Changed to Michelin Tires but experience a lot of vibration, have you?
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Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
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2008 GL450
Changed to Michelin Tires but experience a lot of vibration, have you?
Good day everyone,
I have 2008 GL450 and I have used Continental tires twice already, the ones that came with the car lasted only 18 months and the Continental I replaced after that lasted 14 months. Not so happy about the longevity of these Continental tires I was recommended to switch to Michelin tires. So I order them from Costco with the same specs as the originals (275/55R19 m+s 111h). They cost pretty much about the same but I have been experiencing a lot of vibration in the car specially in the steering wheel going over 60 MPH. At first I thought that Costco probably didn't do a good balacing of the tires, so I took it back to Costco and they have re-balanced them. It seems better now but still vibration which is not normal in my opinion and this is something that didn't happen with Continental tires. I talked to the Costco Tire Department manager and he claims that there is no way there can be a defect in the tires and that my rims might be having dents "but again this vibration problem didn't happen before switching to Michelin using the same exact rims, I explained".
Has anybody else experienced this issue? I have only 6 days left if I want to return them at Costco.
I have 2008 GL450 and I have used Continental tires twice already, the ones that came with the car lasted only 18 months and the Continental I replaced after that lasted 14 months. Not so happy about the longevity of these Continental tires I was recommended to switch to Michelin tires. So I order them from Costco with the same specs as the originals (275/55R19 m+s 111h). They cost pretty much about the same but I have been experiencing a lot of vibration in the car specially in the steering wheel going over 60 MPH. At first I thought that Costco probably didn't do a good balacing of the tires, so I took it back to Costco and they have re-balanced them. It seems better now but still vibration which is not normal in my opinion and this is something that didn't happen with Continental tires. I talked to the Costco Tire Department manager and he claims that there is no way there can be a defect in the tires and that my rims might be having dents "but again this vibration problem didn't happen before switching to Michelin using the same exact rims, I explained".
Has anybody else experienced this issue? I have only 6 days left if I want to return them at Costco.
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From: New York
2025 Range Rover, 2022 BMW M850 , 2017 MB E400 Coupe
I had similar issue with my Hankooks. Went to couple shops, but still had vibration after 55-60 mph. The solution was - I found a shop, which has Road Force Hunter balancing machine, the same as on a link I attached.
http://www.gsp9700.com/
Try to find a good shop in your area with this machine and balance it there. If it does not disappear - return them if you can. My tires don't have any issues from the time I used this machine.
Good Luck.
http://www.gsp9700.com/
Try to find a good shop in your area with this machine and balance it there. If it does not disappear - return them if you can. My tires don't have any issues from the time I used this machine.
Good Luck.
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From: NYC/NJ
2022 E53 SG
Ditto. I had vibration issues when I upsized to 20's and got aftermarket wheels/tires. Our cars are very sensitive to slight imperfections in tires, much moreso than the average SUV (not sure why). Hunter ROADFORCE fixed it. Remember, it's not the regular Hunter machine. It's the Hunter ROADFORCE.
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From: New Jersey, USA
2007 GL450, 2006 Porsche 911, 2004 VROD
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: NYC/NJ
2022 E53 SG
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2025 Range Rover, 2022 BMW M850 , 2017 MB E400 Coupe
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Trust me, Costo is the last and worst place to buy tires and get them balanced properly. I will only take a discount or cheap car to costco or discount tire stores.
You should buy your tires online from tirerack now on and get them road force balanced (200 dollars) at your Mercedes Benz dealer. I do this for all my cars. You are not saving much by wasting time going back to cheap tire stores to get a smoother ride by re-balancing them on those crap machines they have. They hardly do the task properly and never calibrate them routinely. They have no clue about road force balancing. There are alot of great independent auto places that have hunter road force machines. You might have 1 or 2 out of round tires (greater than 16 lbs of road force that will vibrate your SUV) no matter how well they are dynamically balanced. I get at least 1-2 defect tires out of every 8 tires I get for my car during change overs.
You should buy your tires online from tirerack now on and get them road force balanced (200 dollars) at your Mercedes Benz dealer. I do this for all my cars. You are not saving much by wasting time going back to cheap tire stores to get a smoother ride by re-balancing them on those crap machines they have. They hardly do the task properly and never calibrate them routinely. They have no clue about road force balancing. There are alot of great independent auto places that have hunter road force machines. You might have 1 or 2 out of round tires (greater than 16 lbs of road force that will vibrate your SUV) no matter how well they are dynamically balanced. I get at least 1-2 defect tires out of every 8 tires I get for my car during change overs.
