AMG Rim Size 19" vs 20", Handling, comfort questions
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w222 S450L 2019
AMG Rim Size 19" vs 20", Handling, comfort questions
Currently owned a Petrol LWB S450L, Amg RIM 20" with Michelin PS4s (255/40r20 on 8.5") & (285/40r20 on 9.5")
Was wondering what if i downsized my Rim from 20" to 19", and put still put Michelin PS4s (245/45r19 on 8.5") & (275/40r19 on 9.5'), Will it improved the comfort area, and what about Handling, as far as i know smaller rim will downgrade the handling sharpness... Does anyone feel the difference?
Was wondering what if i downsized my Rim from 20" to 19", and put still put Michelin PS4s (245/45r19 on 8.5") & (275/40r19 on 9.5'), Will it improved the comfort area, and what about Handling, as far as i know smaller rim will downgrade the handling sharpness... Does anyone feel the difference?
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2019 S560, 2015 Honda Civic Hybrid
Many variables at work here ... unfortunately there's not an easy way to take a single car and try it back to back with different wheel and tire combinations.
Closest I came was with my 2016 S550 ... I gave that car a square set up (19 x 8.5" AMG wheels all around) with newish Pirelli Cinturato P7 AS2 tires. I switched tires and wheels with my 2019 when I bought it in December, so that gave a pretty direct comparison. The 2019 had staggered 20" AMG wheels with newish Michelin PS AS tires. The Michelins were not run flats by the way
With this limited experiment, I found the 20s with Michelin tires rode very well on the 2016, equal or maybe better than the Pirellis. They were however noticeably louder on all types of pavement. Both tire/wheel combinations had good steering response and handling with perhaps a slight edge to the Michelins. I was impressed enough with the Michelins that I would consider buying them in the future.
I think the biggest improvement one can make on a W222 for ride and noise comfort would be going from 20s with run flat tires to 19 (or even 18) inch wheels with non-run flats. Which tires you choose will make a difference too, but that's where the big change can be found.
I would add that Tire Rack ratings are really quite good as the scores they gave these tires correlate very well to my actual experience.
Closest I came was with my 2016 S550 ... I gave that car a square set up (19 x 8.5" AMG wheels all around) with newish Pirelli Cinturato P7 AS2 tires. I switched tires and wheels with my 2019 when I bought it in December, so that gave a pretty direct comparison. The 2019 had staggered 20" AMG wheels with newish Michelin PS AS tires. The Michelins were not run flats by the way
With this limited experiment, I found the 20s with Michelin tires rode very well on the 2016, equal or maybe better than the Pirellis. They were however noticeably louder on all types of pavement. Both tire/wheel combinations had good steering response and handling with perhaps a slight edge to the Michelins. I was impressed enough with the Michelins that I would consider buying them in the future.
I think the biggest improvement one can make on a W222 for ride and noise comfort would be going from 20s with run flat tires to 19 (or even 18) inch wheels with non-run flats. Which tires you choose will make a difference too, but that's where the big change can be found.
I would add that Tire Rack ratings are really quite good as the scores they gave these tires correlate very well to my actual experience.
Last edited by Tom in Austin; Oct 11, 2025 at 10:29 AM.
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'94 SL600,'05 SL600,'06 S65,'07 E63,'14 E63S,'09SL600 all sold, ‘15 S65,‘18 E63S,'17 SL65, '17S65Cab
First, the AMG spec tire fitment is 285/35-20 in the rear. I am assuming your 40 rear aspect ratio is a typo. Changing to 19" wheels but using the narrower tires will not provide any improvement in ride. The AMG non run-flat 19" tire spec is 255/45-19 F and 285/40-19 R. These are the sizes that one would purchase for 19" Michelin PS4s non run-flat tires. There may be a slight improvement in ride but it will be marginal. It does provide some additional margin from pot hole damage. 19" wheel widths would be 8.5"J F and 9.5" J rear. the offsets are 38mm or 39mm, same as the 20" AMG wheels. The AMG wheel design option determines the specific offset.
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w222 S450L 2019
First, the AMG spec tire fitment is 285/35-20 in the rear. I am assuming your 40 rear aspect ratio is a typo. Changing to 19" wheels but using the narrower tires will not provide any improvement in ride. The AMG non run-flat 19" tire spec is 255/45-19 F and 285/40-19 R. These are the sizes that one would purchase for 19" Michelin PS4s non run-flat tires. There may be a slight improvement in ride but it will be marginal. It does provide some additional margin from pot hole damage. 19" wheel widths would be 8.5"J F and 9.5" J rear. the offsets are 38mm or 39mm, same as the 20" AMG wheels. The AMG wheel design option determines the specific offset.
Current setup: Amg RIM 20" with Michelin PS4s (255/40r20 on 8.5") & (285/35r20 on 9.5")
Future setup: Amg RIM 19" with Michelin PS4s (255/45r19 on 8.5") & (285/40r20 on 9.5") , your saying Handling will be slightly better than my current setup? I thought Bigger RIM, Handling be better even though tyres/width size rim stays the same?
Will the looks for future setup like Donut since the size of rim is Downsize by 1" ?
