need some wheel opinions !! 20's or larger???
#26
A hoopty on 24" -30" wheels.
.....and it's not only in the ghettos!
#29
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Ok lets get back on track, In the pic I love the 2nd size posted looks perfect. Im not looking to oversize the wheels on the car, I would love to do 21's but the lack of availability is kind of annoying. Ive spend over 2k just on 21" tires, Iknow the prices have come down but the 22's just seem to be very available. bak to picture posting and less demographic talks.
#30
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There are some cars you can slam to the ground and have big oversized wheels. People expect that with certain cars like Scions, Civics, and other cheap cars that are typically driven by the younger generation out trolling for skanks, ho's, and drugs.
But doing that to the S-class is like saying "Look at me....I drive an S-class, and I be pimpin!"...thinking that they might be able to troll for an upper echelon type ho.
I think AMG pushed the looks and wheels to the limit....and taking a lesser model and pushing it even further looks ridiculous IMO.
But doing that to the S-class is like saying "Look at me....I drive an S-class, and I be pimpin!"...thinking that they might be able to troll for an upper echelon type ho.
I think AMG pushed the looks and wheels to the limit....and taking a lesser model and pushing it even further looks ridiculous IMO.
#31
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I get your opinion, you like 20's I get it. you feel 22's are ghetto. Lets see a pic of your 20's!! I would hate to do the 20's and feel they are 2 small. pics would help. I agree some 22's look to big for my taste, but some look great.
#32
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My car still has the stock 18's. I'm waiting until spring to buy AMG wheels. I'm kinda torn between the 19's and 20's as I know the ride comfort will be sacrificed a bit going to 20's.
#33
Senior Member
I wonder why Mercedes never decided to do wheels larger than 19"??? Especially since they probably spent tons of money in their research of what wheel size works best for the S550.
#34
I'm guessing that is EXACTLY why they don't offer wheels larger than 19". The S Class is all about luxury and a big part of that is a smooth ride. You go larger than 19 and you start to change the ride quality.
#39
#41
Senior Member
I believe you are correct but me personally I wouldn't go any larger than 19". Many of these roads around the US are horrible and will bend the hell out of those larger very costly wheels and also ruin the S class ride. Of course it's the owners choice to make!!!
#42
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I love the design of the factory 19's. if I do change it won't be over 21". With suspension in sport mode it flows pretty darn good. Hmm, adding some lowering links might be the ticket.
Last edited by Jason B; 03-01-2015 at 10:02 AM.
#43
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I was told by a wheel place that the 20s would ride like stock, I think if u go the 20s route I would just get oem style wheels as I'm not sure an aftermarket 20 would look as good. I really have to agree w others that the 21 are the sweet spot.....I guess the hunt continues!!,!,
#44
I've seen several w221's with stock 20" wheels........I like how the wheel well looks 'filled up' with the 20".
I definitely want to get 20" for mine.......especially that potholes are a rare thing around where I live & travel daily.
I definitely want to get 20" for mine.......especially that potholes are a rare thing around where I live & travel daily.
#45
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MB, at least dating back to the 220 in 2000, offered a range of wheel/tire combos that all were OEM fitments. On the slightly smaller 220, 17 was the stock square non-AMG sport available and staggered 18's were available as part of the sport appearance package. On the 220 forum the argument was for 19's or even 20's. As is the case now, a +1 worked and a +2 was considered too much.
Everything moved north an inch on the 221, and they added the 18" as an OEM fitment, AMG sport got the staggered 19, and AMG "sport plus" the staggered 20. Basically if you look at whatever size they're willing to go to on the actual AMG cars (S63 etc) that's the biggest "safe" fitment in terms of being copacetic in terms of handling and ride.
My car came with 19's and to me the car didn't look fully cooked and the style of the 19's were a bit too plain for me. I was very hesitant on installing the 20's. In fact I put the suspension on "sport" for awhile to simulate the extra firmness of the 20's beforehand.
