Emerson11

This last summer, I moved to Michigan from Florida, and decided to trade in my nearly new 2018 S5 Sportback for a vehicle more suited to the climate. I purchased a 2018 GLC 43 with the 21" wheels and summer tires, with plans for winter wheels/tires. Because of family issues and timing, I didn't do the research that I normally do when I purchase a new car; I just pulled the trigger. Within days, and while the outside temperatures were in the 70s, I experienced the loud thumping skidding noise when getting in and out of a parking space. The problem has only gotten worse as the temperatures have dropped. Mercedes is well aware of the problem, and their bulletin indicates the problem occurs at low temperature or WET PAVEMENT. At least on my car, it occurs anytime it's maneuvered in tight turns at low speeds. Mercedes also says there is no solution other than switching out wheels and tires, which they will not cover. Even if they would cover the cost, I've read that it doesn't eliminate the problem, it merely reduces it. I bought the car because I liked the staggered big wheels and low profile tires, that's how it was marketed, so to suggest a fix that only partially alleviates the problem, yet changes the nature of the car is ridiculous.

Having spent over $70K on a vehicle that thumps and bumps in parking lots, making passersby wonder what's the problem, is an embarrassing mistake.

Anyone else want to publicly whine about Mercedes's tire crabbing problem?

Philamg

Lots of posts regarding crabbing/clonking/skipping on the forum, it is even worse in RHD cars, I have changed to 20 inch wheels with winter tyres (At mercedes expense) from 19 inch wheels with summer tyres and it all but eliminates the crabbing.

gravity101

Yeah it's pretty bad on my 21". I only notice it when inside a particularly tight multi story car park though. Am I happy about it? No, but I'm aware that only full lock causes it, so I try not to do it... and enjoy the rest.

DameMD

It's due to the summer tires. A lot of us opted to get Pirelli Scorpion tires which are all season. Since I changed my tires to these, I haven't had any issues. People have said that they wear out fast but I haven't experienced any uneven wear. You can always opt for 20in wheels and you will have a ton of All-season and winter tire options. Summer tires aren't going to do it for you.

osidepunker

I don't understand how summer vs all season tires can cause this issue. Assuming they're the same size, it should make a difference

Philamg

Summer tyres harden in winter , the all seasons are made of different rubber and don't harden as much.

guhvies

And besides it is not the tires that are causing the issue, it is the way MB designed and built the vehicles. The all-season tires only mask the problem.

Chrisk03

How so? If it's a design/build issue, how come it only appears on cold, hard tires?

I will say, it is kind of annoying as the weather gets colder here in the Northeast US, but nothing over the top for ME. I'll probably switch out to the Pirelli all season's when the Conti's wear out, anyway. There are a few other issues that I find more annoying than this and with no "fix", but still enjoy the vehicle overall. No vehicle is 100% perfect that I've found.

guhvies

Because on my C43 with the tyres nice and hot I still get crabbing when on full lock if it is cold or cool.

MB300AMG

Does it have anything to do with the staggered setup? I read that some Porsches have similar issues depending on the model.

guhvies

It could be but I don't have any evidence to prove that or otherwise. Seem's it's something I'm going to have to live with...

Philamg

All RHD GLC'S have the issue , so NO nothing nto do with staggered set up.

MB300AMG

Well the staggered setup exists on both the LHD and RHD models since that's how the tires are mounted, so the fact that it occurs on RHD models doesn't rule out this possibility. I was just wondering whether getting smaller all-season tires and switching to a straight mounting setup would solve or at least mitigate the problem.

Philamg

It exists on other GLC models than the 43 and 63, the 220D and 250D suffer and they don't have staggered set ups, that's what I meant, I have summer tyres in 19 inch and it is awful, I also have 20 inch (not staggered) with winter tyres and it has disappeared.

Emerson11

This crabbing issue is loud, and physically noticeable even when the temperatures are in the 60s and 70s. It's crazy that Mercedes is suggesting that those of us who bought a vehicle with wide tread, summer vehicles, should accept a "solution" that costs us more money, and doesn't eliminate the problem, but rather, partially mitigates the problem. Mercedes has offered me $1000, which is ridiculous, because when I have to unload this vehicle, I'm going to lose thousands. Next step, a Lemon Law attorney.

bsmall1623

Count me in on being embarrassed by this... My wife said "why does your new car sound like its falling apart already?" Friend said "That sounds horrible, is your car ok?"

ItalianJoe1

It's the geometry of the front suspension, too much caster and it tilts the wheels out unevenly at full lock steering, the tires skip and cause that noise. The different tires will slide instead of skipping so you don't notice, but the issue would require a re-design of the front suspension and would alter the way the car drives negatively.

KumaGLC63

I first experienced this twice on my Macan Turbo and I thought It was the spring binding and I found out it was crabbing.

DameMD

Finally you guys figured out the real issue/problem. This also explains why my front tires were mostly worn and my rear tires still looked new when I was changing them out for the Pirelli tires. I guess I should expect my Pirelli's in the front to wear out faster too

ItalianJoe1

From the factory, the toe setting is almost always too high by a large margin, which scrubs off the front tires early. We've reported it to the VPC but they insist they check the cars from time to time and they are ok. Every 205/253/222 has too much toe in on the first alignment we do. After that, they are fine and the tire wear goes back to normal.

The Pirelli tires are also garbage.

Emerson11

Here's the mail and email for Mercedes customer assistance:

1 Mercedes-Benz Dr., Sandy Springs, GA 30328, Attention: Customer Assistance
mbcep@mbusa.com (customer assistance)

The more owners Mercedes hears from the better. I'd suggest emailing and sending a letter using certified mail, so that you'll have proof of timely notification.

While I will be pursuing a cause of action under state "Lemon Laws," given the price of these vehicles, and the dollars lost when we are forced to replace them prematurely, perhaps there is a "class action" avenue available.

Chrisk03

Does anyone out there know what the factory/stock alignment specs for the GLC43/63 should be? 21" summers for me, if that matters. I'm coming up on my first 43 service and want my MB dealer to check the alignment. Would like to have a little knowledge of what they should be going in.

ItalianJoe1

Have them print the before/after sheet for you.

DameMD

ItalianJoe1

The settings will show factory spec for your car. I usually find them not at spec but way over the first time they are checked.