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Buddy.....you have one of those wild & crazy Buddy vs practical Buddy situations going on. You have the issues sorted out very well and $$$ will solve any of them. My vote is to “throw caution to the wind”...get it how you want it no regrets that way.
So true. If it was only money I would get the 21's. My biggest concern is going to be finding a replacement tire if we have the family out on a road trip. We drive across the state a few times a year to see family and even to New England with regularity.
If I get a flat on one of the 315/40 21's.....What are the odds I get a replacement tire within 24 hours when I'm 100 miles away from a major city?
These 21" wheels are so HAWT....BUT look at the practicality of the 20's:
What's the likelihood of finding these 21's in stock somewhere if I breakdown with a flat in the middle of nowhere?? Somebody tell me zero (please to help me stay with the 20's!) I could probably find 275/50 20's almost anywhere, right?
Well, likely neither is in stock at most tire shops. The Tire Rack is 2 day delivery away. In my experience, 90% of flats are repairable. You've got a spare. I carry a plug kit and compressor on trips.
Do I really want an SUV with 21's? The Cayenne I drove was fantastic with 21's *!#$*!%@$!@ The 21's would look menacing on an AMG package black car with the Night package!
Sounds like you want them but are trying to talk yourself out of them
What are we assuming for an up-charge from MB for the 21's? $1,000?
European price w/o VAT is ~€800, so I'm guessing US$800.
Anybody have a sense what a set of 4 of either wheel may cost at the parts desk?
You don't want to know, but I've never destroyed a wheel in 54 years of driving.
With a steel suspension would you stay with 20's to be safe?
Not sure what you mean by being safe. As I explained, the sidewall height of the 21" tires is the same as the W166's 19".
So true. If it was only money I would get the 21's. My biggest concern is going to be finding a replacement tire if we have the family out on a road trip. We drive across the state a few times a year to see family and even to New England with regularity.
If I get a flat on one of the 315/40 21's.....What are the odds I get a replacement tire within 24 hours when I'm 100 miles away from a major city?
The odds of a solution with 20” tires are better but probably the same on any of those wheels. The 20” wheels have differentt offsets front to back and not likely stocked by many dealers. I had a friend with a C class Benz that hit a pothole last winter on a trip. He ended up bending a wheel and had to leave it a week so two round trip plane tickets home, lost days and a big pain. As complex as these vehicles are getting there are more than tires that will not be available.
Well, likely neither is in stock at most tire shops. The Tire Rack is 2 day delivery away. In my experience, 90% of flats are repairable. You've got a spare. I carry a plug kit and compressor on trips.
Good point about carrying a plug kit!
Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon
Sounds like you want them but are trying to talk yourself out of them
Yes 100% True! They are so hawt
Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon
European price w/o VAT is ~€800, so I'm guessing US$800.
Chump change!
Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon
You don't want to know, but I've never destroyed a wheel in 54 years of driving.
Best of both worlds are 21's on all-seasons, and 20's mounted with winter snow shoes. I always prefer the oem look. Curious what a set of rims would cost. No worries about destroying or bending one of these rims. Biggest worry would be pot holes.
Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon
Not sure what you mean by being safe. As I explained, the sidewall height of the 21" tires is the same as the W166's 19".
Just thinking about the comfort of others. The rear 315's are only 40 series on the 21's!!!
Yesterday I talked myself into them and out of them in the course of an afternoon.
Just thinking about the comfort of others. The rear 315's are only 40 series on the 21's!!!
How many times do I have to tell you to quit focusing on aspect ratio and look at sidewall height, which is the main “plushness” factor. 315/40-21s have the same sidewall height as 255/50-19s on the W166. 🙂
Do they have to replace the entire wiper assembly?
Revolutionary or stay away to keep your wallet in check with future maintenance (i.e. More trouble than they're worth)?
Covered by either MB Service A or B?
Do they have to replace the entire wiper assembly?
Revolutionary or stay away to keep your wallet in check with future maintenance (i.e. More trouble than they're worth)?
Covered by either MB Service A or B?
I have them on my GLS 550 but my dealer never mentioned them as an option during my build. Are they available for the GLE?
Not in the DOG, obviously, but they should be available, perhaps SPC. They are an option on US 2019 GLE & German 2020 GLE. Buddy - did you see them offered?
There are several options not in the Prelim DOG but I didn’t write them down. Variable Heated Seats and Soft Close doors are two that weren’t listed or I missed them. It’s been over 30 days and still no update....I keep thinking tomorrow but tomorrow never comes!
The odds of a solution with 20” tires are better but probably the same on any of those wheels. The 20” wheels have differentt offsets front to back and not likely stocked by many dealers. I had a friend with a C class Benz that hit a pothole last winter on a trip. He ended up bending a wheel and had to leave it a week so two round trip plane tickets home, lost days and a big pain. As complex as these vehicles are getting there are more than tires that will not be available.
