cincy8

I'm looking for your input on the effectiveness of the stock Conti tires in snow and ice for the GL550 (21").

My husband tried to research and is concerned that we might need winter rims/tires. We are in the midwest where we get a mix of snow/ice.

Do you have or recommend winter tires? What was your experience?
If so, what rim/tires did you go with?
If you go 20", what tires did you go with and were there problems with speedometer/odometer calibration?
He wants to stick with AMG styling.

Thanks!

JimBarnhart

I have one winter under my belt on my 21" wheels on my GL350. I have the Pirellis instead of the Contis. I would say it does decent in the winter. Not great, but I never feel like I can't get through on bad roads. We drove 250 miles to Green Bay last December in a driving snowstorm. Some parts had several inches of accumulation, other places were snow packed roads. It handled it well. I live in rural Minnesota and haven't had a problem getting to work (20 mile commute).

My suggestion is give them a try and see what you think. If it's not acceptable for you, then investigate buying some 18" wheels/tires.

Mbenz260e

It's discussed somewhere else on the forum but I think there is an issue going with 18" because they are too small for the front brakes. Might need to get 19" but a search should bring up the discussion.

JimBarnhart

Oops, yes. I think our GL's only support down to 19", the X164 supported 18".

cleno

I am going through the same decision making process right now. I own a 2009 GL550 and this is my first winter in New England. wondering if I can use the Crossconti tires in the winter here or should I just buy a set of winter tires or better yet use the all season pirelli tires

blittle

It has been stated many times in this and the X164 forum....the Contis are marginal at best in snow ( you can check the reviews on Tire Rack )......they are at their best when new. 15k into their short tread life.....they are almost useless in 3 or 4 in of snow! In my experience, I found the 19" Pirellis to be a good bit better. Nokian is now making a 19" winter tire that fits our GL's......... if you need 'em, there is absolutely nothing better or more expensive!

cleno

Blittle Thank you for your feedback. I just checked with my local MB dealer they are asking $3500 for the pirelli tire and 19" wheel winter package. is this price reasonable or should I try to buy from the many vendors in this forum. Am new to this

cleno

JimBarnahart - Is the pirellis in your car an all season tire? how is the tread wear

JimBarnhart

Yes, they are the stock tires that game on the GL. I have 16,000 miles on them, seem to be holding up so far, but not expecting to get more than about 25,000 out of them.

Mbenz260e

If you go to tirerack etc. you can do better but it won't OEM wheels. Depends if that's important for your or not. Also need to figure out TPMS if you go 3rd party. I don't have winter tires myself but considering for my E this year.

cincy8

I did check the x166 forum but not x164. I saw mixed info on the Conti's - but maybe that is explained by reviews based on NEW tires. The reviews on TireRack are why my husband is concerned. Since our GL550 is new, maybe we'll be ok this winter.

We are still not clear how we can replace 21" rims/tires with 19" without impact for a car built/tuned for 21" & speedometer calibration. Do you just use larger profile tires? Did your car build with 21"? I guess I could call the dealer for their input/information.

We're also interested in any favorite rims and sources. I did see a couple in the forum. I also see OEM rims on EBay.

JimBarnhart

You got it. The tire/wheel combination are chosen to give the same circumference of the tire. So big 21" wheel, less rubber as part of the total equation. A smaller wheel needs more rubber on the side walls to make up the different.

I am just doing this now on our Kia Soul. I am running 18" wheels in the summer, dropping to 15" wheels for the winter. I haven't yet needed to do that with the GL350.

blittle

Tire Rack comes up with some pretty good pricing on tire/wheel packages....however.....when you add in the shipping, the installation AND the toms service (which will be needed )..... I'm not sure how that compares..... I would assume that your quote includes OEM wheels and is "out the door price " If not, then it may be a bit high.

cincy8

According to MB website, 19" wheels (no tires) are $2100 so seems like you could be paying premium for tires assuming that is the same wheel.

