Why not Firestone?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 193
Likes: 11
From: Bedford, MA
2013 S350, 2021 GLS450, 2003 SLK32
Why not Firestone?
I'm on my 2nd set of Nokian WR-G3 on my GL450 and they're getting really noisy. Only 23k miles on this set. I got 35k on my last set. Only difference is I've been rotating them every 5k miles this time, instead of every 10k.
Did a little research and according to the Tire Rack ratings and Consumer Reports, my best bet for something *quiet* that will last a long time is the Firestone Destination LE 2. However, my trusted local tire guy says never, ever put Firestones on a Mercedes. I've searched this forum and found quite a lack of posts with people using them. So I'm wondering why not Firestone? Are they really bad on a Mercedes but other makes get great ratings using them?
Did a little research and according to the Tire Rack ratings and Consumer Reports, my best bet for something *quiet* that will last a long time is the Firestone Destination LE 2. However, my trusted local tire guy says never, ever put Firestones on a Mercedes. I've searched this forum and found quite a lack of posts with people using them. So I'm wondering why not Firestone? Are they really bad on a Mercedes but other makes get great ratings using them?
Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 154
Likes: 18
From: South Florida
GL550
When you say Firestone do you mean Bridgestone? The last loaner I drove had Bridgestone tires and I've seen a few other Mercedes models on Bridgestones. After driving the loaner for a few days, I found them to be very noisy at highway speeds and felt every bump on the road.
I just checked the website (Firestone) and they don't make the 20' tire for the 450 or the 21' for the 550, only for the 19' rims.
I just checked the website (Firestone) and they don't make the 20' tire for the 450 or the 21' for the 550, only for the 19' rims.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 193
Likes: 11
From: Bedford, MA
2013 S350, 2021 GLS450, 2003 SLK32
Yes, I have a GL450 with 19" rims. I'm currently running 255/55-19 but stock size is 275/55-19. I wonder if that's the reason why I don't see more about the Firestone's, folks may only have the larger rims.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 193
Likes: 11
From: Bedford, MA
2013 S350, 2021 GLS450, 2003 SLK32
So after debating the merits of each tire, I decided to go back to the Nokians. There's a new version out, the WR G4, which is supposed to be quieter and my tire place is running a buy 3 get the 4th free deal. My total for a set of 255/55-19 tires is $967.76 installed with free flat repairs and rotations.
