The 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG sits at the top of the W221 S-Class range, combining long-wheelbase luxury with the kind of torque and high-speed capability that made AMG flagship sedans a category of their own. Tire selection on this car is not a one-size-fits-all decision, because it uses a staggered radial setup with 255/35R20 in front and 275/35R20 in the rear, both on 20-inch wheels. That layout makes front-to-rear size position especially important. Available choices include blackwall, raised white letter, and redline sidewall treatments across several modern radial series. The right decision comes down to preserving the intended stance, confirming wheel specs, and matching the car's use to the correct front and rear tires.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG uses two primary tire sizes, and they are position-specific rather than interchangeable. Both are radial tires for 20-inch wheels, with 255/35R20 used on the front and 275/35R20 used on the rear, so the first step is confirming which end of the car you are replacing tires on and verifying that the wheel setup has not been changed from stock sizing.
In 255/35R20, the 255 identifies nominal section width in millimeters, 35 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 20 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG, this size serves the front position in the staggered setup, making it part of the car's steering and visual balance. Available choices include BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac offerings, with blackwall, RWL, and redline sidewall treatments across series such as g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, g-Force Phenom T/A, Nitto NT555 G2, and Street Pro III. Choosing within this size means comparing appearance, wheel-width suitability, and intended road use without losing the correct front fitment.
In 275/35R20, the 275 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 35 is the aspect ratio, R marks radial construction, and 20 indicates a 20-inch rim. This is the rear tire size on the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG, where the wider rear fitment supports the car's staggered layout and should remain matched to the correct wheel position. Product choices include BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac options, with blackwall, RWL, and redline styles offered in series such as g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Phenom T/A, Nitto NT555 G2, and Street Pro III. This size is the one to evaluate when replacing rear tires or confirming that a modified car still retains the proper rear-wheel dimensions.
Fitment is straightforward once the tire position is identified, because the covered sub-model split is front versus rear rather than separate trim packages. Checking that distinction matters, since the S65 AMG uses a staggered setup and the front and rear sizes are different.
1
2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG Base Front
The Base Front position uses the narrower of the two primary radial sizes in the staggered arrangement. Tire selection here should focus on preserving the proper front fitment, steering response, and wheel-width compatibility while choosing among the available series and sidewall styles.
The Base Rear position uses the wider radial size that completes the car's staggered 20-inch setup. Rear tire selection should center on maintaining the correct rear size, confirming wheel dimensions, and choosing the sidewall presentation and tire series that suit the car's intended use.
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 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG Tires for Sale
Available 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG tire choices center on 255/35R20 front and 275/35R20 rear radials from BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac. The product grid lets you compare blackwall, RWL, and redline sidewalls along with series differences and wheel-width compatibility where stated.
These FAQs focus on the staggered 20-inch fitment used on the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG, including front-versus-rear sizing, radial tire selection, sidewall choices, wheel checks, and the maintenance points worth reviewing before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG?
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG uses a staggered tire setup with 255/35R20 on the front and 275/35R20 on the rear. Both are radial tire sizes mounted on 20-inch wheels, and each size is tied to a specific position on the car rather than used interchangeably at all four corners.
That means the first step is identifying whether you are replacing front tires or rear tires. It is also worth confirming that the car still has the intended wheel setup, because aftermarket wheels or previous tire changes can alter width and clearance requirements even when the rim diameter remains 20 inches.
What size rim does a 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG use?
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG uses 20-inch rims with both of its primary tire sizes. The front 255/35R20 and rear 275/35R20 are both built around a 20-inch wheel diameter, so that rim diameter stays consistent across the staggered setup.
Rim diameter is only part of the picture, though, because wheel width still matters when choosing among available tires. Several products in these sizes include wheel-width guidance, so checking the actual wheel dimensions on the car helps avoid a mismatch between the tire you select and the wheel it will be mounted on.
Do all 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The covered 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG fitment is divided by position, with the Base Front using 255/35R20 and the Base Rear using 275/35R20. Both are radial tires, but the car does not use the same size at both ends.
