I'm new to this forum & have been on lots of automotive forums for years. This is the only site where i have seen any participation by tire rack, why is that?

 

actually I am very active in many forums as are a couple of my counterparts .... what over forums have you frequented ....

 

Free leads? I don't put out on the first date.

 

Oh, boy. I guess the black helicopters are following you, too.

I've seen Luke and others from TR active on many boards. Though he still hasn't answered my question about my 18" OZ rims.

 

I figured it out, only forums with cars that buy high dollar wheels.

 

cars forums are where we focus ... dollar amount typically not a factor in the choice of participation though. The most important factor in the decision for me is if I "like" the vehicle being discussed or not ...

Being a car geek, like I am, there are certain cars that excite me and some others that do not. If I find a model and / or make of vehicle interesting I tend to want to learn all I can about it. The performance and technical side of things is what gets me interested and then I expand my knowledge of the car to include all of the other things like: options, trim levels, additional features for the different models, shared platform vehicles, etc. Much of the info can also be tranferred into of vehicles from the same manufacturer much like the C-Class and CLK class Mercedes products. When I have aquired the information I like to share it with others and typically that leads to discussions .... there are times that I can add technical info the lay person does not have access to which many find helpful ... as seen in the quesions you see in this forum which I have already answered and will answer in the future (ok Tommy)

why Mercedes Benz? .... I used to own a W126 500SEC and still find the products offered by Mercedes to be some of the best road going vehicles available. What started as a quest for info on my car has evolved into my involvement in many MB forums as well as other makes and models.

others I like and involve myself with
Porsche 911 (it's a Porsche nothing else needs to be said)
Audi S4 (2.7 biturbo and allwheel drive)
Subaru (not all the frills of the S4 but still turbo charged & all wheel drive)
Corvette (I race with a bunch of Corvette clubs)
Viper (500 h.p. V10 'nuff said)
Cobra Kit car (big h.p. / low weight)
300ZX TT (used to own 1)
3000GT (kindred spirit to the 300ZX TT)
M5 (500 h.p. V10 like the Viper only more elegent and 4-doors)

 

Exactly ^^ it takes a nice salary/commission to fund those vehicles, so your here where you can make serious coin from the merc guys. High dollar wheels = more commish!

 

Got to admire a man who speaks his mind.
You know, when I joined here at first I reckon I had the same uneasy feeling you may have had, G. I thought I found purely a place where MB owners and enthusiasts congregated and chatted and maybe became friends.

I recall once when I expressed directly to a member how much I liked some item about their car, well let me tell you, nearly suddenly I received some PM from some stranger trying to sell me just that item!

That pretty much ruined the fantasy for me right there.

Nevertheless I drop in from time to time b/c there still are some good people here who have helped me with answers expecting nothing in return.

As a matter of fact, Im needing some help right now, hopefully from 2007/8 SL owners or even earlier.
Topic is wheels and fitment etc. Considering "upgrading" to 19"s but concerned about throwing off my speedometer and who-knows-what-else.
Im aware that if my 550 was an AMG car, it might have come with 19" wheels, but does that mean my clearances are the same and the fenders are the same and that 19s will fit? (assuming correct tires of course).
So thats question 1.
Then I guess the goal would be to find rubber in such a size such that the final diameter is pretty much the same as currently (with 18s). Someone here may already know those ("that", if only one axle matters) magical tire sizes.

I see no reason why the factory tires on 19" amg cars (255/35 & 285/30)would be ideal for my car, though they probably fit like a glove (since all the Sls of a given year I reckon are the same as far as clearance is concerned).
Reason is, if some guy with a sl55amg pulled off his stock rear 19s and bolted them to my car's rear axle, wouldnt that effect speedometer accuracy? (Assuming that the final height of his wheel/tire ends up taller than my stock 550s.)

Then there is the matter of the front axle/wheels/diameter. In the old days all that mattered was the rear axle b/c there the speedometer cable was attached. You could install anything that fit of any diameter and width in the front with little to no consequence.
But with these new sls, I dont know- but I hope someone does know- how important it is to try to duplicate the present front wheel/tire diameter when upgrading to 19" wheels.

So this sums up what I know that I dont know. Diameter concerns.
As to other factors/issues which I dont even know may exist, Im obviously all ears.

Any help, even pointers, very much appreciated.

 

After alot of research and hunting, Luke came up with the best price on OEM AMG winter wheels for my C55. Even after shipping to Canada. My first stop next time will be right here.

 

if you want to take a pessimistic look at the situation that's fine with me ... but, you do realize that this site is supported by the advertisers. This website is offered for informational purposes but, it is still a business.

My proffessional opinion is not swayed nor driven by money so, if you want to ask a question about your Chevette, Cavalier, Focus, Escort or minivan on this forum that's fine but, typically nicer, vehicles have more demanding requirements and specifications which is why the correct information is more critical.

how much were your membership dues for this forum?

just like driving, membership is a privledge not a right ... tread lightly

 

that's why he has assumed an anonymous screen name ... not so much ...

 

please start a new thread per forum rules ... it makes getting the correct information much easier

 

i completely agree with you. i first came across luke when he used to be on altimas.net, and we all know that a 1993 altima is considered a new classic, and retails for what... like $50, $60,000 now?
they still have a forum at nissan club, to make money off all the big dog sentra drivers, i'm guessing?
i don't think your theory holds any water.

 

that actually gave me a good chuckle ... thanks


and the guys with that still run their 3000GT's must be real high rollers as well and don't forget the Ford Contour crowd since I'm known there also