Changing wheel/tire size
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 16
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From: Atlanta, GA
2000 S500
Changing wheel/tire size
I have a 2000 S500 with stock 16's and wanted to upgrade to 18" wheels. I've replaced the air-suspension system with the Arnott suspension. My question is what size front and back tires/rims should I go with, and what if any other modifications would I need to make for proper fitment?
Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 115
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2006 S500 base
Going strictly on the math side, stock was 225/60-16, works out to a 27.5 inch tall tire.
For 18's start at 245/45-18, which is also 27.5 in tall. Lock to lock turns without rubbing MAY be another story. But with the exact same overall height at least the speedo and odometer will be as accurate as they were with stock size.
For 18's start at 245/45-18, which is also 27.5 in tall. Lock to lock turns without rubbing MAY be another story. But with the exact same overall height at least the speedo and odometer will be as accurate as they were with stock size.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 780
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From: Dallas, TX
Range Rover
Speaking to someone that has twenties . I love the look , hate the ride. It's smooth and rides great but hitting bumps and potholes just make me scream every time. Looking back I wish I would have got 18 AMG's
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 411
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From: Aiken, SC
2007 S600
What wheel size?
I have owned three 220 body S class cars, two S55s and my current S600. I've run stock 18s, aftermarket 19s and 20s. The 18s are the way to go. The 20s are definitley VERY hard riding and 19s are better but still nosier and harder. I don't believe either significantly improved handling. Plus you need to understand that in addition to paying more for the larger wheels up front you'll also be paying more for tires every time you need to replace worn ones. There is a reason MB put 18s on the AMG cars, they judged them to be the best overall combination of ride, handling and value. That said, if you want bigger go to 19s but avoid 20s.
For your car a non-staggered setup with 18 / 8.5s all the way around with the aforementioned 245 / 45s is probably the sweet point. You don't have the hp to justify the wider rear rims and the non-staggered setup give you maximum tire rotation flexibility.
BTW, I have two 18 / 8.5 AMG type replicas for sale that you can match up with two new ones to make a set. PM me if interested. I am in Aiken SC so we could possibly even meet up to save shipping.
For your car a non-staggered setup with 18 / 8.5s all the way around with the aforementioned 245 / 45s is probably the sweet point. You don't have the hp to justify the wider rear rims and the non-staggered setup give you maximum tire rotation flexibility.
BTW, I have two 18 / 8.5 AMG type replicas for sale that you can match up with two new ones to make a set. PM me if interested. I am in Aiken SC so we could possibly even meet up to save shipping.
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,284
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From: North Carolina
2003 S500 - Toyota Corolla (in the rain)
My car has the AMG sport package and came with the 18" staggered wheels. The fronts are 245/45/18 and the rears are 275/40/18. My spare rim and tire in the trunk from the factory is also 245/45/18. The biggest problem I have with the staggered wheels is they can't be rotated.
My brother previously had 20's on his car and admittedly they look nice but his ride is definitely not as smooth as mine.
My brother previously had 20's on his car and admittedly they look nice but his ride is definitely not as smooth as mine.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 16
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From: Atlanta, GA
2000 S500
Thanks for all the replies, very helpful. I have a set of rims that I want picked out but they only sell them in an 18" x 8.5 & 9.5 staggered setup, so other than not being able to rotate there's no problems switching my 16's for these with the tire sizes mentioned above? Or did the AMG sport package come with wider rear wheel wells/fenders to account for the wider rear tires?
Last edited by seant7326; Oct 18, 2013 at 05:42 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Montreal, Quebec
2009 E350 4M Avantgarde;mistress 2002 S600; wife 2014 C300 4M
18 x 8.5
once you drive with this thru a (small) pothole, you'll find 2 herniated tires and and 2 busted rims (like me on my much lighter E350).
Think twice looks over practicality!
Think twice looks over practicality!
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: On the Dyno, Tuning.....
2003 S600
Tire size plays a big part in ride quality. When plus sizing, I try to go with one size larger aspect ratio to help cushion the bumps on the larger rims. It also helps fill the wheel wells up (lowered look) without having to lower the car.
I have 19s right now, but will be upgrading to 20" staggered with the overall wheel diameter increasing about .75" so I am only loosing about .25" of sidewall.
I have 19s right now, but will be upgrading to 20" staggered with the overall wheel diameter increasing about .75" so I am only loosing about .25" of sidewall.
