20" wheels/tires help
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 389
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From: Dix Hills, NY
2000 Mercedes S500
20" wheels/tires help
What's up guys. I just received my tires for the rims which should be here tuesday. i went with the michelin pilot sport ps2 (2nd edition pilot sports) the tire size I went with was 255/35/20. The rims are chrome Lowenhart LD1s 9" wide all around. After driving for about 5 years and going through 4 different cars, this is the first time I bought custom wheels for my car. Sadly enough the biggest wheels I've ever driven on are 16" and those are my current stocks.
I was hoping to get help with anything I might need to know that is now different from driving on stock wheels. As far as the tire pressure, do I keep it the same as what is suggested on the Gas tank lid? Is it true my speedometer won't be as accurate anymore? The tires I bought claim to be summer tires, does anyone think that was a bad decision considering I live on Long Island, NY? Any other advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
I was hoping to get help with anything I might need to know that is now different from driving on stock wheels. As far as the tire pressure, do I keep it the same as what is suggested on the Gas tank lid? Is it true my speedometer won't be as accurate anymore? The tires I bought claim to be summer tires, does anyone think that was a bad decision considering I live on Long Island, NY? Any other advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Windy City
2004 C230W
Max Summer
1) You might want to keep the tires in your garage until next spring as we're gonna get some snow in 4-6 weeks (I hope not).
2) Try to avoid any and all potholes / creases in the road as you'll have less side walls to soak up the shock.
3) Make sure you have the correct tire pressure at all times, especially at times when there could be sudden temp changes (like in spring and fall).
I am sure I can keep on going. I hope you like the ride of your 20's. I personally would have a hard time going from 16's to 20's.
2) Try to avoid any and all potholes / creases in the road as you'll have less side walls to soak up the shock.
3) Make sure you have the correct tire pressure at all times, especially at times when there could be sudden temp changes (like in spring and fall).
I am sure I can keep on going. I hope you like the ride of your 20's. I personally would have a hard time going from 16's to 20's.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 389
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From: Dix Hills, NY
2000 Mercedes S500
Thanks for the reply. I have a 97 explorer so I'd drive that if it were to snow. But wouldn't I be able to drive until we receive that first inch+ of snow?
Also, as for keeping the tire pressure the same. Do I keep it the same as what MB says on the gas lid? Or is it different now that I have low profiles?
As for the jump from 16" --> 20", I know it might take some adjusting, but to be honest my friend's got an 840ci with 19"s and my other friend has a GS400 with 20"s and the ride doesn't seem harsh at all. Plus because of the airmatic suspension, I think the ride should still be somewhat comfortable considering Mercedes tuners such as Lorinser and Brabus even put 20" wheels on their modified cars.
Also, as for keeping the tire pressure the same. Do I keep it the same as what MB says on the gas lid? Or is it different now that I have low profiles?
As for the jump from 16" --> 20", I know it might take some adjusting, but to be honest my friend's got an 840ci with 19"s and my other friend has a GS400 with 20"s and the ride doesn't seem harsh at all. Plus because of the airmatic suspension, I think the ride should still be somewhat comfortable considering Mercedes tuners such as Lorinser and Brabus even put 20" wheels on their modified cars.
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Mercedes-Benz
Originally posted by ArMaNi S500
Thanks for the reply. I have a 97 explorer so I'd drive that if it were to snow. But wouldn't I be able to drive until we receive that first inch+ of snow?
Also, as for keeping the tire pressure the same. Do I keep it the same as what MB says on the gas lid? Or is it different now that I have low profiles?
As for the jump from 16" --> 20", I know it might take some adjusting, but to be honest my friend's got an 840ci with 19"s and my other friend has a GS400 with 20"s and the ride doesn't seem harsh at all. Plus because of the airmatic suspension, I think the ride should still be somewhat comfortable considering Mercedes tuners such as Lorinser and Brabus even put 20" wheels on their modified cars.
Thanks for the reply. I have a 97 explorer so I'd drive that if it were to snow. But wouldn't I be able to drive until we receive that first inch+ of snow?
Also, as for keeping the tire pressure the same. Do I keep it the same as what MB says on the gas lid? Or is it different now that I have low profiles?
