Upgraded S550 with 20" 030 Rims + comments
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 302
Likes: 4
2007 S550 AMG with ABC
Upgraded S550 with 20" 030 Rims + comments
I recently needed to change the Tires on my S550, and found someone who was offloading his AMG CL65 wheels (he went to Asanti") 
So what does the upgrade to 20" Wheels feel like? I have less that 100 miles on this new combo, The road noise is slightly *lower* than the Dunlop SP1's the car came with. The car still does maintain a nice smooth ride however I feel the imperfections in the road being transmitted up through the steering slightly more.
The most obvious difference though, is steering responsiveness at all speeds. The car changes lanes noticeably faster, and makes the car feel more nimble, especially with the ABC in sport mode. One could get a false sense of security that you can throw this car around like the Stig in the C63.
Here are some before and after pictures with the upgrade. I've thrown in a stock factory photo of a CL65 with the same wheels.
So what does the upgrade to 20" Wheels feel like? I have less that 100 miles on this new combo, The road noise is slightly *lower* than the Dunlop SP1's the car came with. The car still does maintain a nice smooth ride however I feel the imperfections in the road being transmitted up through the steering slightly more.
The most obvious difference though, is steering responsiveness at all speeds. The car changes lanes noticeably faster, and makes the car feel more nimble, especially with the ABC in sport mode. One could get a false sense of security that you can throw this car around like the Stig in the C63.
Here are some before and after pictures with the upgrade. I've thrown in a stock factory photo of a CL65 with the same wheels.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 302
Likes: 4
2007 S550 AMG with ABC
I haven't noticed any difference, the AMG forged wheels are noticeably lighter than the 19" wheels, even mercedes highlights that fact ("Light Metal") on the amg-mercedes CL 65 web site.
It's no wonder these wheels are special, I called around and Dealers are charging $13,000 for the set!!!
Mercedes did change the brake pads on my car when I first got it, as I complained about squeaking, so maybe those pads, and lighter wheels have something to do with no noticeable difference in braking...
It's no wonder these wheels are special, I called around and Dealers are charging $13,000 for the set!!!
Mercedes did change the brake pads on my car when I first got it, as I complained about squeaking, so maybe those pads, and lighter wheels have something to do with no noticeable difference in braking...
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,271
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From: CA
2010 CL65
Excellent choice
Many underestimate value of ABC, wheels/tires, brakes in how the various S/CL behave, even in mundane daily driving
BTW, IIRC, on topgear's site where Stig's laptimes on their set "course" are listed, various AMGs, incl the 5000lb CL65, have laptimes not materially different than many allegedly light, nimble Ferraris and Porsches...and smooth, flat tracks are easier for F/P than bumpy real-world mtn twisties
As a former owner of numerous F/P and a merely mediocre amateur driver who enjoys his 65 in mtn twisties every wkend, I will confirm that proper chassis set-ups, like those of many MB/AMGs, make >4500lb luxury cars sublimely enjoyable driver's cars, even on challenging mtn roads...
Many underestimate value of ABC, wheels/tires, brakes in how the various S/CL behave, even in mundane daily driving
BTW, IIRC, on topgear's site where Stig's laptimes on their set "course" are listed, various AMGs, incl the 5000lb CL65, have laptimes not materially different than many allegedly light, nimble Ferraris and Porsches...and smooth, flat tracks are easier for F/P than bumpy real-world mtn twisties
As a former owner of numerous F/P and a merely mediocre amateur driver who enjoys his 65 in mtn twisties every wkend, I will confirm that proper chassis set-ups, like those of many MB/AMGs, make >4500lb luxury cars sublimely enjoyable driver's cars, even on challenging mtn roads...
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 960
Likes: 2
From: Long Island, NY & SE England
A Mercedes obviously!
BTW, IIRC, on topgear's site where Stig's laptimes on their set "course" are listed, various AMGs, incl the 5000lb CL65, have laptimes not materially different than many allegedly light, nimble Ferraris and Porsches...and smooth, flat tracks are easier for F/P than bumpy real-world mtn twisties
CL65 AMG - 1.29.0
Ferrari 599 - 1.21.2
Ferrari F430 Spider - 1.23.2
Porsche Cayman S - 1.26.2
Porsche Boxster S - 1.28.7
Around the CL65's time are the Porsche 911 Carrera S (in the very wet), Subaru Impreza WRX STi WR1 and VW Golf GTI W12 concept.
The AMGs don't do that well on the test track...
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Owned then Banned
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S550
I recently needed to change the Tires on my S550, and found someone who was offloading his AMG CL65 wheels (he went to Asanti")
So what does the upgrade to 20" Wheels feel like? I have less that 100 miles on this new combo, The road noise is slightly *lower* than the Dunlop SP1's the car came with. The car still does maintain a nice smooth ride however I feel the imperfections in the road being transmitted up through the steering slightly more.
