Need Deeper Sidewalls on same wheels
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Houston Exburb-Richmond TX
2014 CLS 550 & 2004 CL55
Need Deeper Sidewalls on same wheels
For 2008 S550 - I know some of you tire experts out there know this off the top of your heads (right?)
I know this is contra-trend but:
A friend has 19" wheels with the following (staggered) tires:
255/40-R19
275/40-R19
He has blown out both front tires on different days and he's had it.
He needs more forgiveness of our roads. What size will fit on the wheels and just give him a bigger diameter tire (that will fit) so his sidewalls will have a little more room for pothole errors? And, of course, without rubbing.
I know (at least on a theoretical level) the effects such a change will have on lateral handling, ride, speedometer accuracy and acceleration.
But $450 a week is a little steep, so he's willing to compromise 
Thanks.
I know this is contra-trend but:
A friend has 19" wheels with the following (staggered) tires:
255/40-R19
275/40-R19
He has blown out both front tires on different days and he's had it.
He needs more forgiveness of our roads. What size will fit on the wheels and just give him a bigger diameter tire (that will fit) so his sidewalls will have a little more room for pothole errors? And, of course, without rubbing. I know (at least on a theoretical level) the effects such a change will have on lateral handling, ride, speedometer accuracy and acceleration.
But $450 a week is a little steep, so he's willing to compromise Thanks.
Last edited by JHouse; Jan 10, 2012 at 06:42 PM.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Houston Exburb-Richmond TX
2014 CLS 550 & 2004 CL55
If I just kicked up the section to a 50 on the front and 45 on the back, would that work?
Looking at the calculators available:
http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCal...bmit&reset=yes
http://www.ajdesigner.com/fl_tire/tire.php
A one inch sidewall increase sounds small, but must be huge, as it gets me out of performance tires almost completely and into SUV tires. WTF?
Looking at the calculators available:
http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCal...bmit&reset=yes
http://www.ajdesigner.com/fl_tire/tire.php
A one inch sidewall increase sounds small, but must be huge, as it gets me out of performance tires almost completely and into SUV tires. WTF?
Last edited by JHouse; Jan 10, 2012 at 07:20 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 408
Likes: 29
From: Orange County
16 GL550
factory spec is 255/45/18, so 255/40/19 is also in spec.
your friend's setup right now is funny, 275/40/19 that's overspec. if he wants to run overspec, he can always get 255/45/19 for the front.
but i really wouldn't recommend anything larger. the sizes you specified that's like 2" overspec, don't think that's a good idea
your friend's setup right now is funny, 275/40/19 that's overspec. if he wants to run overspec, he can always get 255/45/19 for the front.
but i really wouldn't recommend anything larger. the sizes you specified that's like 2" overspec, don't think that's a good idea
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,396
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From: Bay Area, CA
2007 SL55 AMG
factory spec is 255/45/18, so 255/40/19 is also in spec.
your friend's setup right now is funny, 275/40/19 that's overspec. if he wants to run overspec, he can always get 255/45/19 for the front.
but i really wouldn't recommend anything larger. the sizes you specified that's like 2" overspec, don't think that's a good idea
your friend's setup right now is funny, 275/40/19 that's overspec. if he wants to run overspec, he can always get 255/45/19 for the front.
but i really wouldn't recommend anything larger. the sizes you specified that's like 2" overspec, don't think that's a good idea
He can run 245/45/19 in the front for a half inch larger diameter wheel. I would not recommend any other sizes being used.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 408
Likes: 29
From: Orange County
16 GL550
oh that's right, forgot about the sport package
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Houston Exburb-Richmond TX
2014 CLS 550 & 2004 CL55
Thanks. If he goes from 255/40 to 245/45 in the front only, the calculator says the sidewall only increases 1/3" in height, which doesn't sound like much. The 255/45 would increase it 1/2". Do we know if that 1/3" will make any difference in the "forgiveness" of the tire?
Also, going from the 255 width to the 245 width makes the tire skinnier. What's the theory behind that since the wheel width remains the same?
I see all kinds of threads with guys putting 20's and even 22's on this car. I can't see how the sidewalls can get much shorter than these 255/40's so the overall diameters must be larger on some of these custom setups. So it doesn't seem like I should be afraid of an overall 1" increase in the total tire diameter. No?
Also, going from the 255 width to the 245 width makes the tire skinnier. What's the theory behind that since the wheel width remains the same?
I see all kinds of threads with guys putting 20's and even 22's on this car. I can't see how the sidewalls can get much shorter than these 255/40's so the overall diameters must be larger on some of these custom setups. So it doesn't seem like I should be afraid of an overall 1" increase in the total tire diameter. No?
Last edited by JHouse; Jan 11, 2012 at 01:51 AM.
