GL 550 snow driving update?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,046
Likes: 1
From: Colorado Rocky Mtns.
'06 A6 & '08 GL550
We're heading up to Vail and Beaver Creek this weekend, so I'll update here if I get to drive on any snow.
Trending Topics
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Denver
08 GL 550, 07 Porsche GT3, 07 SL 550, 06 CLS 55, 06 Lamb Gallardo SE, 06 HD Fatboy, 06 HD RoadGlide
The 18" wheels are not the best looking, but the wheels don't make the GL 550. It's like a HOT girl with ugly shoes, she is still HOT! No pic's yet, just got them on yesterday and have been extremely busy and it is snowing here in Denver this morning.
Tire - 265/60R18 Dunlop Winter Sport M3
Wheels - Standard 18" Mercedes Wheels purchased on Ebay, $550 with free shipping.
Tire Sensor - Not using it (Mercedes wanted almost $300 per wheel). I'll live with the red idiot light on the dash.
Tire - 265/60R18 Dunlop Winter Sport M3
Wheels - Standard 18" Mercedes Wheels purchased on Ebay, $550 with free shipping.
Tire Sensor - Not using it (Mercedes wanted almost $300 per wheel). I'll live with the red idiot light on the dash.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
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
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Texas
06 CLS500
The 18" wheels are not the best looking, but the wheels don't make the GL 550. It's like a HOT girl with ugly shoes, she is still HOT! No pic's yet, just got them on yesterday and have been extremely busy and it is snowing here in Denver this morning.
Tire - 265/60R18 Dunlop Winter Sport M3
Wheels - Standard 18" Mercedes Wheels purchased on Ebay, $550 with free shipping.
Tire Sensor - Not using it (Mercedes wanted almost $300 per wheel). I'll live with the red idiot light on the dash.
Tire - 265/60R18 Dunlop Winter Sport M3
Wheels - Standard 18" Mercedes Wheels purchased on Ebay, $550 with free shipping.
Tire Sensor - Not using it (Mercedes wanted almost $300 per wheel). I'll live with the red idiot light on the dash.
If I had roughly $700,000 in cars, I'm not sure $1200 would be a big deal... would it?
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Denver
08 GL 550, 07 Porsche GT3, 07 SL 550, 06 CLS 55, 06 Lamb Gallardo SE, 06 HD Fatboy, 06 HD RoadGlide
Every penny saved is a penny earned. They add up. Before you know it you have a new toy or two in the garage. A boy and his toys!
FCO
FCO
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,046
Likes: 1
From: Colorado Rocky Mtns.
'06 A6 & '08 GL550
C'mon FCO... this isn't snow, it's just a light dusting. When I can look out at my window here in Evergreen and still see grass and pavement, that isn't snow. I'm afraid it still won't tell me much about the 21" AMG's performance in snow yet.
BTW... I hope you know I'm just giving you a hard time in jest. I will be interested to see what you think of the 18" tires later on and I certainly look forward to your pics when you get a moment.
Take Care.
BTW... I hope you know I'm just giving you a hard time in jest. I will be interested to see what you think of the 18" tires later on and I certainly look forward to your pics when you get a moment.
Take Care.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Denver
08 GL 550, 07 Porsche GT3, 07 SL 550, 06 CLS 55, 06 Lamb Gallardo SE, 06 HD Fatboy, 06 HD RoadGlide
You are right. This isn't real snow. That's why I drove the SL 550 to the gym this morning. Does great in this stuff. BTW: I have snow tires on the SL as well.
It's sunny in Denver now.
Enjoy!
FCO
It's sunny in Denver now.
Enjoy!
FCO
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Texas
06 CLS500
Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Olney,MD
Wife - E300; GL320 - Sand Biege; Me - F150
It pays to look at the feet of HOT girls. Had a friend pick up a knock-out at the bar one night in Hawaii and made a date to go to the beach the next day (a group of us meet at the beach). This knock-out had six toes on each foot. After seeing her feet, it was hard to think of her as knock-out and very hard not to look at her feet when talking to her.
Yeah I know, it's on the inside that counts.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 282
Likes: 1
From: New Jersey
2013 GL 450
It pays to look at the feet of HOT girls. Had a friend pick up a knock-out at the bar one night in Hawaii and made a date to go to the beach the next day (a group of us meet at the beach). This knock-out had six toes on each foot. After seeing her feet, it was hard to think of her as knock-out and very hard not to look at her feet when talking to her.
Yeah I know, it's on the inside that counts.
Yeah I know, it's on the inside that counts.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,046
Likes: 1
From: Colorado Rocky Mtns.
'06 A6 & '08 GL550
Mountain Driving Update
Had the opportunity to put the 550's tires through a pretty decent snow test the past few days as we've had about a foot and a half in the rockies. Here's the highlights...
1) The 21" Continentals do just fine in packed snow, as long as you control the speed by manually shifting the transmission.
2) In fresh snow that isn't tracked up very much, they also do just fine. However, if several vehicles have been through the snow, then it gets real squirrely and you have to back the speed way down.