Next question, for Rim size 19", anyone try Michelin PS4S vs PS5 or even Primacy 5? Hows the handling and comfort between these three?
anyone can share your view?
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2020 S560, 2014 SLK55 (Prev. 2016 S65, 2013 SLK350, 2008 CLS63, 2006 E350, 2006 CLS500, 2005 C230K)
Handling is not improved by wheel size, a smaller sized wheel will actually get a larger contact patch with the same model tire. To a certain point there will be a decrease in directional response but not something to worry about with normal sizes on modern tires.
Ride is significantly improved by reduced tire diameter.
Ride is significantly improved by reduced tire diameter.
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2019 Mercedes Benz S560 4Matic
Understanding that you’re looking to go the opposite way (larger to smaller), but I recently changed from 19’s to 20’s on my 2019 S560 4Matic. I went with standard S63 tire sizes and Continental Extreme Contact Pro tires. I can notice no appreciable difference in ride quality or handling.
Last edited by cdmotor1; Oct 12, 2025 at 04:17 AM.
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'94 SL600,'05 SL600,'06 S65,'07 E63,'14 E63S,'09SL600 all sold, ‘15 S65,‘18 E63S,'17 SL65, '17S65Cab
I said the 19" might improve the RIDE. Never said it will improve the handling, because it will make handling slightly worse.
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I think the biggest improvement one can make on a W222 for ride and noise comfort would be going from 20s with run flat tires to 19 (or even 18) inch wheels with non-run flats. Which tires you choose will make a difference too, but that's where the big change can be found.
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Completely agree
If the tires are the same width and operated at the same pressures, the loss in handling is so slight that you would have to be Mario in his prime to notice a difference in handling.
Never said it will improve the handling, because it will make handling slightly worse.
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2018 S560 W222
W222 wheel configuration, wheel size and tire type changes to improve comfort/noise
Related question from a relative newbie to the forum here.
Current car 2018 W222 S560 Sedan w/AMG Line option, 20" AMG Multi Spoke wheels 245/40/20 front and 275/35/20 rear running Pirelli P Zero run flats
I'm considering a new set of custom-made forged wheels and their recommendation for improving comfort and noise factors is 245/45/19 on 8.5" wheels in a square configuration with non-run flats.
Question: To improve comfort/noise, is 19" 245/45/19 square setup or 19" staggered OEM specs at 255/35/19 and 285/30/19 (see attachment, highlighted) going to be more effective?
Question: I'm down to 3 non-run flat tire choices - Pirelli P Zero AS Plus 3, Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06 Plus, or Michelin Pilot Sport AS 4 - any opinions or experience with quiet/comfort being the primary criteria among those tire options in conjunction with the wheel size and configuration changes?
Thanks in advance for any and all advice!
Current car 2018 W222 S560 Sedan w/AMG Line option, 20" AMG Multi Spoke wheels 245/40/20 front and 275/35/20 rear running Pirelli P Zero run flats
I'm considering a new set of custom-made forged wheels and their recommendation for improving comfort and noise factors is 245/45/19 on 8.5" wheels in a square configuration with non-run flats.
Question: To improve comfort/noise, is 19" 245/45/19 square setup or 19" staggered OEM specs at 255/35/19 and 285/30/19 (see attachment, highlighted) going to be more effective?
Question: I'm down to 3 non-run flat tire choices - Pirelli P Zero AS Plus 3, Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06 Plus, or Michelin Pilot Sport AS 4 - any opinions or experience with quiet/comfort being the primary criteria among those tire options in conjunction with the wheel size and configuration changes?
Thanks in advance for any and all advice!
Last edited by LTGTRNOLA; Oct 30, 2025 at 05:10 PM. Reason: added details
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I have two opinions to offer. First, i think a staggered setup looks much better, especially with the AMG appearance package...totally subjective on my part.
Ride comfort; the Conti DWS-06 will be the most comfortable of the three, then the PS4AS, then the Pirellis. Pirelli are "fantastic" tires, but they tend to have more tire slap and crisper turnin becuase of stiffer sidewalls. You can check Tire Rack for subjective and objective testing on all three. I've personally owned the Conti's and PS4's, both AS and summer version. I also had the previous version of the Pirellis, some say they're better now. My ratings are in no way saying Pirelli's aren't good, they just offer different characteristics. All great tire choices!
Ride comfort; the Conti DWS-06 will be the most comfortable of the three, then the PS4AS, then the Pirellis. Pirelli are "fantastic" tires, but they tend to have more tire slap and crisper turnin becuase of stiffer sidewalls. You can check Tire Rack for subjective and objective testing on all three. I've personally owned the Conti's and PS4's, both AS and summer version. I also had the previous version of the Pirellis, some say they're better now. My ratings are in no way saying Pirelli's aren't good, they just offer different characteristics. All great tire choices!
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2018 S560 W222
Thank you, Carlos! I appreciate your reply. So not having a staggered setup won't interfere with any of the various sensors or systems that depend on data from the wheels, such as ABS, odometer, speedometer, raising/lowering heights, etc.? Do you have an opinion on whether the square or staggered setup would be better for optimizing quiet/comfort or is that not a factor?
