Newbie here....
03-26-2003, 12:52 PM
#1
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Newbie here....
Hi Guys,
I am new to the club. I have had for some time now 2000 horizon blue S430. I never really put any thoughts into adding aftermarket parts. However, I have started to give it more serious thought ever since my wife told me the other day "your car looks so plain"
My other car is a Lexus GS430 w/coil covers, L-tuned body kit, suspension mods galore in metallic blue. The car's suspensions is so tight that it comes very close to matching the M5 in handeling. The downside is the ride....which now is much much harsher than stock.
That is why I have my benz "100%" virgin. I am looking to do some minor upgrades like the AMG 220 style wheels. My question is would you recommend a staggered setup or should I go same size all the way around?
18x8.5 all 4 tires or
18.5x8.5 up front and 18.5x9.5 in the rear
Remember that this is a S430 and does not pack the same punch as you find on the S500 or S55. I am barely able to chirp the tires with my stock 16's. My goal is to maintain good ride quality while giving me a more aggressive look. I also plan on putting on the 15mm rear H&R spacers. Anyone have any issues with these?
My only other mod is dual exhaust tips which are on order.
Thanks in advance for some advice
I am new to the club. I have had for some time now 2000 horizon blue S430. I never really put any thoughts into adding aftermarket parts. However, I have started to give it more serious thought ever since my wife told me the other day "your car looks so plain"
My other car is a Lexus GS430 w/coil covers, L-tuned body kit, suspension mods galore in metallic blue. The car's suspensions is so tight that it comes very close to matching the M5 in handeling. The downside is the ride....which now is much much harsher than stock.
That is why I have my benz "100%" virgin. I am looking to do some minor upgrades like the AMG 220 style wheels. My question is would you recommend a staggered setup or should I go same size all the way around?
18x8.5 all 4 tires or
18.5x8.5 up front and 18.5x9.5 in the rear
Remember that this is a S430 and does not pack the same punch as you find on the S500 or S55. I am barely able to chirp the tires with my stock 16's. My goal is to maintain good ride quality while giving me a more aggressive look. I also plan on putting on the 15mm rear H&R spacers. Anyone have any issues with these?
My only other mod is dual exhaust tips which are on order.
Thanks in advance for some advice
Last edited by DrewSclass; 03-26-2003 at 01:06 PM.
03-26-2003, 01:09 PM
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The staggered option is by far, the most expensive and unfortunate route to go.
1) When you mix and match the tire sizes from front to rear, this means that you can't buy a matching spare 5th wheel because you will never know which wheel will need to be replaced if you should ever have a blow out, etc.
2) You will get less tread life becaue you can only do side to side tire rotations, as opposed to the conventional F-R L-R rotation pattern. Low profile tires are notorious for high tread wear and low tread life. You want to get all the possible life out of your $300+ tires.
3) If for any reason you get a dint in one of your front rims, you will get an immediate embarrasing vibration in the steering wheel (at speeds between 45-60mph). This problem can be solved by placing the dinted wheel in the rear. However, with the staggered setup, you won't be able to do this, for obvious reasons.
I only recommend the staggered setup for anyone who has money to throw away. The most convenient and economical opton is to go with 8.5's all the way around.
1) When you mix and match the tire sizes from front to rear, this means that you can't buy a matching spare 5th wheel because you will never know which wheel will need to be replaced if you should ever have a blow out, etc.
2) You will get less tread life becaue you can only do side to side tire rotations, as opposed to the conventional F-R L-R rotation pattern. Low profile tires are notorious for high tread wear and low tread life. You want to get all the possible life out of your $300+ tires.
3) If for any reason you get a dint in one of your front rims, you will get an immediate embarrasing vibration in the steering wheel (at speeds between 45-60mph). This problem can be solved by placing the dinted wheel in the rear. However, with the staggered setup, you won't be able to do this, for obvious reasons.
I only recommend the staggered setup for anyone who has money to throw away. The most convenient and economical opton is to go with 8.5's all the way around.
03-26-2003, 01:09 PM
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Ideally, the look that I am going for is like you see in the picture here....i.e. amg factory sport package.
It looks like this car has the same size rims on all 4 tires.
The 18x9.5 rim has a more pronouced lip on the rim.
It looks like this car has the same size rims on all 4 tires.
The 18x9.5 rim has a more pronouced lip on the rim.
03-26-2003, 01:16 PM
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Internet Mafia, I tend to agree with you. I do not have money to burn and you are the second person who has steered me away from the staggered setup. The other guy who recommended a same size all the way around was the guy working at performance products. He also cited similar examples of what you mentioned
On my GS430, I have 245/45/17 on all 4 tires. But on the rear's I have the 25 mm H&R spacers which gives me staggered feel. The car seems to be more planted especially around turns.
Therefore, I might go with the 15mm spacers on the rear along with the same size rims on all 4's.
