Experimenting with Front Wheels & Tyres - Page 4

Jul 20, 2021 | 01:04 PM

#76

tusabes

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Mercedes

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8899

Any thoughts on the best tire size setup for the stock 18-inch S55k wheels? I'm currently running 275/40-18 REAR and 245/40-18 FRONT.

it should be 245/45/18 front and 275/40/18 rear
in fact that size should be printed in your door jamb sticker

245/40/18 front is too small

Aug 2, 2021 | 12:27 PM

#77

8899

Member

Joined: Jan 2017

Posts: 104

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From: Northern Virginia

1994 E500, 2002 E320 wagon

Quote:

Originally Posted by tusabes

it should be 245/45/18 front and 275/40/18 rear
in fact that size should be printed in your door jamb sticker

245/40/18 front is too small

You are correct re the fronts, thank you. BUT, for the rears the door jam sticker indicates a width of 265. I'm running 275s in the rear but am curious if I could go up to 285/35-18 in the rear?

Aug 2, 2021 | 12:53 PM

#78

tusabes

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Mercedes

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8899

You are correct re the fronts, thank you. BUT, for the rears the door jam sticker indicates a width of 265. I'm running 275s in the rear but am curious if I could go up to 285/35-18 in the rear?

Mercedes speced both 265 40 18 and 275 40 18 on different model years . If you loook at a tire diameter guide you’ll see 275 40 18 is actually a closer match for 245 45 18 front . 275 40 18 was not a common tire size when these cars came out and that’s why some initially got 265 40 18 when 275 40 18 was a closer size to the front

yes you can go 285 35 18 rear in fact the sl55 did , but the shorter sidewall makes it less desirable than a 275 40 18

Aug 3, 2021 | 05:56 AM

#79

Kammie

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Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 43

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From: The Hague. the Netherlands

'03 s350

Helpful topic, was wondering what the trade of would be in terms of comfort/grip going from stock 16 inch to 18. Especially since I've fallen in love with a aerodeck like set from a local shop which only comes in 18 inch, I feel more confident bolting them on after reading this topic. Probably going from 225/60/16 to 245/45/18

Aug 3, 2021 | 11:24 AM

#80

wallyp

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Joined: Dec 2012

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From: Ball Ground, GA (N of Atlanta)

2003 S500 2007 GL450

Slightly rougher ride with 18's, more chance of damaging a wheel on curbs or potholes.

Make certain that the wheels are made to fit a Mercedes. Most cars use a straight cone on the lug bolts (or nuts) and in the wheels. Mercedes uses a spherical shape on the lug bolts and wheel surfaces.

Last edited by wallyp; Aug 3, 2021 at 01:27 PM.

Aug 3, 2021 | 01:00 PM

#81

tusabes

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Mercedes

Yes the offset of the wheels is key
most are sold in a 35 offset but the w220 needs 45

Aug 4, 2021 | 09:11 AM

#82

Kammie

Junior Member

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 43

Likes: 16

From: The Hague. the Netherlands

'03 s350

Just my luck, called them to make sure before ordering. Turns out they are discontinuing that particular rim and all that they have left over is 17 inch with ET35 or a 8.5x19 inch ET45.