JoeShark

Greetings everybody.

I just placed my order today for my SLK 55. I'm thinking of going to 19" wheels and wanted to get some feedback/help.

I am planning on sticking with Mercedes wheels and my primary choice is the "AMG two-piece double-spoke" found on an earlier thread in this forum. (I believe they are the standard wheel on the SL 65).

Will they fit?
Will I have any serious problems with rubbing and the ride?
Any consequence in terms of performance (good or bad)?
What will my approximate cost be?

Thanks for any help.

JS

Harris

The AMG Styling IV two-piece from the SL65 has a Titanium finish, the regular ones have a silver finish. Yes, those wheels will fit on your car. I believed there is a black SLK with those wheels posted here somewhere. The ride will be a bit harsher as there will be less rubber with the 19's, but you will not have any rubbing issues. Those wheels are heavier than the stock 18's, so expect the 19's will make your car's acceleration a bit slower as there will be more unsprung weight. The 55 is too fast anyways, so it doesnt really matter. :p A set of those wheels is around 5K. Tires and shipping extra.

If you need more info, welcome to shoot me an e-mail.

360_iti

They look pretty !

JoeShark

Harris,
Thanks so much for the info. Yup, the black SLK that's posted on this forum (page 2 of this forum now) that you are refering me to is what got me looking into it. Do you know if that one in the pic has the titanium or silver finish? Also, what is your opinion of which finish will look better?

360,
Thanks for the pic. Is that wheel going on your car?


JS

Harris

That black SLK has the regular silver finish. Personally, I think the Titanium looks better, especially your car is black also (the pic that 360 showed above is the Titanium finish). If you need any further assistance, please feel free to send me an e-mail.

360_iti

Joe, no.. I really wish I fell in love the first time I saw it in person.

blkslk55

JoeShark, i put those exact wheels with a high polish chrome finish on my '55. they fit fine and look sick! you should'nt have any problems.

JoeShark

Thanks for the feedback. Did you consider the titanium finish that Harris mentioned/recommended?

Can I also ask what price you paid and if you got them through your dealership?

Finally, any pics?

Thanks for your thoughts.

JS

vantage78

How much more unsprung weight is it adding?

blkslk55

js, i will post some pics as soon as possible as i am not done with my car yet. i am doing some other things to it and when completed to my liking i will then post.
i like the polished chrome wheels as they really set off the black colour, i never considered putting anything else as really like this set-up!

Harris

The stock 18" is about 28lbs each. The SL65 19" wheel is about 35lbs each. So, you're looking at around 30lbs more.

vantage78

Wow, dem be some heavy rims. However, 30 more lbs shouldn't affect performance, right?

360_iti

30 extra pounds on the wheels, times 4 = like having an extra 120 pounds in the cabin.

sprins

It's 120lb. unsprung weight. Supposedly even worse than 120lbs in the cabin.

Harris

Actually, its 7 lbs extra PER WHEEL.

360_iti

Well I read somewhere that 1 extra pound on the wheel = 4 extra pound in the cabin.
So, extra weight per wheel = 7lbs, then x 4 wheels = 28 extra lbs, unsprung.
Then multiply it by 4 to get the cabin weight, which is 112.. right ?

well he rounded up to 30 lbs (all 4 wheels), which then multiplied by 4 to get the cabin weight.

Leef

Whatever you like, but I just changed the 18" wheels on my new 55 to 17" wheels to get a less harsh ride. It may be that on bumpy curves, the 17" wheels give better handling anyway since the car skitters around less (I don't know if this is true). Also, from what I read on Tire Rack's tests, the P-Zero tires are a bit harsh riding. I chose Pilot Sports PS-2 -- they're supposed to give better traction and softer ride.