cal1

I notice a lot of people are running 20 inch rims on their R230s. They look great, but do they change the ride and handling? Here in central Indiana Springtime means massive potholes just waiting to tweak rims and I would think 20s would take a beating. Maybe 19s would be a good compromise.

m4xm1l10n

My answer is HELL NO , my car rides better than the stock 18" with Michelin pilots on.

here is what im running and my car is dropped 1" all around with links

Mandrus Millennium

20X8.5 WITH 25MM YOKOHAMA S-DRIVE 245/35/20
20x10 WITH 30MM YOKOHAMA S-DRIVE 285/30/20

Reason to run this tire set up is to handle massive potholes here in RI specially after the winter

biophase

Doesn't feel bumpy at all to me either...

cal1

Your set up looks great. So your telling me if I slap a set of 20s on my SL55 I won't go broke having the rims trued out? No doubt handling should be better on smooth roadways, but what about rough roads?

You definitely have me thinking. Once the performance mods are done, maybe some 20s are in order.

D2FORGED

With the suspension systems in these cars you would be surprised at how compliant the ride remains even after lowering and wheels!

Go for the 20's FTW.

soulsearcher

20 inch is only a rim diameter. The size of the tire can affect and will affect ride and handling. Its simple physics, the larger the foot print of the tire, the more sensitive the car will be to imperfections in the road. Additionally, the lower the tire profile, the less flexion you will have in the sidewall of the tire and so effectively increasing transmission of road imperfections to the seat and steering wheel.

Here is an example: 285/35r18 has a sidewall height of 3.93 inches. A 305/25r20 has a sidewall height of 3 inches. That means a "stiffer" sidewall and so a stiffer ride.

The trade of with a 20 and thus a lower profile tire (shorter sidewall) is the fact that you increase cornering power by reducing sidewall flexion from lateral g-forces.

Factory size tires tend to be a balance of handling and ride comfort.

I changed to bigger diameter rims on several cars (SL-18 to 20, 911-19 to 20, Cayenne-18 to 22) and so a lower aspect ratio and in every case the ride comfort decreased (no brainer) but I got what I was expecting.....better looking and better handling car.

If ride comfort is very important to you, dont change your rims. Also, lower profile tires set u up for a higher risk of bending rims if u hit a right sized pothole (That comes from personal experience on several occasions)

Hope this helps.

m4xm1l10n

That is why i went with the size tires i have on now .

m4xm1l10n

Dude trust me on this one .

gqa

i agree. you will give up some ride comfort when you increase your wheel size and decrease your tire height. you also risk more rim damage. i have 20's and got wheel damage in my 1st year. with 2 years of 18's i never had wheel damage. it the price you pay for a nice looking ride

150shot

Ride will suffer more from lowering the car than from putting on 19/20" rims.

If you're worried more about ride but want a lowered/bigger rim look, just go with 19" with more meat avail to fill up your gap.

cal1

Alright so you all have me thinking, maybe the next time I need tires, I just as well go to 19s or 20s, that is just after changing out the stock rear end to a quaife. I’m sure the sky is the limit when it comes to hot rims, but help me out with some budget numbers please. What kinda money should I expect to spend for a nice set of rims?

omar26

how do the yoko. s drives perform in the rain, and how about noise? i need to buy tires soon and deciding between the yoko n general exclaim

Artyi

You have to get 20's" on your SL. There is no change in ride, and even if you will drop it an inch or 1.5", it will drive more better then 18'...
I had 17" in winter season and changed it to 20" one month ago, I didn't feel any change at all.

m4xm1l10n

I never driven my ride in the rain so i wouldn't know , as far as the noise that was the main reason i got them , I always get Michelin tires and this was the fist time i didn't , and couldn't be more happier

performance noise and ride feel looks value is the best of all I think these tires are the main reason why it rides better than any 18 , 19 i've had on the car and trust me i tried them all

omar26

thnx for the info, guess ill be picking up some yoko s. drives

yothai

Do you get any rubbing at all?

I am currently running 255/30/20 and 295/25/20. Think changing my setup to yours, I want a thicker firewall hoping it rides more comfortable.

Thanks

mikefili

I have 20's on my SL, Looks great, rides bad, The shorter the tire sidewalls the harder the ride, I never have bent a rim, but I live in South Florida, the land of smooth roads, If someone would post how to attach photos I will include them. If I were doing it again I would stay with the 18" or no bigger than 19", the car rode great with the 18"s.

gmethod

I've got the same setup m4xm1l10n has and no rubbing at all. Actually the ride is perfect with that setup.

150shot

I am going with 295/30/20 when I need tires. I know a few members have done this..I think 285 leaves a bit more left to fill in the fender even with an agressive offset..

LILG

305 25 20 IN REAR, Just a lil change in comfort

performance handling?? out in VEGAS we have no roads like GERMANY does. where are you driving your car??

go with the 20'' (but keep em clean)

m4xm1l10n

nothing , simply perfect but you might want to try to run 295/30 . but for riding comfort an performance my set up is the way to go.

m4xm1l10n

you actually have the same tires and rims hum ?

gmethod

Down to the lugs!!!

sikhkd

Rides same as my 18s. love it, and it looks great with a drop

gqa

don't believe all of these fools

i just left my wheel repair shop and 3 of 4 wheels are bent and my 1 year old rear tire has a bubble. im pissed but its the cost YOU will pay if you have bad roads and 20s on an SL. plus dont expect anyone on this forum will kick in a dime.

i'm a slow and cautious driver but i expect to have at least 2 of my 20's bent during the cost of the year and i have to add that cost of repair into my budget. i also never had this issue on my stock 18s. so be warned!!