Playing in the snow
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 648
Likes: 144
From: Yeast Coast, Canada
GL550 X164
So I am not the only one who cracks the third row windows to get air moving through the car. 
Great place for some adventures, by the looks of it. Wondering how the tires worked in the snow. They look like all seasons. Kind and size, please?
Great place for some adventures, by the looks of it. Wondering how the tires worked in the snow. They look like all seasons. Kind and size, please?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 14
Likes: 2
2012 Gl350
275/60 r20 . Really good in the snow but even better on the beaches of North Carolina . I absolutely love them .
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 648
Likes: 144
From: Yeast Coast, Canada
GL550 X164
Those third row windows are a life saver for me too when the dog is hanging out of the second row window and I don't need to roll mine down but a hair, roll out the third row glass and eliminate the wind thumping my eardrums off at higher speeds. It's pure magic!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 14
Likes: 2
2012 Gl350
Geolandars, of course! It's my next tire when I burn through the Pirellis. My confidence in these just went up. I like the sound of them handling well on sand. They'll work well on the dirt roads here.
Those third row windows are a life saver for me too when the dog is hanging out of the second row window and I don't need to roll mine down but a hair, roll out the third row glass and eliminate the wind thumping my eardrums off at higher speeds. It's pure magic!
Those third row windows are a life saver for me too when the dog is hanging out of the second row window and I don't need to roll mine down but a hair, roll out the third row glass and eliminate the wind thumping my eardrums off at higher speeds. It's pure magic!
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Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
GT-R
A recommendation to Michelin Latitude Cross as a do-it-all tire. All-season tires are always a compromise but it seems to do everything pretty well, even on light snow, and at surprisingly quiet road noise levels. IMO better than Geolandars I had on my G-class at one point. The downside from the most common X164 standpoint is that they're only available in 265/60R18 and 285/45R21. Not in any 19" or 20" sizes, at least for now.
Dedicated snow tires are a different ballgame, of course. I'm currently running GoodYear Ultragrip Ice Arctics (studded) and contemplating Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV:s or LT3:s to replace them. The tread pattern isn't quite as coarse so they're probably a bit less ideal for deep snow but they have more studs, which is an advantage on icy roads.
Dedicated snow tires are a different ballgame, of course. I'm currently running GoodYear Ultragrip Ice Arctics (studded) and contemplating Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV:s or LT3:s to replace them. The tread pattern isn't quite as coarse so they're probably a bit less ideal for deep snow but they have more studs, which is an advantage on icy roads.
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Super Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 648
Likes: 144
From: Yeast Coast, Canada
GL550 X164
295/40R21. The choices for 21 inch wheels are limited, infortunately. I have a separate set of winter tires/rims with Nokian Hakka9 SUV. Those are fantastic in the winter.
I'm looking for a 3 season setup which I can trust for early/late season surptise snowfalls and for trips south of the border in the winter... if the border ever opens. I don't want to run the winter tires in 20C/70F+ in Florida in March and practically kill them in a short time.
I'm looking for a 3 season setup which I can trust for early/late season surptise snowfalls and for trips south of the border in the winter... if the border ever opens. I don't want to run the winter tires in 20C/70F+ in Florida in March and practically kill them in a short time.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 648
Likes: 144
From: Yeast Coast, Canada
GL550 X164
A recommendation to Michelin Latitude Cross as a do-it-all tire. All-season tires are always a compromise but it seems to do everything pretty well, even on light snow, and at surprisingly quiet road noise levels. IMO better than Geolandars I had on my G-class at one point. The downside from the most common X164 standpoint is that they're only available in 265/60R18 and 285/45R21. Not in any 19" or 20" sizes, at least for now.
Dedicated snow tires are a different ballgame, of course. I'm currently running GoodYear Ultragrip Ice Arctics (studded) and contemplating Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV:s or LT3:s to replace them. The tread pattern isn't quite as coarse so they're probably a bit less ideal for deep snow but they have more studs, which is an advantage on icy roads.
Dedicated snow tires are a different ballgame, of course. I'm currently running GoodYear Ultragrip Ice Arctics (studded) and contemplating Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV:s or LT3:s to replace them. The tread pattern isn't quite as coarse so they're probably a bit less ideal for deep snow but they have more studs, which is an advantage on icy roads.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
GT-R
I seriously considered Latitude Cross for a while, for a third set of wheels/tires too but for a dedicated hunting rig mud/all terrain tires and studded snow tires will do. They're one of the best compromises I've come across so far, even though they can't match the grip of even non-studded snow tires when the weather throws an unexpected curveball.
Much better than BFG All Terrains, GoodYear Wrangler Duratracs and similar, though, whenever there's ice on the roads.
Much better than BFG All Terrains, GoodYear Wrangler Duratracs and similar, though, whenever there's ice on the roads.
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Joined: Jan 2010
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NGL450 w/EORP, S550
I have Goodyear Wranglers and very happy with them in mud, snow and bare roads.
We’ve just had the mother of all snow storms here in the puget sound and they’ve acquitted themselves confidently.
We’ve just had the mother of all snow storms here in the puget sound and they’ve acquitted themselves confidently.
