OldMerc94

Recently swapped out a set of 265/45-20 Nexen tires for a downsized set of Michelin 255/50-19 Premier LTX tires and wheels. Prior thread explains the reason for the swap.

I feel like Goldilocks here, but I was surprised to find the impact harshness over cracked pavement and expansion joints was on par with the old set of Pirelli run-flats. They also tram-line over grooved pavement which I haven't experienced on either the Scorpion or Nexen line.

I'm assuming the tires are better made and have stronger belts (?) for the sidewalls. I've had great experiences with Michelins in the past - so figured I didn't do my homework well enough and chose a tire that didn't match what I was looking nice for (comfort, tread wear, quiet).

I'm wondering if airmatic is more sensitive to impact harshness from a sturdier tire. Smooth pavement is great - cracked pavement has been jolting. Debating a swap for the Pirelli Scorpion Plus tires.

I down sized the wheel mainly for ease of replacement; 265/45-20 tires are not commonly stocked from what I've found. Assumed the ride would be no worse.

Any thoughts?

Isawelvis

Can't add anything but looking forward to other post on this subject since I have the Dunlop 19 inch on my 2015. But I have one question, did the ML550 come with run-flats and if so did you get a spare.

vinceC

Yes. Good question for the OP. Are the tires run-flats?

OldMerc94

It did come with run-flats - Pirelli Scorpions. I now have a spare...but it's a space hog I only load for long trips.

Had to tow the ML when two of the Pirellis wore too low and threw a belt while on a road trip (my fault). I was stuck with Nexens as the only solution to get me back on the road.

The Michelins ride similarly to the run flats. A lot of minor vibration gets transmitted into the cabin. I normally am happy with Michelins, so I assume Airmatic needs to be paired with a softer tire (shorter tread life?).

The Nexens were actually a great riding tire (very comfortable, no impact jolts or tram-lining on grooved roads), but I couldn't get a good balance and they flat spot too easily over night.

Premiers are not a bad tire, they are very quiet, balance very well, and do not flat-spot overnight. Michelin's 30-day Promise Plan also gives the option to return the tires. Great company.

Like I said...I'm having a Goldilocks moment.

Ordering a set of Pirelli Scorpion AS - Plus tires - hoping they deliver the ride I'm looking for. I'll update with the result.

racer12

I put on 275 45 20 LTX Premier on my 2014 ML 350.
The difference is night and day from the French crap that was on it from new.
Smooth and very quiet.
Sold this ML and am putting the same tire on my new SUV not another Benz. right from the start as I was very impressed with the performance

Isawelvis

My 2015 ML350 has the compact spare . Does the ML550 not have a recess area for a compact spare? My ML350 came with 19 inch wheels, so maybe a compact spare would work for you. Check a salvage yard.

OldMerc94

B&O amplifier is in the recessed area - no way the compact spare would fit. However, MLs with H/K or base stereos have space for the compact spare.

instantfob

Michelin Premier LTX is great with more focus on long treadlife

If you are leaning more towards touring SUV tire then you can also look at Michelin Latitude Tour HP which is OEM on many premium SUVs

OldMerc94

Pirelli AS Plus tires are on - ride quality is back where I expect it to be.

Nexens were the softest (and cheapest if that matters) - but wallow a bit in the corners, had a hop in two tires, flat spotted over night under the ML's weight, and wouldn't balance.

Michelins were the hardest (felt like run flats) and most expensive, but they had great grip (braking and acceleration were strong), they were whisper quiet, and spin balanced on the first go. Great tire...but a little jolting over pavement imperfections and followed grooved roads too easily. I think airmatic makes it more noticeable.

Pirellis are right in the middle. Not the most expensive, not the quietest, not the softest, and I felt the Michelins had slightly better bite through a corner, and it took a road force balance to smooth them out...but they ride and handle the way I expect.

So...I don't recommend Nexens for the ML.

I'd recommend the Michelin Premier, but with the caveat they will ride a bit on the firm side, but otherwise perform great. I would think twice about them if you're on Airmatic.

I'd recommend the Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus tires as a good compromise. Hope to get at least 45k out of them.

Hope the feedback helps someone else in this boat down the road.

Oldoarsman

Thanks for sharing this information.

I am planning to replace my Conti OEM's later this summer and am considering both the Michelin Premier LTX and Pirelli Scorpion AS+. My priorities are quietness, longevity, and then handling.

Would you please tell us what PSI you set for your tires?

Thanks for your help!

greasykid

Had 19" Conti LX20 Cross Contac's on my 2015 ML250. Very good tire & less $ than Michelins. Check them out on Tirerack.com.

Oldoarsman

Great info, greasykid!

I took a look at these tires on TireRack and based on their reviews, I've added them to my list for consideration.

I've appreciated the quietness of my existing Conti's, but found that they can hydroplane fairly easily and they seem to be nearing the end of their useful life at 34,000 miles.

Thanks for suggesting these.

OldMerc94

Pirellis are set to 38psi all around.

I dropped the Michelins to 35psi when they were on and they still wouldn't absorb cracks / jolts very well. Pirellis at 38 are just right.

