SL-Class (R231) 2013 on: Discussion on the SL550

SL/R231: Do larger wheels always require lower profile tires?

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Old Dec 31, 2022 | 02:53 PM
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sl 550
Do larger wheels always require lower profile tires?

One of my (stock) wheels is leaking air. They are chrome - which I hate. I want to replace them with a set 20's I found used. Right now I have the 18/19 setup (or 19/19). The rear tires are already low profile at 30. What would be the impact of going with 285/30/20?

Also, would I have to lower the car?

Last question: according to the MB site, the offset on the front wheels is 35; the offset on the wheels I'm looking at is 24 - would the front wheels stick out to far (apparently the difference is that the new front wheels would be .43" further away from the hub)?

Thanks in advance to any who reply.

Last edited by Sialena; Dec 31, 2022 at 03:00 PM.
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Old Dec 31, 2022 | 06:38 PM
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Put in the numbers at the following links and see how things compare. As for tire size what matters is the overall diameter, which needs to be the same as current, otherwise your speedometer will be off and the tire might be rubbing. The second link is for the offset comparison, so you can see how much further in or out the wheel will be and see if that causes issues with the suspension and/or the brakes. The wheel/tire assembly has to clear both. Wheel offset can be corrected using spacers, but spacers have their own issues, for example they can cause vibrations especially if they are not hub centric.

https://tiresize.com/comparison/

https://tiresize.com/wheel-offset-calculator/

Last edited by superswiss; Jan 1, 2023 at 02:59 AM.
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Old Dec 31, 2022 | 08:05 PM
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The rear tires will work fine as that is the stock tire size for the AMG's.
The front offset for the 20" wheel is no issue. What are the width and offsets of those wheels?

The 19" stock wheels for the R231 SL550 are:
Front: 8.5Jx19 ET35.5
Rear: 9.5Jx19 ET48.5


We had AMG forged wheels which are a 19" front/20" rear combo. Here are the offsets and we used spacers as well so the is plenty of space to go wider. We also had our car lowered,
Front: 9Jx19 ET27 using 255/35/19
Rear: 10Jx20 ET48 using 285/30/20
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