20" wheels too large for the s550?

[Deleted member 35644]

My convertible has factory 20s. The design's a little 'busy', but I think the size and offset is perfect. My coupe (avatar) has Ford 19s I bought from Shelby as new take-offs. I occasionally wish they made those wheels in 20s with a lower offset. I'd buy them in a heartbeat.

20's definitely not too big. But I wouldn't go bigger.

Sponsored

 

[EvilleGT]

What about unsprung weight? Wouldn’t a 20” wheel, on average, weight more than a 19”. So you have more weight that will effect handling and a lower profile tire that could effect ride comfort. Not sure the trade offs are worth it. That said I like the look but..........

there’s a trade off of a lot of elements here. Bigger wheels mean you have room for bigger brakes and more stopping power. Shorter tire sidewalls will generally handle better than taller ones because there is less flex and deformation in corners. But the bigger wheel also means more mass and has the effects you stated in addition to negatively affecting acceleration and braking. That being said, LMP1 cars run 335/35R18s, so the sweet spot is likely around there.

 

[shogun32]

My Camaro came with 20". I promptly replaced them with 19. My Mustangs have 19 as well (PP1). If 18's would fit over the 6-pot Brembos I'd be using 18" as well (don't feel like paying Apex's pricing). It's a personal thing obviously but I prefer cheaper tires, better selection and a more balanced side-wall to wheel ratio.

 

[ModularKid21]

I think it depends on the look or intended purpose of the car. They both look great in my opinion but 20’s look good (and work well) if you like just cruising around. 19’s look good (and also work really well) if you’re more into corner carving or enjoy driving beyond “spirited” levels.

And to agree with the 20’s filling the wheel well better, the factory 20” square wheel package uses a 265/35 tire. Where as the 19” square offering uses a 255/40. The 265/35 on a 20” wheel is roughly 1/3” larger than the 19” wheel and tire package. When my car was stock, fairly often people would as what springs I was running. I always thought it was kind of obvious I wasn’t lowered but in pictures and sometimes in person, it can give that illusion

 

[kent0464]

Not a fan of the 20’s.....but everything’s not for every body.
I much prefer the 18’s for less unsprung weight, etc......and I like the look.

My Camaro came with 20". I promptly replaced them with 19. My Mustangs have 19 as well (PP1). If 18's would fit over the 6-pot Brembos I'd be using 18" as well (don't feel like paying Apex's pricing). It's a personal thing obviously but I prefer cheaper tires, better selection and a more balanced side-wall to wheel ratio.

Lots of 18’s fit over the 6 pot Brembo’s. Apex is having a group buy on Gang-Up, complete set for $1400 depending on options. Just about any “ flow form” or forged wheel with a medium concave and proper offset will fit, ive test fit almost a dozen, couple sets under $600.

 

[ModularKid21]

Not a fan of the 20’s.....but everything’s not for every body.
I much prefer the 18’s for less unsprung weight, etc......and I like the look.





Lots of 18’s fit over the 6 pot Brembo’s. Apex is having a group buy on Gang-Up, complete set for $1400 depending on options. Just about any “ flow form” or forged wheel with a medium concave and proper offset will fit, ive test fit almost a dozen, couple sets under $600.

Have any examples? Off the top of my head, I only know two manufactures that make 18’s that fit over the 6 pots and that are anywhere even close to $600

 

[NightmareMoon]

20s tell me your priorities are for show (not go). So ya, go ahead and hard park your 20s at Cars ‘n Coffee, and post pics on Instagram of your perfect flawless paint .

While you’re parked taking pics you might hear the faint sounds of my full throttle exhaust echo off the distant hills while I drive those imperfect twisty back roads at probably illegal speeds picking up rock chips from slower cars ahead. The cattle guards won’t slow down my 19” satin black wheels, which wear asphalt coated rocks glued to their insides like jewelry from recently paved chip-seal roads, and covered in brown brake dust from hard trail braking into off camber blind corners.

Poking fun aside, no 20s aren’t “too big”, but 19s with the right aggressive offset and wide tires look pretty baller too.

 

[ModularKid21]

20s tell me your priorities are for show (not go). So ya, go ahead and hard park your 20s at Cars ‘n Coffee, and post pics on Instagram of your perfect flawless paint .

While you’re parked taking pics you might hear the faint sounds of my full throttle exhaust echo off the distant hills while I drive those imperfect twisty back roads at probably illegal speeds picking up rock chips from slower cars ahead. The cattle guards won’t slow down my 19” satin black wheels, which wear asphalt coated rocks glued to their insides like jewelry from recently paved chip-seal roads, and covered in brown brake dust from hard trail braking into off camber blind corners.

Poking fun aside, no 20s aren’t “too big”, but 19s with the right aggressive offset and wide tires look pretty baller too.

Preach!

 

[GTthree50]

There isn’t anything wrong at all with 19”, but personally I think they look small on a car the size of the S550. I originally went with stock size 19’s and had buyers remorse almost immediately after installation. It bothered me so much that 20’s were on it only 6 months later.

 

[BmacIL]

I'm with you, OP. 20" looks too big, too hard parkey vs purposeful. It also makes the brakes look tiny, even the Brembos. A very small selection of 20" do not do this, but most with large barrels look like bicycle wheels to me.

19" is the perfect size for balance of weight/grip/handling and looks. 18" looks small, unless you're stuffing lots of tire width under the fenders too. Also, tire selection is a big deal.

 

[Smokey613]

Nah, factory 20s are perfect to my tastes.

 

[shogun32]

Lots of 18’s fit over the 6 pot Brembo’s. Apex is having a group buy on Gang-Up, complete set for $1400 depending on options.

I buy wheels only when they are much less than $200 per. That's why Apex is out. I got Forgestar F14 for $110 each the other day from American Muscle. My other flow-form wheels were $95 each and $125. When LMR was discontinuing the G14(?) I got a set of 10+11 for $500 shipped.

So do tell. Who has 18" that are verified to fit over the big brakes? Though at this point I won't be buying any more wheels.

 

[BmacIL]

I buy wheels only when they are much less than $200 per. That's why Apex is out. I got Forgestar F14 for $110 each the other day from American Muscle. My other flow-form wheels were $95 each and $125. When LMR was discontinuing the G14(?) I got a set of 10+11 for $500 shipped.

So do tell. Who has 18" that are verified to fit over the big brakes? Though at this point I won't be buying any more wheels.

For $200 per? No one. Pay to play.

 

[ChromaticGrey]

There isn’t anything wrong at all with 19”, but personally I think they look small on a car the size of the S550. I originally went with stock size 19’s and had buyers remorse almost immediately after installation. It bothered me so much that 20’s were on it only 6 months later.

Ive been looking for the set of perfect 5 spoke wheels for the s550. Never was a huge fan of those spoke styles, but that looks really good seeing them on the car. Do you know if the 19s are lighter than stock? Do you happen to know what they weigh?

What wheels are those? They look so damn good. Id guess they are more expensive than id like to spend,haha

 

[Bluelightning]

What about unsprung weight? Wouldn’t a 20” wheel, on average, weight more than a 19”. So you have more weight that will effect handling and a lower profile tire that could effect ride comfort. Not sure the trade offs are worth it. That said I like the look but..........

What is unsprung weight when you have close to 800 at the wheels?

Sponsored