That difference is typical of a staggered setup and matters when ordering or rotating replacement tires. A buyer should confirm whether the tire is intended for the front or rear axle, then make sure the wheel width and overall setup still match those position-specific sizes if the car has ever been modified.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 255/35R20 or 275/35R20 tire for a 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG?
Start with the correct position-specific size, because the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG uses 255/35R20 in front and 275/35R20 in the rear. From there, compare radial tire series, sidewall style, wheel-width compatibility where stated, and any useful product details such as weight or maximum load figures tied to a stated pressure.
The right choice depends on how the car is used and how you want it to look. Some owners will prefer a straightforward blackwall presentation, while others may want RWL or redline styling. Verifying the actual wheel dimensions before selection becomes especially important if the car is no longer on its original wheel setup.
What sidewall styles are available for 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG tires?
The available sidewall styles for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG include blackwall, RWL, and redline, depending on the tire size and product series selected. Those choices appear in both the 255/35R20 front size and the 275/35R20 rear size, so the staggered setup can still be matched visually.
Sidewall style is mainly an appearance decision once the correct tire size and wheel compatibility are confirmed. Blackwall keeps the look more understated, while RWL and redline add a more customized presentation. Matching the sidewall treatment front to rear helps the car keep a consistent look across its staggered fitment.
What brands offer tires for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG?
Available tires for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG come from BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac in the covered 20-inch sizes. Depending on the exact size, the available series include g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Sport Comp 2, g-Force Phenom T/A, Nitto NT555 G2, and Street Pro III.
Brand choice should be weighed alongside size position, sidewall style, and wheel-width suitability rather than treated as the only deciding factor. Some series are offered only in certain sidewall treatments, so it helps to compare the full front and rear combination if the goal is to maintain a coordinated look and consistent tire character.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG?
A period-style approach for a 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG starts with preserving its staggered 20-inch sizing: 255/35R20 in front and 275/35R20 in the rear. Since this is a modern AMG luxury-performance sedan, the visual decision is less about vintage construction and more about selecting a radial tire series and sidewall treatment that suits the car's original-era character.
Blackwall tires usually maintain the most understated luxury-performance appearance, while RWL or redline choices create a more customized look. Buyers focused on originality should also compare wheel design, overall stance, and period photographs or marque-specific references, because tire appearance is only one part of how the finished car presents itself.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG?
Construction is simple here because the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG uses radial tires in both of its primary sizes. That means the appearance difference comes less from bias-ply versus radial and more from the tire's sidewall styling, tread presentation, and whether the front and rear fitment preserves the intended staggered proportions.
A blackwall radial keeps the look closer to a restrained high-performance luxury sedan, while redline or RWL versions shift the car toward a more personalized presentation. Keeping the correct front and rear sizes matters visually, since changing one end of the staggered setup can alter how the car sits and how balanced it appears.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG even when the nominal tire sizes remain 255/35R20 front and 275/35R20 rear. Wheel width, offset, ride height, suspension changes, and brake-package differences can all influence whether a given tire works properly within the available space.
That is especially important on a staggered setup, where the front and rear tires already have different widths. Checking wheel dimensions, fender clearance, and steering clearance before ordering helps avoid problems that do not show up by size code alone. A car with aftermarket wheels should always be measured against its actual installed setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG on new tires?
Before driving a 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG on new tires, inspect the wheel condition, verify that the front and rear sizes were mounted in the correct positions, and confirm proper inflation. It is also smart to look over tread seating, valve stems, and any obvious interference points around suspension components or inner fender areas.
A short, careful road test helps confirm there is no rubbing, vibration, or pull after installation. Because this car uses a staggered layout, it is worth double-checking that the rear wheels received the 275/35R20 tires and the front wheels received the 255/35R20 tires before putting the car back into regular service.
How often should tires on a 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG be inspected?
Tires on a 2009 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG should be inspected regularly, especially on a low-use collector or specialty car that may sit for extended periods. A routine check should include air pressure, tread wear, sidewall condition, cuts, bulges, and any signs of uneven wear that could point to an alignment or suspension issue.
More frequent inspection makes sense before longer drives or after seasonal storage. Performance-oriented low-profile tires can show wear or damage quickly if pressure falls off or the alignment changes, so a quick visual check and pressure check before driving is a sensible habit even when the car is not used every day.
