Tires for GL550
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 17
Likes: 4
GL550
Quick snow review in Yokohama geolander x-cv 295/40-21
fresh 9 inches of wet snow vs brand new tires. Tires-1 snow-0. No slipping or sliding. Braking was excellent.
I have only owned GL550 for less than one month. I had stock AMG 21 wheels powder coated silver/grey and
new Yokohama tires installed. I don’t know how GL would have performed with The old continental’s. I’ll have them reinstalled in the spring as they only have 8k miles. Driving 180 miles today I’ll report on tires and road conditions. Happy thanksgiving!
fresh 9 inches of wet snow vs brand new tires. Tires-1 snow-0. No slipping or sliding. Braking was excellent.
I have only owned GL550 for less than one month. I had stock AMG 21 wheels powder coated silver/grey and
new Yokohama tires installed. I don’t know how GL would have performed with The old continental’s. I’ll have them reinstalled in the spring as they only have 8k miles. Driving 180 miles today I’ll report on tires and road conditions. Happy thanksgiving!
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 226
Likes: 24
In the market
These could be a some good cheap winter tires.
ATTURO AW730 275/45R-21
I had a set on my Q7. They are a little taller and narrower would be a plus. They do pretty well on ice, but I would say they are on the average side for winter tires.
https://simpletire.com/atturo-275-45...c7gkaafe-tires
ATTURO AW730 275/45R-21
I had a set on my Q7. They are a little taller and narrower would be a plus. They do pretty well on ice, but I would say they are on the average side for winter tires.
https://simpletire.com/atturo-275-45...c7gkaafe-tires
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From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 648
Likes: 144
From: Yeast Coast, Canada
GL550 X164
Dedicated winter wheels/tires on my 2010 GL550 - 255/55R19 Nokian Hakka 7 SUV, will be replaced with Hakka 9 SUVs in a couple of days as they are unevenly worn and make bad road noise and whine even at low speeds (came with the wheels which I bought for winter use anyway). I've been very impressed with the Hakka 7 performance, though, especially with their condition, in snow, slush and dry pavement. I decided to replace with new Nokian because of my impressions. Extra cost, but will last 5-6 years with my driving. Pirelli summer performance tires which I have on 21 inch wheels are scary in winter weather, I am sure you all know that 
I live in Canada, winter tires are a must to help protect the precious cargo I wheel around.
I live in Canada, winter tires are a must to help protect the precious cargo I wheel around.
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 226
Likes: 24
In the market
Lost one of my Federals today due to something on the road. I ordered another and bought a set of 275/45R21 Atturo AW730 snow tires. I had a set of these on my Audi Q7 and was happy with them. It will be nice to be on dedicated winter tires again. The size was listed as something for the LGL550 on the site below. They will be a little taller and narrower. Perfect for winter. The other benefit is they were only $150 each.
https://simpletire.com/atturo-275-45...c7gkaafe-tires
https://www.wheel-size.com/size/mercedes/gl-class/2012/
https://simpletire.com/atturo-275-45...c7gkaafe-tires
https://www.wheel-size.com/size/mercedes/gl-class/2012/
Last edited by not2fast; Jan 14, 2020 at 11:04 AM.
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 226
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In the market
Here are the tires side by side. The narrower one is 275/45R21.
Here is a picture of them mounted. The extra height is not a problem. The width is fine too, but the tire doesn't have outside the rim to protect from curbs as much.
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Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 226
Likes: 24
In the market
The benefit for winter is it being a bit narrower and taller which is perfect for winter and snow. When driving the narrower tires makes the steering transitions feel crisper. Overall laterial grip is likely down, but that could be as much to do with winter tires as being slightly narrower.
Last edited by not2fast; Feb 2, 2020 at 04:07 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 648
Likes: 144
From: Yeast Coast, Canada
GL550 X164
For anyone looking for a tire which might do better than most 3 season tires, I came across this:
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...ossClimate+SUV
Unfortunately I did not come across this in December when I was decided on Nokians for winter tire or would have given the 275/55R19 a try. No sizes for 21" wheels currently, though.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...ossClimate+SUV
Unfortunately I did not come across this in December when I was decided on Nokians for winter tire or would have given the 275/55R19 a try. No sizes for 21" wheels currently, though.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 17
Likes: 4
GL550
Those pirelli are rated high on tire rack
website. I went with the Yokohama x-cv and am very happy 10k miles on them. Very good in minnesota winter.
