I have just ordered a 2017 RRS Autobiography.

I would welcome members advice on which wheel size to go for.

It comes with 21" wheels but I am concerned about the likelhood of kerbing the nearside rims. I am happy with the look of both 20" and 21" wheels available.

How many owners have kerbed their 21" wheels?

I deliberately dropped the wheels to 20" on mine.

It brings road noise and ride benefits as well as letting me stop worrying about kerbs. (And I have kissed a couple that did nothing other than superficially bruise the tyre sidewalls, not a mark on the alloys, and they definitely would have been damaged on larger rims).

The handling does not seem affected by the smaller rims - this thing drifts beautifully around roundabouts and thunders around bends if I want it to, and I suspect that all the electronic suspension trickery effectively masks any changes you might feel from sidewall height.

Of course, from a "looks" perspective, everyone's view will be differ. MY2016 HSE D SDV6 - gone due to fuel dilution problems.

By the age of 50 you have the face you deserve - George Orwell.

To be honest with the 45 profile on the 21's you shouldn't have any probs with kerbs,i have 295/40r22's on mine & I get close to kerbs with no problems.

Andy Andy.
21 Ford Ranger
Gone but not forgotten
Focus RS Red Edition
2015 RRS AB Fuji.
2014 RRS SC Santorini
2016 VW Amarok
2014 RRS AB Fuji
2012 RRS Red Edition Fuji
2015 Nissan Navara
2012 RRS SE Santorini
2008 RRS White
2007 RRS Santorino

I agree with wilf, I dropped my 20's to 19's and haven't looked back! That is after managing to kerb one of my 20's, despite being ver careful.
As stated, the ride and road noise have improved, while the effect on handling is negligible. The rims on these larger wheels are effectively flush with the sidewall of the tyre, so if your tyre touches a kerb, then the rim will too. Have you noticed how many wheel refurbishment shops are popping up of late, it's not by chance
Unless you are going to drive on a track permanently, go for the smallest wheel you can...

As stated by wilf, it all depends on the look you are going for and personal preference, also the style of driving you do.

If going off road obviously go for the smaller rim and larger sidewall. Also if you are just looking for no hassle practicality then go for a similar set up.

I have 22 inch style 508 rims with 274/45/22 Contisilent tyres. Road noise is minimal and in my view comfort is not compromised on normal road driving. I just preferred the larger rim look.





As for kerbing the alloys, I haven't done one yet but I am pretty careful when parking and the surround cameras help in tight spots. I also have a good wheel repair guy to fall back of if I ever need him!!  2016 Range Rover Sport SDV8 HSE Dynamic (Indus Silver/Santorini Black Pano Roof, Ebony/Cirrus leather, custom grey Style 508 alloys)

I'm also on 22" 508 (stealth black) - and no issues with them at all. - be that on road / off road (not that dramatic) or towing. Of course if you can't park for toffee then the smaller the rim the more tyre wall to scuff instead of alloy, but assuming you can park (or have 360 surround camera) there should be no excuse not to have the alloys you want. picture in my gallery show wheels - (but 508's (in silver)) already in this thread.

Thank you for your feedback gentlemen.

There seems to be no definitive view!

My head tells me go for the 20" and be safe, but my dealer suggests that the next purchaser will expect the Autobiography to have the 21" wheels and hence it may be worth less or less desirable.

I am very careful with my wheels but still managed to scrape the big wheels on my last Merc a few times during its life.
Also the 20" will be easier to clean.

Time is running out. I should remind myself that this is only a First World problem though...

Forget about the next purchaser, it's your hard-earned that you're parting with! Apart from having the car in pink or mustard yellow, go with what you prefer

So I've been up to London today and all 5 RR's and RRS's I saw with 21" wheels had been kerbed.

I think that's the clincher - thanks all!

The dealer is probably right about the next purchaser expecting 21" wheels on Autobiography as they are a no cost option. However, you should get what you prefer. I doubt it will be a deal breaker. It is something that can be easily changed later.

I have 21" wheels and can confirm they can get kerbed (especially in London with tighter parking spaces), albeit less prone to kerbing than RRS1 on even 20" wheels because RRS2 has 45 profile tyres even on 21" wheels compared to 40 profile on 20" for RRS1. Mine got slightly kerbed and it didn't bother me much but that's just me.

Can't comment on handling but kerbing will definitely be less likely on 20" and ride should be better too (it was on my RRS1 with 19" wheels compared to 20" as I had both sets). Current: Volvo XC90 T8 Inscription Pro PHEV with some optionals on top
Gone: MY16 RRS2 3.0 SDV6 Autobiography Dynamic, Carpathian Grey & Santorini Black Sliding Pano/Ebony & Ivory 2 Tone
Gone: MY13 RRS 3.0 SDV6 HSE Black Edition, Orkney Grey/Ivory
Gone: MY09 RRS 2.7 TDV6 HSE, Santorini Black/Almond

I curbed my 20's in London, gutted but the curb was very high and the space very tight and I was waiting for my dad to take him into hospital so my mind was also prob elsewhere. 2014.5 Mariana Black 5.0 Supercharged V8 Autobiography

My last Evoque ran on 20" black rims and in a year they seemed to be kerb magnets. I never offloaded the car. My 2015 RRS has 22" wheels and I managed to scuff one in the first month of ownership turning into my own drive that has granite setts as a low retaining wall on the near side ............. Was almost invisible but I knew it was there........ Like other owners with 22's I find that the tyres run very quietly and the ride comfort is brilliant. I have been off-road a fair bit and so far no scrapes or dings (or pinch flats!) either. 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

Just checked, mine are 21's  2014.5 Mariana Black 5.0 Supercharged V8 Autobiography

Definitely go for 20".

We are unanimous in that