SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: SL55 - 18" or 19" wheels
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2012 Maserati Granturismo MC
SL55 - 18" or 19" wheels
Hello Everyone,
I just took delivery of an 05' SL55 AMG this weekend and the car is simply tremendous. The question I have is has anyone upgraded their wheels from 18" to 19" and if so what was the impact on the ride (both good and bad). Recently, I upgraded the wheels on my 545i to 19" BBS and the overall impact was great except when in NYC the ride is "tough". The suspension in the SL55 is more rigid and not sure how the ride would be affected with 19".
Thanks in advance.
Al
I just took delivery of an 05' SL55 AMG this weekend and the car is simply tremendous. The question I have is has anyone upgraded their wheels from 18" to 19" and if so what was the impact on the ride (both good and bad). Recently, I upgraded the wheels on my 545i to 19" BBS and the overall impact was great except when in NYC the ride is "tough". The suspension in the SL55 is more rigid and not sure how the ride would be affected with 19".
Thanks in advance.
Al
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'10 MB E63, '08 ML550 ('05 E55, '05 SL55, '08 E63 GONE)
Originally Posted by AMG_Fan
Hello Everyone,
I just took delivery of an 05' SL55 AMG this weekend and the car is simply tremendous. The question I have is has anyone upgraded their wheels from 18" to 19" and if so what was the impact on the ride (both good and bad). Recently, I upgraded the wheels on my 545i to 19" BBS and the overall impact was great except when in NYC the ride is "tough". The suspension in the SL55 is more rigid and not sure how the ride would be affected with 19".
Al
I just took delivery of an 05' SL55 AMG this weekend and the car is simply tremendous. The question I have is has anyone upgraded their wheels from 18" to 19" and if so what was the impact on the ride (both good and bad). Recently, I upgraded the wheels on my 545i to 19" BBS and the overall impact was great except when in NYC the ride is "tough". The suspension in the SL55 is more rigid and not sure how the ride would be affected with 19".
Al
That said, I'd be VERY hesitant to make the switch in NYC because of the potholes.
![](http://sportrex.com/dev/amg_day_1.jpg)
~ Ian
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SL-55PP
re
I think it is better looking for your SL55 to upgrade to 20" than 19" because I saw lots of my friends did it and it looks excellent but the NYC's road quality is really another considration. I really doubt whether it is the worst road quality in the world.
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06' E500 Estate, '08 S65, '05 S430
19"
The 19's ride really nicely except on really poor pavement. I would rather have the rides of the 18's but the 19's are quite acceptable and the look is killer. I have the AMG Style IV rims. Here's a pic after being washed at a friend's house.
Jeff
Jeff
Last edited by jeffreyy; 03-28-2005 at 03:35 AM.
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2012 Maserati Granturismo MC
Thanks for the info. I'm leaning towards 19" wheels. Actually, I'm only in NYC once or twice a month and if I need to I could always drive in another car. NYC roads would be the extreme for me.
On another note, I've always felt that the quality of wheels is very important, so in the past I've only bought wheels from makers like Kinesis, BBS, etc. Any thoughts on the knock-offs available? Very unlikely i would purchase them but I've seem a couple of SL55's with knock-offs and that surprises me.
On another note, I've always felt that the quality of wheels is very important, so in the past I've only bought wheels from makers like Kinesis, BBS, etc. Any thoughts on the knock-offs available? Very unlikely i would purchase them but I've seem a couple of SL55's with knock-offs and that surprises me.
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SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
I have the 19" AMG IV wheels and love 'em! The look is great and the car handles alot better. There is much more road feel and with Michelin PS2 tires that are available to handle the weight of our cars, you can derestrict without worry.
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That sounds great. The AMG IV seem to be a perfect match for SL55....now I need to find a place to purchase them. Any suggestions?
Thanks for the info.
Thanks for the info.
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06' E500 Estate, '08 S65, '05 S430
Style IV
You can call Luke @ TireRack. Get the Bridgestone RE050s which are the only tires recommended for that wheel on the SL. Also, if you have TPMS, make sure to get the sensors preinstalled.
J
J
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'10 MB E63, '08 ML550 ('05 E55, '05 SL55, '08 E63 GONE)
Originally Posted by AMG_Fan
On another note, I've always felt that the quality of wheels is very important, so in the past I've only bought wheels from makers like Kinesis, BBS, etc. Any thoughts on the knock-offs available? Very unlikely i would purchase them but I've seem a couple of SL55's with knock-offs and that surprises me.
Not to "knock" the "knock-offs", but if you're willing to be a bear and buy a $125K car, might as well be a grizzly and get real wheels...
~ Ian
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Originally Posted by AMG_Fan
That sounds great. The AMG IV seem to be a perfect match for SL55....now I need to find a place to purchase them. Any suggestions?
Thanks for the info.
Thanks for the info.
Ernie's Alloys in Opa-Locka/Miami area. Best price i could find at the time i had my SL55. Good service too. Mounted on Bridgestones flawlessly, without a scratch. He will ship em.
T
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'10 MB E63, '08 ML550 ('05 E55, '05 SL55, '08 E63 GONE)
Originally Posted by AMG_Fan
That sounds great. The AMG IV seem to be a perfect match for SL55....now I need to find a place to purchase them. Any suggestions? Thanks for the info.
Wrap them in PS2's and you'll love them though!
~ Ian
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2012 Maserati Granturismo MC
So true, the small lip is my only concern with their appearance. I have BBS RX II's on my 545i and they have a great look, including a 2" lip on the rear wheels. But the AMG IV look more appropriate for the SL55. Decisions, decisions....back to searching for wheels.
Thanks.
Thanks.
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SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
Originally Posted by AMG_Fan
That sounds great. The AMG IV seem to be a perfect match for SL55....now I need to find a place to purchase them. Any suggestions?
Thanks for the info.
Thanks for the info.
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Originally Posted by AMG_Fan
So true, the small lip is my only concern with their appearance.
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Several MB's Superperformance MK III Cobra
Originally Posted by jeffreyy
You can call Luke @ TireRack. Get the Bridgestone RE050s which are the only tires recommended for that wheel on the SL. Also, if you have TPMS, make sure to get the sensors preinstalled.
J
J
Lou K
Last edited by lkirchner; 03-30-2005 at 11:51 AM. Reason: Correction
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'10 MB E63, '08 ML550 ('05 E55, '05 SL55, '08 E63 GONE)
Originally Posted by sprins
The Brabus Monoblock VI rims have a wider lip on the rear wheel. They also look good on an SL, if you fancy lips on your rim of course (no pun intended).
~ Ian
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Originally Posted by IanSL55
That's my setup... wheels... not lips on my rim.
Having said that, if you like lip, and have the budget, HRE's are also a nice choice, and very light to boot I presume.
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Well thanks for all of the suggestions. After spending several hours searching the net I think I'm done to either the AMG IV or HRE's. There are a couple of other wheels but they look similar to the HRE's, just cost less.
Al
Al
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Tires for AMG IV's
Get the Bridgestone RE050s which are the only tires recommended for that wheel on the SL.
Posted by jeffreyy
Posted by jeffreyy
Thanks for any info.
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06' E500 Estate, '08 S65, '05 S430
Bridgestones
If you read the AMG literature or on amg-owners-club.org. And, if you check out the pics of the SL65 AMG, you'll notice that there is only one tire recommended for the AMG 19" Style IVs...the RE050s. Apparently, those tires were tested and approved for the derestriction package.
I believe the issue is the heat generated and the ability of the tire to dissapate/deal with the heat. Realize we're talking a 4800 lb car riding on 30 profile 19" tires!
According to amg-owners-club.org, the 20" tires and wheels never passed AMG certification. If you read posts from Angusdawe who has tried this tire/wheel combo multiple times, you'll find he blew several tires at high speed!
In the US, this is likely less of an issue. Here is a pic of the SL65 show car.
Jeff
I believe the issue is the heat generated and the ability of the tire to dissapate/deal with the heat. Realize we're talking a 4800 lb car riding on 30 profile 19" tires!
According to amg-owners-club.org, the 20" tires and wheels never passed AMG certification. If you read posts from Angusdawe who has tried this tire/wheel combo multiple times, you'll find he blew several tires at high speed!
In the US, this is likely less of an issue. Here is a pic of the SL65 show car.
Jeff
#25
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Originally Posted by AMG_Fan
Thanks for the info. I'm leaning towards 19" wheels. Actually, I'm only in NYC once or twice a month and if I need to I could always drive in another car. NYC roads would be the extreme for me.
On another note, I've always felt that the quality of wheels is very important, so in the past I've only bought wheels from makers like Kinesis, BBS, etc. Any thoughts on the knock-offs available? Very unlikely i would purchase them but I've seem a couple of SL55's with knock-offs and that surprises me.
On another note, I've always felt that the quality of wheels is very important, so in the past I've only bought wheels from makers like Kinesis, BBS, etc. Any thoughts on the knock-offs available? Very unlikely i would purchase them but I've seem a couple of SL55's with knock-offs and that surprises me.
i have the SL55 and a Supra with 426HP, you really must use good quality wheels the power you put down is immense and the torque quite incredible. at 150mph your tires are producing several tons of pressure. If the front falling off at 90mp doesn’t put you off go up in 10mph multiples until it does….