cincy8

Thanks. Our dealer did propose that and we considered that. For a number of reasons including smaller foot print, we are going with 20". I'm not looking forward to storing.

Ikozlik

So you find That the grip of the 21" wheels are adequate in snow/ice conditions?

sraza

i agree- stock rims ate just fine- i've never stored and had a summer and a winter set- just make sure you keep em clean and polish every now and then- as for the pot holes during winter- well yea you take a chance, but on an SUV i thinks its ok..
i've used 18's, 20's and 21's in all diff seasons- honestly its no difference- sure folks may argue 18s/19s are softer and better for snow etc etc- but wer talking about an suv here- the difference is not that siginificant and some may feel it more /less than others.
storing is painful--

1st amg

We have never had any problems over the three years with the wheel/tire combination. As long as it is a ggod winter rubber compound it posed no problem for my wife.

1st amg

I totally agree with your statement, the jumping down a size is hardly noticeable to the average human being....if you ask the professional rally driver they will notice.

bonboon

A little late in asking you this question (old thread) but you were able to find the Pirelli Scorpion Ice and Snow in 295/40/21?

Is it possible those no longer exist?

Patarix

Hi Elion, currently, in your 295/40R21 size, you should be able to find:
Pirelli - Scorpion Winter (relatively good manners on regular roads)
Pirelli Winter Carving Edge (better for more extreme snow/ice, can even be Studdable)

bonboon

Ty very much, I really appreciate your color.

Glad they are available somewhere in that size cause on Tirerack and the actual Pirelli site they don't seem to be

Patarix

Hi Elion, good morning,

You may try looking here:
http://www.carid.com/pirelli-tires/w...-18313524.html
http://www.samsclub.com/sams/295-40r...rod11580785.ip

This size is available also on www.1010tires.com but right now they seem to be out of stock:
http://1010tires.com/Tires/295-40R21

Take care,
Alessandro

cyclrder

Hi Elion,

I personally have the Scorpion Winters and think highly of them...

NAnook...a fellow with a ML63 that lives way North in Canada had had the winter carving and wasn't that happy with them... The winters will drive in everyday use probably indistinguable from your summer tires...

Just 2 cents.

Kenn1926

I've had the Pirelli Scorpion Winters in 275/45 20 on my 13' ML550 for 3 seasons now and they're snow traction is amazing. I'll be buying my second set next season.

prsdoc

As an alternative to the Pirelli winter tires, may I gently suggest the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7's in a 295/40/21. These tires are simply amazing in the snow and ice - but mine are studded so I can only use them through March/April depending on where I'm traveling. Available in both studded and non-studded. Slight increase in road noise - with the windows open at slower speeds. Otherwise I don't really notice them at all. GL's are pretty insulated from noise.

No affiliation, but I picked them up from tiresbyweb.com. Had them on my doorstep within 5 days after ordering and installed shortly thereafter, with great traction and safety for the family ski/snowboard trips.

ovul82jazz

In addition to the tread design for winter tires, also remember that the rubber compounds are designed for weather less than 7 degrees - winter tire rubber is more flexible and responsive in colder temps. We live where Winter is just a fact of life. Just buy the Winter's and don't look back. You'll be happy - your car will be happy and you'll be able to stop and steer. A great thing at any time of the year. The GL winter combo will be based on19" wheels with a taller tire so that the diameter remains the same. Almost like they planned it, eh? The Pirelli Scorps for Winter are great. Don't think about it - just put them on.

Dalema

I have a slightly different situation and looking for advice. GL550 with 21 Conti CrossContact UHP that say they are M+S.

I'm in CA and my snow needs are only when I'm up to the mountains (we have a place so up there periodically over winter).

So not sure I need dedicated snow tires, but don't really see any alternatives in M+S.

I guess I could buy a set of rims and snow tires, but would be spending a lot of time around home at 50-60oF temperatures. Not too concerned about tire wear.

Any new developments - would welcome thoughts? Would love to put Nokian WRG3s on but don't think available.

Dalema

A little research shows me that a 265/50R19 or a 265/45R20 is the same diameter as the 295/40R21 that I currently have.

So - first question, as it relates to my GL550 - a 19 or 20 inch wheel should fit?

I do see that Nokian makes the WRG3s (which are M+S but apparently very good in the snow) in both those 19 and 20 inch sizes. Maybe I could get a set of them and run them during the winter months.

Is that weird to get a different wheel size and not run dedicated snows?

I also see there is a Nokian WRG3 in a 275/40R21 - wonder how much difference that would make.

cyclrder

I don't think that you can put 19s on a 550 as I believe the calipers are bigger on the 550 vs 450 (at least that was the case of my x164 GL550.... And if you have a Gl63 forgetaboutit!

I cringe at running my snows above 45 degrees.... Lastly, putting 20s and certainl 19s will degrade the handling of a 550...doesn't make a lot of sense to have spent the money on a 550 and then handicap the sportiness of it....

I strongly recommend the winter scorpions...I have put my AMG into some pretty incredible snow situations and the car handled it fine.. The 4matic on the 550 is much better than my fixed 40/60 setup... Can't see why you would need anything more aggressive than the scorpions... With these tires you retain 95% of the handling characteristics and 10x the winter performance over anything else.

Dalema

Thanks for the input. So you are thinking the best alternative are the 21inch Scorpion Winters - even if the majority if the time I'll be driving in 55-60 degree weather.

I saw there are also 21inch Scorpion Zeros that are M+S - wonder if that would be better given my situation. Not sue if they would be any better than the OEM contis.

cyclrder

No... I wouldn't run the winters in warm weather... Try the M+S...they might be fine... Certainly better than the Conti and will not degrade the handling.

Mike450

Beyond tire wear, you'll also be dealing with squirm. The snows big tread blocks, that work so well evacuating slush and biting into snow, soften and will wobble when above 40-45 degrees.

Wobble and squirm is not something you want with a 5000lb truck taking an off ramp.

cyclrder

You won't get wobble or squirm with the scorpion winter tires..... They are 90% (ok... Maybe 85%) as good as my 22 inch zeros that I have on my car in the dry.

Mike450

I was referring to driving with them above 50F.

Below 40, solid tire.

Dalema

Looks like there is a new All Season tire in the GL550 21" size, that may be a good fit for my Californian needs.

Reviews sound very positive - not a sport tire but good handling in the dry and wet, with limited experience in snow except for one tirerack test I found (but expected to be decent based on the last version).

Anyone have experience with the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06?

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....Contact+DWS+06

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=199

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=201

http://www.tirerack.com/survey/Surve...3D94YR1DWS06XL

Dreamszalone

I am too interested in these and been watching it for a while, my 550 is @ 11000Miles so in winter definitely it needs a set, but this tire on paper rocks with UTQG: 560 AA A of this caliber is exciting.

Thanks

Dalema

Only have a 1,000 miles on ours - but the crosscontact UHP are just not going to cut it in the cold. Looks like we may actually get some weather here this winter!

bonboon

Can't speak to this tire in this size but I have DWS's on my E63 and they are excellent. In these parts they are regarded as the gold standard high performance all season for sedans. SUV size, not sure