It turns out my concerns were overstated. The car rode beautifully on the 20's and I kept the suspension on Sport. Later I added spacers which firmed up the handling (but obviously not the ride) even more.
I also lowered my 220 by 2" and that had a much more dramatic and undesirable impact on ride than any wheel change. I think in the 221 you have a little bit of room to do a Plus 1 (20) with no perceptible change in ride quality over 19's, and maybe a 1" drop on top of that, or a 21" wheel and no drop, and beyond that things start going downhill in a hurry.
I did not find any perceptible advantage in ride on the stock 19's. Here are pics before and after spacers. I think 20's with a lower offset gets you a "full wheel well" look and no decrease in ride comfort...
Stock:
No Spacers
20's & Spacers 20mm R/15mm F
Here's where she sits on 20's, spacers, a decklid spoiler and an aftermarket Becker axle back exhaust with S63 lower bumper panel (diffuser). I've since painted that small body colored piece in the center silver. Once that was done I was satisfied with the "look" and left it alone.
Everything moved north an inch on the 221, and they added the 18" as an OEM fitment, AMG sport got the staggered 19, and AMG "sport plus" the staggered 20. Basically if you look at whatever size they're willing to go to on the actual AMG cars (S63 etc) that's the biggest "safe" fitment in terms of being copacetic in terms of handling and ride.
My car came with 19's and to me the car didn't look fully cooked and the style of the 19's were a bit too plain for me. I was very hesitant on installing the 20's. In fact I put the suspension on "sport" for awhile to simulate the extra firmness of the 20's beforehand.
It turns out my concerns were overstated. The car rode beautifully on the 20's and I kept the suspension on Sport. Later I added spacers which firmed up the handling (but obviously not the ride) even more.
I also lowered my 220 by 2" and that had a much more dramatic and undesirable impact on ride than any wheel change. I think in the 221 you have a little bit of room to do a Plus 1 (20) with no perceptible change in ride quality over 19's, and maybe a 1" drop on top of that, or a 21" wheel and no drop, and beyond that things start going downhill in a hurry.
I did not find any perceptible advantage in ride on the stock 19's. Here are pics before and after spacers. I think 20's with a lower offset gets you a "full wheel well" look and no decrease in ride comfort...
Stock:
No Spacers
20's & Spacers 20mm R/15mm F
Here's where she sits on 20's, spacers, a decklid spoiler and an aftermarket Becker axle back exhaust with S63 lower bumper panel (diffuser). I've since painted that small body colored piece in the center silver. Once that was done I was satisfied with the "look" and left it alone.
Last edited by Mike5215; 03-01-2015 at 10:59 AM.
#46
OK.....so the last few pics are 20" wheels with 15mm/20mm spacers.
What offset are your wheels? 43mm?
I am looking at 28mm to 35mm offset with either. 9 to 10 inch wide wheel.
(10" wide with a 35mm or 40mm offset was one wheel and 9" wide with 28mm offset was the other wheel set that I'm considering)
What offset are your wheels? 43mm?
I am looking at 28mm to 35mm offset with either. 9 to 10 inch wide wheel.
(10" wide with a 35mm or 40mm offset was one wheel and 9" wide with 28mm offset was the other wheel set that I'm considering)
Last edited by Garticus; 03-01-2015 at 11:47 AM.
#47
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Looks pretty sweet Mike, a lot of the 22's do have that "donk" look that I don't like, the 20's def look great and would prob satisfy my itch for a bigger wheel plus a 1" drop I feel would look almost perfect. However!!!! The 21" would be a perfect size and I think Im going to try to my hardest for that. any thoughts on the Niche Essex which does come in a 21". Not sure Im feeling it on the 221 tho.
#50
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You really think that's a great reply Dan? The way I see it, whenever somebody needs to bring the value of their house (whether the stated value is true or complete bullsh*t), or how much money they make at their job (whether it's true or more bullsh*t) into a car forum conversation..... they lose all credibility and their opinion becomes worthless. It's usually a sign of immaturity.