3) In slush, be very, very careful. This has probably been the most scary situation I've ever experienced with a vehicle. The tires just really struggle. If you are traveling at speed and need to change lanes through slush, you better make sure to slow down to at least 40mph or less. Otherwise, you might find yourself in the ditch.
Conclusion...
My wife won't drive the 550 in the snow. This isn't a good situation. So, I'm going to begin looking in earnest again for some true snow tires for our 550. I'm hoping a more agressive tread design, with a narrower foot print will provide much stability for what is truly a great vehicle in my mind.
Looking forward to blitte's report from Vermont!
1) The 21" Continentals do just fine in packed snow, as long as you control the speed by manually shifting the transmission.
2) In fresh snow that isn't tracked up very much, they also do just fine. However, if several vehicles have been through the snow, then it gets real squirrely and you have to back the speed way down.
3) In slush, be very, very careful. This has probably been the most scary situation I've ever experienced with a vehicle. The tires just really struggle. If you are traveling at speed and need to change lanes through slush, you better make sure to slow down to at least 40mph or less. Otherwise, you might find yourself in the ditch.
Conclusion...
My wife won't drive the 550 in the snow. This isn't a good situation. So, I'm going to begin looking in earnest again for some true snow tires for our 550. I'm hoping a more agressive tread design, with a narrower foot print will provide much stability for what is truly a great vehicle in my mind.
Looking forward to blitte's report from Vermont!
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Bucks County PA
MB
Thanks for the great post Stumblefoot. Your remarks are concerning and with limited snow driving thus far, I tend to agree with your impressions. I used the off-road program button and manually shifted to lower gears but find the truck to be a bit squirrely in the packed stuff. Would love to see pix of FCOs 18" setup or hear anyone else's thoughts on tire/ wheel combinations for snow.
Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
2002 BMW 330i, and GL 450
Had the opportunity to put the 550's tires through a pretty decent snow test the past few days as we've had about a foot and a half in the rockies. Here's the highlights...
1) The 21" Continentals do just fine in packed snow, as long as you control the speed by manually shifting the transmission.
2) In fresh snow that isn't tracked up very much, they also do just fine. However, if several vehicles have been through the snow, then it gets real squirrely and you have to back the speed way down.
3) In slush, be very, very careful. This has probably been the most scary situation I've ever experienced with a vehicle. The tires just really struggle. If you are traveling at speed and need to change lanes through slush, you better make sure to slow down to at least 40mph or less. Otherwise, you might find yourself in the ditch.
Conclusion...
My wife won't drive the 550 in the snow. This isn't a good situation. So, I'm going to begin looking in earnest again for some true snow tires for our 550. I'm hoping a more agressive tread design, with a narrower foot print will provide much stability for what is truly a great vehicle in my mind.
Looking forward to blitte's report from Vermont!
1) The 21" Continentals do just fine in packed snow, as long as you control the speed by manually shifting the transmission.
2) In fresh snow that isn't tracked up very much, they also do just fine. However, if several vehicles have been through the snow, then it gets real squirrely and you have to back the speed way down.
3) In slush, be very, very careful. This has probably been the most scary situation I've ever experienced with a vehicle. The tires just really struggle. If you are traveling at speed and need to change lanes through slush, you better make sure to slow down to at least 40mph or less. Otherwise, you might find yourself in the ditch.
Conclusion...
My wife won't drive the 550 in the snow. This isn't a good situation. So, I'm going to begin looking in earnest again for some true snow tires for our 550. I'm hoping a more agressive tread design, with a narrower foot print will provide much stability for what is truly a great vehicle in my mind.
Looking forward to blitte's report from Vermont!
Get the 19's that come with the GL 450 as an option, the contis have a really nice thread for the snow. The 550 may look a bit odd with 18s.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
From: .
08 GL450
99.7% of the population won't know the 18" wheels are not OEM spec for the 550 ....but they will notice if you slide off into a ditch ! Plus the higher sidewalls are better wheel and blow out protection for those pesky jagged potholes that snow covered roads tend to conceal. Good decision.
Last edited by MKW; Dec 5, 2007 at 10:22 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: FRESNO CA
GL550
99.7% of the population won't know the 18" wheels are not OEM spec for the 550 ....but they will notice if you slide off into a ditch ! Plus the higher sidewalls are better wheel and blow out protection for those pesky jagged potholes that snow covered roads tend to conceal. Good decision.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,046
Likes: 1
From: Colorado Rocky Mtns.
'06 A6 & '08 GL550
FCO,
Thanks for taking the time to share your pics. I must say that I am pleasantly surprised by the appearance of the 18"s.
If I could ask a big favor... would you take a picture looking head-on your 550 so I can see how they look from the front? Also, what's the width of your 18"s compared to the 295 21"s?
Thanks again!
p.s. Love the neighborhood too!
Thanks for taking the time to share your pics. I must say that I am pleasantly surprised by the appearance of the 18"s.
If I could ask a big favor... would you take a picture looking head-on your 550 so I can see how they look from the front? Also, what's the width of your 18"s compared to the 295 21"s?
Thanks again!
p.s. Love the neighborhood too!
