When I was purchasing my GLC43, I asked the salesman about the possibility of swapping the vehicle's 21" rims and summer tires for a set of 20" rims and all season tires. He said that couldn't be done. If I wanted different wheels and tires I would have to look for a car that was already equipped like that from the factory. True?

He wanted you to finish signing the paperwork, put his commission in his pocket, and move on to the next customer

Yes, I get that. But, is what he said the policy and practice of MB?

I had a similar question, got few answers here but found this, which should give you the official MB stance.

https://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/acces...artNo:BQACC004

Your dealer sounds horrible by the way, name and shame them. If they don't even want to make a sale imagine their response when you have an issue in the future.

My experience with any car dealer over the past 40 has been pretty disappointing regardless of whether it was Honda, Lexus or MB. His explanation was, the 21" wheels are listed on the factory invoice, therefore cannot be swapped. I intend to call MB customer service to confirm. I expect ethics to exist in a gray area with any car salesman but an outright lie to my face crosses the line.

Old thread but FWIW, we liked the optional 21's on another GLC43 so we had the dealer swap them over to our brand new GLC43 in place of the All season fun flat 20's.....no problem.

Dave

I tried to do the opposite and asked a few dealers. (I wanted the 21" wheels but none that had them were spec'd how I wanted them) They all said they couldn't do it without outright buying the wheels as a second set, I believe the VIN shows the vehicle as coming with whatever wheels the vehicle has on it so they won't swap one to another. If it were a deal breaker for the purchase I would think they might do something though.

TRUE- I bought my 2017 AMG GL43 car with the summer tires (because they wouldn't change them to the all season tires (20") and regret it now. I live in NH and didn't realize that the summer tires cannot be run under 40 degrees (I did run them and they were ruined with 8k miles on them)
I need to know if I can put winter tires on the staggered rims and if so what should I be looking at? Or what should I buy for rims and tires without spending 5K? Thank you for your time.. Cheryl

Call Tirerack and see if they can give you some advice. They can probably recommend a nice rim/tire package for much less than 5k, especially if a winter setup. Being outside Philly, we don't typically get the type of winter like in NH, but temps do stay well below 40 during that time. My 18 GLC43 will be coming with the 21's/summer tires, so I will need to research a winter option in the next month or so, as well.

Thankyou! I will look them up.

Well sorta true; as I said my dealer swapped the rims from the 20's to the 21's on my GLC43....but I agree that most wouldn't. A couple comments; running summer tires in cold temps reduces traction but doesn't typically damage the tires; probably just wear due to the width, compound and geometry. I couldn't find winter tires for the 21" rims BUT it's just as cheap to buy a set of dedicated 19" winter rims and tires. I just bought a set of 19" x 8" Klasse Motor Sport Apex rims (112x5 bolt pattern with 38mm offset) and a set of Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 235/55/19's.....you need to look up the tires and rims as a GLC300, not a GLC43 or the 19's won't come up (here anyhow). I run the winters square (non staggered) as recommended. I paid around $2,500.00 Can (less than $2k USD) . This option is relatively inexpensive, saves your expensive 21" wheels from the rigors of winter driving, give you more sidewall for hidden road hazards and works the best.

Another option is that I'm SURE you can find someone with the stock 20's willing to trade you for your optional and more expensive 21's.

2 cents,
Dave

another 2 cents for cheryl
[img]webkit-fake-url://dbd3b40d-880e-4081-ac43-0bc4d7abe2f4/imagejpeg[/img]
checked tire rack and went to my go to tire guy. On different coast. Got OZ Leggera HLT
wheels (expensive). comes with hub adapters and tire guy doesn't charge for change out summer to winter. With this set up believe I can go to 255 front and 285 rear if desired. Hope picture posts

[img]webkit-fake-url://248d1945-b6fd-418e-85cc-20f5deee3c30/imagejpeg[/img]
maybe this will post, trying but still new to pics

Edit/Update; the 19" wheels will NOT fit on the AMG; just had the shop try to mount the tires and they don't clear the calipers. I had read on this site that some had done it but apparently the reason the AMG's come with 20" wheels standard is that the 19's won't fit.


....back to the drawing board

Dave

Another update; just got back from the dealer and the tire store; the MB 19" wheels will fit, aftermarket ones may or may not depending on the actual shape of the spokes, clearance etc. I've re-ordered another brand and I'll know when they get here in 10 days. The takeaway here is that unless you order MB 19" wheels for your 43, there is a chance you'll have clearance problems.

Cheers,
Dave

See my post for wheels for sale. I have a set Mercedes 19-8 rims off a 2015 Ml 350 4 matic for sale with TPMS. Live in St Louis area. Putting new tires and rims on tomorrow 19 Oct

Winter tire choices are limited. Worse case scenario is that you have to buy a set of cheap aftermarket wheels with square setup and winter tires. Fitment over the brakes is the tough part for the '43 models.

Anybody know the widths/offsets for the stock 20's? Also, best place to get the AMG 19's? I'm assuming that a) dealership is expensive and b) few if any takeoffs available.

consider starting a new thread specific to your question.