As for the jump from 16" --> 20", I know it might take some adjusting, but to be honest my friend's got an 840ci with 19"s and my other friend has a GS400 with 20"s and the ride doesn't seem harsh at all. Plus because of the airmatic suspension, I think the ride should still be somewhat comfortable considering Mercedes tuners such as Lorinser and Brabus even put 20" wheels on their modified cars.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Dix Hills, NY
2000 Mercedes S500
does anyone know if it's ok for me to drive on the pilot sport 2nd eidtions (PS2) in the winter, but NOT in the snow? I was looking to drive on these tires on dry/wet pavements all year round except when there is snow.
Also, has anyone had any experience putting 20" wheels on a w220 s class? Do I just simply put them on or do I have to worry about rolling the fenders or rubbing? Thanks
Also, has anyone had any experience putting 20" wheels on a w220 s class? Do I just simply put them on or do I have to worry about rolling the fenders or rubbing? Thanks
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From what I heard from my NY customers, the roads are pretty bad there. Therefore, they wouldnt even want to put 19" on the car. So if you have 20", be EXTRA careful. I think there is a much higher chance for you to bend the wheels. Not to mention 20" tires are VERY expensive to replace.
Your tire pressure should be around 40psi, since you dont have much rubber, I dont think its a good idea to have low pressure as your wheels will, again, be bent more easily.
I would say the ride should be "acceptable-ly" rough. When Luke was saying dont drive the car in cold precipitation, I guess he meant snow/flurries/snow rain. Normal raining condition should be ok.
Your tire pressure should be around 40psi, since you dont have much rubber, I dont think its a good idea to have low pressure as your wheels will, again, be bent more easily.
I would say the ride should be "acceptable-ly" rough. When Luke was saying dont drive the car in cold precipitation, I guess he meant snow/flurries/snow rain. Normal raining condition should be ok.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Windy City
2004 C230W
Originally posted by ArMaNi S500
does anyone know if it's ok for me to drive on the pilot sport 2nd eidtions (PS2) in the winter, but NOT in the snow? I was looking to drive on these tires on dry/wet pavements all year round except when there is snow.
Also, has anyone had any experience putting 20" wheels on a w220 s class? Do I just simply put them on or do I have to worry about rolling the fenders or rubbing? Thanks
does anyone know if it's ok for me to drive on the pilot sport 2nd eidtions (PS2) in the winter, but NOT in the snow? I was looking to drive on these tires on dry/wet pavements all year round except when there is snow.
Also, has anyone had any experience putting 20" wheels on a w220 s class? Do I just simply put them on or do I have to worry about rolling the fenders or rubbing? Thanks
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 389
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From: Dix Hills, NY
2000 Mercedes S500
Thanks for the info junbug, that was a great help. So i don't understand how summer tires lose tread quicker in lower temperatures? I don't remember what state the person was in, but I'm pretty sure I read a review of these tires on tirerack.com and the owner said he's had the tires for 37k so far and still going. If I could get about 40,000 miles out of these tires I would be satisfied. I'm now beginning to regret getting the PS2's and thinking I should've gone with a set of the Pilot Sport A/S's. The only reason I went with these is because of the improvement it claims to have acquired as the newer/better? version of the original Pilot Sports.
FYI, I bought brand new 20" 255/35/20 Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires shipped to my home for a price of $650. This is ridiculousy cheap and I had my doubts so I bought them from a private seller by COD. Does anyone have any idea how I was able to obtain the tires at such a cheap price? Is it possible that tirerack.com marks up their tires 150%? Thanks
PS chances are I could always get the Pilot Sport All Seasons for the same price and just sell these. Does anyone highly recommend that I do so or should I just stick with the tires that I have already?
FYI, I bought brand new 20" 255/35/20 Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires shipped to my home for a price of $650. This is ridiculousy cheap and I had my doubts so I bought them from a private seller by COD. Does anyone have any idea how I was able to obtain the tires at such a cheap price? Is it possible that tirerack.com marks up their tires 150%? Thanks
PS chances are I could always get the Pilot Sport All Seasons for the same price and just sell these. Does anyone highly recommend that I do so or should I just stick with the tires that I have already?
