AMG 19" vs 20" wheels!
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Joined: Sep 2019
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From: U.S.
Current/Last 5-years:GLS;G70;Alpina B8;X7;Accord. Sold:X7,TeslaS;S560;S550,X5;530e;L.Navigator;LS460
AMG 19" vs 20" wheels!
My former pre-facelift W222 had the 20" AMG wheels and I had a few issues with them a couple of times.
I am on the market for my next S-560, should I take it as an advantage if the vehicle has the AMG 19" wheels instead of 20"? I know the 20" look nicer, but if the facelift wheels are still a nightmare, wouldn't 19" be a better option on the long run? Do they offer a more comfortable or does that not matter?
Just looking for an advise and opinion. I probably don't have the pleasure to pick and chose in the pre-owned market, but if I do find two vehicles that are equivalent, should I go with 19" or 20"?
I am on the market for my next S-560, should I take it as an advantage if the vehicle has the AMG 19" wheels instead of 20"? I know the 20" look nicer, but if the facelift wheels are still a nightmare, wouldn't 19" be a better option on the long run? Do they offer a more comfortable or does that not matter?
Just looking for an advise and opinion. I probably don't have the pleasure to pick and chose in the pre-owned market, but if I do find two vehicles that are equivalent, should I go with 19" or 20"?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2015
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15 S550 4Matic, 86 560SL
I cannot comment on the comfort because I too have the 20”. But I did look into downsizing to the 19”s (I think they look great too) but I can tell you that through reading lots of for sale threads they too succumb to bends and cracks. Not sure if that is because of the run-flats or not. But they are strong enough to warrant me changing.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 573
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From: Half Moon Bay, CA
2016 S550e, 2005 Nissan Xterra 4x4, 1984 300ZX
My 2016 has the 19" AMG Wheels, one of the cars that I was looking at has 22" and no way was I going down that route. When that car fell through I found the one I bought with 19" and figured that was going to be a tad small but they frankly are just fine, even with the MOE's on their I consider the ride excellent, anyone that has ridden in the car comment how smooth it is and how well it soaks up the bumps. I don't have the advance suspension, just the standard airmatic. I don't think you will miss out on a ton of performance on 19" vs. 20" but I know you will get a slightly more comfotable ride. It also depends on where you live and road conditions, if yours are bad (most are in US let's face it) then 19" is the way to go.
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,685
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From: Newcastle, WA
2019 S63 4Matic+, 2018 E400 Cabrio, wardens car.
Forged wheels are a far better option for a big heavy car like ours. I have 20" forged alloys on my S63 and they weigh around 30lbs each so they are very light but the forging process makes them much more dense and much less prone to bending and cracking. They cost more but they are worth it in my opinion because of the strength they provide. On my last S550 I had both 19" and 20" AMG cast wheels and they both had cracking problems on each of the front wheels and one of them developed a bend. I have had no issues with the forged units I have now after around 10K of driving on not the greatest roads.
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Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 409
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From: Atlanta, GA
2020 S450 4Matic, 2022 GLS450 4Matic, 2015 C300
I’m on OEM 20” rims, and my cars been in the shop for a week 🤦🏻♂️
One of the rear rims got a crack, when fixing it they found a second crack under powder coating. When I got the car back the tire was losing a couple of psi everyday, so I took it back in. They ground the lip where they thought there was potential for a leak, it still leaked, then they put in a new TPMS, waiting to hear on the result! I think that the previous owner did some damage to the rims, as only one of them isn’t painted/coated, so I think it was likely replaced. Based on the VMI they had the wheel and tire coverage!
In addition to this, I don’t think that the ride with 20” rims and run flats is as smooth as I expect an S Class to ride. I live in GA where the roads are generally smooth, but I have been thinking about getting a set of 19” take offs.
One of the rear rims got a crack, when fixing it they found a second crack under powder coating. When I got the car back the tire was losing a couple of psi everyday, so I took it back in. They ground the lip where they thought there was potential for a leak, it still leaked, then they put in a new TPMS, waiting to hear on the result! I think that the previous owner did some damage to the rims, as only one of them isn’t painted/coated, so I think it was likely replaced. Based on the VMI they had the wheel and tire coverage!
In addition to this, I don’t think that the ride with 20” rims and run flats is as smooth as I expect an S Class to ride. I live in GA where the roads are generally smooth, but I have been thinking about getting a set of 19” take offs.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 697
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From: Illinois
S560/SL550/LS460/Q70L 5.6 AWD
My 560 ride on 19" was so and so, probably RF tires combined with the 19" wheels, so I went with new Pirellis and 18" wheels based on some input from people from this forum, they're 100% right, the ride I have today is exactly what I was looking for, quiet and smooth ! However, I'm in Illinois, you guys down south have much smoother and in better conditions roads compare with what we have here....
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Joined: Mar 2019
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From: Half Moon Bay, CA
2016 S550e, 2005 Nissan Xterra 4x4, 1984 300ZX
I was looking at Forge options but looks like all of those are like 7k, Superpop what did you buy and how much did you spend? I am good on my AMG OEMs so far, my roads aren't horrible in SF Bay Area (I never take my S into SF proper that is what my SUV is for).
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2015
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15 S550 4Matic, 86 560SL
You can buy the S63 forged 20" for around $4k with tires on eBay. Just FYI. A quality forged aftermarket offering is around $7k, you are spot on. I have seen some "eBay specials" that claim to be forged for $2000-2500; can't speak to them, but may try them soon...
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,685
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From: Newcastle, WA
2019 S63 4Matic+, 2018 E400 Cabrio, wardens car.
I actually have a set of factory forged S63 20" 10 spokes that I am selling in the marketplace right now for around 1500 plus shipping. Purchased them last year as a spare set for snow tires and never ended up using them and my car did fine in the snow on the Michelin AS4+ units I had so selling the rims to clear out some space.
