dreamachine

Luke,

I have a basic question about the staggerd set up on SL sports. I have a 96 SL500, and I would like to add some AMG Monoblock II 18" wheels and tires. I researched several sites and noticed that for 8.5" fronts and 9.5" rears the tires size reccomendations were 245/40/18 for the front, and 275/35/18 for the rear. I have a basic understanding of the "plus one" theory about going up in wheel size and down in tire height, but my question is Why the 35's on the rear when the wheel is still 18" and not 19"? Is this to allow more clearance for the rear tires?


Dreamachine

Luke@tirerack

it all about overall tire diameter

your OE
225/55-16 = 25.7 overall diameter

18" Stagger sizes

front
245/40-18 = 25.7 overall diameter

rear
275/35-18 = 25.7 overall diameter


now does it make sense ???

E55 KEV

If you were upgrading to 19" wheels the tires would be:

245/35/19
275/30/19 or 285/30/19 rear

rob_fed

You can play with tire sizes all day long if you go to these websites:

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

http://www.sgmotorsports.com/tiresize.htm

http://www.c5-corvette.com/tirecalc.htm


Once your comfortable with getting the appropriate diameter, you can play with the offset here.

http://toy4two.home.mindspring.com/offset.html


But remember to use these tools as a guide, not as an absolute resource. If you looking for a non-typical combo, you will need to find someone that has done it before, such as forums like this.

Rob Lee

dreamachine

Thanks much guys. I appreciate the info.