another tire option is continental DWS
I think any of those three would be very good
website. I went with the Yokohama x-cv and am very happy 10k miles on them. Very good in minnesota winter.
another tire option is continental DWS
I think any of those three would be very good
Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 96
Likes: 16
From: Jacksonville, FL
2012 GL550, 2016 C300, 2005 Mustang
I replaced the Scorpions with Continental Sport Plus all weather and they are amazing in snow, wet and dry roads. They were cheaper than the Scorpions at Discount Tire
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 15
Likes: 8
X164
Previous tires I had were Pirelli P Zero, in the end some of them had 0 tread at the center. Tramlining was horrible especially in the spring. Sport mode helped a bit but comfort mode was really horrible.
I was looking for a set of 265 or 275 wide option to make the ride more stable but eventually saw a quite good deal on 295/40/21 Toyo Proxes T1 Sport SUV. They where 70 € / tire cheaper than the 275 version. I got them fitted yesterday and I have to say those worn out Pirellis where really not good. These new tires are not tramlining much even on normal ride height and balancing job have been perfect. Noise is lower than on my winter tires Dunlop Grandtrek WT M3 265/55/19. So far really pleased, I just hope these will last some meters.
I was looking for a set of 265 or 275 wide option to make the ride more stable but eventually saw a quite good deal on 295/40/21 Toyo Proxes T1 Sport SUV. They where 70 € / tire cheaper than the 275 version. I got them fitted yesterday and I have to say those worn out Pirellis where really not good. These new tires are not tramlining much even on normal ride height and balancing job have been perfect. Noise is lower than on my winter tires Dunlop Grandtrek WT M3 265/55/19. So far really pleased, I just hope these will last some meters.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 302
Likes: 43
From: Saint Louis
2010 GL550 | 2020 S560
2010 GL550
295/40/21
I've always purchased Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06. They do okay in rain and snow.
I did notice on Tire Rack Continental has a newer version called ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS.
For $3.99 more for the newest all season Continental, I'll give it a try.
I live in St. Louis MO. We get at most a foot of snow in winter and 110° on the hottest days in the summer.
295/40/21
I've always purchased Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06. They do okay in rain and snow.
I did notice on Tire Rack Continental has a newer version called ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS.
For $3.99 more for the newest all season Continental, I'll give it a try.
I live in St. Louis MO. We get at most a foot of snow in winter and 110° on the hottest days in the summer.
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 226
Likes: 24
In the market
I was just looking at my local Discount Tire and saw
CONTINENTALCONTROL CONTACT SPORT SRS295 /40 R21 111Y XL BSW
Item #39634 for $289. They have a snowflake on tread pattern, along with rain, and sun. They are $11 cheaper per tire. Anyone run those or know the difference?
I would pick whichever is better in snow since I am in Minnesota.
https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tir...rt-srs/p/39634
CONTINENTALCONTROL CONTACT SPORT SRS295 /40 R21 111Y XL BSW
Item #39634 for $289. They have a snowflake on tread pattern, along with rain, and sun. They are $11 cheaper per tire. Anyone run those or know the difference?
I would pick whichever is better in snow since I am in Minnesota.
https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tir...rt-srs/p/39634
Last edited by not2fast; Jun 7, 2021 at 03:01 PM.
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 226
Likes: 24
In the market
2010 GL550
295/40/21
I've always purchased Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06. They do okay in rain and snow.
I did notice on Tire Rack Continental has a newer version called ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS.
For $3.99 more for the newest all season Continental, I'll give it a try.
I live in St. Louis MO. We get at most a foot of snow in winter and 110° on the hottest days in the summer.
295/40/21
I've always purchased Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06. They do okay in rain and snow.
I did notice on Tire Rack Continental has a newer version called ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS.
For $3.99 more for the newest all season Continental, I'll give it a try.
I live in St. Louis MO. We get at most a foot of snow in winter and 110° on the hottest days in the summer.
My GL550 is used for boat pulling in summer and winter daily.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 648
Likes: 144
From: Yeast Coast, Canada
GL550 X164
If you plan to throw the tires away at the end of the summer anyway, run them in the summer. Considering you're also towing, that will accelerate tire wear too on the rear axle. But if they're in good shape and you expect more winter service from them, you'll do yourself and the tires a disservice.
edit: punctuation, because who likes to read a long string of words with no periods and commas?
Last edited by expl0rer; Jun 8, 2021 at 11:55 AM.
