The 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 sits at the top of Mercedes-Benz luxury touring, blending long-wheelbase comfort, strong V8 power, and the kind of refined road manners buyers expect from a modern flagship. Tire selection on this car is more configuration-specific than it first appears, because the S550 uses several radial sizes across 18-, 19-, and 20-inch wheel packages, including staggered front and rear setups on certain versions. That creates meaningful choices not just in size, but in wheel diameter, sidewall profile, and appearance, with blackwall, redline, and raised white letter options in some fitments. The right starting point is confirming body style, axle position, and actual wheel setup before comparing tire options.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 uses five primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends on the exact configuration. Some versions use a square 245/50R18 setup, while others use staggered front and rear combinations in 19- or 20-inch diameters. The first step is confirming whether the car is a sedan or coupe, then checking whether it has 18-, 19-, or 20-inch wheels and whether the front and rear sizes differ.
Fit(s): 4Matic Coupe Front, 4Matic Sedan Front, and Base Front
Construction: Radial|Rim: 20 in
245/40R20 is a metric radial size with a 245-millimeter section width, a 40-series aspect ratio, and a 20-inch rim diameter. On the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550, this size serves as a front fitment in staggered 20-inch applications, so it is part of a matched front-to-rear setup rather than a universal all-around size. Available choices include blackwall performance-oriented tires from BFGoodrich and Nitto, along with Pro-Trac Street Pro III options in RWL and redline form. This size makes sense only after confirming the car is equipped with the corresponding 20-inch wheel package and matching rear size.
Fit(s): 4Matic Coupe Front, 4Matic Sedan Front, and Base Front
Construction: Radial|Rim: 19 in
245/45R19 is a metric radial size that uses a 245-millimeter width, a 45-series sidewall profile, and a 19-inch rim. For the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550, it is used as a front tire in staggered 19-inch setups, making wheel diameter and axle position especially important before selection. BFGoodrich and Nitto offer this size in blackwall designs across g-Force and NT555 G2 series, giving buyers a few different approaches within the same fitment. It is the right choice when the car has the 19-inch front wheel arrangement rather than the 18-inch square setup or the 20-inch package.
Fit(s): 4Matic Coupe Rear, 4Matic Sedan Rear, and Base Rear
Construction: Radial|Rim: 20 in
275/35R20 is a metric radial size with a 275-millimeter section width, a lower 35-series profile, and a 20-inch rim diameter. On the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550, this is the rear tire in staggered 20-inch applications, where it works with a narrower 245/40R20 front tire rather than as a stand-alone fitment. Product choices include blackwall options from BFGoodrich and Nitto, plus Pro-Trac Street Pro III versions with RWL or redline sidewalls for a more distinctive presentation. This size should be chosen only after confirming the rear wheel diameter, width, and the full staggered setup already on the car.
Fit(s): 4Matic Coupe Rear, 4Matic Sedan Rear, and Base Rear
Construction: Radial|Rim: 19 in
275/40R19 is a metric radial size that combines a 275-millimeter width with a 40-series profile on a 19-inch rim. It serves as the rear size for staggered 19-inch wheel applications on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550, pairing with a 245/45R19 front tire. Blackwall choices are available from BFGoodrich and Nitto, including multiple g-Force series and the NT555 G2, so buyers can compare tire character within the correct size. It is important to verify that the car uses the 19-inch staggered arrangement, because this rear fitment is not interchangeable with the 18-inch square setup or the 20-inch rear size.
245/50R18 is a metric radial size with a 245-millimeter section width, a 50-series profile, and an 18-inch rim diameter. On the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550, this size is used as a square fitment on certain sedan configurations, meaning the same size is used at all four corners. Available options in this size come from Pro-Trac in the Street Pro III series with either RWL or redline sidewall treatment, giving the buyer an appearance-based decision within the fitment. This size is the relevant starting point when the car retains 18-inch wheels instead of one of the staggered 19- or 20-inch packages.
Fitment on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 varies by sub-model and, in several cases, by front and rear axle position. Checking the exact configuration matters here because some versions use one square tire size while others use staggered 19-inch or 20-inch combinations.
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2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 4Matic Coupe Front
The 4Matic Coupe front fitment uses either a 245/40R20 or 245/45R19 radial, depending on the wheel package installed. Tire selection starts with confirming whether the coupe is on 19-inch or 20-inch front wheels, then matching that choice to the corresponding rear size.
The 4Matic Coupe rear fitment uses a wider staggered radial tire, either 275/35R20 or 275/40R19. That makes rear-wheel diameter and axle position critical, since the coupe does not use the same size front and rear in these applications.
The 4Matic Sedan can use a 245/50R18 radial as a square fitment. For tire selection, that means the focus shifts away from staggered sizing and toward confirming the 18-inch wheel setup and choosing the sidewall treatment that suits the car's presentation.
The 4Matic Sedan front position also appears with staggered 19-inch or 20-inch wheel packages using 245-section radial tires. Selecting the right tire depends on checking the actual front wheel diameter on the car rather than assuming every sedan uses the same setup.
The 4Matic Sedan rear fitment in staggered applications uses either 275/35R20 or 275/40R19. That wider rear sizing means the correct choice must follow the installed wheel package so front-to-rear balance and physical fitment remain consistent.
The S550 Base can use a 245/50R18 radial in a square arrangement. For this setup, the key decision is less about front-versus-rear sizing and more about confirming the 18-inch wheels and comparing the available RWL and redline styles.
The S550 Base front fitment also appears with staggered 19-inch and 20-inch packages using 245/45R19 or 245/40R20 radials. That makes wheel confirmation essential before choosing among the available blackwall, RWL, or redline options tied to the exact size.
