nevets

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I know this topic has been covered on many occasions and probably a bit redundant for most...sorry, I am in need of some advice....I am trying to pull the trigger but can't decide on Rim size. My 350 has Brabus springs, so it rides about 1" lower than stock (didn't notice much of a difference to OEM ride). I am swapping out my 17" stock wheels and tires (a shame since they have only 1900 miles and I like them.... but too small). 18" are a safe bet however I am being drawn to 19" but am concerned mostly about ride quality and also potential for the "rub"...I am down to two wheels...MonoS style or Bremma, tires will probably be MichPS2...The 19" are nice with the Bremmas because the lip is decent at the rear, with 18" almost non-existent. MonoS dosen't have a lip so it's moot but looks better in 19...Not a daily driver, dosen't see weather, I don't track the car but like most, I like to get on it occasionally, NY roads are not the smoothest....

Anyone care to weigh in?

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Steven

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06 SLK 350, Iridium Silver, Blk Int, Chrome Trims, AMG Body,
Aerowings,Wide Base Tire Flares (Thx CDRN) Green Filters,
Filled Sidemarkers, Painted Ant, Komfort Module (Thks NR4L)
Rear Spoiler - Piecha, Brabus springs, R170Moded Ant,
19" TSW Bremma, Mich PS2

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Little difference in price between the 18s and 19s. If moving up, I'd say go with the 19s, you won't look back. You might always wonder about the 19s if you go with 18s. I have the Bremmas on Michelin PS 2s (not lowered). Very happy. The lip makes a big difference in appearance. Is the wheel pictured the MonoS? Nice wheel, but at what cost? My vote would be 19s, Michelin PS 2s, and a wheel with a lip. Clearance "should" be OK.

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829.jpg (56.6 KB, 203 views)

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alroumi

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Since you dont have a Brabus bodykit, I would remove the Monoblock S from the list. I find the bremma to match well with your MB front spoiler lip.

19'' diameter is the best bet I assume, because if you settled for 18" you might wonder and have neglect for now getting those 19" which leads to purchasing 19" in the long run.

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Ynot

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Yeah, just go with 19"s, so you'll never have that doubt when you purchased 19"s. The ride quality really isn't that much different with 18"s and 19"s, if you want smooth, stick with 17"s. I have no problems with 19"s, it feels sportier IMHO, 17"s is just way to smooth for a sports car. Dinko (a previous member) had some rubbing issues with brabus springs and PS2's so that's something to consider. Good luck.

nevets

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-1- that is the wheel...but if that type then it will probably be a replica...can't justify the $$ of the Brabus. - thanks

Ynot...you mentioned "Dinko" rubbing with PS2's...what tire do have..I assume you don't have any rub issues? Did you? I am guessing that the AMG sport susp option with the 350 is similar in height to the lowered Brabus springs...Is that what you have?
-thanks

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Steven

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06 SLK 350, Iridium Silver, Blk Int, Chrome Trims, AMG Body,
Aerowings,Wide Base Tire Flares (Thx CDRN) Green Filters,
Filled Sidemarkers, Painted Ant, Komfort Module (Thks NR4L)
Rear Spoiler - Piecha, Brabus springs, R170Moded Ant,
19" TSW Bremma, Mich PS2

Ynot

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I have Nitto's NT555, not the best tires, got them at a good price from Neal at Eurotek, so I gave it a try. No rubbing isses, initally I did but it was the wrong offest, send it back to DCR and they fixed it, haven't rubbed since. The rear of the SLK350 is the same with or w/o the AMG bodykit, the front with the kit is 10mm lower. Mine looks just like your's.

I'm guessing Dinko had the wrong offsets on his HRE's b/c he later sold it to dsb, and dsb don't have rubbing issues but don't think dsb's running PS2's either, could be the wider sidewall of the PS2's. I'm not sure.

dsb

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Good memory Ynot...

Just to clarify. Dinko sold me his Brabus springs and I DO have PS2's. I agree with your comment. He probably had wrong offsets. I don't rub. However, I did file down a protrusion in the front wheel well.

More info here:
http://www.mbworld.org/forums/showth...ghlight=offset

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nevets

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Thanks...I have since found the "Dinko Post" in Mbworld he actually had PZeroNero not PS2's but in other threads many speak of the PS2's as being wider than other tires of same size. I believe his offsets were also the problem. dsb mentioned in the "best wheels" thread that he had PS2's...I am hoping he chimes in at some point because I believe he has lowered with Brabus and is running 19"...The offsets I am looking at are 19 x 8.5 32mm offset and 19 x 9.5 35mm...Tires would be 235/35 and 265/30..I found an offset calculator to check rim offset but need stock clearance from tire/rim to strut housing to verify...anyone know what that is...also found this great tire calculator here...http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp (probably old news to most here)

While I am on it...does it make sense to anyone that tire/rim sizes are a combination of imperial and metric measurements?... for another day

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06 SLK 350, Iridium Silver, Blk Int, Chrome Trims, AMG Body,
Aerowings,Wide Base Tire Flares (Thx CDRN) Green Filters,
Filled Sidemarkers, Painted Ant, Komfort Module (Thks NR4L)
Rear Spoiler - Piecha, Brabus springs, R170Moded Ant,
19" TSW Bremma, Mich PS2

Duo-Art

I know that I'm in the minority but I like the look of 18" wheels better than 19"s.

