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Less than 2 weeks into owning my 2008 and I've already managed to destroy a rim due to being distracted by the engine note and our absolutely awful roads here in the midwest. I'm thinking of going from the stock 19s down to 18s for this reason. E.g., these nice CLS55 18s with offsets in the 20s.
I know that pre-07 SL55s came with 18s stock... is there any difference between the brakes on my 2008 and the older models or any other reason why 18s will not fit on my 2008?
If the rim is bent, you may be able to repair. Which stock rims do you have? Unless you are dead set on going to a 18" rim, I would keep the stock 19" staggered wheel set. If you have the P030 package, the front rotors will be 390mm. If no P030 package, you will have the 360mm rotors up front. These size rotors came on the 2007/2008 SL55 and the standard front rotors where larger than the standard front rotors on the previous 2003-2006 SL55's.
Thanks guys. It’s not a P30 car so I assume I have the 360mm rotors.
Originally Posted by Nor Cal SL55
If the rim is bent, you may be able to repair. Which stock rims do you have? Unless you are dead set on going to a 18" rim, I would keep the stock 19" staggered wheel set. If you have the P030 package, the front rotors will be 390mm. If no P030 package, you will have the 360mm rotors up front. These size rotors came on the 2007/2008 SL55 and the standard front rotors where larger than the standard front rotors on the previous 2003-2006 SL55's.
Unfortunately two different places have told me it’s bent beyond a safe repair.
I have the standard 5-spoke 19s. It sounds like I don’t have much of a choice beyond finding a reconditioned version of the same wheel — probably going to be out almost $1k if I have to replace the front tires as well!! I will probably get the bent one as close to “fixed” as possible and then use it as a spare.
Less than 2 weeks into owning my 2008 and I've already managed to destroy a rim due to being distracted by the engine note and our absolutely awful roads here in the midwest. I'm thinking of going from the stock 19s down to 18s for this reason. E.g., these nice CLS55 18s with offsets in the 20s.
I know that pre-07 SL55s came with 18s stock... is there any difference between the brakes on my 2008 and the older models or any other reason why 18s will not fit on my 2008?
Thanks
Sounds like a perfect situation to justify some new, forged wheels, reducing unsprung weight and improving performance and handling.Bent or no bent wheel, I'm definitely going that route, with 19's, for my 08 SL55
I always wonder about the big diameter wheels and their rubber band tyres. Ask yourself, is the very nice ride afforded by the 18's worth giving up for a worse ride and debatable increase in at the limit cornering and more weight? I am old school and like the looks of more tyre, less wheel. A Google search shows that all else equal, a smaller wheel, taller tyre weighs less than a bigger wheel, shorter tyre. The 18's have stayed on both my 55's with the wider SL55 ones also now on the E55. The other thing is you have more leeway in choosing a tyre width/profile which affords some curb protection.
. If no P030 package, you will have the 360mm rotors up front. These size rotors came on the 2007/2008 SL55 and the standard front rotors where larger than the standard front rotors on the previous 2003-2006 SL55's.
So, just to follow up on this, does anyone know if 2003-2006 R230 AMG 18s (for example the turbine wheels) will clear my brakes? Or are we 2007 and 2008 guys stuck with 19s?
I ended up getting a replacement but then also bent the replacement! (which was probably a previously repaired wheel itself). Everything fine now but too much vibration and I am tired of nervously scanning the road all the time for imperfections.
So, just to follow up on this, does anyone know if 2003-2006 R230 AMG 18s (for example the turbine wheels) will clear my brakes? Or are we 2007 and 2008 guys stuck with 19s?
I ended up getting a replacement but then also bent the replacement! (which was probably a previously repaired wheel itself). Everything fine now but too much vibration and I am tired of nervously scanning the road all the time for imperfections.
If you do a little homework and measure the distance from wheel center to outside edge of the front brake caliper on your car, you can do the same to an 18" rim you're interested in using and see if it will work. I think on my car, something like 8" from center of rim to outside of caliper is required as a minimum. If you are looking at purchasing a used set, you might ask if you can try them on your car to make sure.
For what it's worth, and as a reference to others -- part numbers according to EPC...
2003-2006: 2304210712
2007-2008: 2194210212
From looking at FCPEuro, the difference appears to be that the latter are not one-piece. But I think they're the same size, so theoretically wheel fitment should be the same.
So, I was taking a closer look, and I think I’m SOL.
I don’t think the discs are an issue, but I can’t see how 18s would fit over my calipers:
I took another dive into EPC and it does appear that the 2007 and 2008s (model code 230.472) have different part numbers for the calipers (that I believe we share with the -63 AMG cars of the period) than the preceding MY 2003-2006 cars. Too bad.
So, I was taking a closer look, and I think I’m SOL.
I don’t think the discs are an issue, but I can’t see how 18s would fit over my calipers:
I took another dive into EPC and it does appear that the 2007 and 2008s (model code 230.472) have different part numbers for the calipers (that I believe we share with the -63 AMG cars of the period) than the preceding MY 2003-2006 cars. Too bad.
Huge difference in the SL55 front calipers for 2007/08.
Another alternative option may be the 2007 SL600 rims. It had 18" tapered 5 spoke rims standard. Don't know what brakes they came with however.
Attached Is a 2007 MB dealer brochure with available options.
I did a little more research and now I’m questioning my previous conclusion. If I am reading EPC correctly, it looks like my calipers and discs were shared with the W211 E63, which I believe came with 18s stock.
I have a 2003 SL55 that I just swapped AMG 18's from my CL600 for the same reason. The roads here is bad. I bought the car with ugly 20's with low profile tires. The ride quality is massively better. I just did it, didn't consider the calipers Yes they fit. If you have stock amg 18's they will fit,I don't have the P30. Do it. I do have to say you will want spacers to bring the wheels out further to fill the wheel well. I'm still waiting for suggestions on sizing but it I measured and it's almost an 1.5 recessed in the rear well. my tire size is 255/40R18 95W IN the foreground, is the CL600. The SL is on stands as I swap the rear wheels.
Appreciate that; issue is that SL55s from the final two model years have different brakes than the earlier models. Your 2003 originally came with 18s from the factory so no surprise they’d fit.
So, for anyone that is curious, the answer is -- as with so many things in life -- "IT DEPENDS"
I got my hands on a set of 18" turbine wheels (18x8.5 ET30 and 18x9.5 ET33, if I recall right) and threw them on.
They BARELY cleared my front calipers. And I absolutely love the way the car sits on 18s, with the fatter tires. I guess I'm old school like that.
Happy ending, right?
Not so fast.
The issue is that it's such a tight fit that I'm not sure how I feel about sticking with it, especially as it appears that my wheel weights are rubbing ever so slightly on one small part of the caliper:
So I'm thinking of either putting thin spacers on to push the rim out ever so slightly. Or, alternatively, there are a set of CLS wheels (ET 25/28 I believe) near me that might work. Decisions, decisions...
06-08-2019, 12:56 AM
