kamsl55

Hello to all...

I just purchased a new sl55... an awesome car...

I want to change the wheels to 19's... could anybody give me some suggestions for the wheel and tire sizes... My goal is to still retain a "beefy" look to the tires (especially the rear)..

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Kam.

vraa

It all depends on the width of the rims, because that'll change the width of the tires as well and then change the aspect ratio which will directly affect the 'thickness' of the sidewall.

kamsl55

So what would you recommend if I used 8.5 (front) and 9.5 (rear)... what would be a good tire-size to maintain good "tread-wall"?


Also, what would you recommend for 8.5 front and 10 rear?

vraa

It's more than just keeping a decent sidewall, you need to keep the correct overall rolling diameter so your speedometer isn't off.

19x8.5 - 255/35/19
19x9.5 - 295/30/19
19x10 - 295/30/19

Those are conservative sizes and are pretty much promised to fit. You can of course go wider, or narrower depending on the kind of tire you get, and how much risk you are willing to take as rubbing is concerned but that's pretty much the norm for what I listed above.

BMS

When I got my SL55 last year I researched this and wound up with the top of the line Carlsson wheels 20" and Michelin Sport tires. The ride loss is negligible and the look is awesome. If you ever try to sell your new wheels 20" are far easier to sell than !9" I test drove another SL55 that had 20" wheels before I made the purchase and am very happy I didn't go with 19"

ClayJ

04E55 AMG

What is the largest tire that will fit on the stock OEM 19" SL65 rear?

AMG_55

u can go to a 305 on the rear w/ a 10.5 in wide rim

go w/ 20's, u'll regret it if u get 19's

AMG_55

how wide is the rim?
9.5?
u can run a 285 on a 9.5, 295 might look a little funny but should fit
if its 10, u can go to 305

04E55 AMG

The sock rear is 9.5, so that must be why they come with 285. Tirerack website also recommends 285. I guess if you stay with stock, 285 must be the best tire.

Thanks for the input on 20's. Living on the East Coast (MD/VA/DC) our roads "suck", so going with 20's I can see having bent rims all the time

Having the 19" AMG rims on my E55, I was having to get my rims fixed with all these potholes.

I must say that having 305 rubber in the rear would look very AWESOME!

SLcharger

If 305 tires are fitted, you proberly will face the problem that they rub against the fender, just behind the edge. The inner wheelhousing will have to be rolled so that the tire can go up in wheel housing, when the suspension compresses. The rolling can be done at Kleemann.

kamsl55

First of all this is my very first post and thank you all for your input, it has been very helpful... and CLAYJ your car looks awesome.

My problem is that if I go to 20" rims - I am going to have problems because I drive on many tough and gravel roads... and I dont want to lower the car.

So tell me guys - what would be the best possible option....

Option 1.
Front = 8.5 x 19 with 255/35
Rear = 9.5 x 19 with 295/30

Option 2
Front = 8.5 x 19 with 255/35
Rear = 10 x 19 with 295/30

Option 3 (or is this even an option?...)
Front = 8.5 x 19 with 255/35
Rear = 10 x 19 with 305/30

Input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

vraa

I would go for option 2.

As much as I love 305mm or wider tires, I just can't justify the crap that might come along with it. Not worth my time and what not.

Have you already gotten the parts you want? You can shoot an email to info@euroteckmotorsports.com or sales@d2autosport.com for pricing on various tuner rims and tires.

SLcharger

I agree, option 2.

BMS

Your car looks like mine only mine is black. My rims are not staggered. I followed the advice of Claude at Carlsson. He assured me I wouldn't have a problem with the 20's and I haven't.When I travel I carry the old lugs and masking tape just in case but so far so good. The only down side of 20's over 19's that I can tell is if you have a flat. Fixing 20's will be a lot more expensive I would guess. Claude was the most help of anyone I talked to and I talked to quite a few people. They all tried to sell me something. Big surprise,huh.

22 UNDER PAR

What's the tire sizes you can run on the front and rear if of a SL if using 20's.
22 UNDER PAR

22 UNDER PAR

Just found a good link that lets you see what difference between stock and a larger wheel/tire combo's.
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Going to 255/30/20 on the front is exactly the same as stock.
Going to 305/25/20 on the rear adds only a about 4mm in total tire height .6% slow in your speedo v's OEM

22 UNDER PAR

ClayJ

Yeah, I did like 8 options on that car, even the stinkin' badges ("baches? We don't need no stinkin' baches!" LOL). I was worried about going to 20's -- no problems though. Fix-a-Flat, PS2's, and good ol' MB Roadside Assistance take car of the rest.... I never get any flats, though....
(I have changed-out to silver 1-16's since those pics were taken...just too much chrome for me! But, damn, she sure looked good with 'em! That was my first MBZ in Black Opal).

D2-AUTOSPORT

You do not have to be concerned with wheel damage if you mount the proper wheel (forged) and maintain the correct pressure. Of course with any plus sized application you will need to be a little more cautious when driving however I personally drive a aggressively lowered vehicle with 20" wheels on the streets of NYC with no issues.

Feel free to SEND US A EMAIL for further assistance.

AMG_55

get 9.0 fr w/ a 255 tire and 10.5 rear w/ a 305 tire
there are no rubbing issues, my uncle has those same sizes on a sl500 w/ 20in rims and teh car is lowered (a lot)
it looks mean plus u need all the traction u can get w/ the 55k engine (mom has a e55, trust me i know)

good luck

AMG_55

u got a sl55 w/ wheels that rnt staggered?
y?

BMS

What I should have said is that I don't have a double stagger. I have 20 by 10and a half in back and 20 by 9 in front . Sorry

SLcharger

get 9.0 fr w/ a 255 tire and 10.5 rear w/ a 305 tire
there are no rubbing issues, my uncle has those same sizes on a sl500 w/ 20in rims and teh car is lowered (a lot)
it looks mean plus u need all the traction u can get w/ the 55k engine (mom has a e55, trust me i know)

This might be right, but is depending on ET.

What is the ET on those rims ???

kamsl55

AMG_55 - thanks for the info... so this set up will work with 19's as well?... any other input from any other members would be very helpful... and thanks alot guys.

AMG_55

check this link

https://mbworld.org/forums/sl55-amg-sl63-amg-sl65-amg-r230/129384-sl55-aftermarket-wheel-sizes.html