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I just ordered my Vossen VVS-075 today.

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+1

I feel the same. If 55AMG wears 18", what are you looking for with bigger wheels? Unconfort, easy to break, lift the car...
The handicaps are so much!!!

And the car wouldn't be faster.

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It's the look. More wheel, less rubber. We're talking 19" wheels, not 22s. Very little difference between 18s & 19s. Interesting, the SLK comes from the factory with 16"-18" wheels. For me, 18" wheels minimum, but 19" looks best.

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nevets

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Nothing like starting the new year with a little controversy...Well now, I am happy to report that my decision was made a couple of days ago gentlemen..I ordered 19" TSW Bremma's with Michelin PS2's 225/35 for front and 265/30 for the rear. PS...IMO a great deal at Discount Tire..Rims, Tires, Mounted, balanced, Blah, Blah...delivered to NY $2177.00. I should have them by Mon. The best part for me was that they guarantee fitment unconditionally...if they rub, they take them back..no risk. OK now for the reasoning, after much research and consideration...for those 18" folks listen to this ....

Overall Dia of Rim/Tire combo
Front Stock 17's = 24.97"
Front TSW 19's = 25.20
Difference of less than 1/4" in Ht

Rears Stock 17's Dia = 24.71
Rears TSW 19's Dia = 25.25
Difference of less than 1/2" in HT

Tire Sidewall
Front Stock 17" = 3.98"
Front New 19" = 3.10"
Difference 0f 7/8"

Rear Stock 17" = 3.85"
Rear New 19" = 3.12"
Difference 0f 3/4"

As you can see there really is not much in the way of difference here..The height difference is negligible (although the car will sit 1/8" higher in front and 1/4" in back) After some tire wear this will not equate to any diff. The sidewall height changes...but again IMO not significantly 3/4 - 7/8".. probably some change in ride quality...but I have to assume the suspension is doing most of the work here. My biggest change is in the rear section width..I gain an inch in width (no jokes here) increased the contact patch so probably increased traction. Therefore for me (as Don mentions above) the decision is being based merely on aesthetics (my motivation)..I happen to like the look of the rim more than the tire...but that is just MHO...Going past 19" and I agree with the others, I think it starts to get ridiculous and disproportionate.

The real conclusion here is that the ultimate challenge when changing rim/tire setup really comes down to offset and rim width and their interrelationship with component tolerences. Thats "where the rubber meets the road"
Thanks to all who weighed in, I enjoy the respectful differences in opinion...I expected nothing less. I just hope that we may have all helped the next guy/girl looking to decide what is best for them.

Happy New Year!..Pictures to come..

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Steven

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06 SLK 350, Iridium Silver, Blk Int, Chrome Trims, AMG Body,
Aerowings,Wide Base Tire Flares (Thx CDRN) Green Filters,
Filled Sidemarkers, Painted Ant, Komfort Module (Thks NR4L)
Rear Spoiler - Piecha, Brabus springs, R170Moded Ant,
19" TSW Bremma, Mich PS2

alroumi

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Congradulations Nevets, they will look very sporty on your slk and will work maginficently with the oem like Brabus lowering springs.

You are in for a good treat, Trust me it will look stunning.

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Zeiser50

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Excellent choice : Can not wait the result with your car color (btw, what is the color of the rims ? chrome, alu ?)

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nevets

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I am trying to be patient but very anxious as well....here are some images of front and rear rims...but if you wan't a really good idea of what they look like scroll up to -1-'s car above...they look just like his....they say copying is the sincerest form of flattery

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	RimsFR.jpg (26.8 KB, 127 views)
	RimsRR.JPG (48.8 KB, 126 views)

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Steven

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06 SLK 350, Iridium Silver, Blk Int, Chrome Trims, AMG Body,
Aerowings,Wide Base Tire Flares (Thx CDRN) Green Filters,
Filled Sidemarkers, Painted Ant, Komfort Module (Thks NR4L)
Rear Spoiler - Piecha, Brabus springs, R170Moded Ant,
19" TSW Bremma, Mich PS2

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Great choice, killer deal. I paid $2500 for the same package shipped from CA. Make sure you get new lug bolts and wheel locks. The factory lugs are too long. Nice job with all the math, that puts everything in perspective. It will serve as a great reference for everyone. Your wheels will bolt on with zero issues. I love the look of the wheels, the lip front and rear, and the ease of cleaning, inside and out. This might be the final piece of the puzzle. Anything else planned? I've completed every appearance mod I wanted on our two cars. Time to enjoy.

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THE MON55TER ON THE BLOCK