Widman

After only 6,500 miles, the front Continental ContiSportContacts are worn to the wear bars! I cannot find any all season replacements in 21". Has anyone found a good substitute for the Continentals? Tire Rack has Dunlop (new and pricy) and Pirelli P Zero summer tires.

Spencer1990

I have the same vehicle as you and they only make winters & summers for the 21" wheels. I would recommend buying the winter tire & rim package from mercedes. The reason why is because winter tires for the 21"s are almost the same price. I'm in Canada but will link the package I bought for winter.

https://app.tirelocator.ca/national/...1566/trim/7197

DPelletier

The wide, low profile 21" wheels/tires are a bad choice for winter roads anyhow; I'd suggest the 19" non staggered set that MB recommends and sells for this vehicle. I'm going the aftermarket route but have already had fitment problems clearing the front calipers so I'm trying out wheel #2.

Dave

DameMD

LOL the guys replying are talking about winter setup and the OP is from California smh. I just checked again and the front's really don't have many options unlike the rear tires.

DPelletier

Fair enough but he was asking about all seasons and AFAIK, there aren't any.....the ones in your link are summer performance tires just like the stockers

Dave

Hockyz

I have a new take off set of the stock tires if anyone is looking. Shoot me a PM.

Pirelli Scorpion all season in 265/295 work OK.

DMXtremeZ

Just to confirm - you did 265/40/21 & 295/35/21 ? I was actually considering doing that sizing, but didn't know if the % diameter change in spinning would cause any faults in the 4matic or traction control sensors.

Hockyz

Yep, those are the ones. I called MB to ask them what they thought and they basically said to try it and see, so I did. No ill effects. My only complaint is that the tires are a bit noisy, but otherwise all around decent performers included snow.

DameMD

Did you get any crabbing/shuddering issues with the Pirelli Scorpion all season in 265/295? I am debating on placing an order and besides having better Winter traction, I am looking to see if gets rid of the crabbing issue?

Thanks!

Hockyz

DameMD

Good to know man, and thanks for providing the forum feedback on a good All-Season replacement tire setup. Tirerack has a good price on your setup just a bit over $1000.

I have a few more questions for you. What about the factory TPMS? Were you able to reuse them or did you buy a new set? Did you have a MB dealer install your tires or did you go to an indy shop? thanks again.

Hockyz

DameMD

Thanks a billion man. This is a lot better than me having to buy new wheels and tires!

DMXtremeZ

Just reporting back -
Got the Pirelli All Season's in 265 & 295 installed last week and fit well. Crabbing issue has virtually disappeared. Tires look beefy and ride is smoother than the stock summers. TPMS re-used
Overall no complaints on going this route if you have the 21" wheels on the GLC43.

DameMD

For those of you in the US that have purchased the Pirelli all season tires, are you planning on keeping them on or changing back to the Continentals in Spring/Summer?

I heard the ride quality with the all Season tires is better.

DMXtremeZ

Keeping on the all seasons, to avoid the hassle of changing every 6 months + costs. Just have to worry about rotating (left -right) and balancing occasionally.
Otherwise I would've done full winter/full summer setup

dkhudson

Another "just to confirm", Tire Rack & Perelli indicate a minimum rim width of 9" for the 265/40/21. My GLC43 is a 2017 with 8.5" rim width. Are your 2018 front wheels 8.5" or 9" rim width? Also the Scorpion is showing three tenths taller OD and the clearance to the front caliper is not much. Since Sport Mode lowers the ride height, are you sure your front tires are not hitting the calipers in sport mode when you hit a bump or pothole?

This is a great solution if there are no problems. Thank You...

Dean

dkhudson

Another "just to confirm", Tire Rack & Perelli indicate a minimum rim width of 9" for the 265/40/21. My GLC43 is a 2017 with 8.5" rim width. Are your 2018 front wheels 8.5" or 9" rim width? Also the Scorpion is showing three tenths taller OD and the clearance to the front caliper is not much. Since Sport Mode lowers the ride height, are you sure your front tires are not hitting the calipers in sport mode when you hit a bump or pothole?

This is a great solution if there are no problems. Thank You...

Dean

DMXtremeZ

I was concerned too, but I went for it. It fits. I have the SUV, 8.5 front, 9.5 rear. The tire wouldn't be the issue hitting the caliper, as that is in the wheel barrel. The concern for a bigger tire would be hitting the fender or inner lining, which is fine. Overall difference in width and diameter is minimal

DMXtremeZ

Here's a chart also for reference, thanks to the original poster in another thread

dkhudson

Thank you for the chart but we're talking a size larger than this chart and that difference calls for a 9" minimum rim width. Nevertheless, after the last post, it seems it will work with 8.5" rims and that's great news!
I'm going to a slightly different tire by using 265/40/21 front & 275/40/21 rear. It gives me a Perelli Scorpion Verde All Season. It has a lower speed rating but longer tread wear.I should have these mounted within a couple of days. I ordered them in, then delayed install because of the rim width scenario.

dkhudson

Today I replaced the ContiSportContact Summer Only tires with Perelli Scorpion Verde All Season tires. The Verde is not available in a larger size for the rear. It works by going one size larger on the front (265/40/21) and one size smaller on the rear (275/40/21).
The Perelli P Zero All-Season option is likely a better set-up but I had already ordered the Verde which will probably give a longer tread life but also has a smaller speed rating of 149 MPH.
Either one is a welcome solution without buying additional wheels.

DameMD

Since I know I will never take my truck up to 149mph, does the speed rating really matter? Just asking as I haven't purchased new tires yet since my truck is still sitting at the body shop. I went to Costco the other day to look at tires and I provided the tech the 265/40/21 & 295/35/21. He told me there are Michelin all season tires at those specs and that they will to have be special ordered. They price he gave me was about $100 more than the Perelli tires. When I get my truck back I will take my truck up to Costco to see if the Michelin tires will work. If so, I would prefer them over the Perelli.

dkhudson

I didn't see the Michelin. Just make sure the overall diameter doesn't exceed about 29.5" on the front. Costco buying service saved me $5K on my GLC43 purchase.

DameMD

Hey fellow GLC43 drivers..... I finally got around to ordering the pirelli tires and they should be delivered to my place tomorrow. I have a mobile installer coming by to install the tires and I have a question. Did you guys get an alignment done after installing the new tires or did you just put on the new rubber and went about your business? I remember ItalianJoe1 stated that some of the factory specs were off with the GLC43s and I was wondering if I should take mine to an independent shop since the front tires of my Continentals were wearing pretty uneven on the outside tread.

What are some of your thoughts?