Oldoarsman

Thanks for your response, OldMerc94.

Great info to have when comparing the tires!

mpalsal

Lsawelvis, could you please tell me what the rim offset is on your spare tire?
I believe the spare is equipped with Dunlop 155 90D R18, the info on the offset (ET) should be on the inside of the spare rim. It may read like 4.50Bx18H2 ET__. The number next to the ET is the offset.

Thanks,

Isawelvis

Mpalsal - You are correct the tire size is 155/90D/18. The rim reads

4.00B x 18H2 ET40 This was on the outside of the rim near the center were the holes are, as it sits up in the spare tire section.

mpalsal

Thx, Isawelvis.
Enjoy your ML.

mpalsal

Isawelvis, forgot to ask if the spare comes with the bolts?

Isawelvis

Yes, it has a set of shorter bolts that come with the spare.

mpalsal

Isawelvis, sorry to need to bother you one more time, please kindly measure the bolt, I want to make sure that I am getting the right ones.

Is the length of the shank (the thread part) 26 mm?
Is the whole length of the bolt 47mm ?
All the bolts black steel?

Not sure if you can provide picture?

Thanks a million.

Mp

elveston

Just put a set of LTX 275x45x20 on my 2013 ML550 with Air Suspension. Needless to say, I'm monitoring the ride quality very closely. But, so far, so good.
I replaced a set of Conti DWS with about 35,000 on them. They had become pretty noisy and were riding hard as you would expect with them nearing end of life. Tire shop put 50 lbs of air, but even over-inflated, they rode extremely quiet and smooth. On good roads, there was little difference in Sport and Comfort modes. On my street which has always been noticeably rough, they continued to ride fairly rough, although not as bad.
So, with the first 30 or 40 miles on them, I am relieved they seem to be cooperating with the Air Suspension. I had a 2016 GLE rear wheel drive as a loaner a week ago for 4 days, and my 2013 drives almost a light and quick as it did even with all wheel drive and a V8. Needless to say, the V8 puts the 6 to shame, but that has nothing to do with the tires.
I'll update if I notice any problems that develop.

HighwaymanV

At 31,000 miles on my 2013 ML350 BT I'm wondering if I am in the market for tires?

Previous (leased) owner seems to have driven fairly hard on the stockers, which are Dunlop Grand Trek Touring A/S 19's. There's still some room till ware bars are pronounced, but I see the end is nearing.

As a Wisconsinite, looking forward to a lot of ski runs with kids in my new (used) ML - would you just pull the trigger on new tires, or run a few more thousand on these?

As a motorcyclist I have come to love Michelin traction and performance. Since I don't have the airshocks on my ML, Michelin LTX Premiers are looking good, and running about $200 ea at costco installed, with anytime-lifetime rotations.

So - run the stockers for a winter or go with new Michelins before snow fall?

mustbebenz

Yes, thoughts are you need winter tires in WI and for ski runs to get the most out of your truck, or any car. I'm in MI, mostly on metro plowed and salted roads, but all my cars run winters, even the Miata that is light RWD and so nimble that it's great in snow (that's not too deep) with performance oriented winter rubber. Buying my GL its boots just now, I have a second set of wheels.

You'll get what you really need plus both sets of tires will together have extended life so the extra cost is not what it seems at first.

Winters are often slightly smaller, a minus one wheel size and/or narrower with more sidewall aspect ratio. PM me if I might tell you more, but all allseason tires are impossibly compromised, besides even if okay when new they will be more worn as time passes so you face the same here comes winter with half worn tires soon enough.

Wear bars are too late! That's a legal limit of 2/32" but functionally you're ineffective at water evacuation by 4/32" if not before -- check out when to replace video with brake test comparison on tire rack site, also winter tire tech video. Seems like you got hosed if the tires show that much wear, a CPO car show have new or close to new tires. They don't last very long on these heavy trucks in any case.

BTW, it's air springs that you lack, not shock absorbers.

HighwaymanV

Ah yes, Air Springs. What a self leveling concept... Thanks!

And a snow tire clad Miata in the winter sounds really fun. I once had a '95 crown vic police interceptor that was a hoot in the snow. (Not great on slippery hills, mind you, but a ton of fun to slide around - Blues Brothers stylin'!)

So yeah, you make a good case. I'd gladly run the stock dunlops for a good while, as their life is not done, it is just that I want to have good winter rubbers by December, which forces the point of purchase if I stay with one wheel set.

But indeed, as an outback driving ski buddy with snow tires once demonstrated on a powder day, snow tires are really great.

I see a package deal with Blizzaks on 18's for $1034 plus shipping.
http://www.tirerack.com/snow/preferredpackages.jsp

That would certainly solve my current dilemna, and maybe save over the years. And if they prevent an accident they will certainly be worth the modest added cost of $84/wheel.

And that would free up the options on the MB wheels to wear a sportier summer/rain tire.

Thanks - you got me thinking big!

HighwaymanV

One question remains on the second wheel set:

Does the ML need the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) on the second set of wheels, or is there an override/ignore option for that sensor?

I have a digital tire pressure gauge, and that would be adequate IMO. The sensors add $55 to the cost of each wheel.