I leased a 2024 GLA35 AMG approximately 10 days ago. The salesperson didn't point out that the tires were summer/high performance tires, which he should have being the car was being leased in the winter. When the temps dipped well into the 20's driving my car was like going over glass and it wasn't stable on the road. These high-performance tires were not indicated on the car's sticker and the dealer won't swap them out. The sales manager or his GM are hiding behind the salesperson who is a nice guy but a total waste when it comes to real issues. I'm thinking of reporting them to MB USA to see what they can do for me. Does anyone have any other ideas that will help me get this issue resolved? I'm also thinking the dealership might have swapped out the original tires that came with the car to enhance the car's appearance. I've attached a copy of the car's sticker which does indicate 21" spoke wheels but not tires.

 

When the VIN is plugged into Mercedes NetStar internal system the build sheet states the car came with high performance tires which is typical of an AMG product. I would see if there is something that can be done in term of a tire swap. Might be a good idea to invest in winter tires if you can and swap them each season. Ideally the selling dealer will help but they may not.

 

why was it not indicated on the sticker?

 

Tires are almost never indicated on the window sticker, but they should be on the build sheet. Code R01. Either way, I believe high performance tires are standard on the GLA35 so they wouldn't show up because it's not a change. I hate agreeing with dealerships but it sounds like they're not technically in the wrong. It would have been a good thing to point out for sure, but you didn't do your due diligence unfortunately. When I bought my Fiat Spider, I knew it came on summers so I went on tirerack, found a decent set of wheels and winter tires, got them (iirc it wasn't much over $1,000 but then again that car has much smaller wheels and tires, I believe the standard wheels are 17s and my winter setup is 16s with an inch extra sidewall), and I keep them on thw wheels separate and just swap twice a year.

 

I understand your frustration. Many buyers would be pleased to find hi performance tires on the rims and get a dedicated set of winter wheels and tires...that was my case when I lived in the northeast. I always had a dedicated set of winter wheels/tires (and high performance summers) anr did not like all season tires.

 

I just got a 2023 GLA45 last month. It, too, came with summer tires. My dealer told me about and recommended that I change them.

I’m surprised your dealer didn’t tell you anything.

I did put new, more appropriate tires on. I kept the original ones, so when the lease is up I’ll put those back on.

 

Certainly surprising because they love to sell winter tire sets and they make quite a profit margin on it.