I had no idea any manufacturer could or would do anything as boneheaded as this. These wheels and tires would be indistinguishable to most of us, and certainly to any tire shop tech asked to rotate them. Are the wheels clearly marked in some way?
Perhaps if they check the ET number at the back otherwise, they will not notice any differences.
I had no idea any manufacturer could or would do anything as boneheaded as this. These wheels and tires would be indistinguishable to most of us, and certainly to any tire shop tech asked to rotate them. Are the wheels clearly marked in some way?
You would only notice it when the wheel gets dismounted, and you check the ET number (the offset) inside the wheel, and see that they are totally different, front to rear.
And of course if they inadvertently mount the front to the rear and vice-versa, an alert tech might notice there's something odd about the fitment.
Either way, I agree, this is as stupid a decision as it gets......at least in a staggered format, nobody would inadvertently try to do the front to rear fitment, due to the obvious tire/wheel size differences.
I had no idea any manufacturer could or would do anything as boneheaded as this. These wheels and tires would be indistinguishable to most of us, and certainly to any tire shop tech asked to rotate them. Are the wheels clearly marked in some way?
If it came from the factory that way then when they lookup the VIN, they should get that info.
I was thinking maybe something more like one ET has its backside painted iridescent pink and the other is painted iridescent green (lol).
Au contraire, this is akin to reading the "fine print" on a document.
Do you ever read the fine print/legalese thoroughly, when you are on the verge of buying some knick-knack, and the last part of the sale, is to click "agree" after reading through 20 pages of fine-print ?
If it came from the factory that way then when they lookup the VIN, they should get that info.
Agree, if this is done by/at the dealership. But you go to a random tire-shop, whether it be Costco or NTB or DiscountTire etc., I doubt the technicians there would know about this aspect of identical and square looking wheels/tires, not being rotatable.
You would only notice it when the wheel gets dismounted, and you check the ET number (the offset) inside the wheel, and see that they are totally different, front to rear.
And of course if they inadvertently mount the front to the rear and vice-versa, an alert tech might notice there's something odd about the fitment.
Either way, I agree, this is as stupid a decision as it gets......at least in a staggered format, nobody would inadvertently try to do the front to rear fitment, due to the obvious tire/wheel size differences.
BTW, the dimensions and offset is on the backside of the wheel - and if you wanted you could use a paint pen to emphasize the dimensions. BTW2, as this was an option I’d surmise that MBZ would assume the first owner knew the specifications of what they ordered.
BTW2, as this was an option I’d surmise that MBZ would assume the first owner knew the specifications of what they ordered.
dB.
These "square looking" wheels/tires come standard from the factory.
Other than people who are curious and aware about wheel specs, offsets etc and their impact on mountability, the VAST majority of the population would have no clue.
Agree, if this is done by/at the dealership. But you go to a random tire-shop, whether it be Costco or NTB or DiscountTire etc., I doubt the technicians there would know about this aspect of identical and square looking wheels/tires, not being rotatable.
I would seriously doubt that a tire shop that changes tires for hundreds of vehicles per week would not have encountered this. These high volume single purpose shops build in specific protocols so that the new employee with little experience don't waste time or worse, cause an issue that cost money. The Discount Tire near me does at least 50 cars per day. Many of them Mercedes, BMW, sports cars, and big trucks. They certainly make mistakes, but they have seen more varied tire setups than any dealership.
I checked a set of wheels I have racked in my garage, and the wheel specs are on the inside of the casting/forging. All the specs are embossed as part of the casting/forging, and while "ET" is also embossed, the dimension is stamped next to it (and somewhat hard to read). So it seems all the wheels having identical specs come off the same factory tooling, and the hubs are machined down to achieve the desired offset dimension -- does anyone know for sure if this is the process?
I checked a set of wheels I have racked in my garage, and the wheel specs are on the inside of the casting/forging. All the specs are embossed as part of the casting/forging, and while "ET" is also embossed, the dimension is stamped next to it (and somewhat hard to read). So it seems all the wheels having identical specs come off the same factory tooling, and the hubs are machined down to achieve the desired offset dimension -- does anyone know for sure if this is the process?
I doubt MB makes their own wheels just like they don't make their own tires and oil. They likely have parts shipped to them based on the builds they are doing at that time. They use just in time manufacturing to ensure the right parts are where the vehicle is when that part needs to be attached to the vehicle. These days, they can have an S-Class assembled right beside an E-Class on the same line by the same people. A simple change in wheele size is likely trivial to them.
Au contraire, this is akin to reading the "fine print" on a document.
Do you ever read the fine print/legalese thoroughly, when you are on the verge of buying some knick-knack, and the last part of the sale, is to click "agree" after reading through 20 pages of fine-print ?