The S550 Base rear position in staggered form uses either 275/40R19 or 275/35R20. Tire choice here should follow the rear wheel diameter already on the car, then be matched to the proper front size rather than selected as an isolated rear replacement.
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 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 Tires for Sale
Available 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 tire choices span BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac, with fitments across 18-, 19-, and 20-inch radial sizes. Depending on size, buyers can compare blackwall, redline, and RWL sidewalls along with g-Force, NT555 G2, and Street Pro III series.
Owners of a 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 usually need to sort out wheel diameter, staggered front-and-rear sizing, and appearance choices before selecting tires. These FAQs focus on fitment, rim compatibility, available tire styles, and practical checks before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550?
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 uses several radial tire sizes: 245/50R18, 245/45R19, 275/40R19, 245/40R20, and 275/35R20. The correct size depends on the exact configuration, because some cars use a square 18-inch setup while others use staggered 19-inch or 20-inch front-and-rear combinations.
The most important check is the wheel package currently on the car. A sedan or coupe may use different diameters, and staggered applications require different front and rear sizes, so the sidewall marking on each tire and the actual wheel diameter should be confirmed before replacement.
What size rim does a 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 use?
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 appears with 18-inch, 19-inch, and 20-inch rim diameters depending on the setup. A square fitment uses 18-inch rims with 245/50R18 tires, while staggered combinations use either 19-inch or 20-inch wheels with narrower front tires and wider rear tires.
Rim diameter should be verified first because the tire sizes are tied directly to it. A 245/45R19 front tire and a 245/40R20 front tire may look similar at a glance, but they are built for different wheel diameters and should not be selected by width alone.
Why does the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 have more than one tire size?
More than one tire size appears on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 because the model can be equipped with different wheel diameters and, in some configurations, staggered front and rear sizing. That means the car may use one size at all four corners or a matched pair of front and rear sizes.
This matters most when replacing only two tires or buying for a car that has changed hands. The body style, axle position, and installed wheels should all be checked so the replacement tire matches the actual setup rather than a different S550 configuration.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550?
Start with the exact size already required by the car, then match the tire to the wheel diameter and axle position. On a 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550, that may mean a square 245/50R18 setup or a staggered arrangement using 19-inch or 20-inch front and rear sizes.
After size is confirmed, compare construction details such as rim-width compatibility where stated, sidewall style, load figures when shown, and the overall look you want. A blackwall performance-oriented tire creates a different presentation than an RWL or redline option, even within the same fitment.
What sidewall styles are available for 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 tires?
Sidewall style depends on the tire size selected for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550. Blackwall options appear in several 19-inch and 20-inch sizes, while some Pro-Trac Street Pro III fitments are also offered with RWL and redline sidewalls, including certain 18-inch and 20-inch applications.
That means sidewall appearance should be treated as a second decision after fitment, not before it. Once the correct size is confirmed, the available sidewall treatments can help shape whether the car keeps a clean modern look or takes on a more customized visual style.
What brands offer tires for the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550?
BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac all offer tires in sizes used on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550. Depending on the fitment, choices include BFGoodrich g-Force series, Nitto NT555 G2, and Pro-Trac Street Pro III, with some sizes having broader brand coverage than others.
Brand choice is most useful after the exact tire size is nailed down, since not every series appears in every S550 fitment. Comparing by size first helps narrow the field, then the buyer can look at sidewall style, rim-width specs, and other product differences within that correct size.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550?
A period-style approach on a 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 still begins with the exact radial size used by the car's wheel package. Once that is established, the most relevant decision is usually visual character, such as choosing between a blackwall presentation and the available Pro-Trac redline or RWL styles in certain fitments.
Because this is a modern luxury car rather than an early collector-era vehicle, appearance choices tend to be more about taste than strict originality. Buyers seeking a highly authentic restoration-style presentation should compare the tire look against model-specific photos, literature, or marque-community references for the exact configuration.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550?
Construction is straightforward on the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 because the primary fitments are radial across all listed sizes. The visual difference therefore comes less from bias-ply versus radial and more from profile, wheel diameter, and sidewall treatment such as blackwall, redline, or raised white letter styling.
That makes it important to think about the whole package rather than the tire alone. An 18-inch square setup presents the car differently than a staggered 19- or 20-inch arrangement, and the chosen sidewall style can either preserve a restrained luxury look or add a more customized edge.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550?
Yes. A 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 may have had wheel, suspension, or ride-height changes that alter what tire size works safely on the car. That matters especially on staggered setups, where front and rear sizes are already different and wheel diameter is closely tied to the correct tire selection.
A car with aftermarket wheels should be checked for actual rim diameter and width before ordering replacements. Clearance at the fenders, suspension, and steering range also deserves attention, because the right size for a stock wheel package may not suit a modified setup in the same way.
What should I inspect before driving a 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 on new tires?
Before putting a 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 back into regular road use, inspect the wheel size, confirm the tires match the correct front or rear position, and check that inflation is appropriate for the tire and vehicle setup. It also helps to look over the wheels themselves for damage or irregular seating.
A short road test should be paired with a careful look for rubbing, vibration, or uneven clearance from lock to lock. Cars that sit for long periods also deserve an extra check of alignment condition, air retention, and suspension wear so the new tires are not compromised immediately.
How often should tires on a 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 be inspected?
Tires on a 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 should be inspected regularly, not only for tread wear but also for pressure loss, cuts, bulges, and sidewall cracking. Inspection matters even more on lower-profile 19-inch and 20-inch fitments, where wheel impact damage and edge wear can be easier to miss.
A monthly visual check is a sensible routine, with closer attention before longer trips or after pothole impacts. On cars driven infrequently, age and storage conditions deserve as much attention as mileage, since a low-use luxury car can still develop tire issues while parked.
