thatguy55amg

has anyone attempted to put a bigger wheel on the back than the from. i was thinking a 22 in the back and 20 in the front? what do you guys think?

Thericker

Please sell your 55/ASAP it's not a HOOPTY! (besides looking like a clown, you retard the gear ratios the larger you go in wheel diameter/overall weight = noticably slower taller gear ratios plus less HP/TQ to the ground etc..) Big Wheels are for children...

okbarnett

19 on front and 20 on rear is commonly used and provides good clearance on front

mikesSL55fla

To each his own. But I talked with my mechanic who is a benz nut before I put on the rims. He told me 20's and thats the biggest.
I run 20 x in the rear on 305/25/20 and 20 9.5 in the front on 255/30/20 ps 2 Mich's. I wanted classy with a smooth ride.
I wont be racing and the car to me has to not look like a ghetto rider..
Forgive me all the ghetto fabulous 22 boys.

soulsearcher

Im going to assume based on the question that your tire tech know how is that of a novice (no disrespect meant, just trying to help you).
Maximum allowable tire diameter for that vehicle is about 26 inches. With that in mind, u can play around with any tire section width, tire diameter and/or rim diameter provided that you stay within 25.7-26.1 inch tire diameter (and you follow specs for rim/tire widths).

So if you wanted to use 22s, u would need a 205/25R22. Two problems; That tire would be very narrow AND it does not exist.

My advice to you is if you are a sports car fan, u owe it to your self to learn more about tires. Use google and start today. Best of luck.

HARRY SL

MY FRIENDS GOT A CLS500 HE PUT 22'' ON IT LOOKS STUPID THE TIRE SIZE ALL AROUND IS 235 OR 245 SORRY ITS NOT A 300C YOUR DRIVING YOUR DRIVING A SL DUDE [IMG]aolemb://FCF91642-167D-4D47-8408-51260E1888F0/SSPX0343.jpg[/IMG]

jmf003

Your car is expecting a tire with a 26" diameter, give or take a little bit. A 22" wheel in back won't leave much for the tire sidewall. You'd probably have more luck with tires if you went 19" front, 20" rear.

FWIW....

lauer87

thatguy55amg

i apreciate the advice, the wheels i went there for were 20x11 in the back with a 305/25/20 and a 20x8.5 in the front with a 255/35/20. thats when the guys there told me i should go nuts with a 22 in the back, that didnt sound right to me, thats y i came on here. but obviously i got guys like thericker telling me to sell my 55. thanx pal.. to those who gave me helpful advice, thank you VERY much. as for those who dont want me to have a 55, this isnt a forum to bash people, its meant to help.

p.s dont ever call me a retard, u dont know me to judge me pal

lauer87

He didn't call YOU a retard, he was saying that wheel set-up would mess up(retard) the gear ratios.

AMGfan

+1...you misunderstood what he said. The largest I'd recommend would be 20's for the rear.

Thericker

If you would've explained your 1st post like you did here "Tire shop guys gave you the idea etc" then I would've tempered my response, as others clarified I didn't call you a "Retard" the description is commonly used to describe the effect from using "Donks" (very large wheels) on rear axle, it "Retards the GEAR Ratio" making your SL55 indeed slower...

20"s are fine, INMYOP look best on SL

thatguy55amg

well i do apoligized for my misunderstanding, and i do see where you guys are coming from. i did mention to the guy that this is a sports car and i dont want to sacrafice my performance. he cliamed that due to the wheels being a light wieght 3 pc it wont affect it and he would put a 295/25/22 on the back. but i think that 20's are just fine. will post pix as soon as they are done

AMGfan

I would rather go toward get a wider track (305) than larger wheel, that way performance isn't sacrificed. I'm glad you are going with 20's. Keep us posted!

charles pearson

Hey Bro, you should go back and re- read the post, he wasn't calling you a retard, he's implying that you will retard the ratio of your gears, hence minimizing your performance, that's all and this is a place to get help. 20's is the largest that I would go with the SL, maybe if you had a S wide body 22's would work, but even than they would have to be the same size all around (front & rear).

charles pearson

Ooops, others have already corrected you, my bad I just reacted off of your response. Well you get the picture I'm sure. Good choice on sticking with 20's you made the right choice brother.

Sunir

go 19's for best overall looks and performance. Lighter tire and wheel = less unsprung weight. Traction contact patch between 285 - 305 is not that significant, but a 285 is lighter than a 305, 295 may be ideal, there is a significant weight difference between 19 and 20, all things being equal (material, forging, size from baseline). Slip angle ratio between wider rear and narrower front will be close to factory, even if you 245 instead of 255 front on a 8.5" wheel you can run either, albeit a lighter tire may have some advantages in this case keep in mind you want to gain contact patch on the front of the car more so as to minimaze sidewall roll/flex on corner entray and stable handling...

thatguy55amg

so i spoke to the manufacturer of the wheel today, i cut out the shop and asked him to do 20" concaved wheels. he told me the order was already in and even if the shop requested 22's he woulda made them 20's, turns out he also has a sl55 with 20's on her. will post pix with the rims as soon as they arrive

Rick SL55

Any links or pic's from the concaved wheels?

jagass

Never tried it before...