SL/R230: 19" or 20" wheels sl55
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Joined: Feb 2010
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SL55
19" or 20" wheels sl55
Hi everyone,
Need advise on wheel size for my SL 55 2003 model.
Not sure if go for 19" or 20" wheels. What is the ride like on 19" or 20".
Also do tires last longer on 19" than 20".
What is all this talk about different off set? What does it mean.
Thanks in advance for any comments.
Need advise on wheel size for my SL 55 2003 model.
Not sure if go for 19" or 20" wheels. What is the ride like on 19" or 20".
Also do tires last longer on 19" than 20".
What is all this talk about different off set? What does it mean.
Thanks in advance for any comments.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 8,137
Likes: 26
From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
I just put very expensive 3pc 20's on my SL600. Rides like crap, but I knew that going in. 245/30/20 and 305/25/30. All is fine on perfectly smooth roads, but introduce bumps and it feels like a tank. Those that say otherwise are lying.
They sure are purdy, though.
20's for look, 18's for comfort. 19's would be somewhere in the middle, I suppose.
They sure are purdy, though.
20's for look, 18's for comfort. 19's would be somewhere in the middle, I suppose.
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 250
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From: Orange County, CA
2003 SL500, 74 Harley FL, 08 Yukon Denali
I've got 20s and they look great, i'm sure 19s would fill the wheel wells just fine, my concern is the inside tread wear. i've had it aligned and still burn through the inside 1".
since my last new set of tires (too many to count in just 40k miles) ok i could count, but you get the idea, i have raised the car to stock height, but my wheels are still not square to the ground and i'm assuming that is not great for the tread.
anyone have any better results with different sizes?
since my last new set of tires (too many to count in just 40k miles) ok i could count, but you get the idea, i have raised the car to stock height, but my wheels are still not square to the ground and i'm assuming that is not great for the tread.
anyone have any better results with different sizes?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,862
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From: Sin City
2005 E55 AMG - - 2005 SL55 AMG - - - - - - 2006 SLK55 AMG - - - - - - 2013 Ducati Diavel AMG -
+1
20's FTW!!
But if you go with 20's go with 35 series tires for the front and 30 series tires in the rear. They make the ride a lot smoother. Before I had 30 series tires for the front and 25 series tires in the rear, which has a smaller side wall and made me feel all of the bumps.
20's FTW!!
But if you go with 20's go with 35 series tires for the front and 30 series tires in the rear. They make the ride a lot smoother. Before I had 30 series tires for the front and 25 series tires in the rear, which has a smaller side wall and made me feel all of the bumps.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,938
Likes: 2
From: Madison WI
2003 SL55, 2010 C63
+1
20's FTW!!
But if you go with 20's go with 35 series tires for the front and 30 series tires in the rear. They make the ride a lot smoother. Before I had 30 series tires for the front and 25 series tires in the rear, which has a smaller side wall and made me feel all of the bumps.
20's FTW!!
But if you go with 20's go with 35 series tires for the front and 30 series tires in the rear. They make the ride a lot smoother. Before I had 30 series tires for the front and 25 series tires in the rear, which has a smaller side wall and made me feel all of the bumps.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 250
Likes: 4
From: Orange County, CA
2003 SL500, 74 Harley FL, 08 Yukon Denali
great! and i just bought new tires... well the wheels go all the way to the lip of the wheel well, so i'm assuming spacers would not be an option since i don't have any room there.
is the camber adjustment limited so where they can't be set straight? they are a good 5-10 degrees off.
is the camber adjustment limited so where they can't be set straight? they are a good 5-10 degrees off.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 8,137
Likes: 26
From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
+1
20's FTW!!
But if you go with 20's go with 35 series tires for the front and 30 series tires in the rear. They make the ride a lot smoother. Before I had 30 series tires for the front and 25 series tires in the rear, which has a smaller side wall and made me feel all of the bumps.
20's FTW!!
But if you go with 20's go with 35 series tires for the front and 30 series tires in the rear. They make the ride a lot smoother. Before I had 30 series tires for the front and 25 series tires in the rear, which has a smaller side wall and made me feel all of the bumps.
But you're right, it will add a bit more sidewall, and that will give you a bit more comfort.
Here's a very good calculator to use:
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
Last edited by Benz-O-Rama; Mar 17, 2010 at 10:55 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Sin City
2005 E55 AMG - - 2005 SL55 AMG - - - - - - 2006 SLK55 AMG - - - - - - 2013 Ducati Diavel AMG -
The only problem with this is that your total rolling diameter will change from stock. This will throw off your speedometer and possibly interfere with traction control/ESP systems. With your setup, your speedo is 3.8% too slow. So, at 60MPH, you're really traveling 62.3mph. And if you're running a 305/30 tire out back, it's even worse. You're at 5.2% too slow in the rear. And the delta will increase exponentially with more speed.
But you're right, it will add a bit more sidewall, and that will give you a bit more comfort.
Here's a very good calculator to use:
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
But you're right, it will add a bit more sidewall, and that will give you a bit more comfort.
Here's a very good calculator to use:
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
For me the "problem" would be an unconfortable ride and risk of bent wheels which I have done with 25 series tires on our LA roads. That sucks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 8,137
Likes: 26
From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
True, but I don't consider the change of my rolling diameter a "problem". Hell, with the way I drive a slower speedo is just what I need.
For me the "problem" would be an unconfortable ride and risk of bent wheels which I have done with 25 series tires on our LA roads. That sucks!
For me the "problem" would be an unconfortable ride and risk of bent wheels which I have done with 25 series tires on our LA roads. That sucks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,862
Likes: 5
From: Sin City
2005 E55 AMG - - 2005 SL55 AMG - - - - - - 2006 SLK55 AMG - - - - - - 2013 Ducati Diavel AMG -
Regardless of the change in speedo, a slight change in sidewall made a huge difference in the quality of the ride. I also like the look of some meat on my rear tires. When I had 295/25/20 on the rear it just didn't look right to me.
Anyway, thanks for the info bro!
