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350 vs 450 and stiff ride

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Old May 28, 2022 | 03:05 PM
  #26  
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'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon
Most owners and even tire shops will not know this. An odd decision on M-B's part - a case where the engineers are given free reign without enough practical input, I thinkl
I agree that this (edit: different offsets F&R) is not widely known.
But I think it's a good solution to having a staggered look, without staggered tires. I'll take that over staggered tires any day.

IMO the fronts are too small visually, as well as unbalanced traction. I'll be getting fronts long before I get rears on the 53. Traction might be better balanced on a 450 with staggered tires wheel offsets, but the fronts slide on a 53.

Last edited by mikapen; May 30, 2022 at 03:13 PM.
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Old May 29, 2022 | 03:33 PM
  #27  
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I bet your pressure is the issue

Originally Posted by jwb70
You might also want to check the tire pressure of the vehicle you test drive. Mine (450) came from the factory with all four tires at 50 PSI. The recommended is like 31/38 I think. I brought the pressure down to 35 and it rides MUCH better.
Mine was also delivered at 50 PSI. Lowered it to 31 as shown in the fill up door and it's a different vehicle.
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Old May 30, 2022 | 04:21 PM
  #28  
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From: Port St. Lucie, Fl
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Our 22 GLE450 SUV has the 21" Michelin tires and I have kept the original tire pressure of 34 pounds when the car was delivered. So far, I have found the ride to be excellent. I was not able to get the Airmaatic suspension when I ordered mine last year.
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Old May 30, 2022 | 07:38 PM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by MercOne1
Tire pressure.

we have a 350 on springs and 19” wheels. Been a smooth ride even with run flat tires (run flat is also a huge factor in ride comfort).

Then we got new tires of the exact same tire model last week. It was awful. So bouncy and harsh on bumps.

I was concerned, but noticed they were at 37 psi vs the recommended 32psi for low load. I put them down to 33 psi and it’s a world of difference. Much easier drive with just 10% psi difference.

Now, I would never get a gle with 21” wheels. They’re stupid wide for a 4-cyl suv. I see them all the time in my area and it looks ridiculous and disproportional. I have 315mm width tires on my 434hp cayenne where they belong, but it definitely has a negative impact on snow traction.
I vehemently agree with you regarding the 21” wheels on my 2022 GLE 350. I only got the 21 inch at the urging of my young nephew. Judging by the appear, my Mercedes-Benz will be quite at home in a Monster truck rally running over cars. 😃 On the other hand, larger tires and 4Mantic drive will be appreciated by me in Ohio’s winter. And, the ride is not bad at all, as 99% of my driving is on smooth highways.
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Old May 31, 2022 | 12:58 PM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by Pappachoppers
... On the other hand, larger tires and 4Mantic drive will be appreciated by me in Ohio’s winter.
Common misconception. Those big, wide 21" tires will not be your friend when the snow flies. Unlike when driving on dry roads, getting traction in snow is best accomplished with narrower tires. The right tread pattern and rubber compound help as well.
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Old May 31, 2022 | 02:42 PM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by Pappachoppers
I vehemently agree with you regarding the 21” wheels on my 2022 GLE 350. I only got the 21 inch at the urging of my young nephew. Judging by the appear, my Mercedes-Benz will be quite at home in a Monster truck rally running over cars. 😃 On the other hand, larger tires and 4Mantic drive will be appreciated by me in Ohio’s winter. And, the ride is not bad at all, as 99% of my driving is on smooth highways.
As HotRodW says, wide All Seasons will not work well in snow/ice. Best to get another set of 20" wheels with dedicated Winter tires.
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Old May 31, 2022 | 03:06 PM
  #32  
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From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon
As HotRodW says, wide All Seasons will not work well in snow/ice. Best to get another set of 20" wheels with dedicated Winter tires.
I agree that narrower is likely better in snow, but I don't know of ANY All Season tire that's any good in the snow, wide or narrow.
"All Weather" tires are a different story. They have "3PMS" (Three Peaks Mountain Snowflake) ratings, and they're usually better than M&S as well.

A set of 20's with Winter Tires would be ideal, but expensive with OE or other premium wheel. I just swap tires and keep 21's year round. Seems like snow days are fewer. (BTW my Dealer beat Discount and all others on price last winter, and they had MO-1 when nobody else had them.)
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Old May 31, 2022 | 05:13 PM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by mikapen
I agree that narrower is likely better in snow, but I don't know of ANY All Season tire that's any good in the snow, wide or narrow.
"All Weather" tires are a different story. They have "3PMS" (Three Peaks Mountain Snowflake) ratings, and they're usually better than M&S as well.

