schaffs04

When I bought my 2011 GL450 with Appearance Package (including 20 inch wheels), I knew tires would be a big cost incurred frequently. $1,500-$2,000 every 20-30K miles. I also knew my truck would be due before Minnesota's winter shows up in November.

Alas, Michelin to the rescue. They've come out with a tire that not only fits this truck, and costs $266.36 a piece (tirerack.com), but they also have an honest to God 60,000 mile treadlife warranty unlike every other set I looked at.

I've not mounted them yet, but plan to this fall. I wanted to spread the word to others - my joy runs deep!

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....t&autoModClar=

Bimmer777

Nice find.

I just ordered from Tirerack this week but I went with Michelin Latitude Tour HP in slightly bigger size (285/50-20). The price per tire was $180 which is stupid cheap for this size tire. Few people seemed to have gone this slightly bigger size route and had no problems, so I am not worried. These carry slightly smaller 55k mile warranty.

Got the tires delivered yesterday but I am not putting them on until the fall myself.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

schaffs04

Nice find Bimmer777. As it turns out I'll be giving those Premier LTX a shot early. Fortunate enough to live in a new home in a neighborhood still under development, and it seems I picked up a construction grade crate staple smack in the center of the tread of one tire. Though the hissing was an Airmatic issues, grateful its just a tire. Same thing happened to the wife's LR2 2 years back.

Since the current rubber all have 4/32 or so left, I ordered 4 of the Premiers from TireProz last night. Triple net price installed, lifetime balance, rotate, road hazard, etc, $1,350.

I'll report back on how they go. Until then, off to work at no more than 50 mph on the OEM Bridge stone H/L400 MOExtendeds.

DennisG01

I'm getting close (REAL close) to needing new tires and came upon this thread. I don't have 20", but had two quick questions...

(1) Why are 20" tires called "dubs"? Yes, I am seriously asking that - it's not a joke!

(2) To get you by for a while, have you considered just getting the flat tire plugged? Just about any local garage should be able to do that for about $10. Certainly better than running around on a tire that looks like it was stolen from a clown car!

schaffs04

[QUOTE][(1) Why are 20" tires called "dubs"? Yes, I am seriously asking that - it's not a joke!
/QUOTE]

This goes back to the rap and R&B movement of the late 90s and early 2000s, and this quote specifically comes from a 50 Cent song called "In Da Club". "When I roll up they see the Benz on dubs". Best guess: dubs is easier to fit in the song than twenties.

I thought of the patch, but I figured since I was within a few months of needing tires anyway, I'd just visit the shop once and be done. Plus I have a couple longer road trips this summer and wanted to be safe and secure.

sak335

They are called "Dubs" because that is short for "Double Dimes" i.e. 2x10=20.

I don't know how I know that; I listen to punk rock, not hip-hop.

(1) Why are 20" tires called "dubs"? Yes, I am seriously asking that - it's not a joke!

2010GL550

I always thought Dubs referred to 22" diameter wheels. The "dub" is for double 2's.


But a quick Google says I'm incorrect. Dubs mean 20"


But the word "Dub" also refer to a $20 bag of Marijuana 1 gram worth.

2010GL550

Speaking of Dubs, our GL550 will need new tires very soon and I'm against spending another $1,700 on the 21" units. So, purchasing new 20" wheels and less expensive tires seems like a logical route.


What wheels are recommended? I need the offset to be very close to what we have, as I don't want the new wheel/tire setup to not "fill up" the wheel well and fender flares.


If the 20" tires are ~$180, that only leaves my around $200/wheel. Is that unrealistic?

Bimmer777

I picked up a set of OEM 20s. Didnt really like anything aftermarket and liked the look of these particular wheels. Took me a while to find a cheap enough set, but they came out to $800 shipped.

GLKpaul

I just ordered a set of premiers myself, picked up yet another screw on my tire new housing builds in my area (run flats are only allowed one repair then good tire shops should refuse to repair them - what i've read anyway) and i was fairly excited to find these.

So couple of questions,
(1) whose installed them already, whats your feedback?
(2) what are you doing for a spare? Nothing, buying fill a flat can, other?

I'm in Canada and just shy of $1,400 out the door from costco, and a rebate coming october so i can get i think $60 bucks back once it starts (love costco) should have them in a few days..

schaffs04

I had them put on by TirePros in the suburbs of St. Paul. They did it a nice job pretty quickly.

As for a spare, the original owner ordered a normal mini spare when the car was new. Not sure the best idea for your case, is there room for a mini spare?

I love the tires, they're quiet and ride well enough we can cover a thousand miles with ease, and the handling is still pretty solid.