On my GS430, I have 245/45/17 on all 4 tires. But on the rear's I have the 25 mm H&R spacers which gives me staggered feel. The car seems to be more planted especially around turns.
Therefore, I might go with the 15mm spacers on the rear along with the same size rims on all 4's.
03-26-2003, 01:19 PM
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2002 S430
I think if you pay closer attention to the picture you posted... the tire setup are staggered. I myself have a 2002 S430 and planning to get AMG Wheel, but I think I would go with the AMG from the CL's. Just my 0.02..
03-26-2003, 03:12 PM
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2000 S500 Brilliant Silver, 1990 BMW 735iL, 1971 Pontiac Trans Am 455 HO, 1976 Pontiac Formula 400
I woulde avoid the staggered setup for reasons previously mentioned. Is your car silver? If so, maybe take a look at the 18" wheels I put on my S500. Search previous posts for "My new wheels". The car handles great with 245/45/18's all around, and ride is still great with 32/35 pressures front and rear. Car looks great and is not a common site, as are spoked wheels. Plus, they only weigh 21 lbs vs 29 for the AMG's.
BTW, what brand tips did you order?
Welcome to the board!
BTW, what brand tips did you order?
Welcome to the board!
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03-26-2003, 06:06 PM
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Originally posted by DrewSclass
Can you post up a picture of the AMG from the CL. Are the dual spoke ones? Also, would they fit on a S class?
Can you post up a picture of the AMG from the CL. Are the dual spoke ones? Also, would they fit on a S class?
03-26-2003, 09:21 PM
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The 2003 AMG wheels do look nice, however there is no lip on it. That means when wifey tries to parallel park the car she is going to scrape the entire wheel. My brother has a TL with similar flushed spoke rims and he already has scratched them.
Crankin your wheels do look nice. This might be a little to much for what I am looking for. I like to keep the stock look at all times if possible. Trying to keep with the AMG look.
Does anyone know where the cheapest place to find authentic AMG rims would be?
I priced it out at performance products and they are doing free shipping and a discount price of $415 for the 18x8.5 and $459 for the 18x9.5. I also ordered the exhaust tips from here as well. Not sure what brand it is but they are selling for $199 for the pair.
Crankin your wheels do look nice. This might be a little to much for what I am looking for. I like to keep the stock look at all times if possible. Trying to keep with the AMG look.
Does anyone know where the cheapest place to find authentic AMG rims would be?
I priced it out at performance products and they are doing free shipping and a discount price of $415 for the 18x8.5 and $459 for the 18x9.5. I also ordered the exhaust tips from here as well. Not sure what brand it is but they are selling for $199 for the pair.
03-26-2003, 10:01 PM
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2000 S500 Brilliant Silver, 1990 BMW 735iL, 1971 Pontiac Trans Am 455 HO, 1976 Pontiac Formula 400
I think the wheels might be less from Tirerack from what I recall. those AMG's do look good on the silver S.
I bought those same exhaust tips made by a German Company, Schatz. They are good quality, look great from the back, but you can see they are tips easily from the side unless you have an aftermarket or Sport rear bumper.
I bought those same exhaust tips made by a German Company, Schatz. They are good quality, look great from the back, but you can see they are tips easily from the side unless you have an aftermarket or Sport rear bumper.
03-27-2003, 11:54 AM
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Tirerack is selling the AMG 220 (the ones in your picture above) for $349 18x8.5 and $359 for 18x9.5. I think you have to pay for shipping though, and it's about $10.00 each depending on how far you are from their warehouse. If you buy tires too, the come mounted perfectly without a scratch on the rims.
03-27-2003, 06:06 PM
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DrewSclass,
I say go with the staggered set-up too. I wouldn't put spacers on my car. Spacers, no matter how perfectly machined, can still cause vibrations. Then you would have to buy longer bolts to mount the wheels on too. How much are you looking to spend on wheels and tires? If ultimate grip is not a priority, you can get the staggered set-up from Tirerack for about $2k. They have Continental ContiExtremeContact in sizes 245-45-18 fronts and 275-40-18 rears and the prices are $157.00 and $161.00 respectively. I have never used the tires before but I am thinking about ordering some to replace my bald SP9000s. The tires are WR rated so the max speed is 168mph. Seems like a fair price for high performance tires. Just my 2 cents.
I say go with the staggered set-up too. I wouldn't put spacers on my car. Spacers, no matter how perfectly machined, can still cause vibrations. Then you would have to buy longer bolts to mount the wheels on too. How much are you looking to spend on wheels and tires? If ultimate grip is not a priority, you can get the staggered set-up from Tirerack for about $2k. They have Continental ContiExtremeContact in sizes 245-45-18 fronts and 275-40-18 rears and the prices are $157.00 and $161.00 respectively. I have never used the tires before but I am thinking about ordering some to replace my bald SP9000s. The tires are WR rated so the max speed is 168mph. Seems like a fair price for high performance tires. Just my 2 cents.
