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Personally I love the Side Profile. Car Looks Great!!
Hi, new member here. I just recently bought my first MB, 2012 GL550 4Matic. I'm so glad I picked it over all the others I was looking at, it's been a dream. I love the side profile in this color, and with these OEM 21s it just looks so clean. But from the front, this baby is MEAN. Look forward to years of experience in Mercedes-Benz vehicles!
thanks This tannerite grey is amazing! Can't wait to get the wheels refinished with that inlayed on the spokes! Mean muggin'!
Here its the other way around. All GL's come with all optional safety equipment as standard along with the offroad package and a whole bunch of other stuff.
The US must be they're biggest market so it doesn't make sense to make their costumers unsatisfied. Not giving you the option to choose what you want strikes me as very un-american.
Actually, the US auto industry has always been known for telling customers what they want and not the other way around. It is quite annoying that some items are only available in packages that include wholly unrelated items.
Finally bit the bullet and upgraded to the early 550 AMG wheels. For the record, there were so many warnings about how these 21" wheels will ruin the ride, destroy the suspension, and generally be unlivable - this setup is maybe 2lbs heavier or exactly the same as the 18" offroad setup that I switched out. GL320 with 550 AMG Offroad with Cooper Discoverer Max
I`m curious about why would the 21s be so bad, probably lower profile?
I`m actually kind of thinking getting 20" rims for the winter set up, anyone has an idea how would that work?
I`m curious about why would the 21s be so bad, probably lower profile?
I`m actually kind of thinking getting 20" rims for the winter set up, anyone has an idea how would that work?
It's just typical Mercedes fear and outdated information about larger wheels.Yes, the lower sidewall means the rim has less protection and it also means the ride will be marginally stiffer.
If I lived in Denver, I'd be looking at pure snow/ice performance as opposed to size. Ultimately, it's tire option limited - are there tires in that size that offer the snow/ice performance? If yes, knock yourself out.
It's just typical Mercedes fear and outdated information about larger wheels.
It's not a uniquely Mercedes issue and if the information is outdated, none of the major car testing media seems to know that. Because they routinely make note of how the larger tires negatively impact performance in brand new cars.
But, then again, much of what they complain about are nits that actual consumers are never going to notice.
It's just typical Mercedes fear and outdated information about larger wheels.Yes, the lower sidewall means the rim has less protection and it also means the ride will be marginally stiffer.
If I lived in Denver, I'd be looking at pure snow/ice performance as opposed to size. Ultimately, it's tire option limited - are there tires in that size that offer the snow/ice performance? If yes, knock yourself out.
I have a set of 21” Nokians about 3-4K miles on them and I agree with you, same exact model of Nokians perform much better on my wife’s 17” sedan. I guess when these 21” Nokians are done then I’ll be looking for something smaller maybe like 19s for the winter set up.
It's not a uniquely Mercedes issue and if the information is outdated, none of the major car testing media seems to know that. Because they routinely make note of how the larger tires negatively impact performance in brand new cars.
My comment was that many in the Mercedes GL circles create this fear. i wasn't inferring that there would be "zero" ride degradation; that's a fact that a 35 series will ride with less compliance than the 60 series on an 18". That's just a minor cost. You will also see better transient response and confident steering with the 35 series 21" wheels. Always tradeoffs
My comment was that many in the Mercedes GL circles create this fear. i wasn't inferring that there would be "zero" ride degradation; that's a fact that a 35 series will ride with less compliance than the 60 series on an 18". That's just a minor cost. You will also see better transient response and confident steering with the 35 series 21" wheels. Always tradeoffs
Yeah, I have to agree there is a lot of fear creating in the Mercedes circle. I wouldn't be surprised to see someone warning against sneezing in the vehicle as it may upset the CANBUS, or even cause an air ride failure.
Keeping my Dad's 450 up to par. He has had it for over a decade and I am going through all the items time has taken a toll on and upgrading when relevant.
Running E55 8 piston calipers, W166 550 rotors, Redstuff pads, stainless lines, H&R 25mm spacers, aFe dry filters, all new Bilstein shocks/struts/air bags, made faux hood vent functional, Xpel clear UV protection on front windows (creates a blue hue which I always thought was a great period correct option on Mercedes) and otherwise stock.
Last edited by White Out; Jul 9, 2024 at 01:21 AM.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
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.
A little dirty today because of the rain, not the best light to get nice pictures.
