Tire Roundup-19" Headache
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,214
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
The Continentals were bad from when they were brand new until the time I replaced them with Dunlop SP's. I won't say the Contintntals on my GL were the worst tire I have ever used on any car but I will say they were right there near the bottom of the list.
The Dunlop's were good from start to finish. I never noticed any change in handling or sound throughout the time they were on the car. Had I stayed with 19" rims, I would have purchased the Dunlop's again.
The Dunlop's were good from start to finish. I never noticed any change in handling or sound throughout the time they were on the car. Had I stayed with 19" rims, I would have purchased the Dunlop's again.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 361
Likes: 3
From: Chicagoland
2008 ML350 4matic
Take a look at the Nokian WRG2...pricey, not easy to find, worth their weight in gold. An "all-season" tire with perfect reviews....I am putting them on in the spring, hoping to make the winter on the factory Conti's with 23k on them....
http://www.nokiantires.com/tyre?id=1...me=Nokian+WRG2
http://www.nokiantires.com/tyre?id=1...me=Nokian+WRG2
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,268
Likes: 253
Take a look at the Nokian WRG2...pricey, not easy to find, worth their weight in gold. An "all-season" tire with perfect reviews....I am putting them on in the spring, hoping to make the winter on the factory Conti's with 23k on them....
http://www.nokiantires.com/tyre?id=1...me=Nokian+WRG2
http://www.nokiantires.com/tyre?id=1...me=Nokian+WRG2
pricey, not easy to find, worth their weight in gold as they are not available in 275/55/19 size...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota
2015 Ram 2500, former 2013 GL350, 2007 GL450
I'm at 53,000 miles on my 2nd set of Contis, probably need new tires before the snow - which could be any day.
My friend just got some of the Hankuks for his ML and saved a ton. Too bad they don't make the 111 rating.
My friend just got some of the Hankuks for his ML and saved a ton. Too bad they don't make the 111 rating.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 1,009
From: Overland Park, KS
‘24 BMW iX M60
Any new tire in the same size/load rating/usage category will be quieter than what you've just replaced that has worn down, even the same exact model tire.
Only way to really compare tires is same-day/same-place testing of new versions of each.
But, I agree, new tires are nicer than old tires.
Only way to really compare tires is same-day/same-place testing of new versions of each.
But, I agree, new tires are nicer than old tires.
I'll see how the Pirellis handle winter conditions versus the Contis, but frankly doubt they would be worse.
Bish
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,268
Likes: 253
if you never hit all those at the same time i think the 107 would be just fine.
i am certainly going to try them on my gl.
alex
few cars
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production
Verdad Gallardo
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look
Verdad Gallardo
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 597
Likes: 1
From: Monterey, CA
'97 E320
Just be glad that you 19" wheel guys actually have options.
There is currently only one 275/50/20 runflat tire for us with '09+ Bluetecs, and it is the OE Goodyear LS-2 for $420/ea at tirerack.
There is currently only one 275/50/20 runflat tire for us with '09+ Bluetecs, and it is the OE Goodyear LS-2 for $420/ea at tirerack.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton, AB
2010 R8 V10, 2013 Cayenne GTS, 2014 GLK 250
Bonus that it's load factor is 116 and it is W rated. Approved for 8.0-10.0 inch width wheels.
I wish Nokian stepped up and offered the stock 20" size in the WRG2 SUV. I use those tires on my wife's old Civic and it handles like a mountain goat (OK, a little faster than a mountain goat).
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 597
Likes: 1
From: Monterey, CA
'97 E320
I don't believe that tire is a runflat, which I will need. There are a couple of 265/50/20 runflats out there, but have a lower 106 load rating (vs 109) and have VERY poor reviews on tirerack.
The Goodyears are actually halfway decent tires and I do like the added safety of runflats, but the price is ridiculous. They were $340ea when we bought the GL (vs $420 now)
The Goodyears are actually halfway decent tires and I do like the added safety of runflats, but the price is ridiculous. They were $340ea when we bought the GL (vs $420 now)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 1,009
From: Overland Park, KS
‘24 BMW iX M60
I don't believe that tire is a runflat, which I will need. There are a couple of 265/50/20 runflats out there, but have a lower 106 load rating (vs 109) and have VERY poor reviews on tirerack.
The Goodyears are actually halfway decent tires and I do like the added safety of runflats, but the price is ridiculous. They were $340ea when we bought the GL (vs $420 now)
The Goodyears are actually halfway decent tires and I do like the added safety of runflats, but the price is ridiculous. They were $340ea when we bought the GL (vs $420 now)
Bish
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 597
Likes: 1
From: Monterey, CA
'97 E320
All valid points, and I would do just that if it were my daily driver. The GL is currently being driven by my 60 yr-old mother, so it is still worth the added cost to ensure she never has to sit on the side of the road to repair a tire or wait for AAA.
