SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: question about rim size? help me pick?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 49
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From: Pittsburgh
2003 sl55
question about rim size? help me pick?
I had decided to get 20" vossen cvt"s for my car. I love the look of 20's on this car. But, I have this feeling that they will never survive the roads around Pittsburgh. I believe I can get them in 19" now . Any input will be greatly appreciated. 
Last edited by byronburns; Jan 26, 2014 at 06:13 PM. Reason: misspelled
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Porsche guy who drives SL63 w/ perf pkg AND perf suspension
a 19" tire for this car 26" OD - high, if you switch to 20" , a 20"tire is 26" OD
you have to stay with the same size OD tire or it wont fit in the wheel well, it wont turn without scraping, you cant lower the car etc.
So if you use the 19" tire it has 1" more tire rubber, sidewall height than the 20" would have, it has 2" more than a 21" would have etc
So if you use 19 it will have more sidewall rubber to protect the wheel, if you use 20 it has less sidewall rubber to protect the wheel
you have to stay with the same size OD tire or it wont fit in the wheel well, it wont turn without scraping, you cant lower the car etc.
So if you use the 19" tire it has 1" more tire rubber, sidewall height than the 20" would have, it has 2" more than a 21" would have etc
So if you use 19 it will have more sidewall rubber to protect the wheel, if you use 20 it has less sidewall rubber to protect the wheel
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh
2003 sl55
I understand that. I wasn't concise enough with my question. what I meant to ask was what kind of experience members had with these two size rims. My concern is bad road longevity of rims. I would like to avoid wasting money on something that is bound to fail. These 20's were on it when I went to buy it. we couldn't make a deal on them so he kept them. and it is lowered with lowering links.
Last edited by byronburns; Jan 26, 2014 at 11:42 PM. Reason: more information
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 372
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From: CT
CTS-V
I want to sell my black 20" BBS CH-R's. They were on the car when I bought it. I have since damaged and repaired 2 of them. They have Hankook Ventus' on them. I am running my very light 19's now. I love the look of the 20's, but these New England roads are hell on wheels, so to speak...
Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 75
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From: Ontario, Canada
2005 SL55 amg, 2009 Lincoln MXZ, 2012 Dodge 2500 Limited
20" wheels on Pittsburg roads….. thats a risky venture. I'm north of the border of you and considered it, but reading these forums I chickened out and stuck with the 19" with bridgestones 255 35 ZR 19 96Y on the front and 285 30 ZR 19 98Y on the rear. No issues. Road conditions are similar to PA.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 876
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From: ST. Louis, MO
'16 SL550, '18 Porsche Macan GTS
They is a guy here, St. Louis, MO, that put 20" HRE's on hiw SL55 and went through two a year due to damage from pot holes. I too love the look of 20's on the SL but unless you get really strong rims, only dive 20-30 mph, or have the skills of an F1 driver, it would be wise to go 19" at the most.
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Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 75
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From: Ontario, Canada
2005 SL55 amg, 2009 Lincoln MXZ, 2012 Dodge 2500 Limited
I found out these 19" rims were cracked and welded after I bought the car. Roads here finished them off, loss of tire pressure and then tire failure at 100 mph. If you do go with the 20's buy 2 sets, also check out the condition of your 18" space saver spare. After experiencing my blow out, anguish set in pretty quick, as when i went to inflate the spare the tire with 12vdc compressor. The tire bead was broke and had to take it to a tire shop to get it inflated.
Last edited by 55slamg; Feb 5, 2014 at 10:27 AM.
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AMG
We also now have 19" CVTs.
