jangy

Ok, they are on but I don't know what the final version will be. For now, all wheels are the single piece (cast, I think) AMG Style IVs.

Front:
275/35/18 on 18X9 et39

Rear:
295/30/18 on 18X9.5 et29

First impressions:
Overall drive MUCH more muscular. Launch traction WAY stronger. Finally feel the rear end waggle!
Car no longer pushes as it did, but I don't know if it is really any more agile than before. I think it would be a tad bit faster on a track, but that is it.

Front: 9" width is close to max as is the 275 width tire. The balance is between the control arm on the inside and the brakes / fender distance.

Rear: There is still more width, and 11-12 is possible without major mods. The et29 maxes out the outside edge of the tire. Only one credit card fits under compression, not 3 as i usually like. Oh well, live and learn. There is still room on the inside (the shock).

DarkStar

nice! how bout some pix of the whole car??

DJE55

Jangy, with that short of a sidewall its not likely that you have gained any traction at all. If you're doing this for esthetics, that's fine but if your trying to gain grip, you might want to go back to the drawing board.

I hope this isn't coming across like I'm trying to be a d*ckhead.

jangy

DJe55:
I agree with you and am at the starting point again.This was only intended as a quick feeler for the final setup. Traction is what I am after, and I started this concept with 295/35s in mind. They did not fit, so I settled for the 295/30s. There is definitely MUCH more traction, than with the stock 265/35s I won't argue with you, but it just is true. However, it is still not nearly where I want to get.

DJE55

The better grip is the difference between the Conti's and the P's. Anything will be better than the Conti's at almost any size. My comments are directed at the actual tire on the car. Good luck with your choices and keep us posted with the results.

Rock

Jangy, since when does a 295/30 fit on a 9 1/2 wheel?

Can we see some rear-end photos. Do you sidewalls have any support?

JamE55

Tires looks like they're almost tucked in. Looks nice.

jangy

Hi Rock, the 295 is fatter than the rim, but actually not by too much. I wanted a 10 inch rim, but couldn't find one handy. My hope is that I will notice better straight line grab, and not really lateral stability. Although, I am hoping that the handling maintains.

I will take some more pics today.

stevebez

I would say you would get more grip in straight line but your less supported sidewalls may create cornering / handling issues with your tire width vs rim width.

Does 10" rim fit on E?

Rgds Steve.

jangy

Yes, 10" does, but there is not a cheap off the shelf one out there.

I plan to buy custome rims, when i decide what diameter / width to spend on, so I decided to spend a little and try this setup.

CynCarvin32

You must post photos of the car... the whole car!

I really want to see what this 275 front looks like. It may bolt onto the car but it must rub when you hit a bump. I saw a E500 with way to large of tires on the front at the beverly hills classic car show yesterday and his fender had a 1 inch RIP where the tire had pulled it apart (both drivers and passenger side). Just be careful not to go out testing this setup and damage your new E55.

I have seen 255's rub on the front so I see 275 as a bit of a stretch!

PICS !

2K6E55

How's the ride right now? Any hesitation in straight line acceleration and what about cornering?

Did you get the other mods installed over the weekend?

vraa

Waiting for some full car pics.
The teaser shots look quite sexy. I love the tucked in (or almost tucked in) look!