I just bought a second set of 18" wheels for track use. I found a never used set of genuine AMG wheels 18" x 8.5" and 18" x 9.5" from SL55 with Pirelli
P Zero Rosso tyres for $1400 all up.
This being occasional track wheels, I decided to be a little "adventurous" and professionally re-sprayed the wheel centres gun-metal, with bright silver rims (like SL65).

I can't wait to burn off these tyres, which are a little too big, especially the rear (245/40/18 and 285/35/18), which I fully expect to rub a little.

For those of you, who like me are drooling over the SL65 19" wheels and wonder what they would look like on your car, another Photoshop illusion.

 

definately trackworthy. id throw a set of dr on the rears right away though and see what itll do.

 

Did you use the spacers with these wheels or did they bolt right on??

 

Drag radials will just cause more understeer.

 

What difference does it make if its gonna be in a straight line?? After all, Drag Radials are for the drag strip.

 

I'm new to the boards, and a new E55 owner. I just got back from the AMG Challenge in Homestead and it was awesome! I just put 19" wheel on my car and was trying to sell the original wheels / tires - but after reading your post I think I'll keep them for track use (if I can find a track around here to run on). What are the "folding mirrors" you have? I didn't know that was an option. Also, at the risk of sounding dumb - do you 275 rear wheels fit on the stock rims that came with the car?(here in the states the rear wheels are 265's - I'm wondering if I can put wider tires on my wheels). Thanks.

 

because he was talking about taking the car on a racing track (circuit), not a drag strip. Dont me

 

The mirrors are available overseas from Steve who makes the trip to the states every once in a while to install all kinds of cool things. Check out his site:

http://www.mbenznl.com/products/

275 x 35s have been tried and fit fine on the stocker rims.

 

Thanks, Tom. Man, you're all over the place, huh? Hey, I talked to my guy at the shop today and my calipers are painted - I get the car back tomorrow, and yes, they DID put the AMG logo back on the calipers (I was VERY insistent!). Can't wait to see it - I'll send you some photos. Also, it turns out they can do a dyno run right here in the Brumos shop, but only on Saturdays ($75- for the first time, then $25 or $50- for subsequent pulls) - I can't do it for a couple weeks, but I'll also post the results. Wish I had gotten a baseline tracing before the mods, but I didn't know any better.

 

well said... road course = real racing

with all the drag talk around this forum I start to wander if E55 = LS2 GTO

 

Yeah haha. Drag racing isn't as popular in Australia so the cicuit is referred to as the track. However Rafal (my dad) did go to the drag strip for the first time this evening!

 

No spacers, but I ditched the oversized Pirellis already. I put on a used set of original Conti 2, 245/40/18 FA and 265/35/18 RA. On the 8.5" Front rim the actual sectional width of the 245/40/18 Conti increased to 252mm and on the 9.5" Rear 265/35/18 Conti measures 273 mm. ET 30 and 33 fits well and all wheels are completely flush with the rolled guards.

 

Whenever I pick up Australian magazines like ZOOM and High Performance Imports they're usually biased towards drag racing. I figured it was probably as popular as it is here in the States. Nice to know our E55 brothers down under are putting the E55 through its paces on the road course AND the drag strip.

 

By the way, i like those wheels, they look pretty cool.