SLKV12TT

Wondering if anyone has actual experience with fitting the 305 30 20" tire on an SL. I'm tired of the rough ride and wheel damage using a 305/25 given LA's terrible road surfaces. The idea of more traction is also appealing. Want to know if anyone has actually tried this tire, not theory but actual use. I'm planning of using a 275/30 20" up front. Thanks

NEMES1S

I used 305 25 20 and they are ok, I live in NE and the cold winters make mean potholes, but I've been ok with them

SLKV12TT

Thank you. I've had the 305/25 20", a pretty standard upgrade. Looking to see if anyone's gone to the taller 305/30.

andy_meng1024

It'll rub.

SLKV12TT

Where will it rub? Did you mount a set on your SL?
It is no wider than the 305/25 20. It's just a bit taller and the car features ride height adjustability.

threeMBs

It's not "a bit taller" - its a full inch taller (almost 27.2") and is almost 1.5" (or about 5%) taller than stock (25.9"). If you want to use 305 width then its 305/25-20 max (26" same as stock), if you want to use 30 profile then its 285/30-20 (at least 26.8") max.

And lets assume the unlikely - that it does fit but requires car to be raised: you are not going to drive in raised position all the time and especially on the highway, are you? Also no tire with diameter of 27" or greater (like 255/35 or 265/35 to keep front/rear diameter close) will fit front of the car (raised or not) without suspension bolt modification.

Personally, I also wanted extra "protection" so I use 255/35-20 (with a modified hub so I wouldn't have "bolt issues") and 285/30-20.

Just my 2cents.

SLKV12TT

Well, I guess I'll be the first to give the 275/30 front and 305/30 20 rear a test! Fingers crossed.

Anyone with experience for the new Bridgestone S001? It's that or the Pirelli Nero.

NikleinR6

My 255/35/20 tires up front rub and it drives me crazy... What do you mean by modified hub? What did you do to it?
I have a new set of pilot sports in 255/30/20... I was thinking of swapping these in to get rid of the rubbing..

threeMBs

My car is stock hight 500, not 55. The only rubbing I was getting is tire against lower suspension bolt. I did not feel anything while driving, but that bolt left a small extra grove in my tire (note, 245/35-20 tires are perfect on my car there is enough clearance).

I did not realy modify hub - just did not want to go into details as it was not part of the question. Now since you're asking about it, the trick is to use a large enough spacer to lower offset in order to move tire out, away from that bolt. "Normal" offset for 8.5" wide wheel on SL would be 30-35mm. The spacer I'm using resulted in 10mm offset for front wheel.

With all the money I spent for different spacers, it would be cheaper to switch to 245/35-20 tire instead. But I love my original (now discountinued) Pilot Sports (not PS2) so am staying that tire and size.

This is my "second" or actually "third" car, so if you're using your car everyday or as a primary vehicle, this may not be the best for the situation. I would just stick to 245/35-20 instead as 255/30-20 has too short sidewall for everyday use IMHO.

Did not mean to mislead when stated that hub was modified.

67supersnake

I think my 255/30/20's are too short, also. Bent rims & I didn't do anything.

Edit: If I had it to do all over again, I would probably use a 19" rim, giving me more rubber between the rim and the road. I have not investigated this to see if it is practical, or even possible. Any thoughts?

MBSL4me

I went with 19s to avoid bent rims and rough rides. I even went a size taller to fill the gap some:

19 X 245 X 40 fronts
19 X 285 X 35 rears

Filling the gap: .7" taller than stock on fronts and 1" on rears.

Looks good and no rubbing on SL 500