Swapping wheels -- any jacking tips?
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Joined: May 2003
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From: Silicon Valley, CA
Swapping wheels -- any jacking tips?
After seeing everyone's marvelous pics I decided to replace my stock 16" wheels with a set of 18"s (sorry, not spreewells). They arrived today. Can I put them on myself using the supplied jack, or is this a job that requires better equipment or real professionals. If I use the jack, is there anything I need to watch out for, or any secrets to doing it right?
Yes, they came with mounted & balanced tires.
Yes, they came with mounted & balanced tires.
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Jaeger, be sure to follow my instruction:
Make absolutely sure the cluster is off and the key is out of the ignition before attempting to jack up and change wheels. If you do not do so, your Airmatic system will be temporarily damaged and inoperative. The reason is that as long as the dash cluster is activated and Airmatic is activated, the Airmatic will sense that your car is off the ground (while jacked) and it will still think you are driving and then try to compensate, your call will look like the hunchback from notre dame when youre done.
Make absolutely sure the cluster is off and the key is out of the ignition before attempting to jack up and change wheels. If you do not do so, your Airmatic system will be temporarily damaged and inoperative. The reason is that as long as the dash cluster is activated and Airmatic is activated, the Airmatic will sense that your car is off the ground (while jacked) and it will still think you are driving and then try to compensate, your call will look like the hunchback from notre dame when youre done.
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Joined: May 2003
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From: Silicon Valley, CA
Thanks apricotscrub, will do!
I found a good discussion of changing tires at Overboost. They stress that over-torquing the lugs causes warped rotors, and that one should always re-check the lug torque after someone else has touched them. They also recommend replacing the lugs in a star pattern.
I found a good discussion of changing tires at Overboost. They stress that over-torquing the lugs causes warped rotors, and that one should always re-check the lug torque after someone else has touched them. They also recommend replacing the lugs in a star pattern.
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Joined: May 2003
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From: Silicon Valley, CA
I watched eBay for about a week. Search for "Mercedes AMG 18" and you'll see some, though avoid the "AMG style" wheels unless you don't mind having your rim self-destruct as you motor down the highway. These were $1850 including shipping and Yokohama Z-rated tires. For the newer S55 style you'll pay around $2400-2500 plus shipping. See here
Regarding a torque wrench, I would also try eBay.
Regarding a torque wrench, I would also try eBay.
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heres a secret:
check out ebay.co.uk for "AMG"
you will so many s55 amg rims on their for like 500gbp or 750USD brand new. shipping is the problem
here's my 18" non chrome amg rims i won, let me know what u think
http://ebay1.ipixmedia.com/abc/M28/_...35f5fe/i-1.JPG
check out ebay.co.uk for "AMG"
you will so many s55 amg rims on their for like 500gbp or 750USD brand new. shipping is the problem
here's my 18" non chrome amg rims i won, let me know what u think
http://ebay1.ipixmedia.com/abc/M28/_...35f5fe/i-1.JPG
Last edited by apricotscrub; May 21, 2003 at 10:03 PM.
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From: Dix Hills, NY (soon to be Orange County, CA)
2000 Mercedes S500
important question
i have an important question. i have 16" wheels now, 225/60/16. i want to buy these 20" rims. the tire size is 265/50/20. would this fit the car perfectly without causing any problems? i want to make sure before i spend over $2,000. would the ride still be fairly smoothe? thanks alot!!
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Joined: May 2003
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From: Silicon Valley, CA
Shaggy, even the 18"s I put on make the ride less smooth. It's quite noticeable at first. The issue is not merely the tire size but rather the "profile." Because the tire sidewall is much shorter, there is more direct communication from the road to the frame (imagine riding on a solid-alloy wheel with a thin coating of rubbber painted on). There is also more tire surface in contact with the road. The sidewall must be razor thin on a 20" or else it would throw the odometer off (in your favor, mind you, since the car goes farther with each rotation).
Brabus 20"s
I think the 16"s are the one styling problem with the S-class. Well before I even considered buying one I always thought the small wheels looked out of place. The car should come with 17" standard.
Brabus 20"s
I think the 16"s are the one styling problem with the S-class. Well before I even considered buying one I always thought the small wheels looked out of place. The car should come with 17" standard.
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 127
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From: Dix Hills, NY (soon to be Orange County, CA)
2000 Mercedes S500
Tezta,
265/50/20 tires wouldnt be a recommended size. A better size would be 255/35 or a combo of 245/35 and 275/30
Thanks. The reason I ask is because the rims which I might be buying are on tires that came off an ML series. That's why I was hoping I'd be able to put them to use. IF they've got about 90% tread left, how much should I be able to get on ebay? Any idea?
Jaeger, I understand that the ride should become a little harder due to the change from 16" to 20". What I don't understand is why Brabus, Lorinser would have 20" a standard size on their S classes?
265/50/20 tires wouldnt be a recommended size. A better size would be 255/35 or a combo of 245/35 and 275/30
Thanks. The reason I ask is because the rims which I might be buying are on tires that came off an ML series. That's why I was hoping I'd be able to put them to use. IF they've got about 90% tread left, how much should I be able to get on ebay? Any idea?
Jaeger, I understand that the ride should become a little harder due to the change from 16" to 20". What I don't understand is why Brabus, Lorinser would have 20" a standard size on their S classes?
