New tires....
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
New tires....
As some of you know, I've been hunting for a more aggressive tread than the standard 18in Contis that the GL450 comes with......but with the same load and speed ratings as the originals My previous experince with the same Contis. on another vehicle was not good with regard to very muddy conditions and/or deep snow. After much searching and researching I have purchased Yokohama Geolander H/t-GO52's for the vehicle.........reviews on Tirerack gave them excellent reviews in nearly all categories....and, so far I would have to say I did not give up anything in ride quality or handling. The tread looks like what I need for winters and "mud season" in Vermont.........I will know (and report) for sure later this winter!
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From: MA
13 SL550, 14 E63 Wagon, 15 S550, 11 M3, 08 F430 Spider, 12 ML350
Sounds good, you should be all set. If you ever have time, how about a close up shot of the tread? I'm a little concerned with the 19's I have with the appearance package in the deep stuff but we'll see what happens. Anybody gone through last winter snow with the Conti 19's??
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From: Walnut Creek, CA
2022 GLE 350; 2016 BMW 428i gran coupe; 2014 Audi Q5 tdi
Sounds good, you should be all set. If you ever have time, how about a close up shot of the tread? I'm a little concerned with the 19's I have with the appearance package in the deep stuff but we'll see what happens. Anybody gone through last winter snow with the Conti 19's??
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From: Raleigh, NC
2001 BMW 540i/6-speed, 2008 GL550
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Posts: 379
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From: MA
13 SL550, 14 E63 Wagon, 15 S550, 11 M3, 08 F430 Spider, 12 ML350
Thread Starter
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From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
Yeah I know.........I'm sure you miss road salt, sleet, ice, shoveling, etc., etc. right?
The real irony of my "tire quest" was MB recommending a "Conti. winter contact tire" for my GL and then finding out Continental doesn't make the tire that MB was recommending
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From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
I'm currently in communication with Cont USA about acquiring some and they state USA availablility even though it's not on their Web site.
If I and you get desperate, there's ...
http://cgi.ebay.de/Continental-265-6...QQcmdZViewItem
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,653
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From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
Oh, Continental indeed makes this tire.
I'm currently in communication with Cont USA about acquiring some and they state USA availablility even though it's not on their Web site.
If I and you get desperate, there's ...
http://cgi.ebay.de/Continental-265-6...QQcmdZViewItem
I'm currently in communication with Cont USA about acquiring some and they state USA availablility even though it's not on their Web site.
If I and you get desperate, there's ...
http://cgi.ebay.de/Continental-265-6...QQcmdZViewItem
Interesting......because when I talked with MB customer service about my difficulty in finding the tire in the correct load range (110) and speed rating (H) THEY called Continental and were told "the tire in that range and speed rating is not currently in production and no production was scheduled." So.....started looking for a good compromise on road/off road tire that would certainly be better in the snow than the the standard Conti. 18's.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,653
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From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
Sounds good, you should be all set. If you ever have time, how about a close up shot of the tread? I'm a little concerned with the 19's I have with the appearance package in the deep stuff but we'll see what happens. Anybody gone through last winter snow with the Conti 19's??
And ...... here it is: ( I hope!)
Last edited by blittle; Mar 8, 2008 at 08:55 AM.
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From: MA
13 SL550, 14 E63 Wagon, 15 S550, 11 M3, 08 F430 Spider, 12 ML350
Yokohama Winter
Continental 19's
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
Yeah, those Yoko's are gonna do good in the slippery stuff, by comparison my Continental's look much less "grippy". Snow..... &^%#@
[/QUOTE]
The tread on the 19 Contis. looks pretty much like the 18's. They will do "ok" in reasonable snow (particularly with all-wheel drive ) .........But if you are talking 6 to 12in. or 3 or 4 in. of mud like I sometimes encounter.....more is needed. I am actually looking forward to letting this beast "try out" its' new shoes!
[/QUOTE]The tread on the 19 Contis. looks pretty much like the 18's. They will do "ok" in reasonable snow (particularly with all-wheel drive ) .........But if you are talking 6 to 12in. or 3 or 4 in. of mud like I sometimes encounter.....more is needed. I am actually looking forward to letting this beast "try out" its' new shoes!