The most obvious difference though, is steering responsiveness at all speeds. The car changes lanes noticeably faster, and makes the car feel more nimble, especially with the ABC in sport mode. One could get a false sense of security that you can throw this car around like the Stig in the C63.
Here are some before and after pictures with the upgrade. I've thrown in a stock factory photo of a CL65 with the same wheels.
So what does the upgrade to 20" Wheels feel like? I have less that 100 miles on this new combo, The road noise is slightly *lower* than the Dunlop SP1's the car came with. The car still does maintain a nice smooth ride however I feel the imperfections in the road being transmitted up through the steering slightly more.
The most obvious difference though, is steering responsiveness at all speeds. The car changes lanes noticeably faster, and makes the car feel more nimble, especially with the ABC in sport mode. One could get a false sense of security that you can throw this car around like the Stig in the C63.
Here are some before and after pictures with the upgrade. I've thrown in a stock factory photo of a CL65 with the same wheels.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 302
Likes: 4
2007 S550 AMG with ABC
I did a swap of my 19" AMG with the tires for these RIMS and $2K. I then had to shell out for 1700 for Some Conti SP2's installed. I don't have any more rims. Now that the tires have beaded in, the ride quality has improved, and I am actually getting the same MPG as before. I would recommend this upgrade ....
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 302
Likes: 4
2007 S550 AMG with ABC
Here's an update for anyone who has made this +1 tire Jump.
Both the Tire Shop and the MBZ dealer (I took the car in for service C a couple days after doing the tires), failed to set the correct tire pressure. Both were using the numbers posted on drivers side door of 35/35 for the previous 19" setup
The dealership where I took the car has an S63 with the exact same rim/tire combo, and the settings is 42/44 (FRONT/REAR). So I bumped up the pressure and now the ride/handling has improved even more...
Both the Tire Shop and the MBZ dealer (I took the car in for service C a couple days after doing the tires), failed to set the correct tire pressure. Both were using the numbers posted on drivers side door of 35/35 for the previous 19" setup
The dealership where I took the car has an S63 with the exact same rim/tire combo, and the settings is 42/44 (FRONT/REAR). So I bumped up the pressure and now the ride/handling has improved even more...
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 302
Likes: 4
2007 S550 AMG with ABC
Here's an update for anyone who has made this +1 tire Jump.
Both the Tire Shop and the MBZ dealer (I took the car in for service C a couple days after doing the tires), failed to set the correct tire pressure. Both were using the numbers posted on drivers side door of 35/35 for the previous 19" setup
The dealership where I took the car has an S63 with the exact same rim/tire combo, and the settings is 42/44 (FRONT/REAR). So I bumped up the pressure and now the ride/handling has improved even more...
Both the Tire Shop and the MBZ dealer (I took the car in for service C a couple days after doing the tires), failed to set the correct tire pressure. Both were using the numbers posted on drivers side door of 35/35 for the previous 19" setup
The dealership where I took the car has an S63 with the exact same rim/tire combo, and the settings is 42/44 (FRONT/REAR). So I bumped up the pressure and now the ride/handling has improved even more...
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 735
Likes: 10
From: New Jersey
2012 CLS63 PP
I recently needed to change the Tires on my S550, and found someone who was offloading his AMG CL65 wheels (he went to Asanti")
So what does the upgrade to 20" Wheels feel like? I have less that 100 miles on this new combo, The road noise is slightly *lower* than the Dunlop SP1's the car came with. The car still does maintain a nice smooth ride however I feel the imperfections in the road being transmitted up through the steering slightly more.
The most obvious difference though, is steering responsiveness at all speeds. The car changes lanes noticeably faster, and makes the car feel more nimble, especially with the ABC in sport mode. One could get a false sense of security that you can throw this car around like the Stig in the C63.
Here are some before and after pictures with the upgrade. I've thrown in a stock factory photo of a CL65 with the same wheels.
So what does the upgrade to 20" Wheels feel like? I have less that 100 miles on this new combo, The road noise is slightly *lower* than the Dunlop SP1's the car came with. The car still does maintain a nice smooth ride however I feel the imperfections in the road being transmitted up through the steering slightly more.
The most obvious difference though, is steering responsiveness at all speeds. The car changes lanes noticeably faster, and makes the car feel more nimble, especially with the ABC in sport mode. One could get a false sense of security that you can throw this car around like the Stig in the C63.
Here are some before and after pictures with the upgrade. I've thrown in a stock factory photo of a CL65 with the same wheels.
