SL/R230: Is Bigger Better?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 230
Likes: 21
2007 MBZ SL550
Is Bigger Better?
Now, to start with. In my mind, if a vehicle is designed with an 18 inch-wheel, there's a reason why they went with that size. So when I purchased my SL550 (2007), which came with 19-inch wheels, I was concerned. The car drives excellent and handles just as well, but the question still plagues me. Is bigger better?
Thank you.
Thank you.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 746
Likes: 185
From: Melbourne, Australia
2005 SL 500 R230
Think about the overall diameter of the wheel and tyre combination - that's the answer.
Different combinations of wheel diameter and tyre profile can add up to the manufacturer's specified overall diameter. Assuming here that your 19" wheels have lower profile tyres to match the taller wheels, then all is well.
Lower profile tyres give much better handling, but are far less comfortable...
Different combinations of wheel diameter and tyre profile can add up to the manufacturer's specified overall diameter. Assuming here that your 19" wheels have lower profile tyres to match the taller wheels, then all is well.
Lower profile tyres give much better handling, but are far less comfortable...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 366
From: Gretna, NE
'03 SL55 Black, '03 SL500's Aegean, Mars Red, Tazanite, Alabaster, '11 S550 Flint Gray
I think that 18's are the sweet spot. I do like the look of the 19's, but they are pretty easy to damage. I'm a little old school, but I hate the 20's look and you better have a good friend in the wheel repair business.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,059
Likes: 342
From: NJ
2009 SL63 AMG
Now, to start with. In my mind, if a vehicle is designed with an 18 inch-wheel, there's a reason why they went with that size. So when I purchased my SL550 (2007), which came with 19-inch wheels, I was concerned. The car drives excellent and handles just as well, but the question still plagues me. Is bigger better?
Thank you.
Thank you.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 744
Likes: 73
From: PNW Wa State
R230, C5 Corvette Convertible, Audi Allroad, Lexus RX350, AE86 Hachi Roku
Bigger is a comparitive adjective description.
The answer is objective. Based on your own bias or social pressures sizes from 18 ` 20 are used. All depends on personal choice.
I love whatever diameter is a quality fit and works for each vehicle
I enjoy seeing whatever size used pertaining to a particular platform. Sometimes though what looks good doesn't necessarily make a good ride. A lot depends on how a car responds to a high(er) level of performance tire and wheel beyond the bling effect
That being said we have a wider, lower profile wheel and tire and it rides unbelievably smooth. The wheels are 20" and Continental sport tires
Our next wheel most likely will be 19 though. At the time I bought our current wheels, 20's were more available in the correct offset.
The answer is objective. Based on your own bias or social pressures sizes from 18 ` 20 are used. All depends on personal choice.
I love whatever diameter is a quality fit and works for each vehicle
I enjoy seeing whatever size used pertaining to a particular platform. Sometimes though what looks good doesn't necessarily make a good ride. A lot depends on how a car responds to a high(er) level of performance tire and wheel beyond the bling effect
That being said we have a wider, lower profile wheel and tire and it rides unbelievably smooth. The wheels are 20" and Continental sport tires
Our next wheel most likely will be 19 though. At the time I bought our current wheels, 20's were more available in the correct offset.
Last edited by Hary Gahtoe; Jan 8, 2024 at 02:30 PM.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 449
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From: Melbourne Florida
SL500
Because the distance between the rim and the road is less. 20's are even less rubber between the road and the rim. A few good potholes and you either break a radial belt in the tire or the rim hits the pot hole edge. If you drive in Northern Cities with loads of Pot holes you are better off with 18's. If you drive in the South you have a much better chance of using 19's. without much of a problem. If you drive with 20's you are bound to have problems regardless of the climate.
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 407
Likes: 137
From: Houston, TX
2005 SL600
19s/20s on something like a 911 are not nearly as much of a problem.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 744
Likes: 73
From: PNW Wa State
R230, C5 Corvette Convertible, Audi Allroad, Lexus RX350, AE86 Hachi Roku
The SL has 20” 35/40 profile tires. Had them for >5 years. Never had any tire or rim damage. Car rides great.
I have a Corvette with factory 17/18’s with new Bilstein shocks, it rides terrible while it rides on original wheels/ size tires.
Even though the Mercedes has 20’s it still rides way better
I have a Corvette with factory 17/18’s with new Bilstein shocks, it rides terrible while it rides on original wheels/ size tires.
Even though the Mercedes has 20’s it still rides way better
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 624
Likes: 213
From: My house
SL55AMG, GL450, SLK, S550, Maserati Coupe
I have a Mercedes X166 GL450 SUV that came with 19-inch wheels, I already had some very nice factory-looking 22-inch wheels and put those on the SUV, they look great and drive perfectly. Just got four new tires last summer for that vehicle. Again, if a wheel gets damaged, insurance will replace it, and if you can't buy just one wheel, they will buy all four. The only really important thing is to use a tire size calculator to be sure the tires you use with whatever wheel, wind up at the same diameter as original. Tire rack dot com, I think, has a tire size calculator, or you could google tire size calculator and find one. Now, if you live where the roads surfaces are really horrible, and have giant potholes and you are hitting those hard all the time then you are probably better off with a smaller size wheel. Otherwise, do what you want.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 230
Likes: 21
2007 MBZ SL550
I drive in Los Angeles, where the roads are pretty poor. The only saving grace is that I don't drive as much as I used to (under 1k a year), and although I would rather replace the 19-inch with an 18-inch wheel, I spent close to 2k on new tires no more than three months ago. This means the change would cost me north of 4k, which I'm not about to do when I can take that same 4k and finish the repairs I need to do on my MBZ.
Thank you all for your input.
Thank you all for your input.
