I HAVE POTHOLE PROBLEMS
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
S550
I HAVE POTHOLE PROBLEMS
Living in NY been a big issue for my s550 , anything I do by changing my rims nothing works. I had 19s on and I changed it to 20s worse decision due to the weight of the car cuz if I hit anything the impact is heavier. what should I do get wider tires ? I currently have 245/45 r20 on the front and 275/40 R20 In the back , what tire size should I get for better ride and a comfortable ride ?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 628
From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
It pains me to say this, but if potholes are that bad where you live, then you may want to go down to an 18" wheel so you gain more sidewall on your tires to help absorb the shock and protect the wheels. You can stay with a staggered setup with 18's too (245/50R18 for the fronts & 275/45R18 for the back). This would entail you buying some after-market wheels since MB doesn't make a staggered setup for 18" wheels for the S-class. The stock 18's for the S-class are a square setup with 245/50R18 at all corners and they are all pretty darn ugly. Evil-bay is a good source for aftermarket wheels. Going with a wider tire is a bad decision and would make zero difference anyway.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 9,141
Likes: 4,630
From: Maryland
2024 S580
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 3,360
Likes: 1,529
From: Washington DC
No more MB:(
I live the city, DC is littered with potholes. I have 19's and no issues thus far. If I could have gotten the 18's I would have but the car came with 19's. 20's are a non-starter for me.
Trending Topics
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 573
Likes: 179
From: Half Moon Bay, CA
2016 S550e, 2005 Nissan Xterra 4x4, 1984 300ZX
You on Runflats still? A standard tire will ride better, I have 19" AMG's with Michelin run-flats and roads in bay area aren't great but I was surprised how much I didn't hate the runflats. I was originally looking at a S that has 22"'s and I had no interest to be on that big of a rim, but when the one I settled on had 19" was a little disappointed as I wanted the bigger rims but overall now I am pretty happy.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 573
Likes: 179
From: Half Moon Bay, CA
2016 S550e, 2005 Nissan Xterra 4x4, 1984 300ZX
Did you get that from factory with non-Runflats or did you swap after purchase? My MO Michelin's still have a ton of tread so probably 10k away from changing out but I am thinking Pilot Sports non-run Flat for the next round
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 628
From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
All non AMG W222's come with RFT's from the factory.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 350
From: Huntington NY
S560
I'm in NY too. On both my 2015 S550 and 2019 S560 with 19's I've never had a bubble or bent rim (knock on wood). 20's are the kiss of death and really shouldn't be considered unless you have pristine roads...
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 559
Likes: 166
From: Rhode Island
2014 E350 Sport (sold), 2015 S550 Sport (sold), 2018 S560 Sport (sold), 2018 GLE43, 2014 E550
Is this a circumstance where a forged wheel would perform better? I know they're stronger but are they stronger than NY City potholes?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
S550
Yeah I think I should stick to 19s I have the amg package and it came with 19s stock its just finding new amg rims are a pain. The one I have now has crack thats why I went to 20s but same problem
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
S550
You on Runflats still? A standard tire will ride better, I have 19" AMG's with Michelin run-flats and roads in bay area aren't great but I was surprised how much I didn't hate the runflats. I was originally looking at a S that has 22"'s and I had no interest to be on that big of a rim, but when the one I settled on had 19" was a little disappointed as I wanted the bigger rims but overall now I am pretty happy.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 628
From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
Check out aftermarket wheels on Evil-bay. You can get a new set of 4....and staggered for around $800. From experience with my previous S600, I can tell you the quality is every bit as good as OEM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 628
From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 86
From: West Plam Beach, FL
'16 S550 Coupe, '11 Lexus LS460, '02 CL500 (SOLD)
LOL. You got 1 out of 3 right, drivers.. I made the move years ago and wouldn’t dream of moving back.to the NYC /north Jersey area. And BTW, New Yorkers are pouring into S. FL. for reasons we all know too well. (The post was actually made in jest.)
MBWorld God!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 31,277
Likes: 3,916
From: on my way
2012 CLS63
Yes that's right......mosquitoes as big as a human hand......yep, that's the size they are. In some area's of Florida they're even bigger, like in the 'Glades where they have been known to fly off with small children. Also, name one state where the drivers are not completely awful.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 431
S600
Some forged wheels deliver the extra strength and keep the same wall thicknesses. These hold up to pot holes better.
