New to a GL550, live in northeast. What are your opinions as to whether snow tires are / are not beneficial on these trucks.

 

The stock 21" Contis on the GL550 are "Summer" tires. Not good for cold temps below 40 and snow and ice. I bought a set of Pirelli Scorpion Winter tires to swap out once the temp drops consistently into the low 40s.

 

I'm a big fan of snows and run Nokian Hakka SUV snow tires.

 

Do not go out in the snow with the Continental summer tires. Been there, done that. They become four hockey pucks in the cold and snow. I just did a wheel/tire combo from Luke at Tire Rack. Went with 20" OZ wheels and Blizzak DM-V1 tires. They look great with the graphite colored wheels. Was going to do the RIAL wheel but out of stock until late December. The Pirelli is about your only choice if you want to swap on the stock rims.

 

We did 20x9 Amg replicas from local tire shop with 265/50-20 nokian Hak R2's. Studless. Great traction, skinnier to keep road cheese off the sides, and quiet.

 

Thanks for the feedback all, followed BMcD-E500's lead

 

Nice choice - Here is the wheel I chose.

 

I live in temperate NC but need winter capability for trips north.

After a few weeks trying to decide the best route I found what looks like a good option via an eBay seller and pulled the trigger...

20 x 9.5 Replica AMG wheels
285/50/20 Yokohama iceGuard iG51v
Includes center caps and hardware
$1845, mounted and delivered cross country.

Added MB factory TPMS for $230.

The tires are so new that there are no user reviews but their in house tests were apparently quite positive.


If interested, seller is Wheeltech Tuning in Glendale, CA 1-888-807-7467. Apparently they do a lot of these package and can probably alter to suit.

 

20" Blizzak DM-V1 tires with Replica Rims

(http://www.ebay.com/itm/20-inch-Mercedes-Wheels-ML-350-ML-300-AMG-RIMS-GL3505-GL450-GL550-GLK-22-5x112/271657917285?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D27538%26meid%3D277bb9a961c34fc08421d7634364672f%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D11353%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D291039549758)

 

How'd these end up working for you? Looking to pull the trigger on the same setup for this coming winter in the northeast.

 

Hi, these worked out quite well. I have not used them very much since I live in NC and only mounted them for trips north in the winter.

I probably don't really need them so I'd be willing to sell the set up if you're interested. I believe they have 6000 miles on them. PM me if you like.

 

Anyone have experience with the Pirelli Scorpions in 21"?


Looking at these to swap straight onto my 295/40-21s rather than maintaining smaller winter rims and the only winter tires TireRack carries in that size are the Scorpions. They will only really be put to use maybe three to five snow events during the winter plus maybe one trip to CO, so looking for a reasonably quiet and comfortable ride during the dry part of the season.

 

-bump- any feedback on the Scorpions or does nobody else run them?

 

In the same boat and trying to find information/comments on Pirelli Scorpions 21"? Would greatly appretiate if anyone who has used them can share some feedback...

 

I have these tires on my 2013 GL550 and they handle really well here in Chicago. They are a little loud for me, but do great in the snow and rain.

 

The Conti's UHP wear out really fast, lucky to get a good 12,000 miles out of them, at 14,000, they're dangerous in rain, they're pretty much toast. Had the same premature wear on my old Range Rover Sport and LR4... didn't last more than 12,000 miles. The are OE.

I'm not looking for winter, but a new brand of all seasons. BTW, the Conti's UHP are not summer tires. But they're crap. Never trusted them in the rain anyway. I see that Conti is offering DSW's for the GL550, anyone try them out yet? I have DWS's on my R56 Mini Cooper S and they're by far the best rain tires I've ever had in my lifetime.

I'm thinking about getting a set, but also how are they with light snow?