Johan

I've heard different opinions as to whether or not it is necessary to roll the rear fenders when installing the 19" AMG Style IV's. For those of you who have added the Style IV's, what are your opinions on this process? Is it necessary, unnecessary, recommended... thanks.


Johan
'03 C32
'03 SL55

nguyenth

I have not modified anything as my dealer said: (1) it is not necessary, because if it is then they would have heard about it from AMG or MBUSA; (2) they are not allowed to modify the car anyway, because of the warranty issue (this brings us back to point 1 which is: if it is necessary then they would have been mandated by AMG and/or MBUSA to do it). I brought up the comments from Ronald and Axel (from Germany), the dealer answers: rules and regulations are different fro each country .... I suspect (and hope) they (my dealer) know what they are talking about because if it is safety-related and something happens because of the non-modification, then they would get into big troubles! In the mean time, the new rims give me an impression of much better handling, compared to the old multi-spoke ones that came with car, besides they look awsome!

AMGBENZ

I love that AMG 19" Style IV, what does the wheel and tire package cost? Does it tram line more than the 18s on bad roads?

Thanks,
AMGBENZ
2003 SL55 AMG (At the Maryland VPC waiting for release to dealer)

2000 ML430

nguyenth

You can get it online from TireRack for about $5K (including Michelin Sports Pilot). But then be prepared to pay your dealer for installation because of the (warranty issue for the) tire pressure sensors ... The rims look great though, and as I said earlier, i love the car handling with the new rims MUCH better! Good luck!

Sammy7783

can someone please post pics of these wheels?

London Lad

Hi all,

Rear wheel arch mods ARE required. See WIS instructions here:

http://www.graham.jah.btinternet.co.uk/scan0001.jpg

and here:

http://www.graham.jah.btinternet.co.uk/scan0003.jpg

The TPM issue is a non issue. The monitors are on the back of the valve and take no more than 5 minutes to remove and refit into the new rim.

Resetting the TPM system takes 2 seconds, just select the TPM readout in the intrument cluster display and press the 'zero' button then drive a mile or two.


Graham.

nguyenth

As I said previously, my dealer (not me!) said: it is not a requirement for cars IN THE USA. I understand that it could be for cars in Germany or in the UK. Do you (London Lad) know whether the WIS points to a particular country or is it something "universal" technically? My guess is that AMG strongly recommends this for technical reasons (I have never looked at any WIS, though), but ultimately if it is not a safety-related issue (therefore not a requirement by laws in the USA) then the dealers (at least mine!) will skip it altogether! Does anyone know whether MBUSA recommends or requires this procedure?

nguyenth

Pictures of those wheels have been posted in other threads in this forum... Try "AMG 19" wheels" posted a while earlier...

London Lad

Hi Nguyenth,

The WIS report that I posted came from the UK WIS system and I know that the German system has the same report under the same report number.

As for dealers! Personally I would not believe anything I was told by a UK or French MB dealer as over the years I have found them to be very poorly informed on most matters and often very technically inept.

I can’t speak for the USA, but from reading this forum it would appear that your dealers are just as bad!

The arch rolling IS a safety-related issue. The styling IV is a 10J wheel with 5mm less offset than the 9 1/2J styling V.

These 2 factors mean the wheel (and tyre) stick out more. When hitting a bump at speed or when the car is fully loaded the rear tyre could come into contact with the rear inner edge of the wheel arch.

In Germany with no speed limit on the autobahns I suspect this is more of a problem and the German safety regulations are generally more stringent than the rest of Europe or the USA.

However the requirement to roll the arch is on the WIS system in the UK. I don't imagine the state of the roads in the USA is that much better than in the UK and our speed limit is a max of 70MPH.

Sit on the edge of your open boot (trunk) and bounce up and down, look at the tyre arch clearance.

Personally I wouldn’t be happy not to roll the arch as described in the WIS instructions.

Try asking your dealer to look up the WIS report by reference number.

Graham.

Ronald

Hi Graham,

you are right, but don't forget that AMG demands these modifications even if the laws in your country don't.

The same rules of physics apply to the US as they do here. So, if you drive your SL really fast without mods, the tyres might touch the body. I think your laws don't require these mods since you are not allowed to drive your cars that fast.

But, if you intend to speed 100+ mph or want to visit race tracks: Get the mods (it's not that expensive). Otherwise, don't. Same rule applys for 20" wheels.

Ronald

Ronald

I've posted 8 pictures here:
http://www.amg-owners-club.org/board...eadid=717&sid=

Enjoy!
Ronald

London Lad

Ronald,

Was the car on the right lowered electronicaly or with new springs?

Graham.

Ronald

Hi Graham,

it was electronically lowered by MKB.

Ronald

SilverSL55

These wheels are available through M-B dealers in the US who participate in the M-B tire program. The wheels arrive mounted with AMG approved Michelin Pilot Sport tires. Purchasing the package through the dealer will qualifiy the tires/wheels under the M-B Bumper to Bumper warranty program. This is a huge advantage.
Once again, these wheels are available now in packages through M-B dealers (US) who participate in the MBUSA tire program.

nguyenth

Do you have the reference number in the WIS on this issue? I'll bring it up to my dealer again! Thanks.

SilverSL55

The dealer can order the package through the MBUSA tire program under part # 2304406881. The packages are in stock.

Sammy7783

Thanks man, those wheels look awesome! Especially the one on the right (in the first pic).... is that the AMG? or is it the Brabus?

Ronald

The one one the right (first pic) is a standard SL 55 with 19" multi-piece AMG rims, electronically lowered by MKB. The one on the left is my SL 55 with 19" multi-piece Brabus Monoblock VI rims.

Ronald

vraa

I saw that you didn't lower your car due to you driving fast, in the states where we never see 100 can the dealer lower our car?

Sammy7783

Ronald, Nice setup man, I wouldn't lower it either. Actually, the brabus looks too similar to the AMG style.... They're all good to me, I ain't complaining

Ronald

The only "official" way to lower your car is to bring it to AMG in Affalterbach and have the height "optimized" (official AMG terminology). However, we are only talking about a few milimeters - hardly noticeable.

If you have your ride height adjusted by some tuner (i.e. by Brabus or MKB), you will loose MB warranty and (depending on your laws) maybe even your operating license.

Whatever you do, don't lower your ABC-suspension electronically by more than about one inch (MKB does 30mm which is the absolutely safe maximum in my opinion). Everything beyond is dangerous and even affects other systems like the ESP (according to AMG). I do not know if I should just laugh or weep if I see some pimp-like lowering like this: