The 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 sits in the W220 generation, a flagship sedan known for blending luxury, technology, and long-distance composure in a distinctly modern Mercedes format. Tire selection on this car is less about vintage construction and more about matching the exact wheel and package setup. Depending on configuration, the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 uses 225/55R17, 245/45R18, or 265/40R18 radial tires. Available choices range from blackwall performance-oriented radials to 17-inch Silvertown Radial options with wide whitewall or redline styling. The key is confirming the exact sub-model and wheel size first, then choosing the tire character that best suits appearance, driving use, and overall fitment.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500
Three tire sizes apply to the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel package. Two of those sizes use 18-inch rims, while one uses a 17-inch rim, so the first step is confirming both the sub-model and the wheel diameter currently on the car. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to tire series, sidewall style, and the type of road feel or appearance you want.
Fit(s): 4Matic, w/AMG Sport Pkg. Front, and w/Appearance Pkg.
Construction: Radial|Rim: 18 in
In 245/45R18, the 245 identifies nominal section width in millimeters, the 45 is the aspect ratio, the R marks radial construction, and the 18 is the wheel diameter in inches. This is a modern metric radial size used on certain 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 configurations with 18-inch wheels. Available choices include BFGoodrich and Nitto products in blackwall form across g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, g-Force Phenom T/A, and Nitto NT555 G2 series. It is the right place to focus if the car carries the 4Matic, Appearance Package, or AMG Sport Package front-wheel fitment.
In 225/55R17, the 225 indicates nominal section width in millimeters, the 55 is the aspect ratio, the R denotes radial construction, and the 17 identifies the rim diameter in inches. This modern metric radial size belongs to the 17-inch wheel setup on the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 Base. Product choices include blackwall performance-style tires as well as BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial options with wide whitewall and redline sidewall treatments. It is the size to evaluate when appearance matters as much as fitment, especially on a sedan intended to balance road use with a more tailored presentation.
In 265/40R18, the 265 is the nominal section width in millimeters, the 40 is the aspect ratio, the R signifies radial construction, and the 18 is the wheel diameter in inches. This is a modern metric radial size used as the rear fitment on the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 with AMG Sport Package. The available product offering centers on a blackwall BFGoodrich g-Force Phenom T/A, making the choice more about confirming the rear wheel setup and rim width than comparing multiple styles. It should be evaluated as a specific rear-position fitment rather than a universal S500 tire size.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 because tire size changes with drivetrain and package configuration. The first step is identifying whether the car is a Base model, 4Matic, Appearance Package car, or AMG Sport Package setup before choosing a tire.
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2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 4Matic
The 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 4Matic uses the 245/45R18 radial tire size. That points the selection process toward 18-inch blackwall radial choices, with wheel confirmation remaining important if the car has been changed from its original setup.
The 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 Base uses the 225/55R17 radial size. This opens a wider appearance choice than the 18-inch fitments, including blackwall, wide whitewall, and redline options, while still requiring confirmation of the actual 17-inch wheel on the car.
The front tire fitment for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 w/AMG Sport Pkg. is 245/45R18 radial. Tire selection here should stay focused on the front wheel position and should be considered alongside the matching rear size rather than as a standalone all-around fitment.
The rear tire fitment for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 w/AMG Sport Pkg. is 265/40R18 radial. That makes rear-wheel width and clearance especially important, since this size serves a specific rear application rather than the full model range.
The 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 w/Appearance Pkg. uses the 245/45R18 radial size. Selection centers on choosing among 18-inch blackwall radial offerings while making sure the car still carries the intended wheel package and has proper clearance.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 Tires for Sale
Available 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 tires vary by size, brand, series, and sidewall treatment. BFGoodrich and Nitto cover the 17-inch and 18-inch radial fitments, with blackwall performance-style options joined by 225/55R17 Silvertown Radial choices in wide whitewall and redline form.
Common 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 tire questions usually come down to exact size by sub-model, 17-inch versus 18-inch wheel fitment, available sidewall styles, and what to inspect before putting a heavy luxury sedan back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500?
The 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 uses three different tire sizes depending on configuration: 225/55R17, 245/45R18, and 265/40R18. The Base model uses 225/55R17, the 4Matic and Appearance Package use 245/45R18, and the AMG Sport Package uses a staggered setup with 245/45R18 in front and 265/40R18 in the rear.
That means the right choice starts with identifying the exact sub-model and confirming the wheels currently on the car. A tire selected by model name alone can be wrong if the S500 has a sport package, different drivetrain, aftermarket wheels, or a front-and-rear staggered arrangement.
What size rim does a 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 use?
