[donwuan]

I'm looking at some 18 by 8.5 inch rims. The offset is +38 and the pattern is 5 x 112.

The question is should I run 225/45, 235/45, 245/45, or 255/45 to cushion the ride a bit? Or will these be too big? What's the ideal size? And will I need a spacer to keep them from rubbing with the +38 offset? I searched a couple board including this one and came up with nothing. I would love to stagger them but this isn't an option with the set i'm looking into.

Thanks,

donwuan

 

[Merc600sec]

What does it say on the wheel.. the offset is marked with a E**** 235/45/18 are ok.. but be aware that you have a heavy car .. you will need a stiff sidewall

 

[vee12]

Use the 255/45/18. Other sizes will look way too small on the car on an 18" wheel. After much tire experimentation, I think the Dunlop SP9000 is one of the smoothest riding, quietest tires I have used. Almost as good a ride as the stock 16 inch wheel/tire combo. Most of the other high performance tires have too stiff a sidewall and make the car ride like a wagon. That being said, I,m going to try a set of the Kumho ECSTA when they become available in June. At $123 each from the Tire Rack, they are almost half the price of anything else.

 

[lnguyenh]

245/45/18 would be my choice.

 

[ackvig]

lnguyenh - 3/20/2005 1:21 PM

245/45/18 would be my choice.

That's what I'm rolling in the rear. My 50/18's all around provided superior near-stock cushion, howver, just looks boring amd stockish. Detracted from my Carlsson's bad. The rears wore pretty bad - I need an alignment! So, where to turn? EBAY! I got two 245/45/18 $201 per tire Potenza Pole Positions tires for $36.00. Did my reasearch on Tire Rack before purchase and thats what they are selling them for NOW. The seller claimed the tires were barely used, but I don't believe him. They look like they had NEVER been used! [8D][] 245/45/18 is a VERY popular size, and much easier to find a great deal on them then my 50/18's were. Once the front's wear down, I'll match them up. In the meantime, you have to stop and stare to tell the difference, but once noted, you really notice the rears look much better.

 

[BMore600]

The correct size to match the diameter of the original stock tires would be the 255/45/18's. 235/45's would be too small and would make your speedometer way off and make your gas mileage worse.
The previous owner of my S600 put 245/45/18 Goodyears on it. It rides like a truck!

 

[donwuan]

thanks a bunch, i'll look around for 255/45/18's. why are the 255's so cheap. this is gonna add cost because 255's are more $ and the cost of dinner for the wife. gotta butter her up a little more now.

thanks again.

p.s. wonder what rim width you guys have?

 

[BMore600]

donwuan - 3/20/2005 7:15 PM

thanks a bunch, i'll look around for 255/45/18's. why are the 255's so cheap. this is gonna add cost because 255's are more $ and the cost of dinner for the wife. gotta butter her up a little more now.

thanks again.

p.s. wonder what rim width you guys have?

I have 8.5" width rims. That's pretty standard for AMG. The replicas are usually 8".

Whoa!!! Wait a minute though, those rims have a +38 offset, What did they come from! I did some searching and couldn't find anything that takes a +38 offset! I don't know if they'll work. The Tire Rack lists a +47 offset for 18x8.5 wheels on the W140 cars.

 

[ychachad]

45 aspect ratio would throw the speedo and gas mileage off, not to mention increase the ugly fender gap making it look like a stock GM product. Your acceleration may increase with 45 aspect ratio due to smaller overall diameter and reduced weight.

 

[MikeS500]

Why not consider 235/50/18? Using this calculator: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
that size is within 0.2" of stock, keeping the speedo accurate and the wheelwell gap stock. There are lots of choices in that size.

Mike

 

[mercS600]

If i remember correctly R129 SL's are 38 offset and our W140's have a 42 offset.[]I've been looking for a set of 18's or 19's here in the UK but everything is way to 'Bling-Bling' for my tastes![:I]Maybe i can get a set of AMG's from the main stealers for a decent price?![]

 

[BMore600]

Here's another good tire size calculator. Keep in mind though that it will only tell you how far off the overall circumferance of different size tires are, not if they'll actually fit in your wheel wells!

http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp?action=submit

or

http://tinyurl.com/5dboy