This happened already soon after purchasing the vehicle...11pm on a country road about 5 miles outside of town, a tire went flat from a huge pothole, but we were still able to get home safely without even having to stop. And you're right..the tire's structural integrity had been compromised so it required replacement, but luckily the MB wheel/tire warranty took care of that.
Didn't mean to hijack the thread, but just wanted to point out how much easier you 19" tire guys have it than those of us with 20" runflats, as far as replacement goes.
This happened already soon after purchasing the vehicle...11pm on a country road about 5 miles outside of town, a tire went flat from a huge pothole, but we were still able to get home safely without even having to stop. And you're right..the tire's structural integrity had been compromised so it required replacement, but luckily the MB wheel/tire warranty took care of that.
Didn't mean to hijack the thread, but just wanted to point out how much easier you 19" tire guys have it than those of us with 20" runflats, as far as replacement goes.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota
2015 Ram 2500, former 2013 GL350, 2007 GL450
I just put the Hankook Ventas AS tires on my 07 GL450 last week. We have had two snow storms since then and they've done pretty well in snow. Of course the ride and steering are much better than my Conti's that were showing wear bars. We'll see what I think a year from now. They have a 65,000 warranty, so I assume that is some indication I should get more than 25,000 I got from the Conti's.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 327
Likes: 75
I just put the Hankook Ventas AS tires on my 07 GL450 last week. We have had two snow storms since then and they've done pretty well in snow. Of course the ride and steering are much better than my Conti's that were showing wear bars. We'll see what I think a year from now. They have a 65,000 warranty, so I assume that is some indication I should get more than 25,000 I got from the Conti's.
http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...yp=Truck%2FSUV
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
a few
hey just curious why not use the pirelli ice and snow? the guys on the Range Rover board rave about them and they even say u can use them all year round and still get 30,000 miles out of them. according to tirerack they come in the gl550 sizes.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota
2015 Ram 2500, former 2013 GL350, 2007 GL450
We have GL450's with the 19" wheels. The GL550's are bigger (20"?). In the 19" the only option is the Pirelli Zero, not the snow and ice. I went with the Hankuk's since they have a higher warranty and cost $50 less per tire.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota
2015 Ram 2500, former 2013 GL350, 2007 GL450
That's funny. I called Discount Tire in my area and the guy said the Hankuk's were POS's and tried to sell me the Dunlops. So I went somewhere else and paid about the same price.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota
2015 Ram 2500, former 2013 GL350, 2007 GL450
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
'08 S550 4MATIC SPORT,DODGE VIPER GTS,ML350 BLK/BLK
just put on a set of the perilli ice and snow in a 19" on my 09ML.At first blush they seem to work very well.All the hiways around here are clear of any snow and ice so i drove it on some side streets....they work very well.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 1,009
From: Overland Park, KS
‘24 BMW iX M60
I was asked which specific tyre I purchased for our 320 CDI and how I thought of them after having them for about 1,000 miles. Here is the link to the Tirerack:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....utoModel=GL320 CDI&autoModClar=
There are three versions of the Pirelli Zero. From what Luke told me, there is no difference; just buy the cheapest one available.
I am extremely happy with the tyres. They still provide excellent handling and ride characteristics, and I can tell you that they are handling, (sorry about the pun), the blizzard we are currently dealing with very well for an A/S tyre. Great traction in 6-8" of snow/ice. I feel very confident in the truck with these on. Highly recommended.
Bish
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....utoModel=GL320 CDI&autoModClar=
There are three versions of the Pirelli Zero. From what Luke told me, there is no difference; just buy the cheapest one available.
I am extremely happy with the tyres. They still provide excellent handling and ride characteristics, and I can tell you that they are handling, (sorry about the pun), the blizzard we are currently dealing with very well for an A/S tyre. Great traction in 6-8" of snow/ice. I feel very confident in the truck with these on. Highly recommended.
Bish
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 327
Likes: 75
So after our first snow I decided to go with some tires on my wife's GL450 and decided to go with the Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza's, as they had a 600 tread wear rating and most importantly had the 111 side wall rating. I also loved the price. I have to admit that I am surprised as to how well these "smaller" than stock tires fit these MB 19" wheels. They fit perfect and better yet made short work of the 3" snow we received last night in our subdivision. They sound quiet as well on the 65 mph highway cruise test. All in all, I would say these Bridgestone DuelerH/L Alenza's in the 255/55/19's are a 9.0 out 0f 10. Only the mileage will tell the true tale on if the 9.0 rating stands. Anything has to be better than the stock conti's in terms of longevity (I got 28K miles on the stock conti's with every 6-8K mile rotations). Here's the link for those of you who are interested:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes
Last edited by evoviiiyou; Jan 2, 2010 at 10:35 PM. Reason: spelling