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From: PA
S600, GL450, GLC 43
I have posted for over 5 years now, and guess what:
"Friends don't let friends buy Michelins"
Sorry to hear your troubles, but take it for what its worth.
Seriously: They did a **** poor balance job. As far as the raod force balance?
I put it right up there with a nitrogen fill, IMHO.
Just cause you pay more does NOT mean you get more.
Good luck, and I would return them and get a better cheaper tire, IMHO
"Friends don't let friends buy Michelins"
Sorry to hear your troubles, but take it for what its worth.
Seriously: They did a **** poor balance job. As far as the raod force balance?
I put it right up there with a nitrogen fill, IMHO.
Just cause you pay more does NOT mean you get more.
Good luck, and I would return them and get a better cheaper tire, IMHO
Last edited by MRAMG1; Jun 19, 2012 at 08:16 PM.
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Pennsylvania, USA
2011 GL450, '06 R500 traded, '08 ML350 sold
Big fan of Michelins here. Yes they are more expensive but offer top performance. Of course you can get similar from other brands that may be cheaper. IMO Michelins typically are quiter. The OP needs to go back to Costco and exchange one tire at a time and test drive the car until the bad tire is found. I ve heard the "there is no way the tires are bad speech myself and I ve proved them wrong". Just because the tire manufacturers have a quality control system in place that doesn't mean they catch 100% of the defects. Same for the installers although in this case they rebalanced the tires already.
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And road force is absolutely, 100% essential for proper balance.
Thread Starter
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2008 GL450
Sorry for the late reply guys.
So, I took the car to the dealer and for $55 they fixed the problem by balancing the tires (all 4) with the right machine, Hunter ROADFORCE as recommended. They are not as smooth as continental but I have been noticing that they are going to have a longer live already.
So, I took the car to the dealer and for $55 they fixed the problem by balancing the tires (all 4) with the right machine, Hunter ROADFORCE as recommended. They are not as smooth as continental but I have been noticing that they are going to have a longer live already.
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2009 GL450
I recently put Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Seasons on my 09 GL 450. So far I'm very pleased. Not as soft and forgiving as the Michelin Latitude Sports that I use for summer driving, but very good ride, great grip in all conditions including the snow we've had thus far, and excellent directional stability in highway driving. Can't comment on wear yet, but they've got a 600 rating so I'm hoping for good wear. Sure beats the Michelins at 220. So far, I'd say they're great tires.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Pennsylvania, USA
2011 GL450, '06 R500 traded, '08 ML350 sold
I recently put Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Seasons on my 09 GL 450. So far I'm very pleased. Not as soft and forgiving as the Michelin Latitude Sports that I use for summer driving, but very good ride, great grip in all conditions including the snow we've had thus far, and excellent directional stability in highway driving. Can't comment on wear yet, but they've got a 600 rating so I'm hoping for good wear. Sure beats the Michelins at 220. So far, I'd say they're great tires.
I am also looking for tires and noticed the Pirelli Scorpion Verde on Tire Rack. The price is very attractive! I currently have the OEM Michelin Run-Flats on my 2011 GL450 which I hate with a passion. How is the road noise with the Pirellis? Are they fairly quiet? According to Tire Rack I don't have any other options for all weather tires in that size 275/50R20, only the Pirelli's. The other two offerings for SUVs are summer tires. I may give the Pirelli's a shot.
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From: New York
2025 Range Rover, 2022 BMW M850 , 2017 MB E400 Coupe
I am also looking for tires and noticed the Pirelli Scorpion Verde on Tire Rack. The price is very attractive! I currently have the OEM Michelin Run-Flats on my 2011 GL450 which I hate with a passion. How is the road noise with the Pirellis? Are they fairly quiet? According to Tire Rack I don't have any other options for all weather tires in that size 275/50R20, only the Pirelli's. The other two offerings for SUVs are summer tires. I may give the Pirelli's a shot.
Newbie
Joined: May 2012
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2009 GL450
I ran into the same problem; not many choices in the 275/50R20 size. So far I am very happy with the Pirellis. They are quiet. Tire Rack did a comparison test with Continentals and Goodyears I believe. The video is on their website. Very good test report and great reviews by users. I recommend them.
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: New Jersey, USA
2007 GL450, 2006 Porsche 911, 2004 VROD
I ran into the same problem; not many choices in the 275/50R20 size. So far I am very happy with the Pirellis. They are quiet. Tire Rack did a comparison test with Continentals and Goodyears I believe. The video is on their website. Very good test report and great reviews by users. I recommend them.
