vinceching

really, you think its butt ugly? the differences between the 450 and 550 front ends are not that much different. there is just an extra horizontal row of chrome in the front when comparing it to the 450.

besides that, the main differences are the fender flares, 21" amg's, and the chrome roof bars which used to be only on the 550, but now its on all 2010 models.

also from an economical stand point, you end up spending close to if not more than the 550 if you option a 450 out. and even then you don't get the bigger smoother engine, and the flares and 21".

if anything, you just come across as a bitter, and jealous person who cannot afford a 550, and therefore choses to knock down 550 owners. you also post a lot trying to be a know it all, when in fact you don't know that much and have been called out numerous times on the both forums on your erroneous information.

Shellbmb

Of the only two choices to fit the stock 21" size, they aren't great. The Conti's have minimal winter use and the Pirelli's have a softer tread and likely would not last as long. Makes me want to consider upgrading to some nice rims in either a 20 or 22 in order to provide some more options. I'll have to check out the picture thread for some wheel options.

psoas

The stock gl550 are the best looking rim on the truck IMO, but those limit your tire choices.

I have 22's on my wifes 450, and recently pick up new tires (bridgestones 305/40-22 all seasons) for 850 out the door...I think I paid double that for the pirelli scopians in 2007 when I bought the truck.

If you could find your same rims in 22's, that would be the best of both worlds.

You could almost find a set of inexpensive 22's and tires for the cost of just replacing your rubber on your 21's...they wouldn't be as nice or as high quality..

you could sell your 21's. and use the cash to bump up to some high quality aftermarket rims (22's)...that might be the way to go, but a lot of work.

just some thoughts

sethmckinney

If I got 22" rims what size tire would I need? I'm going through the hell of replacing 295/40/21 -- BRUTAL!

psoas

I have 305/40-22 on 10inch wide rims with a +50et offset.

I had 305/35-22 before...These were almost the exact same overall diameter as your 21's, but they were 380.00 per tire for the Pirelli Scorpians (and only lasted 25k miles)

the 305/40-22 Bridgestones are 1" taller overall, so 1/2 inch above and below the rim taller, but were only 180.00 per tire. They are much better in the snow, and are rated to last 60k miles.

sethmckinney

do the 305/40/22's rub?

psoas

My truck is lowered about 1 1/2 inches all the way around. That being said, at full turn in a parking lot, the fronts from a little bit.

sethmckinney

So I assume they wouldn't rub in a normal height GL550?

psoas

I don't think they would rub.

If they did rub, it is just a tiny turn of the steering wheel, and the rub is gone.

Not a big deal considering the money saved.

Franman

probably stating the obvious here given their performance nature, but the Contis are horrible on icy roads. We might only see ice once or twice a year where I live (one of those times happened to be this past weekend) and I had to abandon my 550 because I was sliding downhill (luckily I managed to slide into someone's driveway).

Not worth buying winter tires again as I dont see ice/snow that often, but sucks to see Escalades drive right on down the hill that I was sliding on.

Shellbmb

4matic isn't much help when you have tires that can't handle ice or snow. I'm with you. We don't get much winter weather down here in Texas, but I would like to have some tires that could handle it.

justthebest

I have the Pirelli Scorpion snow tires on my 550, and even with the record DC snows & ensuing ice I've been able to go everywhere I've needed / wanted to. They're expensive, but I for sure recommend them!

japd99

I was unhappy with the Conti's on my GL550 and looked everywhere to no avail. The hydroplaning with those tires was insane. I had just finished a lease on my Cayenne Turbo and had enjoyed the Michelin Latitude Sports so I went with the Michelins as 295/35/21. They are slightly louder and stiffer ride. I don't mind and the car handles much better. Wet performance is where it needs to be and I am going to stick with those tires for now.

LEOSOPHIE

You will have a 3.9% speedo error though.

Shellbmb

Bit the bullet and bought 2 new Contis to replace the stock tires as they were balding and wet traction was suffering. 1000 and change from discount tire, but I really didn't have many options or time. They had them in stock. Dealer wanted 500 a tire minus labor. What a difference new tires make! Drove all weekend in the rain and they performed well.

Franman

how many miles did you get out of your 2 that were replaced Shell?

What about the other two ?

justthebest

Did you put them on in front or back, and your GL is 4matic, I assume?

Shellbmb

I bought the car pre-owned with 20k miles and I knew the rear tires already needed to be replaced. I don't know if they were rotated properly or not.

So I put the new tires on the rear. The fronts still have decent tread left which makes me think they did not rotate them.

It is 4matic, but I honestly don't know how the 4matic works. If it is 4 wheel drive, why would the rears wear faster than the front? Is 4matic 4 wheel drive only when the rears are slipping? I have no idea. I know there are many variations of "4wd".

mbtx550

Its not about money necessarily. Its about the reality of having to replace 4 tires after 25K miles. That is absurd.

It is crazy the cost of the replacements as well. So when they only last 25K that means multiple tire replacements.

Also as mentioned these tires are terrible at hydroplaning to the point of being dangerous.

Has anyone found any other options for tires. I am so dissapointed in this I wished I would have purchased another vehicle.

LEOSOPHIE

I will get at least 40000 on my 550's Continentals. You must have Pirelli's.

Devil Red

At about 22K on the Conti's, my wife was told she's "going to need tires soon" by the SA/mechanic at the service recently. I never liked these tires and it doesn't seem like the Pirelli's are thought of as any better and may be worse. Do the 2010+ MY use the same sizes and tires? Since I leased her truck until May 2013, 1.75 yrs from now, I probably will do it soon so as to at least get some money's worth and not turn it back in with "new" tires.

erolbaki

Wondering did anyone tried Lionhart tires on GL550? Price tag is $850 for set of 4! Huge difference from Conti and Pirelli

nachilus

good question, i have been wanting to know myself.

memphis c350

Got my new conti's today via tire rack.
Will be going on tomorrow








I

MARLANDO

JUST INSTALLED THESE, " LIONHARTS" $230 PER TIRE, SEEMS OK