, I just got out of our 2008 GL550 which had 21" AMGs with 295/40r21 tires. They were beautiful, but the tires were ungodly expensive and finicky about anything but pretty smooth roads. Your ML looks sweet and I can imagine it handles like a slot car, but it would be too much for us.

Thanks again everyone. The knowledge on these boards is really valuable.

- Voy

TX S3

it depends on some aftermarket knock off company. This company USA Rims or Wheels, can't recall, I've purchased several set of knock off for my BMws, no crack or vibration, fraction of cost for OEM. I just can't justified a set of OEM AMG 20 cost more than 2K.

voy2k

Agreed, the pricing on aftermarket wheels makes it very tempting. There isn't a lot of information about Avant Garde, but what I have found is positive.

The M310 is growing on me. I'm leaning in that direction.

One other question for those that might know: I want to keep the specs as close to factory as possible (20" wheel, 265/45r20 tire). The rep at America's Tire (the chart on his computer, actually) recommended 8.5 width on the rim, but the MBZ AMG wheel is 20x9. Avant Garde offers both widths. I feel like I should match what the factory is doing and get the 20x9-- any thoughts on this?

Thanks,
Voy

GregW / Oregon

I had those AMG 20x10s with 295s on my W164 with Airmatic for a while. I could definitely feel the extra weight so I took them off. Just say no to off brand cheap wheels, though. Post ads on the different forums to buy some of the narrower AMG 20s as take-offs. You can often find wheels with tires for very reasonable prices from those with the coin to do immediate upgrades upon delivery.

Here is my '06 with the aforementioned wheels, and documentation of their significant weight.