A 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 uses either a 17-inch or 18-inch rim, depending on sub-model and package. The 225/55R17 fitment uses a 17-inch rim, while both 245/45R18 and 265/40R18 use 18-inch rims.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before choosing any tire, especially on a used S500 that may have had wheels changed over time. Wheel width matters too, since available products carry different approved rim-width ranges within the same nominal tire size.
Why does the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 have more than one tire size?
The 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 has more than one tire size because fitment changes with drivetrain and package configuration. A Base model uses 225/55R17, while other versions move to 18-inch sizing, and the AMG Sport Package uses separate front and rear sizes rather than the same tire at all four corners.
That variation affects more than just the number printed on the sidewall. It changes wheel diameter, approved rim-width range, and in the AMG Sport Package case, the tire’s position on the car, so matching the exact setup matters before comparing brands or series.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500?
Start with the correct size for the exact 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 configuration, since this model can use 225/55R17, 245/45R18, or a staggered 245/45R18 front and 265/40R18 rear setup. After size, compare radial construction, rim-width compatibility, sidewall style, and the type of tire series that best suits how the car will be driven.
A Base model owner may focus on appearance as well as fitment because 225/55R17 includes blackwall, wide whitewall, and redline choices. An AMG Sport Package car calls for closer attention to front-versus-rear placement, since a rear tire should not be treated as a universal all-around S500 fitment.
What sidewall styles are available for 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 tires?
Sidewall style depends on tire size. Blackwall is available across all three S500 sizes, while 225/55R17 also opens the door to BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial options with wide whitewall and redline sidewall treatments.
That makes the 17-inch Base fitment the most flexible if the goal is to give the car a different visual character without changing the nominal tire size. Buyers looking at an 18-inch S500 setup should expect a more contemporary blackwall presentation centered on performance-style radial offerings.
What brands offer tires for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500?
The available 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 tire selections come from BFGoodrich and Nitto, depending on size. BFGoodrich covers all three fitments, while Nitto appears in the 245/45R18 size with the NT555 G2.
Brand choice should be weighed alongside the tire series and the way the car is configured. On some S500 sizes, the real comparison is between several BFGoodrich series, while on others the available field is narrower and the more important decision is confirming wheel size and intended use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500?
A period-style 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 still needs the correct modern radial size for its exact configuration, so the right starting point is 225/55R17, 245/45R18, or the staggered AMG Sport Package combination. Among those, 225/55R17 offers the broadest appearance range because it includes blackwall, wide whitewall, and redline choices.
Appearance goals should be balanced against how the car will actually be used. A traditional sidewall treatment can change the character of the car visually, but wheel size, sub-model fitment, and overall presentation still need to stay in step with the specific S500 you are preserving.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500?
On the 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500, primary fitment remains radial across all applicable sizes, so the appearance question is less about choosing bias-ply versus radial and more about sidewall presentation within the correct radial size. Blackwall gives the most contemporary look, while wide whitewall and redline are available in 225/55R17 for a more distinctive visual treatment.
Owners focused on originality should compare any appearance-driven tire choice against marque references, period photos, or model-specific historical material. That is especially helpful on a luxury sedan from this era, where wheel package and overall presentation can change the look as much as the sidewall itself.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500?
Yes. Modifications can change tire fitment on a 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 even when the tire size looks close on paper. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or a lowered stance can affect clearance, especially on 18-inch setups and on the staggered AMG Sport Package arrangement.
Checking the actual wheel diameter and width is the first step before ordering replacement tires. Steering clearance, fender clearance, and the relationship between front and rear sizes also deserve attention, since a modified S500 may no longer match the original configuration associated with its sub-model.
What should I inspect before driving a 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 on new tires?
Inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and any visible damage, and make sure the tires match the car’s exact front or rear position where applicable. It is also wise to look over suspension components, valve stems, and the tire sidewalls for cuts, bulges, or signs of improper mounting before regular road use.
A 2004 S500 is a substantial luxury sedan, so stable road manners depend on more than fresh rubber alone. Proper inflation, even wear, and a quick check for rubbing during full steering lock and normal suspension travel can help catch fitment issues before a longer drive.
How often should tires on a 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 be inspected?
Tires on a 2004 Mercedes-Benz S500 should be checked regularly for pressure, uneven wear, cracking, cuts, and air loss, even if the car is driven only occasionally. Low-use luxury cars can age their tires quietly, so time and storage conditions matter just as much as accumulated miles.
Monthly pressure checks are a sensible habit, with a closer inspection before highway trips or seasonal use. Cars stored for long periods benefit from attention to flat-spotting, sidewall condition, and environmental exposure, particularly heat, sunlight, and ozone sources that can shorten tire life.
