560SEL

I just got a CPO 13' GL450 w/appearance pack. The dealer put on fresh bridgestone runflats (MOE). I won't get into it here again - but they must go.

I will almost certainly get dedicated snows so winter performance (or lack thereof) is irrelevant.

I tried Hankooks on our last GL, a 2008 and was happy to switch back to the Contis. Tires match a cars personality. The conti cross contacts on the old car were quiet and had a very soft/compliant ride - a good match.

On this car, the Bridgestones (and probably any runflats) are NOT a good match because they have a nervous fidgety low speed ride as well and a poor ability to absorb sharp bumps. This is fine in a super sport vehicle - the GL is not that vehicle. I'm looking for the buttery ride.

Options are: new Michelin LTX premier, Pirelli Scorpion Verde, Conti UHP or Michelin Latitude Sport (forget the dunlops - I just don't like em)

All the reviews on the new Michelin focus only on its wear characteristics. That's nice, but there is no data or feedback comparing it to its competitors as fas as noise and ride quality. The Conti UHP sounds like a good option since they're on a lot at GL550s and Conti & Merc are like PB&J. But apparently the UHP is a much sportier tire than the CrossContact and some people say it is a little harsh riding? It's also expensive. The Michelin Latitude is an older design, and while I'd bet its smooth riding, I bet it will wear out quickly and I don;t drive the GL that hard to necessitate a V or W rated tire. Also they're expensive.

Which leaves the Pirellis - which most owners are not that happy with from what I hear and read. Even my dealer told me they're noisy. But they are on every GL??? Pull up a pic on the internet and there they are....? Is it b/c they're less $

Are they that bad? If I was convinced they were the way to go, I would order a set now. Instead, I'm waiting to hear reviews regarding the new Michelins (there are only 4 reviews on tirerack).

Should I avoid the pirellis?

Thanks for any feedback.

Regards,
David

mtm

I had the dealer try to balance with Roadforce two full sets of Pirelli Scorpion Verde tires - they couldn't get it right. The car kept getting vibration between 60 and 70 MPH. According to the shop foreman this is a common issue with the Pirellis on the 20" wheels.

They ended up replacing the Pirellis with Bridgestone Dueler - ride is about the same, but no vibration.

While the car was in the shop, I had an ML loaner with Pirelli Scorpion Verde on 20" wheels (it had about 1700 miles on the odometer) - same vibration between 60 and 70 MPH.

43221B

Exact same experience as mtm. Dealership couldn't balance the 20" Pirellis. Sent you a pm drpesq. Continentals are very good in the 20" size.

smayshusband

Have your ever tried a set of Nokian tires? I made the switch two years ago and haven't looked back since. They offer both a summer and winter line, and I couldn't be happier with both.

anothercar

FWIW, My 20" Pirellis are just fine @ 19,000 miles. Absolutely zero vibration and good tread life remaining. Rotated them @ 10k miles.

43221B

I'm sure that some of the 20" Pirellis are fine. The problem is that a large percentage of the tires coming from the factory are so far out of balance that they are either out of spec or so close to out of spec that they can't be balanced on a GL. That is a quality problem and unacceptable on a vehicle this expensive. If you get four that can be balanced, you are lucky. The dealerships are starting to get tired of them because they are eating the labor costs associated with getting the Pirellis balanced. I personally like the Pirellis because they have a wide tread that looks good on the GL but I couldn't get four balanced on my GL. If you replace your 20" tires with Pirellis, you stand a very good chance of having to bring your GL back, maybe multiple times.

SaniDel

I'm not convinced that we have as many options. Here's what TireRack says are the tires for the 2015 GL 550:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...nLoadRating=XL

Two Continentals, four Pirellis and a Hancook, but no Michelins. The closest Michelin offers is on a 22" rim:

http://www.michelinman.com/US/en/tir.../22/112/V.html

I had Latitude Tour HPs on our previous vehicle, but it was body-on-frame and not as 'aggressive' a vehicle as the GL550. Were it not for the cost of switching from 21" to 22" rims I would seriously consider them.

SFML320

Same here, no vibrations with the original set but I had to replaced them at 30K miles.

The new set or should I say sets have the vibrations between 60-70mph. I was able to get the first set replaced but now even local tire installers knows of this issue and said there's nothing they can do but do tell the dealer.

Steve Maislin

I have 275/55 R19 Pirelli Scorpion Verde for the past 2500 miles installed on the original Mercedes wheels. No issues at all. Smooth at all speeds and quiet. Bought from Tire Rack and installed by the local NTB. I am very sensitive to noise and vibration and I am quite satisfied.