A set of 20's with Winter Tires would be ideal, but expensive with OE or other premium wheel. I just swap tires and keep 21's year round. Seems like snow days are fewer. (BTW my Dealer beat Discount and all others on price last winter, and they had MO-1 when nobody else had them.)
I’ve own trucks and found that wider tires have more stability. I found this on the web: “Most of the differences between narrower or wider tires depend on the kind of vehicle and the conditions it’s driving in. Wider tires have an increased risk of hydroplaning on slippery or wet surfaces, but they generally provide better grip for dry surfaces. Narrow tires will offer better traction in slippery conditions, but they are generally better for lighter vehicles such as hybrids or electric cars.” So, it’s a tossup?

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Old May 31, 2022 | 11:33 PM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by Pappachoppers
I’ve own trucks and found that wider tires have more stability. I found this on the web: “Most of the differences between narrower or wider tires depend on the kind of vehicle and the conditions it’sdriving in. Wider tires have an increased risk of hydroplaning on slippery or wet surfaces, but they generally provide better grip for dry surfaces. Narrow tires will offer better traction in slippery conditions, but they are generally better for lighter vehicles such ashybrids or electric cars.” So, it’s a tossup?
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Old May 31, 2022 | 11:38 PM
  #35  
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Tires

Originally Posted by Pappachoppers
I’ve own trucks and found that wider tires have more stability. I found this on the web: “Most of the differences between narrower or wider tires depend on the kind of vehicle and the conditions it’sdriving in. Wider tires have an increased risk of hydroplaning on slippery or wet surfaces, but they generally provide better grip for dry surfaces. Narrow tires will offer better traction in slippery conditions, but they are generally better for lighter vehicles such as hybrids or electric cars.” So, it’s a tossup?
The discussion was best for Winter conditions. Wider is not better for snow and ice. Yes, it depends on your conditions. If you only see those conditions infrequently, wider might be your best choice. But, even here in relatively mild Oregon (except for the mountains and a couple times a year in Portland) I choose the comfort of dedicated Winters from November to March.
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Old Jun 1, 2022 | 02:02 PM
  #36  
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We have 450 with 21's. The ride is fine with proper tire pressure. And to OP, a 350 and 450 should ride very similarly if both were on springs.
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Old Jun 1, 2022 | 03:12 PM
  #37  
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'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon
The discussion was best for Winter conditions. Wider is not better for snow and ice. Yes, it depends on your conditions. If you only see those conditions infrequently, wider might be your best choice. But, even here in relatively mild Oregon (except for the mountains and a couple times a year in Portland) I choose the comfort of dedicated Winters from November to March.
I change to winters also, but I don't use an extra set of wheels any more. I spend $90 twice a year to remount the next season's tires, and this spring I flipped my fronts (non-directional but "inside" marked).

One of the disadvantages of the 21" GLE/S fitments is that some of my favorite winter tires are not made in M-B sizes. I don't expect that to change, either, since M-B's sizes aren't used my many (any?) other manufacturers.
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Old Jul 21, 2022 | 09:00 PM
  #38  
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gle 350
How come nobody talks about the weight difference between 19s and 21s. Even few lbs difference will change how suspension articulates and rebounds during road imperfection. For purely comfort measure, 19s with taller tire would be the winner. As well, force and momentum of acceleration is different: 19s 29 inch tire will always be faster then 21s 31 inch tire.
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Old Jul 21, 2022 | 09:23 PM
  #39  
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Originally Posted by Whitegle2022
How come nobody talks about the weight difference between 19s and 21s. Even few lbs difference will change how suspension articulates and rebounds during road imperfection. For purely comfort measure, 19s with taller tire would be the winner. As well, force and momentum of acceleration is different: 19s 29 inch tire will always be faster then 21s 31 inch tire.
We’ll, I don’t have weight data on the 19s, but my 21s are forged and with tires actually weigh less than the W166 20s I use for my Winters. Not always so straightforward.
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Old Jul 21, 2022 | 10:01 PM
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My GLE in comfort is more stiffer than my previous X5 M50i in sport mode. However, the BMW in comfort was nauseating to me as it is way too floaty. I had to change the suspension to sports mode to make or feel somewhat “normal.” It felt like an old-school Cadillac, but some people prefer that. This was with air suspension mind you.

I actually can’t tell too much of a difference between comfort and sports in my GLE, but I can really tell the difference when I change it to Sports+.

So, I will give the X5 M50i the nod when it comes to suspension comfort, but it was a numb driving experience. The X5M is another story: that thing is way stiffer than my GLE.

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