preston00017

Hi guys
I ordered a S550 couple weeks ago with Cashmere Matt White but yesterday I was told that MB discontinued that color (need to call MB to verify that), and now I have decided to get the regular white with Sport Package with 20 inch 10 spoke AMG wheels. But I heard that AMG package makes the car more low profile and the 20 inch wheel is not as comfortable as a 18 inch or 19 inch wheel. Been watching a lot of S550 Youtube reviews, most of them are demo a AMG package S550 with 20 inch wheels and saying its super comfortable.

Need advice.

jumpman726

The ride on the 20" wheel will definitely be more firm than on the 18". You also will need to worry more about flat tires, bubbles in the sidewall, bent rims, and alignment issues with the 20" wheel.

Wolfman

20" are a great fit and the car definitely looks better with that size wheel IMO.
More rubber is always softer but I wouldn't classify it as better. The biggest impact on ride quality is the type of tire, not the size (unless you super size to 22's). Run flats are louder and firmer than conventional tires.

There are plenty of threads here discussing the pros/cons. I suggest reading them for more feedback.

axhoaxho

I have the Sport package and the 20" AMG wheels.

The car ride is comfortable and smooth... Actually, somehow I feel that my S550 (20" wheels, with AIRMATIC) rides smoother than my E550 (18" wheels, without AIRMATIC.)

The W222 is a big car, and the 20" wheels fit the proportion just right (personally I think the car actually can use even biggest wheels.)

Regards,

Streamliner

20" wheels look great on the W222. However, the bottom line is that a smaller diameter wheel with deeper sidewall tires will have a MUCH softer, MUCH smoother ride. This is especially true on roads that are other than ribbon smooth and the difference becomes more pronounced the worse the road gets. If you drive in any sort of metro areas, where the roads are always beat up and under construction, going with the 20's would be a huge mistake, IMO. I have 18" wheels on my 2015. Lots of fabulous, inexpensive tire choices, they never get bent or cracked and nobody steals them.

preston00017

your car looks fantastic, and of course it will be more comfortable then the E class for sure. just wondering how bad it is compares to S class with 18 inch wheels. anyway, to get that aggressive looking we need to sacrifice something.

preston00017

one thing really sad is you have to be a S class owner or pro to tell the difference of the regular one and the sport package one, looks the same to a lot of people....feeling such a waste... anyway i am getting it too

axhoaxho

I think the semi-active AIRMATIC suspension on the W222 really does the magic. The long-wheelbase/wide-track of the car also helps to smooth out the ride.

To me, the only drawback is the replacement cost of the wheels. Therefore, adding the tire/wheel insurance upon purchasing the car is not a bad idea.

preston00017

good point! do you have some numbers about how bad it is compare to the 19 or 18 wheels?

beckerkumm

I can't imangine wanting a softer ride than what the 20" provide. I keep the vehicle in sport and wish it were a tad more firm. I'm 63 and an accountant so not a wild man. Not a fan of run flats so when they wear out I expect the tires to get even softer. The price for the upgrade seems out of line so if buying new, that would concern me more. Dave

jenz

Haven't seen the obvious mentioned

Go test drive one with 20s first - if it feels great, you're done

The 18s will have a softer ride, but if you're happy on 20s, so be it

preston00017

I end up get a S550 today with the Sport Package 20 Inch. When I drive the car back to home I feel not as quiet as expected. Feel the same as my X5 with base 18 wheels, I am talking about the noise and road feedback.

So not as expected, but everything else is all good

Wolfman

had the same thing with Pirelli run flats. Changed tires and noise is much better...

phillyreem

what kind of deal did you get?

e55phil

I have 20 inch wheels. The ones in the photo shown above. Originally I had P Zero run flats. I switched to conventional Continental tires and bought a spare from a 221 and put it in the trunk.

I find it to conventional Continental tires run better.

I am very careful to try to avoid potholes and I cross my fingers each time I get in the car. I find the conventional tires handle better and ride better than the run flats.

The car came with 19 inch AMG wheels which I run in the wintertime. In 19 inch tires ride a little bit better than the 20 inch but I think the 20 inch handles a little bit better than the 19 inch.

In the end I made my decision based on which room I thought looked better and I think that the 20 inch rim looks better than the 19 inch rim.

I bought for 20 inch rims with the air pressure sensors, I forget what they're called TM PS or something like that for $2800 delivered and I bought them on eBay they came with tires but I threw the tires away because they were not a brand I liked (I forget the name right now)

By the way, the latest issue of Consumer Reports as a comparison of all of the different tires.

That's my two cents

hyperion667

I myself prefer the sport body for the extra sculpting you get.....


also, went to 20's from 19's and it feels fine......if you don't drive like a maniac that should help with the possibility of avoiding potholes, bent wheels etc......


I always wonder, what are people doing when they hit that 'pothole' that can damage a wheel? I say pay more attention


good luck with it

Socalsteve

I too sold off my AMG 19's for AMG 20's. I cannot feel the difference between the two. And this is on crappy roads in Los Angeles.

garygnu

Hi All,
this is my virgin post (please be gentle). I know it's an old thread, I'm hoping I can get some life out of it!
I should be getting my car saturday. I"m not clear - dealer said all season tires, everything leads me to believe it will have summer tires. this is a CPO 2016 S550 with Sport Package, and the aforementioned 10 spoke 20" wheels. i've been all over the net and CAN FIND NOTHING that is 20", all season, and run flats. the best replacement all season tires appear to be the continentals - i'm not sure if there are threads on this.
i'm in New Jersey - the weather is getting warmer. the carfax shows tire changes about every 6 months which leads me to believe summer and winter tires. i DID buy the tire and wheel insurance (whew) so i'm covered for the life of the time i plan to hold the car.
any suggestions or advice appreciated - i have my other car until june 30 - and i MIGHT buy smaller rims and tires just for winter - but i hate having/storing sets of wheels, etc.
thanks!!!!!

1bad540

20" w the conti dws 06 and the awd is fine. I dont think there is an all season 20 and runflat. I have a set of the 19" amg w all season tires in my basement in Ny if your interested in buying them.

garygnu

thanks - wanna pm me off list? location, cost, photos? thanks!
as for the tires, they supposedly have the pirelli zeros' now - i KNOW they have an all season but not all season run flat in these ridiculous sizes.
my buddy has a maserati gibli - he sent me photos of his tires today - they are pirelli all season - he's had SEVEN bad tires in TWO years - and now he has 2 with bubbles - and is told "potholes, not covered" - so glad i got the wheel and tire warranty (third party, from benz dealership). on my BMW, i have the package (17" wheels i think) - 1 flat in 2.5 years - $400 repair was covered - warranty was $1,800 (plus windshield, and paintless dent removal) - my auto insurance covers windshield anyway so it cost me $1,400 extra for that flat - but it was (and still is) peace of mind...

Utopia Texas

garygnu

GORGEOUS! Did it come with the CD player, DVD player, or violin?

Jason B

Agree.

And I'd get rid of the run flat, so you can get all seasons that actually last and feel better. Or buy 1bads550's 19's.

Nice wheels here, but screw that wrap color.

Utopia Texas

garygnu