Au contraire -- I think this is more like the many manufacturers that make multiple varieties of their products, dress them in the same package and note the contents in fine print that you have to hunt for. Toothpaste and canned soda are examples -- you grab the familiar looking package and realize when you arrive home that the familiar looking package has unfamiliar contents.
Regarding fine print documents, these are known as "contracts of adhesion" (or "take-it-or-leave-it" contracts to those non-lawyers among us). They're non-negotiable and you either accept them as part of the deal or walk away. So it's a waste of time reading them whether you buy the knick-knack or not (although more and more websites force you to scroll all the way to the bottom of the fine print so that you cannot deny reading it).
I doubt MB makes their own wheels just like they don't make their own tires and oil. They likely have parts shipped to them based on the builds they are doing at that time. They use just in time manufacturing to ensure the right parts are where the vehicle is when that part needs to be attached to the vehicle. These days, they can have an S-Class assembled right beside an E-Class on the same line by the same people. A simple change in wheele size is likely trivial to them.
As Rowersaay posts in #19 above the 2024 GLE has 4 identical wheels and tires, except for the different offsets of the front versus the rear, and this make tire rotation impossible, short of flipping tires. I would investigate either machining down the hub of the two wheels with the greater offset (the two that sit the most outboard) and then compensate for the difference with wheel spacers. All 4 wheel offsets would then be identical and the tires could be rotated.
On a lighter note, my 20" Mercedes staggered wheels/tires (factory upgrade combination) arrived today, and now they are on the All-Terrain. To me, they look pretty cool.
20x9 ET32 front, with 255/40ZR20 tires
20x10 ET48.1 rear with 285/35ZR20 tires
I expected the combo to ride a bit firmer than the stock 19" with the 19x8.5 square wheels with 255/45/19 tires, but no, the ride is as compliant as the original combo, and the steering feels sharper and more responsive.
The tires that came on the stock 19" combination was All-Season, while these are Pirelli Mercedes-OEM-Spec Max Performance Summer tires, and I will change them to my standard Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 4, once the summer wraps up.
You can probably rotate them side to side if they are not directional.
No, they are not directional. So theoretically I can swap the two on the same axle. But Continental said doing so wouldn't be beneficial for tire wear. So I'll run them as they are for now.
Assuming this is your fitment, you also need to be aware that these are summer tires and not adequate for consistent temperatures below 45 degrees. Look to Tire Rack or similar for the options but I’d offer that Michelin Pilot Sport All Season is a good option.
Mine is 19" so all-weather. Anyway winter is over and I'm here.
Correct called STAGGERED tire size.
No rotation and do not let any shop try to sell you a tire rotation.
One thing it does it cut tire MILEAGE WARRANTY in half - Read Fine Print.
Does allow you to buy just the rears or fronts as needed though.
Kinda makes you wonder why all your life you heard YOU MUST ROTATE tires.... if they now sell cars where you cannot rotate
No, they are not directional. So theoretically I can swap the two on the same axle. But Continental said doing so wouldn't be beneficial for tire wear. So I'll run them as they are for now.
Some of the points brought up in this post are so valuable and they really should be in the owner's manual. Thank you guys for the information, even though some are not relevant to me.
On a lighter note, my 20" Mercedes staggered wheels/tires (factory upgrade combination) arrived today, and now they are on the All-Terrain. To me, they look pretty cool.
20x9 ET32 front, with 255/40ZR20 tires
20x10 ET48.1 rear with 285/35ZR20 tires
I expected the combo to ride a bit firmer than the stock 19" with the 19x8.5 square wheels with 255/45/19 tires, but no, the ride is as compliant as the original combo, and the steering feels sharper and more responsive.
The tires that came on the stock 19" combination was All-Season, while these are Pirelli Mercedes-OEM-Spec Max Performance Summer tires, and I will change them to my standard Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 4, once the summer wraps up.
Those wheels are beautiful on your car. I have the same on mine and I love the ride. If they say I can't rotate them, that's all fine by me. It is what it is, and it's great!
I have same wheels with Bridgestone non run flats. They are the non stagers option. Not real happy with the ride. Then again I go over mount hope bridge which is in horrible shape I don’t think they will ever repave it. My truck feels better over that bridge than the Benz. I think I’m just gonna avoid it with the all terrain for now nervous about bending one of these nice rims. I got the non staggered to be able to rotate them.
I have same wheels with Bridgestone non run flats. They are the non stagers option. Not real happy with the ride. Then again I go over mount hope bridge which is in horrible shape I don’t think they will ever repave it. My truck feels better over that bridge than the Benz. I think I’m just gonna avoid it with the all terrain for now nervous about bending one of these nice rims. I got the non staggered to be able to rotate them.
What tire pressures are you running ? That's the main culprit in most such cases, where you have a ride compliance issue.
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
