GL Class (X164) 2007-2012: GL320CDI, GL420CDI, GL450, GL550

GL350 wheel options

Old Dec 2, 2009 | 08:36 AM
  #1  
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GL350 wheel options

Want some nicer wheels on my new GL350 (but not a pimps wheel!).
Must be 20" of course to take the run flat tires but does anyone know the offset?
Anyone with different wheels on theirs? Any photos appreciated.
Thanks guys.
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Old Dec 2, 2009 | 12:11 PM
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The offset number is cast into your wheels on the inside.
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Old Dec 2, 2009 | 03:12 PM
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Stock wheels are 20x8.5 with a 56mm offset. If you go with wider wheels the offset will need to decrease. The 21x10 GL550 wheels have an offfset of 37mm.
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Old Dec 2, 2009 | 04:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Powerguy
Stock wheels are 20x8.5 with a 56mm offset. If you go with wider wheels the offset will need to decrease. The 21x10 GL550 wheels have an offfset of 37mm.
incorrect. lower digit offsets make the wheel "stick out more".
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Old Dec 3, 2009 | 04:08 AM
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it is correct, because a lower offset is necessary to keep wider wheels/tires from rubbing the control arm.

Anyone with different wheels on theirs? Any photos appreciated.
We installed some Forge-Tec FT41 20" wheels with oe runflat tires, and they look fantastic. Not sure of width or offset, but they are probably 1/2" narrower than stock with a lower offset. Don't have any pictures of our GL with the new wheels yet, but here's what they look like of Forge-Tec's website. Look much better on the vehicle in person...



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Old Dec 3, 2009 | 05:17 PM
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Well thanks for the comments. I had seen the Forge-tec wheels but this looks like another fly by night company.
The 866 number on their website leads to a Nevada directory assistance service that rips you off almost $4 if you call them and they have no number for Forge-Tec.
I don't know how these people think they can run a company like that but its just bloody hopeless. Shades of 360 forged!
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Old Dec 3, 2009 | 08:24 PM
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There was a used set on Ebay not too long ago and they looked like hell. The chrome was already peeling off the wheels.
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Old Dec 4, 2009 | 03:11 AM
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The chrome is in great shape on our wheels, but they were only previously used for 25k miles in Bay Area weather when I bought 'em. There is a beautiful set of new Forge-Tec 22's on ebay right now for cheap, but unfortunately there are no 22" runflats out there.

Nice thing about FT wheels, if you're able to find them used or new-old-stock, is that they are built application-specific and were sold through MB dealerships. For this reason, they should always be a perfect fit without needing any spacers or hub-centering rings.

Too bad they're out of business...took me a long time to find some forged 20" wheels to fit the GL
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Old Dec 4, 2009 | 10:54 AM
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Thanks Sticky. Any chance of some photos of your vehicle?
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Old Dec 5, 2009 | 01:33 AM
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I'll try to take some tomorrow...
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Old Dec 5, 2009 | 03:16 PM
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Here are a few pics taken with my phone of our dirty GL320 with filthy Forgetec wheels...





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Old Dec 5, 2009 | 06:48 PM
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Definitely a big improvement, thanks for posting...
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Old Dec 6, 2009 | 02:26 PM
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Originally Posted by ddcha
incorrect. lower digit offsets make the wheel "stick out more".
Use this site to figure out what happens with a different rim and offset.

http://www.1010tires.com/WheelOffsetCalculator.asp

It does look like a lower offset will make the tire stick out more.
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 06:51 PM
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OZ wheels

Tirerack recommends these OZ wheels for the GL class Mercedes. They are cast wheels, not forged, so not sure how well they will hold up under a 2.5 ton vehicle over time.

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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 08:55 PM
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I wouldn't worry about strength, but any 20" cast wheel that has the load rating a GL requires will be HEAVY. The oem runflats that come on the Bluetec GL's are heavy enough (5-10lbs heavier per tire than regular 275/50/20), and porky cast wheels just make it worse.

Still looking for some smaller (16-17") forged wheels for our e320 cdi, but have all other vehicles in family stable riding on proper forged rims...

'84 635csi - oem/Fuchs 17x8/9 throwing stars from 850csi
'97 e320 - oem/Fuchs 18x8.5/9.5 from w221 s600
'09 GL320 Bluetec - 20x? Forge-Tec FT41
'08 Dodge Ram 1500 - 20x9 Weld Andro LT
'97 Dodge Ram 2500 CTD - 16x7 Alcoa LTS
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Old Dec 26, 2009 | 08:43 PM
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07 GL420cdi, 07 ML63, 07 CL500 and more
My 22"s are HEAVY as hell
Attached Thumbnails GL350 wheel options-p1010771.jpg   GL350 wheel options-p1010773.jpg   GL350 wheel options-p1010774.jpg   GL350 wheel options-p1010775.jpg   GL350 wheel options-p1010776.jpg  

GL350 wheel options-p1010780.jpg  
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