arch85

I'm stuck in a big dilemma and really hoping to get some feedback here ..

So the car I test drove, had the sports appearance package which comes with 20" wheels and upgraded brakes (do the upgraded brakes make a noticeable difference?).

The car that I have on order right now, has the stock 19" wheels. I'll be honest, I'm not a huge fan of the stock 19" wheels (but can live with them if there are more pros over the 20", as I plan on being in the car, not out of it ) .. just don't look as nice to me. I didn't want to shell out 3k for the sports package because personally, to me, the car looks sporty enough without it.

MB does have a 20" wheel upgrade for $750 that I like, however I've been reading a lot of mixed reviews between 19" vs 20" (none for GLC or GLC Coupe). Mostly the consensus seems to be that smaller wheels are better, unless the car is designed for larger wheels. Considering there's only 1 option for 19", and 3 options for 20", should I presume GLC Coupe is designed for 20"?

All that being said, has anyone been able to drive a GLC Coupe with 19" and 20" ? Any big difference or pros and cons between the two? Please do note that I am in New England with crappy roads and plenty of snow

Thanks!

zhenyaf

We have pretty terrible roads in NY and my 20s have held up pretty well. I love the way they look, especially with a sport package

Teckno

We have 20" on GLC 250d, with steel springs and run flat tyres. Can can skip slightly on uneven bumpy roads with camber or gradual bend around 80kph. Ride over speed humps terrible over 25kph, real bang, thump. This I put down to run flats and especially steel springs on front, rears ok.
Our GLC Coupe , 250d too, has 20" with air suspension and normal tyres, not runflats. Front tyres size as on my wagon,but reat rims have a wider profile, still 20" and normal Michelin tyres. Ride is much better, can go over same speed humps 10kph faster and not feel like your teeth fillings are being dislodged.
Other factors to consider , replacement cost of 19" Vs 20" and popularity in your area, are they readilly stocked. We us summer tyres too. You might need all weather or M&S ?
With our cars being RHD we get tyre juddering from front left tyres on cold mornings and cold wet roads. MB is working on a fix, which I think is fitting All Season tyres to the cars.
Lower profile will always give a better ride due to rubber ratio. We however have not driven on 19: in any GLC, The AMG spoets wheel packafe looks great though !
So Air suspension with normal tyres seems to work really well.
Good luck.

gnawmean

I ordered the 20" over the 19" along with my sport package. haven't gotten the vehicle yet, but every time I see the 20" multi-spoke I tell myself I'm making the right move. They are gorgeous.

I feel the same about the porsche multispoke wheels as well. Maybe I'm just a wheel guy

ramzez

I have 20 inch run flat Pirelli on GLC and absolutely love it. Did 600 miles already very smooth fantastic drive.

Oliver12

20 inch wheels on standard suspension and non run flat tyres are pretty good- not harsh and no potential problems with air suspension down the line if you are keeping the car for some time.

arch85

Thanks guys.. I asked my sales rep, and she highly recommended sticking with the 19's ... she said I'll be back at the dealership way more often than I'd like if I went with the 20's ... it's a custom order car so I really don't think she has any incentive to push 19" vs 20" ... decisions decisions

Sigp232

+1 19 inch tires more selections when it's time to replace. And little better protection/thickness from potholes.

ramzez

The smaller the tires the less CO2 gas, the less tax i didn't have an option to select cause i wanted a car in a week, so didn't really care 20 or 19. but happy with 20

CasemLuke

Hi Arch85:

Get the 20"! I got them for my GLC SUV. I got the Night package and upgraded the 20” multi-spoke – they are absolutely beautiful. And a nice touch Mercedes did was replacing the standard blue MB Crest logo with Black/Silver logo crest (they also put the same black/silver logo on the hood instead of the blue crest). Is that for all models or just Night packages?

Regarding ride quality: I drove the car in EU for 2 weeks and didn't notice any offensive "roughness"... the ride was as perfect as could be. Italy had its share of rough patches and many areas had cobble stone roads... so I'm not convinced the 20" wheels has a noticeable disadvantage in ride quality vs. the 19".

I did also get the ($950, negotiated price) for the tire/wheel protection. Not sure if I’ll ever use it, but it’s there if I need to: Covers cost coverage associated with replacement of wheels and tires due to road hazard. Wheel repair for most scrapes, scratches, and other cosmetic damages, etc…
https://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/servi...ire_protection

I did the European Delivery program and my car arrived this week...love my GLC! And will be getting front windows tinted.

(photo from road trip in Switzerland)

arch85

Thank you!

I'm actually opting not to get the sports package -- my car is already loaded up (58k MSRP on a GLC Coupe), and I really can't justify another $3k for the sports look My sales rep and wife (not the same person! hah) say it the coupe looks sporty enough without it, so I'm using that reasoning to justify not spending additional $3k.

Coupe comes with 19" standard, and I guess I can upgrade to 20" 5 spoke but with black accents wheels for free (per mbusa website). After keeping everything into account, and the climates it'll be driven in (tons of snow and pot holes), I think I'll stick with 19" .. I do like the look of 20" A LOT more than the 19", but the fact remains that I'll be "in" the car, and much rather not have the doubt about 20" wheel performance when roads are slushy.

Really really REALLY wish MB gave better options for 19" rims for the coupe ... such a pity

gnawmean

That's a gorgeous car!

Sigp232

Beautiful picture

mleydekkers

Just bought a 2018 GLC 300 Coupe. Came with the stock 19" wheels that I didn't like too much. I struggled with getting the 20" or 21" inch wheels. I ended up getting the 20's but I think I regret it. I would have gotten the 21's if I could do it all over again.

Don't get me wrong, still looks fantastic but hind site is 20/20!

Mike

littlesigh

So after all these years what do you say about the 20 in tires? I am in a similar boat now.... I LOVE the 20 inch multi spoke wheels for the 2021 GLC300 but am concerned about 20 vs 19 inch. Hoping MB has some multi spoke rims in 19 inch I can swap out.