It may be cheaper to buy MB wheels, use MB Club discount (if it applies) and take to tire place for tire mounting???

cleno

Cincy8, Blittle, Mbez360e and JimB
Thank you guys for your response. I just checked with another local MB dealership, they quoted me $3,340 for an OEM 19" Wheel and Pirelli snow and Ice tire with TPMS balanced, mounted and installed on the car.

Luke@tirerack

having seen a couple of different model GL550's mentioned in this thread I thought I would address both the 2007-2012 model and the 2013-2014 model concerns here.

the early model can be downsized to 18" with no issue even though 21" wheels were installed from the factory. The outside diameter of the 295/40-21 is 30.3" as is the diameter of the recommended 265/65-18. This means no issue with ABS, Traction Control or speedo calibration.

We do not currently offer a 19" package for the 2013+ models but, do have some 20" options using either the 295/45-20 or 275/50-20 tire size.

TMPS sensors are available through Tire Rack and they are the same part that MB dealers sell. We purchase them from the manufacturer just like MB but, they do not have the Mercedes part numbers on them.

The the GL550 will not automatically relearn new TPMS sensors. To relearn or initialize TPMS system it is as simple as following directions in owners manual. No dealership visit is required. **

you can find our 100% guaranteed fit winter package on our web using this LINK or you can always call me directly at 800-428-8355 ext. 4362

blittle

Good info for us folks....! Thank you....

1st amg

Hi everyone, I posted this on another thread, I solved the problem on my wifes 2011 GL350 with the AMG appearence package which includes the 21inch wheels by simply buying the OEM sized tire but the winter version. In my case it is the Pirelli Scorpion Ice/Snow and it is fantastic. The best part, I have orderd the 2014 GL350 with the AMG package again and the winter tires can be swapped over to the new model. Yes it is a pain to bring the truck in to get the tires mounted etc, but I like the overall look with the big wheels and dont have to sacrifice that appearence for the winter. I am not one for ruining the look of the vehicle for the winter months...these cars were built and designed by Germans who have some pretty bad winters as well, so the fit and finish of the wheels should be somewhat durable.

cookstar

Pirelli Winter Tires and OEM 21's in Toronto cost over $8400.00 lol. that is a ridiculous amount of money to spend!

http://www.mbwheels.ca/mercedes

cincy8

This is a GREAT site. It doesn't look like we have this in the US.
It has the part numbers for the wheels too which helps when looking for them outside a dealership!

cookstar

I think they just launched the website in Canada, I got it via an e-mail from MB today.

winter tires and rims on an SLS could set you back over 15K! LOL!

1st amg

I purchased the pirelli scorpion winter/ice in the 21" for about $1500 shipped to my door in Canada thought the Tire Rack.

cincy8

Will you put them on a winter set of wheels?

cincy8

Just an update... i finally ordered wheels, tires, and tpms from the dealer. Of course, the tires are now backordered for a couple weeks - Pirelli scorpion snow & ice.
I went with the 10 spoke 20" 'accessory' wheel for the GL550 that looks like 5 sets of "( )".

The total cost will be ~ $4200 plus tax with my MB club discount.

With the 20" AMG wheels, it was $5444.

MB (in USA) just came out with a 'winter package' for the GL550 using the 19" wheels for $3200.

1st amg

Hey Cincy, I just realized you had asked a question in regards to wheels, sorry for the late response, I wasnt aware of the question, for what its worth, I did not purchase wheels for the winter, I have the OEM wheels and just do a tire swap every winter. Not worth me getting wheels, BTW, the 2011 GL we have is going on its third winter with the OEM wheels and there is not a spot of rust or tarnish, so the salt roads we have here in Ottawa Canada are not killing the wheels. I ordered a 2014 GL again and am going to stick to the same game plan, no second set of wheels and just winter tires. Save your money!! The wheels on our 2011 do not look like the winter did anything