New user and Wheel question
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
2014 GL350
New user and Wheel question
Hi all. After spending 8 months lurking on the posts, I finally joined up and am so glad I did. You all have been so helpful as I embark on the journey with my '14 GL bluetec. Thank you!
Months late to the game (and with a small baby girl in the back seat) and lovely wife to keep safe, I've decided to install snow tires. Went with the Hak R2 SUV's in 285-50-R20 (compared to the factory 275/50/R20's) and want to mount on separate wheels.
Came across a set of almost identical looking 20" wheels to those installed on the GL, but they are slightly different in dimensions and appear to be made for the ML.
I currently have the 20" wheels from the factory - Part # A166 401 2802 (GL) - These are 20x8.5 with a 62 offset.
I want to use these for my snow tires - Part # A166 401 1802 (ML) - These are 20x9 with a 57 offset.
Does everyone think I'll be ok with the wider ML wheel with different offset coupled with the wider 285 tire - all installed on my GL350? Don't want any rub, etc. or brake problems.
Any help would be appreciated. My mind is numb from the time spent researching online.
Months late to the game (and with a small baby girl in the back seat) and lovely wife to keep safe, I've decided to install snow tires. Went with the Hak R2 SUV's in 285-50-R20 (compared to the factory 275/50/R20's) and want to mount on separate wheels.
Came across a set of almost identical looking 20" wheels to those installed on the GL, but they are slightly different in dimensions and appear to be made for the ML.
I currently have the 20" wheels from the factory - Part # A166 401 2802 (GL) - These are 20x8.5 with a 62 offset.
I want to use these for my snow tires - Part # A166 401 1802 (ML) - These are 20x9 with a 57 offset.
Does everyone think I'll be ok with the wider ML wheel with different offset coupled with the wider 285 tire - all installed on my GL350? Don't want any rub, etc. or brake problems.
Any help would be appreciated. My mind is numb from the time spent researching online.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 355
From: USA - Minnesota
2014 GL350
That said, we have the stock 19" wheels/tires on our GL in Minnesota and I have not come close to thinking we need dedicated snow tires like on my BMW sedan. (Yet.)
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 379
Likes: 1
GL550
I'm not sure about your wheel offset question but with snow tires ---very generally speaking--- you want narrower wheels/tires. It seems counterintuitive, but a smaller contact patch is better (more weight per area) when snow/ice traction is the primary consideration than summertime acceleration/cornering where bigger is better. Essentially tires with a overly large contact patch will "float" on snow/ice.
That said, we have the stock 19" wheels/tires on our GL in Minnesota and I have not come close to thinking we need dedicated snow tires like on my BMW sedan. (Yet.)
That said, we have the stock 19" wheels/tires on our GL in Minnesota and I have not come close to thinking we need dedicated snow tires like on my BMW sedan. (Yet.)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota
2015 Ram 2500, former 2013 GL350, 2007 GL450
On my X166 I have the Perellis and 20" wheels. I put about 15,000 miles per year on my GL. The first winter on my 2013 was great in the snow, the second winter (18-24K on the tires) was simply scary. If the roads were plowed no problem, but otherwise I felt uncomfortable. This winter I'm on new tires (less than 10K) and they are doing fine. I am trying to decide if I should budget for snow tires for next year, but then again my vehicle will be 3 years old then and maybe it's not a good return on investment.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 355
From: USA - Minnesota
2014 GL350
The 19" (275/55R19) Continental 4X4 Contacts that were OEM and are labeled M+S on the sidewall. (FWIW, here's what Tire Rack says about them)
Last edited by cadetdrivr; Jan 5, 2015 at 05:28 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 379
Likes: 1
GL550
The 19" (275/55R19) Continental 4X4 Contacts that were OEM and are labeled M+S on the sidewall. (FWIW, here's what Tire Rack says about them)