Last edited by Max Blast; Feb 14, 2021 at 06:13 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 648
Likes: 144
From: Yeast Coast, Canada
GL550 X164
The Latitude Cross are up there in the price range. Comparing it with the Geolandar, with the price tag of the Michelin and lower thread wear rating I'd opt for the Yokohama at roughly half the price. I might be wrong, but I don't think the Michelin is x2 better. The GL likes to eat tires. I'd opt towards a harder compound tire with longer thread life. I realize that there will be compromises with that, like road noise and maybe dry grip, but those are not concerns for me. The windows are down for the dog so road noise is muffled by wind and sound system. The GL is an SUV with the typical characteristics like hefty weight and body roll so I drive it accordingly. I want a tire that will handle the weight and will not need replacing in a year or two.
The GL is an SUV with the typical characteristics like hefty weight and body roll so I drive it accordingly. I want a tire that will handle the weight and will not need replacing in a year or two.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
GT-R
Polyurethane bushings and a good alignment job? My GMC Typhoon went through a set of tires every 20k miles no matter what I did, even with fresh rubber bushings. Installed a complete PU set and now the current tires have 30k on them, with more than three quarters of the tread depth left. A huge improvement.
Siberian seems to be the only manufacturer that offers PU bushings for X164 right now and they're non-adjustable, but eliminating the effects of torque on rubber bushings and, as a result, wheel alignment, is the ticket for substantially slower tire wear. Offset bushings like K-Mac or Powerflex adjustables would be ideal for fine-tuning the alignment, but they're N/A.
Siberian seems to be the only manufacturer that offers PU bushings for X164 right now and they're non-adjustable, but eliminating the effects of torque on rubber bushings and, as a result, wheel alignment, is the ticket for substantially slower tire wear. Offset bushings like K-Mac or Powerflex adjustables would be ideal for fine-tuning the alignment, but they're N/A.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 648
Likes: 144
From: Yeast Coast, Canada
GL550 X164
Polyurethane bushings and a good alignment job? My GMC Typhoon went through a set of tires every 20k miles no matter what I did, even with fresh rubber bushings. Installed a complete PU set and now the current tires have 30k on them, with more than three quarters of the tread depth left. A huge improvement.
Siberian seems to be the only manufacturer that offers PU bushings for X164 right now and they're non-adjustable, but eliminating the effects of torque on rubber bushings and, as a result, wheel alignment, is the ticket for substantially slower tire wear. Offset bushings like K-Mac or Powerflex adjustables would be ideal for fine-tuning the alignment, but they're N/A.
Siberian seems to be the only manufacturer that offers PU bushings for X164 right now and they're non-adjustable, but eliminating the effects of torque on rubber bushings and, as a result, wheel alignment, is the ticket for substantially slower tire wear. Offset bushings like K-Mac or Powerflex adjustables would be ideal for fine-tuning the alignment, but they're N/A.
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Joined: Apr 2013
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Mercedes-Benz CLK 550
Polyurethane bushings and a good alignment job? My GMC Typhoon went through a set of tires every 20k miles no matter what I did, even with fresh rubber bushings. Installed a complete PU set and now the current tires have 30k on them, with more than three quarters of the tread depth left. A huge improvement.
Siberian seems to be the only manufacturer that offers PU bushings for X164 right now and they're non-adjustable, but eliminating the effects of torque on rubber bushings and, as a result, wheel alignment, is the ticket for substantially slower tire wear. Offset bushings like K-Mac or Powerflex adjustables would be ideal for fine-tuning the alignment, but they're N/A.
Siberian seems to be the only manufacturer that offers PU bushings for X164 right now and they're non-adjustable, but eliminating the effects of torque on rubber bushings and, as a result, wheel alignment, is the ticket for substantially slower tire wear. Offset bushings like K-Mac or Powerflex adjustables would be ideal for fine-tuning the alignment, but they're N/A.
It's all to do with cost cutting and the ever increasing speed of auto assembly lines (new car industry's best kept secret).
No Camber and Caster to adjust tire contact angles, spread load more evenly to prevent costly, premature edge tire wear.
X166 Front Camber and Caster kit “replaces also at the same time” - the ‘4’ lower arm, highest wearing bushings. The 2 rear bushings are subject to premature failure and OEM are very expensive to replace.
The KMAC kit comes with bush extraction tools so can be fitted without the need for arm removal. Patented design allows precise single wrench adjustment (accurately under load - direct on alignment rack).
W166/X, 167, 251, C292
Front #504016M $595 1.25°’s Pos/Neg
Front #504016-1P $695 2°’s Pos/Neg
REAR SUSPENSION
Have Camber KMAC rear kit “doubles the existing adjustment range”.
Replaces the 4 lower arm, highest wearing bushings. Bush extraction tool supplied allowing to be installed without need for arm removal. Like front, is precise single wrench adjustable direct on alignment rack.
W164, 166/X, 167, 251, C292
Rear #504026K $480
KMAC is the Longest established, most experienced, adjuster kit manufacturer. AUDI to Volvo - Resolving OEM shortcomings since 1964 !
Delivery $40 one kit ($60 Front & Rear) Paypal, Visa or M/Card
Last edited by K-Mac; Feb 15, 2021 at 10:03 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
GT-R
How about the front, then? Assuming that the X166 kit you mentioned is different and won't fit (does it?), can we expect an X164 front kit in the future?
It'll be at least a couple of months before I tear down the suspension and replace bushings so if a kit will be available by, say, June or July, count me in for an order. Any PU bushings are a major improvement but the offset adjustability you guys implement into them takes it one step further.
