Just purchased an slk55 and was interested in replacing the "turbine OEM 18" wheels with SL65 19" wheels. When I contacted AMG with this inquiry, this is what they said:

Thank you for your internet inquiry.

Your SLK55 AMG stock 18 inch wheels have a 37mm offset in the front and
30mm in the rear. The SL65 2 piece 19 inch wheels have a offset of 30 mm
in the front and either 31 or 33mm in the rear. It is not recommended to
fit the larger wheels because the offset is not correct, the car was not
designed for 19 inch wheels and if fitted they would rub on the inner
fender.

Thank You,

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Special Vehicle Assistance Center
SLR, Maybach and AMG


Now all over this forum I see cars with various styles of 19" wheels (most notable is the sexy black slk55 from Europe with the SL65 wheels).

The part specifications for the 19" AMG wheels are:
Front - 19 x 8.5" ET 30mm offset
Rear - 19 x 9.5" ET 31mm offset

With the following tires on these SL65 wheels 225/35/19 front & 265/30/19 rear would I experience fender or control arm/suspension rubbing?

Has anyone out there got this set up? As I don't want to purchase the new 19" wheels & have a big problem.

Thanks everyone!

 

The pictures you see of the so-called "SL65" wheels are probably the 030 performance package two piece wheels, which look similar but are 18 inch and have the correct offset, having been specifically designed for the SLK55.

 

Don't worry about it. The SLK's in Europe come with 19 inch wheels. AMG uses the exact same 19 inch wheels on all SLK's. They may rub a little under extreme contitions. Find a good body shop that knows how to roll fenders and you'll be fine. It's a very minor modification.

 

I have AMG230 22-spoke 18" wheels from an SL on my SLK55 -- front 8.5 inch, 37mm; rear 9.5, 33mm. I tried 235/35x18s on the front, but they rubbed on the OUTSIDE edge, not when turning hard, but when driving over large "valleys" in the pavement such as a drainage culvert with the wheels straight ahead. (The sharp edge inside the wheel well where the front spoiler meets the fender cut the sidewall slightly.) I did roll the front fender wheel well lips, but with 225s, I don't believe that would be necessary. I have 255/35x18 in the rear and plan to go to 265/35x18 the next time I buy tires for the rear.

If you stick with 225 width in the front, I don't believe you will have any problem. And I suspect that the 265s on your 19s will be OK. But you'll take a risk and need to get some advice from a good tire shop.

 

There are soooo many things that you are flirting with when you go against the recommendation of a car manufacturer. Legal issues, the basic laws of physics, etc.

You can place any size wheel and tire you want on your SLK. You can have people "make" these functional and not rub.

HOWEVER -

Once you go down this road, especially with something as integral as the wheels and tires hitting the road, you do so at your own total risk.
Mercedes Benz and AMG have spent countless hours and $$$$ in research to obtain the optimal wheel/tire package for the SLK.

If the stock wheels are not pleasing or working for you, the safest route (and the only one I would go for) would be to stick with AMG or Mercedes Benz wheels that are approved for the car.

Just my 2 cents - I have placed my "flame suit" on.

 

I agree with your concerns WRT warranty and safety issues. But "optimal" for MB may not be "optimal" for those of us who track our cars. It is unfortunate that MB saved a few bucks by not putting wider wheels and tires to accommodate the torque of the 55. Especially when a Crossfire, for heavens sake, has a much better wheel and tire package.