I just got a 05 LTD Roadster and it needs new wheels.
Am I asking for trouble it I change the rear wheels from 19's to 20's and leave the fronts as 18's. I've called 6 dealers (Mercedes and Chrysler): 2 no, 2 yes, 2 don't know.
Will anyone break the tie for me. I would like to put 20's on the back so I can get the rims I want...don't come in 19's.

 

There is a search function here and this question has been answered many times.

As a little hint for future questions, the word 'please' opens many doors, in a first post it is practically mandatory.

 

sorrrrry. I tried to use the search and couldn't find it...guess that make me a noob.
Pleeeeese help.
thx.

 

Tie broken. Do it.

I am running 18/20 stagger with no problems whatsoever, and when you think about it, it is all about maintaining the same overall size of the wheel + tire package. You will obviously give up some sidewall to accomodate the 20" in the rear, but you will have plenty left where you will not be driving on rubber bands. I used a 275/30-20 and am VERY close to the correct speed at ~60MPH, maybe a half mile an hour off, but since every tire manufacturer uses slightly different sizes for the same tire, it will depend on manufacturer as well. Good luck, shoot me a PM if you need anything further.

John

PS: I think the loop, especially lowered (like mine) is the cats meow...

 

[QUOTE=BoilerUpXFire]Tie broken. Do it.




sounds like you are very happy with your set up.
I'm very new to this sports car thing...what do you mean by "give up some sidewall"?
I don't want to put any more money into this than I have to.
I'm putting Michelin Pilot AS + tires on and if I need to do anything else, I won't be able to afford the rims I want. I need the tires to last the full 40K miles too. Do you think putting 20's on the back hurts your tire wear or handling?

 

ZTonk,

I will answer your questions here so future searchers can see. If you are looking for good tire wear or a good ride, you do not want to do this. I have NEVER Had a set of tires last more than 12K miles, at the most (I do drive aggressively, but can in no way see getting 40K out of a set). In the size 20 it will take, hardly anyone makes affordable tires, or anything other than ZR rated (no mileage guarantees).

When you 'plus size' a wheel, you increase the diameter of the wheel, but decrease the sidewall of the tire. This makes the sidewall stiffer and every little pebble in the road is felt. There is a LOT to consider when changing the wheels on this type of car, and it took me a lot of searching and a lot of pain in the butt. Have you even consedered the backspace, offset, stud length, etc? If you are having trouble with the basic tire lingo and you are wanting to have a 40K mile solution, this is not for you.

I will try and answer any questions you have, but as I said, this is not as easy as it appears to make everything fit correctly and look good.

 

Nothing to do with "plus sizing" wheels, but I still have the set of original Coni's that I replaced at 43,000 miles. All 4 still have some tread left.
So, you can in fact do 40,000 on tires.
( I bought the roadster from a lady lawyer that used it to commute to the office, mostly all highway miles. )

 

The Tail Of The Dragon made rubber dust of your tires.. Squirrel Crusher

 

My Contis on the rear are shot at 23,000 miles, down on the wear bars on the inside. I owe it to my passengers and myself, let alone anyone else, to have a least some decent tread when it rains to help prevent aquaplaning.
Being on a garage queen there were not any signs of cracks, but after eight years the rubber was past its due date anyway. The fronts are a long way from the wear bars, and they could well last another 20,000 if pushed.
To pass a safety test here you must have a good 1/32" over the wear bars.

 

180, I went to the storage where I left the old tires and measured, the rears have 1/16 left and the fronts have about 1/8 left, no cracks or flat spots. So I suppose those would pass Canadian inspection .......

 

I can't help but notice the correlation between the AGE and the MILEAGE reported!

 

Reread the post. Your contis are not 20" tires, and there is much more selection in 18" and 19" in sizes for non ZR rated tires. Are they the AS contis? A different breed altogether.

I am simply trying to inform him of the norm, and there is no ZR rated tires on the planet that you could get 40K from...

 

I'm talking about a measurement over the wear bars and not to the bottom of the tread. If the wear bars are flush with the surface they are long gone.

If you have that over the wear bars you have driven it like a little old lady, so I doubt the size is over the wear bars.

The Michelins PS 2's on the rear of the SRT are shot as well, they were down to the wear bars when I got it at 19,500 miles.

Don't look at the outside tread area, look on the inside that's where the most wear takes place.

 

I bought it at 42,000, and it was in fact driven by a little old lady lawyer to the office each day, all highway miles. And I AM talking about tread above the wear bars, so impossible as it might seem, miracles do happen

 

I rendered a 50,000 mile tire useless in 18,000...

But, I have a need...

 

That would be a record for me John usually 15,000 and mine are are only good for dock bumpers or flower pots....

 

Implying I can afford boats and landscaping...

Keep in mind, 18K was when I had the Limited.

With double the RWHP now... We can expect half the life-span!