SL/R230: 305/30 20" Tires on SL
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
SL600 190SL
305/30 20" Tires on SL
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
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
SL600 190SL
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,530
Likes: 387
Only MBs - the best or nothing
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.
Trending Topics
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 321
Likes: 63
From: Miami, Fl
08 ML350, 2011 E550 Cab
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..
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..
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.
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.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,530
Likes: 387
Only MBs - the best or nothing
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.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Texas
2008 SL600 w/AMG pkg
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?
Last edited by 67supersnake; Nov 30, 2010 at 10:24 PM. Reason: Suggestion
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 46
Likes: 1
From: Montgomery, AL
99 Corvette (heavily modded), 2018 Sonata Sport, 2016 Silverado 2500HD LTZ, 62 Nova Pro Street
19s...
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
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