I know the DOG lists slightly different offsets on the 20's but that seems really strange and prone to potential mechanic error down the line.
How many times do I have to tell you to quit focusing on aspect ratio and look at sidewall height, which is the main “plushness” factor. 315/40-21s have the same sidewall height as 255/50-19s on the W166. ��
How typical is it for staggered width wheels to also stagger the aspect ratio? I'm sure it's done to normalize sidewall height. However when I see the 21's mounted below. Am I the only one who perceives an exaggerated sidewall height difference between the front and back (45 in the front and 40 in the back)? Although the 21st appear to be visually stunning, I'm starting to look at them (the 21s) as being all show and the 20's having far more go. Prove me wrong!
Compare versus the 275/50 20" AMG wheels:
Last edited by buddy0329; Dec 9, 2018 at 08:59 PM.
How typical is it for staggered width wheels to also stagger the aspect ratio? I'm sure it's done to normalize sidewall height. However when I see the 21's mounted below. Am I the only one who perceives an exaggerated sidewall height difference between the front and back (45 in the front and 40 in the back)? Although the 21st appear to be visually stunning, I'm starting to look at them (the 21s) as being all show and the 20's having far more go. Prove me wrong!
That is very typical if the width is 20mm or more different. The end goal is to make the outside diameter and therefore revs/mile the same front & rear. Looking at the front 275/45-21s, if we multiply the width by the aspect ratio, then multiply by two (for two sidewalls), convert to inches and add to the wheel diameter we should get the OD of the tire:
For the rears:
315 x .40 = 126 x 2 - 252 / 25.4 = 9.9" + 21" = 30.9" OD.
So the sidewalls front & rear are within 0.1" of each other.
Every manufacturer/model tire may vary slightly from these theoreticals. These are the specs for the Pirelli fronts shown in the photo, which shows an OD of 30.8" vs. the calculated 31.1":
I think the different lighting on the front & rear tires may be throwing you off. You are correct, however, that 275s all around is plenty for performance.
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; Dec 9, 2018 at 11:40 PM.
All of the wheel/tires have approximately the same diameter probably to help with keeping the speedomer & odometer readings accurate. You can do a google search on any setup and get this kind of detail. I find it useful when looking at winter tire options if I can’t find an exact match.
Here’s one for the 20’s: 285/40R20 Tires. 285/40R20 tires have a diameter of 29.0", a section width of 11.2", and a wheel diameter of 20". The circumference is 91.0" and they have 696 revolutions per mile. Generally they are approved to be mounted on 9.5-11" wide wheels.
All of the wheel/tires have approximately the same diameter probably to help with keeping the speedomer & odometer readings accurate. You can do a google search on any setup and get this kind of detail. I find it useful when looking at winter tire options if I can’t find an exact match.
Here’s one for the 20’s: 285/40R20 Tires. 285/40R20 tires have a diameter of 29.0", a section width of 11.2", and a wheel diameter of 20". The circumference is 91.0" and they have 696 revolutions per mile. Generally they are approved to be mounted on 9.5-11" wide wheels.
But the GLE uses 275/50R20? OD 31.1".
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; Dec 10, 2018 at 12:25 PM.
Correct-those are the specs of the Michelin Winter Tires I was researching since they don’t currently have the 275/50’s.
Here are the correct spec’s-275/50R20 Tires in general. They vary by manufacturer and tread depth. . 275/50R20 tires have a diameter of 30.8", a section width of 10.8", and a wheel diameter of 20".
All of the wheel/tires have approximately the same diameter probably to help with keeping the speedomer & odometer readings accurate. You can do a google search on any setup and get this kind of detail. I find it useful when looking at winter tire options if I can’t find an exact match.
Here’s one for the 20’s: 285/40R20 Tires. 285/40R20 tires have a diameter of 29.0", a section width of 11.2", and a wheel diameter of 20". The circumference is 91.0" and they have 696 revolutions per mile. Generally they are approved to be mounted on 9.5-11" wide wheels.
Well, by the time you need them for your car they will have them in stock. I would not go that much smaller in diameter; also, for Winter tires skinnier is better for snow & ice traction and anti-hydroplaning. While they don't look as cool, 19s with 255s would perform best, but we all make compromises.
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; Dec 10, 2018 at 01:00 PM.
That’s just one size that came up as a close match to the factory tire diameter....it’s also not recommended for a 9” wheel. There’s a lot of forums eaten up with wide vs narrow advantages but as I recall a wider tire is almost always better on ice in the few actual tests. Tire Rack has a good winter tire review in general terms.
