12 GL350 Tire Change Questions

Mar 20, 2018 | 06:19 PM

Vash3k5

Thread Starter

Newbie

Joined: Feb 2018

Posts: 3

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From: Annapolis, MD US

2012 GL350 Bluetec

12 GL350 Tire Change Questions

Hello,

I have a few questions about getting new tires for my GL350. The tires that are on them about about 10k from replacement and I would like to get something that has a better ride than the RunFlats that are on it. The truck came from the dealer with Goodyear Eagle LS2 RF 275/50R20. These tires are harsh riding IMO and I would like to avoid RunFlats if possible. The selection of tires at that size are poor(not very many) and i was wondering if anyone has a recommended tire that is low noise and better riding. Also, if I were to go to a 275/55R20, would I be hurting my truck and would I have to get the dials recalibrated for the extra 4% increase in tires size?

Apr 16, 2018 | 04:28 PM

KWStan

Junior Member

Joined: Jan 2011

Posts: 60

Likes: 18

GL450

Hands down - Bridgestone H/L Alenza 2. Extremely quiet, wonderful ride and VERY high treadlife - something like 800 UTOG. Got mine at Costco for about $197 each for 275/55/20, plus a $70 rebate. The speedometer is slightly off - actual speed is 73 when indicated is 70... I just adjust accordingly. No rubbing issues at all with the slightly larger diameter.

Apr 27, 2018 | 08:45 PM

Vash3k5

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Newbie

Joined: Feb 2018

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From: Annapolis, MD US

2012 GL350 Bluetec

Thank you for the recommendation, I have looked EVERYWHERE for those tires and I cant find them anywhere around here... I think i am just going to get the Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Seaosn tires.
They seem to bee a ok tires. the Mercedes shop near me recommend them so I figure why not.

Apr 28, 2018 | 02:43 PM

DennisG01

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Joined: May 2015

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From: Allentown, PA

'08 GL 320 CDI

There's certainly no such thing as a "best tire" since it's very much opinion based. That said... my opinion... I looked and researched like everyone else and found numerous recommendations for Toyo Versado CUV's on this website. I have to say, I'm very impressed with them - good price, quiet ride and so far seem to be wearing very well. I don't know if they make this model in your size - or maybe there's a newer version of them (contact Toyo?), but I would look into them. FYI, during my "research", I didn't hear to many good things about the Scorpion's... is the dealer recommending Pirelli's because it's what they have in stock? I do have a set of Scorpion's on my '98 Suburban diesel that I like... but those are a different beast of tire as they are 10ply (E-rated).

Apr 28, 2018 | 02:50 PM

Vash3k5

Thread Starter

Newbie

Joined: Feb 2018

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From: Annapolis, MD US

2012 GL350 Bluetec

The shop was recommending the pirelli scorpions over the bridgestone duler and the original tires because the person I talked to ,David, has a expidition with them on it and he said that he is really happy with them. They did not have any at the shop or really keep any in stock. He suggested I order them from tirerack or someplace online and have them delivered to the shop there so they can put them on.

Apr 30, 2018 | 05:49 AM

mefferso

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Joined: Jan 2016

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BMW 335d

As Dennis said, it's very opinion based, but here's mine. I put the Bridgestone H/L Alenza 2 on and within 3 days returned them. I put a new set of Continental 4x4 Contacts on and they were noticeably quieter and smoother. The Bridgestones sounded more like a truck tire and you could feel every single pavement crack. I've heard/read that the Bridgestones will have a much longer life than the Continentals.

Apr 30, 2018 | 06:07 AM

smiledr996s

Member

Joined: Nov 2014

Posts: 245

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2008 gl320cdi

I am on probably my 3rd set of tires and probably about 10k from replacing. I went with the Scorpions on my last set. And they have seem to hold up well. Noise does not bother me. I am guessing I’ll get close to 50k or more with these. Also I have only rotated them once.

Strange thing was I was at the mechanic the other day for an issue with my transfer case. He said that Mercedes knows there’s a weakness with these transfer cases and have specified certain tiremakers to make a special tire only for this car that supposedly has a star and print it on the side of it. This tire is supposed to help. This was and independent who did not stock tires so I don’t think have anything to gain from it and said that this wasn’t something that was commonly known. IDK if believe this and was posting to see if any truth.