Thread Starter
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From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
The rubber compound becomes the key factor when you are dealing with packed snow or ice............with regard to deep snow and mud it is definitely the tread that will make the difference.
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From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
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From: Colorado Rocky Mtns.
'06 A6 & '08 GL550
Ignorant question #2 of the day from me... when you say, "the narrower the better", or you referring to the width of the tire itself or to the tread pattern?
As I try and determine how the new 550's tires are going to work in the snow, I'm wondering if the issue is the footprint of the tire (295's), or the tread that has most folks worried. From what I've been told, a tire's ability in the snow is related to the compound (80%) and tread (20%).
As I try and determine how the new 550's tires are going to work in the snow, I'm wondering if the issue is the footprint of the tire (295's), or the tread that has most folks worried. From what I've been told, a tire's ability in the snow is related to the compound (80%) and tread (20%).
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Joined: May 2007
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From: Olney,MD
Wife - E300; GL320 - Sand Biege; Me - F150
The narrower the better, less surface area on the snow which provides more pounds per sq inch of weight on the snow.
A wide tire spreads out the cars weight which means it may float on the snow.
A wide tire spreads out the cars weight which means it may float on the snow.
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Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Colorado Rocky Mtns.
'06 A6 & '08 GL550
), a combination of these and/or other factors? I guess I don't know why they would put such a wide tire on the 550 that is rated M+S and allow it to be sold in wintry environments like we have out here if it's not going to work so well.Thanks for putting up with my tire ignorance.
I had my dealer rep look at the 550 manual and he says he couldn't find any info in the manual. He's got someone in service researching recommendations for snow tires now. Thx!
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From: Northern California
MBs
http://www4.mercedes-benz.com/e/cars...en/N2B6E8.html
It recommends these winter tires for the GL500 (USA GL550):
265/55 R19 109 H M+S rated, snow traction rated
Since they may be hard to find, one could also consider GL320 CDI winter tires. The manual recommends these:
265/60 R18 110 H M+S rated, snow traction rated
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From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
As has been stated.........the narrower the tire ( with appropriate tread pattern), the better the snow traction. (that is loose snow - packed snow requires a speical compound in the rubber; tire width makes no difference on ice and packed snow ) That being said ...... if a narrower tire is not an option, then you at least want to get a tire whose tread is more adapt at dealing with deep snow. For the ultimate.....you need a dedicated winter tire that has BOTH the compound and the tread pattern. Those tires are prone to rapid wear AND are hard to find in required load and speed rating required by the GL. Bottom line ..... if you have the stock Continental 18's, they are barely adequate in snow/packed snow/ice............I know from experience. Because of the all wheel drive ability of the vehicle we already have an advantage and most likely you will get through most situations. However, you will feel the vehicle slip,spin and "plow" ( because of the wide tires) if you get into deep stuff and if your forward movement stops, you might not get moving again! I am hoping the tires I have put on will improve all of that!
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: LAS VEGAS
ML500
I'm a little biased, but this is the only tyre I'll get.
I have the Good Year Fortera in my Disco, and love them, but won't change the BFA's for anything.
http://www.goodyearfortera.com/index_flash.html
I have the Good Year Fortera in my Disco, and love them, but won't change the BFA's for anything.
http://www.goodyearfortera.com/index_flash.html
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From: Colorado Rocky Mtns.
'06 A6 & '08 GL550
It's covered in the online manual. Have a look on this page:
http://www4.mercedes-benz.com/e/cars...en/N2B6E8.html
It recommends these winter tires for the GL500 (USA GL550):
265/55 R19 109 H M+S rated, snow traction rated
Since they may be hard to find, one could also consider GL320 CDI winter tires. The manual recommends these:
265/60 R18 110 H M+S rated, snow traction rated
http://www4.mercedes-benz.com/e/cars...en/N2B6E8.html
It recommends these winter tires for the GL500 (USA GL550):
265/55 R19 109 H M+S rated, snow traction rated
Since they may be hard to find, one could also consider GL320 CDI winter tires. The manual recommends these:
265/60 R18 110 H M+S rated, snow traction rated