Ice is the most important factor I consider because it’s the most dangerous of all. (Unexpected black ice) Also important are noise, wear and overall performance but tires are constantly improving. By the time any meaningful review takes place it’s already the next season with changes to some of the tires. Haka’s usually win in overall performance but don’t wear that well and are noisy. They are also expensive and have a limited selection of sizes.
What I’m saying is that the actual tire may be as important as the size.
Do they have to replace the entire wiper assembly?
Revolutionary or stay away to keep your wallet in check with future maintenance (i.e. More trouble than they're worth)?
Covered by either MB Service A or B?
I have the Magic Vision Control wipers right now, and I really like them.
I normally change my regular wiper blades annually. Surprisingly, these have held up well in the 2½ years I have had them. I do suggest changing them after 2 years though for optimum results.
By the way, Canadian orders for the GLE350/450 will automatically come with the Magic Vision Control wipers, so no opt out for those that don't want them.
By the way, Canadian orders for the GLE350/450 will automatically come with the Magic Vision Control wipers, so no opt out for those that don't want them.
They don’t show this option anywhere on the US DOG.
Hello all, first post here and trying to figure out some configurations / options
1) What is the rear a/c like if i did not opt for the four zone climate control?
2) Does amg interior package with nappa leather include the dashboard too? Or i could only option for artico leather for dashboard + beltline
3)Standard suspension with steel and springs is 15mm lower, how’s the ride height comparing with the basic airmatic suspension then? (Not the E-ABC)
can the basic airmatic suspension raise and lower with buttons or only base on car mode (comfort, sport and sport plus)
How’s the ride comparing with both suspension?
4) also, i’ve noticed that the standard brakes from the show car are not 4 pistons as regular mercedes? They look like 1 or 2 pistons brakes? Pls correct me if i am wrong
Hello all, first post here and trying to figure out some configurations / options.
Where are you located - Canada?
1) What is the rear a/c like if i did not opt for the four zone climate control?
I assume you have some ability to regulate volume and direction of air with the vents, but not set a separate temperature from the front or different fan speed.
2) Does amg interior package with nappa leather include the dashboard too? Or i could only option for artico leather for dashboard + beltline
The only stitched dash available is the MBTex/Artico which is the separate option. It's really a better product for that application than leather and you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference,
3)Standard suspension with steel and springs is 15mm lower, how’s the ride height comparing with the basic airmatic suspension then? (Not the E-ABC). Can the basic airmatic suspension raise and lower with buttons or only base on car mode (comfort, sport and sport plus). How’s the ride comparing with both suspension?
All we can do is try to discern from the various video and written "first reviews" at this point. If the Airmatic is like the current one, you can manually raise it for off road (2.3" on W166), and it automatically lowers the car 1/2" at speed. There are two firmness settings on my ML, Comfort & Sport. A couple review quotes:
"If you don’t want to spend the money on the electronics, the air suspension is also smooth and offers the ability to raise and lower the GLE. For those who have an eye on the bottom line, the basic suspension is perfectly good. You’ll never feel like you put yourself in a penalty box if you go with the base GLE." – Car & Driver
"The GLE can be had with three suspensions. The first GLE 350 we sampled had good ol’ steel springs, which provide a nice balance: The ride is firmer than we expected (a nod, we assume, to BMW drivers who find traditional Mercedes SUVs too softly sprung) but nowhere near punishing. Grip was impressive and likely aided by the wider tires fitted to our test cars. In the curves, the steel-sprung GLE 350 we drove felt more responsive and eager than Mercedes SUVs of yore, though calling it fun-to-drive might be stretching the truth. Next, we drove a GLE 450 with the Airmatic suspension, which reminded us of why we’re so fond of air springs. The ride is glass-smooth with excellent body control in the curves. It’s the perfect setup that should please enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts alike." - Automobile
4) Also, i’ve noticed that the standard brakes from the show car are not 4 pistons as regular mercedes? They look like 1 or 2 pistons brakes? Pls correct me if i am wrong.
Edited: There have not been any specs published yet. I have seen three different front calipers in photos, one quite small w/ non-drilled rotors, one small with M-B lettering & drilled rotors, one quite large M-B lettering & with drilled rotors. After further research it appears these are, respectively, base brakes, brakes with AMG Line Exterior package & brakes with E-ABC package. The US DOG is missing out by not noting the brake upgrade for E-ABC to partially justify that huge price. German site notes it. The rotors & calipers are much bigger.
I'm not sure if the difference is between the 350 & 450 or perhaps the AMG package. The DOG does note for the AMG Line Exterior package, "Sports braking system with perforated front brake discs, larger brake size and caliper trim with 'Mercedes-Benz'" I
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; Dec 11, 2018 at 11:18 PM.
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