SL55 AMG, SL63 AMG, SL65 AMG (R230) 2002 - 2011 (2003 US for SL55 and 2004 for the SL65)

SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: 2003 SL55 AMG Wheels

Old Oct 7, 2016 | 07:26 PM
  #1  
charlie52's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
2003 SL55 AMG
2003 SL55 AMG Wheels

Here's my question -
I have recently (sort of) acquired a 2003 SL55 AMG. After driving it for about a year I got new tires for the front. As I was removing the front tires I couldn't help but notice that a bolt on the sprung part of the upper suspension was about 1/4" or less from the tread of the tire. That freaked me out a little. I inspected the tire when I took it off and couldn't see signs of that bolt having come into contact with the tire...still...
On looking up the information in the manual I discovered that the car came with 8.5x18 rims in the front and 9.5x18 rims in the rear. So now I'm looking to find the proper size and having some difficulty getting the correct rim size matched with the proper offset (30mm).

So my question is - am I worried about nothing and the 20" rims are just fine? (In spite of the end of that bolt being ridiculously close to the rubber?)

If I go with original size rims I can't find 30mm offset, but have found a set with 35mm offset - will that larger offset work, or would that truly screw something up?

Appreciate any advice.
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2016 | 10:11 PM
  #2  
okbarnett's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 222
Porsche guy who drives SL63 w/ perf pkg AND perf suspension
the bolt is normally close to the tire. It usually wont touch. You cant use too hi of a tire. So 40 45 50 ratios wont work. If you use 20 255/30 it will be fine, if you use 20 245/35 it will be awfully close. I would recommend always using 19 255 35 on the front of all SL cars. it is the biggest size MB puts on any SL
you can also cut off the bottom of the bolt. I have done that myself
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2016 | 11:45 PM
  #3  
euphoriaDSM's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 338
Likes: 15
SL65 AMG
You can run a 30 series up front just fine. I run 265/30r20's up front with no issues.
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2016 | 03:01 AM
  #4  
charlie52's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
2003 SL55 AMG
Thanks for the information. I appreciate it.
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2016 | 01:07 PM
  #5  
okbarnett's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 222
Porsche guy who drives SL63 w/ perf pkg AND perf suspension
I havent see that, but 265 30 is wider that 255 30. Good if it works.
30 is the aspect ratio, it means it is the aspect of the height to width. so 10mm wider is also higher by some amount. so I would also check the tire diameter to see how much higher
255 30 is used on stock 8.5 and 9 front wheels
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:38 PM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE