lawdawg

bought a 2003 sl55 today in florida, great shape inside and out, 32k on odometer, problem is that it has mulit-spoke type rims with typical salt-water damage on rims. Don't know about wheels and would like to get new set of wheels that look better and still have good ride quality and aren't real expensive. Have read a lot of threads that seem to say not to go over 19 for comfort, and even to stay around 18. Again, don't claim to know what is best, but would greatly appreciate thoughts on what would look good on a silver sl55 and would still offer good ride quality. Thank you for any suggestions!

cal1

Check out this thread https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...nning-20s.html

There are lots of varring opinions on the issue.

okbarnett

You can buy those on ebay for under $1000 or many others. I think you would be better off to buy a set of custom wheels.
Why not start customizing your car now??

lawdawg

great article on the 20's, I want to put on new rims simply b/c of what an amazing differnce it makes to the look of the car from the pictures I have seen on here. Honestly, get a little overwhelmed on ebay trying to figure out which ones would fit and how to narrow down the choices. Anyone that has a silver Sl with opinions, would be greatly appreciated

IngenereAMG

I have had allot of different wheels on my SL55 and I still go back to the AMG 030 package wheels. The car handles great with them and I think that it is a great look for the car.

allenjdmb

on my 030 and they look nice. But not as nice as the 20's i had on my last SL. And the ride quality is not appreciably different if you have quality tires. I'd like to try a set of the Vossen's on this car, but I'm unsure if they'll clear the PP brakes. The Monarch Euro 63 is also a nice looking wheel, several guys have them here. And if money is no object, the best loking wheel anywhere (to me) is the BBS LM, and the new Renntech 3 peicers are something else. Lots of $$$ though, about 5ish k for the BBS, and close to EIGHT k for the new Renntech's.
Let's see if this picture will work. Maybe not.

cal1

I agree. They look sweet. Are they 19s?

all4amg

I was going to purchase new rims but instead found a shop that refinished my rims,which included blasting them down to the bare metal and then custom paint(black except the outer face of the rim,which was polished to a high shine and then a clear coat on it.Each rim was about $175 cdn to do.I know guys that every year change the colors on them which gives it a custom look every time and most importantly is an awesome eye catcher!The only draw back on the stock rims is that there heavy.Oh ya,dont try to put the potenza 295 on the stock rim ,up from the factory size of 285.Tried it and the tire wouldnt fit on the rim!

lawdawg

those really look great, don't know how easy it would be to find a used set though

lawdawg

I was thinking of refinishing, but they are the twenty (or however many spoke) type from the 03's and I don't like them to start with, so don't want to spend any extra for sure

allenjdmb

no matter how nice you get them, they're still too small. The R230 cries out for bigger wheels, at least 19's.

123gf

My personal preference are 18s, but the 19's are a little firmer without shaking your teeth out, depends on the surfaces usually driven on as well, likelihood of poor road surfaces can be expensive. 20's look like you have some kind of insecurity, (like Subaru impreza's with big bore exhausts).

IMO the 19's are nice as well but don't suit my local road conditions.

allenjdmb

I aven't heard that before, but it is amusing. BTW, the ride quality on my 19's on my SL55 is worse with the OE bridegestones that it was with the 20" wheels and PS2. Count me on the "insecure" list. With the proper ride height and the right setup, the SL is just great looking on the 20's.

carcommander

I had 20's on my SL and was always bending them in potholes. You can't always see them at night. Ruined a date for me one evening when a shallow pothole bent all four and let the air out of one of them.

IngenereAMG

Yes.... 19s

lawdawg

If you happen to hear of a used set of those, please let me know, they look great