43221B

Just to clarify, it is the 275/50 20" Pirelli Scorpion tire that seems to be difficult to balance. No other Pirelli tire that I know of has this balancing problem.

kmatheny

I too am looking at the Pirelli Scorpion Verde AS (275/50/20) for my 2010 GL450. I'm so disappointed to hear about the balancing issues and vibrations at 60-70. In fact, I've already ordered them from Discount Tires, so I'm really perplexed and rushing to find an alternative that isn't too expensive before having them put them on the GL. I don't want to stay with the Bridgestone Dueler HL400 (runflats), but any suggestions on alternatives?

43221B

They may work out for you so don't get too discouraged. The suspension on the X164 (what you have) is not as soft as it is on the X166 450/350 so you might have better luck. Don't accept them if they aren't perfectly balanced.

yk0786

I have 275/55 R19 Pirelli Scorpion Verde plus AS on original Mercedes rims since June and am currently on a road trip. I am not experiencing any of the vibrations and noise. Its been a very smooth ride. The only downside I feel so far is that, although not considerable, I think I am getting less MPGs since getting the new tires. Otherwise, I am happy with the purchase.

SFML320

For 20" owners, I know 19" doesn't seem to have the same issue, have you tried a different brand tire for comparison? I made the mistake of requesting the same Scorpions for my replacements. I should have requested Bridgestone or Michelins even if they are more.

I'm even willing to swap out the brand new Scorpions for a different brand set if that will solve the vibrations. I will install the Scorpions back when I sell the vehicle.

43221B

20" Continental Crosscontact UHP summer tires are very smooth and quiet. Michelin I see has a new all season 20" tire according to Tire Rack.

I have four of the Continental tires mounted on the OEM 20" wheels, tpms installed that came off of my 14 450. They have 5000 miles on them. PM me if interested. I just want to get rid them now that I have a 550. Make me an offer. Motortrend references these tires in one of their articles as being superior to the Pirellis. I agree, if you don't need all season or winter tires, they are the way to go. Here's a link to the Motortrend article:

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...etec_update_5/

JMCarter

Liked the original Pirelli tires so went back to them, initial vibration remedied by having dealer rotate the tires on the rims and rebalance. Your dealer just needs to invest the time to make them right or seek out a professional that will.

kmatheny

Thanks! I'm having the Pirelli's put on in a couple of days. I'll post the immediate results of the ride and again after balancing and finally after one week. I'll make sure they use a torque wrench as opposed to an air powered wrench to not put too much pressure on my rotors and warp them. In addition, they have a road force balancer so you would think they would be able to balance them. With an alignment, you would think the ride would be smooth like other sizes on other high end vehicles. We'll see...

kmatheny

Thanks! I'm having the Pirelli's put on in a couple of days. I'll post the immediate results of the ride and again after balancing and finally after one week. I'll make sure they use a torque wrench as opposed to an air powered wrench to not put too much pressure on my rotors and warp them. In addition, they have a road force balancer so you would think they would be able to balance them. With an alignment, you would think the ride would be smooth like other sizes on other high end vehicles. We'll see...

mercedesman2006

I have been watching this issue develop over the past few months. I'm hearing multiple complaints from customers and my own demo. Above 50-55 MPH it starts shaking. I have not experienced the problem with the Bridgestone or Michelins. I also don't recommend them for Volvo XC90s. Tire wear is very disappointing.

kmatheny

Well I have now had the Pirelli's Scorpion Verde tires on for 2 days and thus far they ride awesome! No vibration, no noise, and a smooth ride. Much better than the Bridgestone Dueler H/L 400 I had on it. My suggestion, if not buying the from the MB dealer (got mine from Discount Tire), be sure they use a torque wrench as opposed to an air compressor wrench (in attempt to not even slightly warp your rotors) and that they use a road force balancer vs. a spin balancer.

SFML320

Nice to hear about your experience! Just to be sure - no vibrations even at highway speed (65+mph)? Mines are very smooth at low speed, only at 65+mph or really between 65-75mph, I can feel the vibrations.

43221B

kmatheny has the 19" Pirelli Scorpions on a X164, those don't seem to be the problem. It is the 20" Scorpions on the X166 that are hard to balance. Let's not confuse two different tires/vehicles.

kmatheny

I have put it on the expressway at 70-80mph, a couple of time, for about 15 minutes each and felt no vibration. Just before having the tires put on, I did the same with my Bridgestone Dueler HL400's so that I could have recent memory of the ride before the Pirelli's. The result, no vibration, thankfully. Fingers still crossed though...

kmatheny

I actually have 20" Pirelli Scorpions, but I do drive an X164 (a 2010 GL450). I've heard of others driving the X164 having the same issue of vibrations as well, but agree it seems to be more prevalent on the X166. I do believe the same issues apply regarding the use of a torque wrench as to not warp the rotors, which are known to cause vibrations at higher speeds.

SFML320

Adding to the frustration - the original set that came with the X166 GL450 was perfect, except they were worn down

The first new set road force tests were all above 20lbs. The second set is a little better, 2 @6lbs but 2 @12lbs. Now have to see what to do with the two that are 10+lbs off round.

Arrrgh - so frustrating.